“Providing my children with a decent educa- tion is what keeps me going,” says Rumiris, a farmer and mother of two who lost her hus- band to HIV/AIDS. Her oldest child has HIV; the youngest has not yet been tested due to costs.
ers from other Lutheran churches across Sumatra receive practical training in Balige. Lives are being changed in Suma-
tra and beyond through church ministries. But Norton insists HIV “is not the most important thing” in living one’s life. In fact, Nurhayati added, “HIV is
not about death. HIV is life!” Tanks in part to Indonesian
Nurhayati now directs the pro-
gram and enthusiastically reaches out to people living with HIV. Norton and Sarma are among those whom Nurhayati talks about with affection. “When we visited Norton, we
found a six-months pregnant Sarma there in the house,” she said, explaining that Norton had claimed he was single. Everyone jokes about it now because the story is almost out of the Old Testament where Abraham told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister, she said. Norton explained: “I lied because
I felt guilty for my wife.” Te challenge, of course, is that
treatment can come too late for a mother that far along in her preg- nancy. Antiretroviral drugs need to be administered much earlier. Fortunately, their child tested
negative. But it’s this kind of guilt, coupled with the stigma shown toward those with HIV, that affects everyone involved. “Many people die because they cannot endure the stigma and
To help The HIV/AIDS program in Indonesia receives support from ELCA World Hunger. To give, send checks to: ELCA, ELCA Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009; or give by credit card at 800-638-3522 or
www.elca.org/giving.
become depressed and their illness worsens,” Nurhayati said. “When people say they don’t want to live anymore, I tell them many people need you. Look at your parents; look at your children. ... Tey need you and they love you so much. And Jesus died for you.” To reach the wider community,
Nurhayati launched an education program featuring volunteers from a nearby high school. Trough songs and skits, the students teach about HIV and speak a message of hope. Healing and hope have come to
Manogari. When he first learned he was infected, he refused to believe it, even while contemplating suicide. His sister, a nurse, encouraged him to seek help. As he lived with the disease, the church also prayed for him. “Tere is a lot of love from my sister, from the church and, now, from my future wife,” he said. Now the HKBP’s work is expand-
ing. Tose preparing to become pas- tors, deaconesses and social work-
Harbor of Hospitality
Author bio: Ishida is area program director for Asia and Pacific, ELCA Global Mission.
123 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003 Phone: (212) 677-4800
Book online:
www.sihnyc.org
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Lutherans, an HIV-positive sta- tus can also be about having jobs, gaining friends and even getting married.
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April 2015 39
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