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AIDS Ministries -

Moravian Church in Honduras

HIV/AIDS has had catastrophic effects in many parts of the world, impacting all levels of society.  The potential exists for the development of HIV/AIDS in epidemic proportions in areas of Central America.  In a recent meeting with Regional health authorities, the Director of the HIV/AIDS program noted 51 cases of HIV through October 2005.  In comparison, there were 20 cases noted for the year 2002.  AIDS is the 6^th cause of death in those under the age of 5 and the number 2 cause of death in the overall population.  The Global Fund has arrived in La Mosquitia, working with the Regional health authorities on Malaria, Tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.  There is also a project called the National Forum on AIDS, an NGO working with the government as well.

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT)

Drs. Norvelle Goff and Gerard Rudy at the Moravian Evangelical Hospital and Clinic in Ahuas, Honduras are piloting a mobile PMTCT program where a team will go into outlying areas on a quarterly basis to test pregnant women and others for HIV.  They will provide treatment for those who test positive, as well as for their newborns, similar to what they are already doing at the clinics in Ahuas, Ciriboya, and Cauquira.  They have funding this first year through Doctors of the World and hopefully we will find the resources to expand the program in subsequent years.

Prevention Education

The hope of the physicians at the Moravian Evangelical Hospital and Clinic in Ahuas is to direct discussion among church members and pastors about HIV and AIDS.  They anticipate that attendance at Sinai runs from 250 to 700 and at Bethesda from 500 to 1200 people.  They propose to train a nurse educator who would then alternate monthly visits to Sinai and Bethesda for educational forums, for a cost of about $2000 for the first year.  The goals of the program would be directed to 3 areas:

·        helping Christians develop a Biblical understanding of issues related to HIV

·        supporting pastors in their needs--in

understanding the illness and associated issues, and in providing ideas about how to help members of their congregations

·        developing a framework for people in La Mosquitia that will allow them to better care for people affected by HIV in communities, churches, and families.

Board of World Mission Work with HIV and AIDS

Tanzania

·        Prevention of mother-to-child transmission program

·        Orphan assistance program

·        Treatment program in development

Honduras

·        Prevention of mother-to-child transmission program with expansion to mobile outreach

·        Community education program

·        Resources for education within congregations

·        Workshops/presentations available

For more information, check out the AIDS Ministry section of the website: www.moravianmission.org

Meet Neil and the Family

There are approximately 2,737 language groups waiting to hear the scriptures in their own language.  Wycliffe has worked for many years to accomplish the goal of providing the Bible in the heart languages of people around the world.

As of January 2006, the BWM is helping support full time members of the Wycliffe team, Neil and his wife Anita and 2 children.  Neil is originally from South Carolina and Anita was raised on the mission field as an MK in Colombia. The sending church for the family is the Dillingham Moravian Church in Alaska.  They currently reside in Virginia while making preparations for their assignment to France.  Using his Information Technology background, Neil will provide support for Bible translation with computer skills, design, and multi-media.  In addition, Neil and Anita plan to host a guesthouse for missionaries in need of lodging, encouragement, and refreshment.

If you would like more information on how you can be involved in proclaiming the Word through this ministry, please contact the Board of World Mission Office at 336-773-1732, or e-mail sbeaman@mcsp.org. If you would like to contact the family directly or sign up for their monthly newsletter email neil_moree@sil.org.

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(cont. from p.1) singing that song for the 10th time, my heart worshiped our Creative Creator God.

Please pray for Michael and me as we strive to pass on the gospel of Jesus Christ and not the cultural things that we love but are not needed and can even slow down the spread of the gospel.  If you desire to hear more about our work, you may come and join us at the following speaking engagements:

Christ the King Feb. 5  morning service