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Passing Thru Samaria

            The devastation of the Tsunami was shocking and the destruction of Katrina and then Rita were unfathomable to all of us.  The emotional and physical restoration will be years in the making.  But in the midst of these current tragedies, let’s not forget the ongoing needs of another disaster that is causing even greater devastation throughout the world: HIV and AIDS.  An estimated 46 million people are already infected with the virus and 6,000 to 7,000 young people are infected daily.  This is a problem that is not going away anytime soon!

Jesus said that we have to go thru Samaria if we want to go to the ends of the earth.  Could this be our Samaria?

            It has been found that the church can be extremely effective in confronting HIV and AIDS because of its strong community base.  Efforts such as counseling and testing of people, providing education about prevention, offering options for treatment and care of those with AIDS, and confronting issues of stigma that devalue persons with HIV and AIDS are just some of the ways the church can fight the disease and its effects on society.  We have an opportunity for ministry both locally, because HIV and AIDS are all around us, and globally, with 95% of HIV and AIDS cases occurring in the developing world, causing deleterious effects on the economic stability of those nations.  But such ministry begins with our own education and increased understanding of the problem and issues.

            December 1^st is World AIDS Day and a time for us to step back and learn more about this disease and how we can begin to help stop its progression.  A packet of educational and liturgical material is available for congregations at the Board of World Mission (BWM) offices or on our website at: www.moravianmission.org. 

            Feel free to utilize the material at any time that works for your congregation.  There is also excellent information available on World AIDS Day 2005 at www.avert.org or www.worldaidsday.org.

             The BWM continues to support HIV and AIDS work in Western Tanzania, with the help of Drs. Bill Hoffman and Margaret Kraybill.  They have established testing centers for HIV, along with treatment for pregnant women who are HIV positive, and for their infants after birth.  Milk is also provided to the infant of positive mothers, since HIV can be transmitted through breast milk.  The government is becoming more involved in these programs and is in the process of developing treatment options for those who are HIV positive.  Another program in Western Tanzania supported by the Moravian Church there is the orphan assistance program which allows orphans to remain with their relatives and thus maintain a sense of identity within the community.  Around 1400 orphans are now supported through this work.

            The Moravian Churches in Nicaragua and Honduras are also in the process of developing or expanding prevention programs for HIV and AIDS.  While the incidence of infection is much lower there, risk factors for potential escalation of the disease are present and the churches are working to minimize further progression of the disease.  The BWM is available to facilitate these programs where needed.  Information about some of this work is also available on our website.

            BWM staff is available as resources to congregations.  Feel free to contact our HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Judy Harke, with any questions or needs.  She can be reached at: jmharke@wisc.edu, or 651-340-2404.

And you will be my witnesses

in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria,

MORAVIAN CHURCH-SURINAME

Our synod, August 22-26, opened with tension and some difficult moments, but on Aug. 24, after the reading of the Daily Text and a Bible study, “a powerful experience of forgiveness was felt by everyone and the rest of synod was a blessed event. Br. Maarten Mingoen  was elected president. We praise our Lord for His work amoung us and thank Br. Mingoen for his report.”

(From the Unity Board President’ Newsletter)