Not Easy to live with AIDS

A Struggle

"It is not easy to live with HIV and AIDS' says Christina, seen here with me in this photo. In the background is Brenda Carter, a volunteer from England who works with the Warehouse ministry that connected me with Christina. How grateful I was to be able to train Christina and two other women in our sewing program and then award them sewing machines. Yesterday I could hardly wait to see Christina again as we headed off to Sweet Home Farms, the informal settlement where she lives. I was delighted to hear that she uses her sewing skills to teach others and make items for sale. With help from Brenda, she also started a community restaurant that serves 30 take out sandwiches a day and seats 16 people. She is a hard worker and leader for her HIV Support group, but as she tearfully said to me, "living with HIV and AIDS is not easy." It is hard for her as the sole support of four children and now an added grandson. "I do my best but sometimes I cannot give them all they need,' she said. But beyond the financial battles I sensed a deeper concern. Living with HIV and AIDS is a death sentence and while she knows the medicine helps, it does not give her the hope she needs. In her body is a virus that will kill her. It did not help when I told her that her teacher Khumi had died. My heart too was broken as I listened to her. I shared with her the only answer I have. I reminded her how much Jesus loves her and he can give her the inner strength to live. I told her that people with HIV live many years if they take care of themselves and stay on their medication. I also encouraged her in the skills she had learned from us. She is so thankful for her sewing machine which she says, "helps me make money for my family." Soon I will help her upgrade her sewing skills and will take one of our teachers to Sweet Home Farms for two days of a sewing master class. The ladies in the support group beamed when we shared this news. What ever we can do, we will to bring hope to chase away the despair that comes with living with HIV and AIDS in Christ's name.