Saturday, October 10, 2009

Today, I'm feeling very thankful for everyone who has supported me as I prepare to make this journey. I want to say thank you to so many people; yet, I fear I will forgot people. Actually, I know I will so let me apologize from the outset.

* Mary Knightwright for recommending me for this caravan and those who selected me to receive the travel grant from the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry of the UMC
* Jill Dispenza & Tico Valle at Center on Halsted who have been so extremely supportive of this opportunity.
* The HIV/STD Services Staff at COH for their supportive encouraging words and the wonderful donations of medical supplies for the clinic -- and Richard for organizing the donations!
* The NIL Order of Deacons & the entire staff of COH for their prayers & support
* The Dakotas Conference of the UMC for the extremely generous support of this journey thru their Global AIDS Fund. I look forward to sharing this journey with you and for being with you in person in the New Year. Thank you, Jenny, for coordinating this!
* The BOM of the NIL Conference for their continuing education grant
* My wonderful family & friends for their generous financial support:
Aunt Bette & Uncle Jerry
Uncle Chuck & Aunt Marian
Aunt Pat & Uncle Mel
Grandpa & Grandma Schaller
Vern & Joyce LaSala
Gordon & Rosa Good
* Medical donations from Dale Bertke of Schweiterman's Pharmacy & dental donations from Curtis Kline, DDS -- both of Coldwater, Ohio. Thank you for supporting this local boy!
* Berry Church (especially Ellen, Ginny & Sherrie) for having been so supportive that they've already invited me to come speak about this journey and hold a fundraiser for Project Tariro & Center on Halsted
* So many friends for their wonderful words of encouragement, especially Arjun, Amit, Mark, Jason, Jen & Eleanor. And my consultation group: Caralynn, Elaine, Sarah & Ruth
* Levon for listening to my endless concerns and calming my nerves. (And letting me borrow his camera! ;)
* My family for wholeheartedly supporting me in this adventure from the very beginning.

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

I’ve been asked why I would want to go to such a depressing place. To be honest I cannot even fathom the question. I wish that all I had to do was stick my head in the sand, and these situations would suddenly go away. But…

Through this opportunity, I hope to be able to learn. To experience a small bit of what people across this world each and every day. To step outside my comfort zones.
I don’t anticipate it being easy. I’ve never been outside the US let alone to the 2/3rds world. I’ve never had to worry about electricity except in the case of freak & violent storms.

More importantly, I look forward to working alongside those are engaged in this work daily in Zimbabwe -- those who find satisfaction in supporting others IN SPITE of these overwhelming obstacles. I look forward to joyous worship celebrations with Zimbabwean United Methodist Church. I look forward to being a humble visitor in another culture. I hope and pray that I may open myself to the lives and experiences of others which are so different than mine – so that I may be graced with the similarities that connect us all.

I end with a prayer that is often on my lips:
           “May the Spirit comfort the afflicted and dis-comfort the apathetic.”
May this be so.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Since this all happened, I have been doing all I can to educate myself about Zimbabwe. I’ve learned that it is the fourth most impacted country on the planet by HIV/AIDS. An estimated 4000 people die each week as a result of the pandemic and the average life expectancy is now only 34 years of age!? This truly hit home as it is only three years older than I am now…

Each day I work with people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. They are living, surviving, and thriving in their own ways. It is never easy to give the news that someone has HIV. But, thankfully, I am able to say “But it is not a death sentence.” The latest study I read says that if someone is diagnosed in their 20s or 30s, they can expect to live into their 70s. Medications have come a long way from AZT. HAART (Highly active antiretroviral therapy) is turned HIV from a fatal to a chronic disease.

However…

This is only IF the person has access to the meds. Here in the US there are drug assistance programs. Thus, even people without insurance can receive these extremely expensive medications. But this is not the case in Zimbabwe where only 12% of those living with the virus have access to medications.

I’ve also been reading about the history of Zimbabwe. I’ve read selections of 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa by Stephanie Nolen and am still working on House of Stone: The True Story of a Family Divided in War-Torn Zimbabwe by Christina Lamb. It’s an awful, storied history. Whenever I read about such atrocities for the first time, I must admit that I’m ashamed that I didn’t know before. Embarrassed that I get so caught up by the little things in my life and am ignorant to the plights of others.

I look forward to the world becoming even smaller.

Sunday, October 4, 2009 -- World Communion Sunday

Late this summer, a colleague of mine, Mary Knightwright, forwarded an e-Newletter to me asking me if I would be interested in some event called a “Caravan of Deacons” that was being highlighting. I had no idea what this caravan was about but Mary felt that I’d be a great fit due to my work as the Clinical Manager of the HIV Testing & Prevention Program at Center on Halsted You can also read about my ministry in this article that was recently published.

It turns out that this “Caravan of Deacons” consists of a group of UM Deacons from across the country who would travel to Zimbabwe to be involved in HIV/AIDS work through Project Tariro

Having always wanted to travel to Africa, I expressed my interested to Mary, but stated that I could not afford such a trip unless there was scholarship or grant assistance. Several weeks went by and she put me in touch with the trip organizer. I expressed interest, told him about my current work, training & experience, and again made an inquiry about grant assistance. Several more weeks went by and the next thing I heard was that I was in!?

I must express my gratitude to Mary who not only brought this caravan to my attention but for advocating for my inclusion with Paul, the organizer. I am grateful that she remembered my work and ministry with persons living with HIV/AIDS at Center on Halsted.

Additionally, I am extremely thankful for my colleagues at Center on Halsted, especially Modesto Tico Valle, Executive Director, & Jill Dispenza, Director of State of IL AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline and HIV Testing & Prevention, who, when I told them about this opportunity, were nothing but supportive and quickly said “Go!”

In Zimbabwe we will work with Project Tariro, Africa University and the Zimbabwe UMC to learn about the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zimbabwe. We will be involved in the support groups in the clinic and take part in the home based care. Above all, we will learn from those on the ground.

I invite you to join with me on this caravan by following this blog which I hope to update throughout this journey – as internet access allows!