So everyone here in Jos greets you with the phrase "You are welcome" to which you reply "thank you." It seems backwards at first, but when you spend any amount of time with the people, you understand that they truly mean that you are welcome in their country.
Over the past 2 days, I've sat in on HIV testing and counseling and been to a remote village on the outskirts of town that was basically a mud wall house with a dirt floor and 3-4 generations of a family living in it. I've done much more, but as time on the internet is at a premium with our group, I need to just hit the biggies.
So testing and counseling....basically patients are given pre and post test counseling and we got to sit in with them in the post test as their results are revealed. Talk about feeling uncomfortable. In the five patients who I sat in with, only 1 (thank God) was positive, but for others in our group there were higher rates. And this happens daily. It's not like this cilnic just opened its doors and people are just having a chance to be tested.
And the other big thing was the village. I want to hold comment on it for the most part because there is talk of us taking and sharing lunch with them tomorrow, and I'll have much more to say after that. At any rate, I've been doing a whole lot on a little sleep and I'm exhausted! It's a little after 9:00 and I've been up since about 5:30. But it's hard to slow down and rest. I've been trying to pace myself, so this afternoon I just hung out with some patients/clients in the social services sector where they are taught trades that they can use to make money. Okay, now off to bed! Thanks for reading and God be with you! As hard as it may be to imagine, God is here....I am certain of that.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
You're Welcome!
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3 comments:
Hi Chris,
Warm greetings to you and the rest of the crew from First Pres.... and of course Nikki and all the saints in the Faith Alive Community. We are thinking of you and praying for you daily.
This morning we hosted a breafast at the church with over 60 Fort Collins pastors and other leaders to hear Steve Haas, Vice President of World Vision, talk about AIDS in Africa and solicit community support for our brothers and sisters in Africa. It was a very moving morning and I thought you all would be encouraged to know that while you are there, we were being inspired to get involved and do something here...
Please also communicate that the Session approved a plan last night to support Elim school students, to support the Save a Life program, and to support the Plumpie Nut project! We are excited about that and know that you all will be great promoters of those ministry opportunities to support and encourage the work in Africa...
Grace and peace to you all!
In Christ,
Scott
Chris....I am blessed that Pat sent me this blog...holy cow! I loved every word you write...you are precious to us and just want you to know that you are in our prayers constantly for safety - cant wait to read more.....
Love, Aunt Rosanne
OK, so why do you sit with them in the post-test sessions? Are you there to help them through the news? I can't imagine what this scene must be like. Like you, I don't know that I've ever met anyone with AIDS. To be surrounded by what is their stark reality must be undescribable.
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