Hello again...

Today we experience radical hospitality at Streamview UMC, a new church start in Mutare. We were welcomed like honored guests and seated just off the chancel. A translator was provided as the service was in Shona. I loved the music and the dancing -- it went on for two and a half hours but could have gone on longer.


We were each asked to introduce ourselves and where we are from. I said Chicago and told what I do. Afterwards people approached me saying either "Obama!" or "Oprah!" It was great. The most humbling moment was when some of our team told me someone was looking for me. I met a woman of about 20 and she introduced herself as Patience and asked if I were the HIV counselor. I said I was. She then wanted to share that "I am living positively." I was so moved that she wanted to share this with me. We spoke for a while and she told me that she is well but does not yet have ARV meds. I let her know about the support group I visited this week and she was excited to learn of it.

Several other women also wanted to speak with me as they too do HIV testing. We spoke about how difficult the work is. I asked one woman what age range is testing positive most often and she said "15, 16, 17. Too many."

Too many world wide.