Spoiled Oyboes Making Home Visits

We've been really spoiled in terms of the accommodations that we've been giving. We having running water at our guest house in Jos, electricity most of the time, food cooked with consideration to our sensitive American digestive systems, and we don't have to worry about mosquitos too much while we sleep because the room is pretty well sealed off. But most of the homes in Jos don't have these same ammenities. In fact, they haven't had running water for about 6 months in most of Jos. We, on the other hand, have been afforded all the luxuries. Our showers, however, have been pretty spotty (not that we're complaining, because most of the American volunteers don't have the opportunity to shower at all). Jason and Bob have gotten a shower pretty much whenever they want, but whenever Kristin tries, she doesn't have any water. At one point, after Kristin was trying about 15 mintues, she came out and said "I give up!" The second the word "up" came out of her mouth, the shower turned on. I've never seen anyone with so little luck with running water. So we've been coddled for the most part, but have a little experience of life in Jos.

Faith Alive relies heavily on US dontations; about 80% of the drugs persribed are from US donations. Through the US PEPFAR program, which provides medical relief in developing countries, about 2500 people are on anti-retroviral medication which helps treat individuals with HIV/Aids. Their vision is to eventually be self-sustaining. Without the support from the US, Faith Alive would be really limited in terms of what it could do right now.

One of the most amazing things about Faith Alive is their commitment to each individual. Because of the social stigma invovled with HIV, many people lose their jobs when their employers find out they are HIV positive. Faith Alive has schools to help train people in sewing, knitting, wood work and computer skills so that these people can have marketable skills which allow them to have some income. They also have counselors that work with people who are being tested or treated for HIV. Yesterday we all got a chance to work with some of these counselors. They spend a lot of time educating people about the disease before they are tested so that no matter if they are negative or positive, they will be able to help prevent themselves and others from exposure. The counselors also check-in with patients to make sure they are taking care of themselves and that they are getting the care they need. It was amazing experience to sit in with a counselor and a patient when they were reading the results from the test. I was able to be with, pray with and support some one through a crucial time in their life. It's a really moving experience. (Side note: I actually had an interesting conversation with the counselor about his son who is studying to be a teacher, although being a teacher is not his first choice. He said that I should talk to his son, because he would be really encouraged by seeing some one in the "developed world" who also wants to be a teacher. For better or for worse, many people in the world look to the US as a model and we have a lot of responsibility to live up to that.)

We also got the chance to go on some home visits. Faith Alive provides home care for people who don't have the strength or ability to get to the clinic. We were welcomed into homes graciously, but saw some pretty extreme poverty and health situations. One woman was a single mother with six children whose husband had run out two years ago the day he found out his wife was HIV positive. She was doing really well on this visit, but apprarently had been barely able to walk a few weeks ago. It is amazing to see the strength and love of this woman that cares for her children while dealing with her own illness.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox. Thank you all so much for your support and prayers. We got some really good video and interviews yesterday, so hopefully you will get a chance to see those when we get back. Peace.

--Joe C