HIV+ individuals and community is essential. When I studied abroad in Uganda we learned that people a lot of times are so ashamed when they discover that they have HIV/AIDS that they isolate themselves all the way up until they die of the disease.
A pastor who invested and cared greately for individuals suffereing from AIDS wore a bright red tag that said HIV+ to identify with people and suffer with them. People gave him loooks and wouldn't look at hiim at times because of the identity he took on, but he didn't care for a good reputation from people wasn't his main concern.
Visiting an oraganization called TASO I was inspired. This groups was a communitiy of individuals who were all affected by HIV/AIDS who had joy and energy. When we got off our bus they were dancing and singing and drumming a welcoming song to US. Their hope was contagious as they encouraged us to clap and even dance along with them.
Wow, what a difference I thought. After hearing testimonies and stories and facts about the mass majority who isolate themselves in shame when discovering that they were sick, this group was different.
And how was this so? I fully believe that it was the community. They had each other. They leaned on each other, supported each other, and loved each other. This kept them together, and this kept them going despite their weakness of their sickness.
I still can clearly picture the patients of the community after perfoming hopeful traditional African song and dances for us stepping forward introducing themselves.
All the way down the line all the way up to the very last individual in the group stepped foward and boldly declared with a joyful smile:
"Hello! My name is ......... and I am HIV+ and have been for ..... years."
Wow. wow. wow. What a lesson that we can learn from this.
As individuals like you and I, we may not be HIV+, but we certainly affected by a differnt disease, we have all fallen short as sinners who have been saved by grace.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:23
This is why we need each other. By ourselves its easy to let ourselves be condemned for our short comings and loose site of what Chirst has done for us. But together, we are reminded the faith and hope we are able to have in Chist.
All of us as weak individuals together all in need our Creator. As a friend put it, we are all hanicapped individuals in need of each other.
I picture myself standing up bolding like the HIV + patients at the TASO organization, as I proclaim with no shame, "My name is Megan Hall who is a sinner who daily falls short of the glory of God But who is saved by God."
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.Psalm 34:4-6
My fleshly side constantly wants to do things my way, and run off and do my own thing as it just feels easier sometimes to do what I want rather than submitting to working and compriming with others as well. But the Truth is, we need to. To get healthy, stay encouraged, and boldly be ok with our shortcomings, we need community. Without it, we are really by ourselves and dead in the flesh. Thank you Lord for the encouragement of your Holy Spirit which guides me into truth in hard times, family, friends, and even strangers as we are all alike, in need of Truth. Amen
