HIV/AIDS Ministry in Congo by Wilma

Sitting in a stuffy cement room with 11 HIV+ people is not something I have done before…let alone at Tandala Hospital in the northern Ubangi Region of Congo.  Sitting around a wooden table on hard wooden chairs, they sat quietly with Pastor Deolo, Rachel Martin, and me while we listened to Pastor Moolado give words of Biblical encouragement from Matthew 26: 36-48.  Christ suffered difficulties just like us.  He prayed for help just like us.  Difficulties need not overwhelm us, including sickness, AIDS and even death. 

Earlier after our introductions, each “Positive Person” shared their name, who in their family besides them was HIV+, and how far they had walked to come for medicine and this special support meeting.  They gave thanks to us for coming to Congo and for our church’s assistance.  I could hear in their voice the intensity of their needs.  For each one I tried to repeat their name and the Lingala words for “hello” and  ‘we will pray for you”.  They smiled as I mispronounced many words, but they appreciated my attempt.

“I have no peace”, one middle aged lady shared as she held her HIV+ baby whose little shoes seemed big compared to the dangling skinny legs that were attached to them.  “I think about this illness all the time and I have no peace all the time.”  We gathered around her and prayed for the peace the passes all understanding that only God can give. 

I shared I Thess 5:9 and we left not only knowing but feeling the encouragement that is ours to freely give abundantly to each other.  Lift up someone today,  Pray that their difficulties will not overwhelm and that they may have peace.

From Congo,

Wilma for the team

Wilma Sykpe-ing with her husband as an audience watches!