He Is My Rock.

It has now almost been 2 weeks of living with my home stay family and in the village of Chisazima. And you know what is awesome? When you’re amayi (mother) hugs you on your return when you have been gone all day in town, especially because this is not a cultural norm in Malawi. Hugging is not a thing here….(this is definitely something I am still getting used too. I am all about the hugs.)

Today was a great day. This morning we had the opportunity to travel to Kasungu (about a 30 minute drive) where we visited the Bua Health Clinic. All week we have had a huge focus during training on HIV/AIDS, how to prevent it, how to encourage getting testing, all about ART treatment for people who test positive, among many other topics concerning this terrible disease. So visiting the clinic this morning was special because the man in charge was able to take us through a mock situation of what happens when a pregnant women and husband come into the clinic; the first thing being the encouragement of HIV testing in order to prevent transmission from mother to child, if in fact the mother is HIV positive.

In recent years Malawi has made positive strides in preventing transmission of the HIV virus from pregnant mothers to their babies, having a 95-98% rate of children being HIV negative after 2 years of age, when their mother was found HIV positive during pregnancy. This percentage, however, is when the mother is compliant with the proper precautions and treatments during and after pregnancy.

Over this past week I feel like I have learned so much on HIV/AIDS, how prevalent it is in Malawi specifically, and everything this country has done to try and decrease this much too common virus. In Malawi about 10.8% of people are infected with HIV, almost 60% of those people being women. Those stats alone are enough to make my heart hurt. I have been overwhelmed again and again over the past 6 days with the knowledge about the amount of suffering people, when in fact this virus is completely preventable. There have been days where I just want to let the welled up tears fall, as I feel as though I will never be able to make a big enough change. This is an area that needs so much help; so many people need to be educated on prevention and getting tested, and others need a way to get medication if they already know they are HIV positive. (Testing and treatment for HIV in Malawi is free to the people, the problem is usually getting to and from a clinic, which is most likely not free, and may be too far to walk.) But the truth is none of us will be the ones making the change, we can leave that up to Jesus. As it was said by one of my friends here, “I am here to bear witness, knowing that it is not about me.”

Although this horrible virus has affected so many in this beautiful country, it does not weaken their faith. If anything at all, I have recognized that it has made their faith stronger. Having a belief in Jesus, and knowing He is your rock and strength can allow you to overcome anything.

I do not find it a coincidence that my devotional reading today was from the book of John 10:10. When God knows I need a reminder, He is right there to send me one. When I am overwhelmed, He is my foundation. This verse says, “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” When we encounter situations of darkness, we need to be reminded that Jesus has come for everyone, for all nations, and gives hope for eternal life. We are just here to bear witness, to make a small change, and with that little rain each day we will fill the rivers until they overflow.

I am praying, and ask you to pray for the people in Malawi who are affected by HIV/AIDS, and for the education and knowledge to be shared with the people so that we can prevent a disease that can easily be prevented.

#peacecorps