HIV Test

About a month ago we arranged for there to be HIV testing at one of our Carepoints. Sitting there as we set up for it I decided that I wanted to be tested as well. Not because I thought I might have been exposed but really just to see what it was like. I figured if I was going to encourage people to get tested, I’d better do it myself and be able to share what the experience would be like. There are a lot of misconceptions of what is involved in an HIV test and I wanted to see for myself what was involved; needles, amount of blood they actually take…you know discover things like that.
What can I say, the experience shook me. I sat there listening to the pre-counseling session in SiSwati…I’m not sure if that made me more nervous or less. He was telling the group about the disease and then explained the options involved after one is found to be positive. So I didn’t really understand what was said…so basically had a lot of time to think before the test. It was crazy the emotions, feelings, doubt, fear that came over me while I waited. The crazy thing is I really had nothing to fear or be worried about but still the experience freaked me out. I then tried to put myself in the shoes of someone who did have something to fear. Imagine sitting there waiting for an HIV test going over in your mind all the people you’ve had sex with…thinking to yourself, I wonder about her, or her…I wonder if its possible…what will my life be like…what will I tell my pastor…what will I tell my family…what will I tell my wife…I was going to get married but…I have kids, do they have it…so much goes through ones head, so much fear…so much doubt. I sat there like that for awhile and it was thick, it was rough, just trying to experience what millions are going through…I think I understand why people do not go for HIV tests here…it is scary and for a lot of them it’s a 50% chance their life will be hit by a freight train….HIV (Charles, came up with that train comparison).
Then something happened inside of me. I realized that for me, or someone like me, a Christian, someone with a relationship with Christ, we have nothing to fear. In Galatians it says that Christ has conquered everything, everywhere…that means disease & death. Jesus Christ is hope even when you are looking death straight in the eyes.
Another realization I had is that by getting an HIV test you get to know where you stand. If you do not go for the test it just means you are ignorant of your status…you either have it or you do not…if you never get a test, the disease will still be there whether you know about it or not. The test does not change anything; it just changes what you can do about your situation.
Here are some pics of me getting my test -





- Yes, I was negative...yes, they double check, and yes I was still negative 

AIMers

- so yeah, wrote this a long time ago, but figured I’d post it anyway

There has been another AIM Team that has come and left…here are some pics of them. My good friend Kara, a leader for AIM who has been here for 1 and a half years just left. There are 4 of the leaders that are sticking around still and I think one of the girls, Kristy, is coming back at some point. It’s hard to see people go but I thank God for the opportunity to get to know and hang out with these AIMers. God be with you guys as you return home. Pillow Palooza was fun!!



 

Christy & Animals

Christy, a first grade teacher from North Carolina, came to Swaziland a couple of months ago to visit the Carepoints. She’s been a faithful partner of Children’s Cup and been a big time prayer soldier for us. Well she got to help with our teachers during a couple teacher in-service days. It was cool to have a teacher input into our teachers but more especially our education coordinator Queeneth. She is most likely coming back for a year to volunteer with Children’s Cup but that is another discussion all together (check out her blog http://deepthoughtsandrandomramblings.blogspot.com/)…I got to go to a game park with them and I wanted to show y’all some cool pictures of the animals. It’s weird to think of how close these animals & game parks are to where I live. Enjoy the pics:





 

Pics from Camp

Haha, flour relay
Oh, no...Swazi Dancers beware
look at the leg extension
Just kids we are able to help smile...worthwhile