The discussion on HIV/AIDS in Colon, Panama is a continuation of previous post on HIV/AIDS Colon, Part 1.
No doubt, you my readers might have noticed some strange or if you prefer interesting occurrences in your lives from time to time. And by strange I mean events that later leave you completely open-mouthed at how God works in your life. I am becoming a lot more attuned to these moments in my life. Trust me, living in this busy age very often prevents us from noticing the little things.
I share this story about such little things.
In 2004, one of my members a Health Educator with Ministry of Health in Jamaica invited me to participate in a training workshop sponsored by the Trelawny Health Department and the Ministry of Health. This program, training in Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for persons with HIV/AIDS, is a professional training program offered by Jamaica’s Ministry of Health in conjunction with JHPIEGO/Johns Hopkins University.
Advocate of Persons Living with HIV and AIDS
Prior to this, I had never before heard of the VCT program. Neither did it sound like the kind of training the average pastor would take a week out of her busy schedule to attend. As it turned out, it was one of the most rewarding workshops I ever attended.
Since then, I decided to become involved in HIV/AIDS Activism as an Advocate of persons living with HIV/AIDS. The training concluded with certification that comes after at an actual clinical level. No amount of Pastoral Counselling without this component can equip a pastor to effectively deal with someone who has to face the trauma of being tested for HIV, nor for counselling them after they have received the results of their test (whether this is counselling for someone who tested either positive or negative counselling). It will become a necessary skill for pastors as they engage in Pre-Marital Preparation or Marriage Counselling.
I believe that ALL pastors involved in congregational ministry should receive this or a similar kind of training. It will benefit both our congregations and persons of the wider community served by the church. After receiving the training, I was given opportunities to exercise my new specialized counselling skills in the communities where I served. I assisted in pre-natal clinics in the parish of Trelawny. I also accompanied the Health Department to Health Fairs sponsored by several Jamaica Resorts for their staff. It was a most rewarding experience.
Implementing The VCT Training
A few months later, I was invited to attend another one-week Workshop, this time sponsored by USAID. This workshop was specifically designed for religious leaders and church workers. I was pleased to see several religious leaders in attendance, and from different religious backgrounds.
This was definitely an Interfaith gathering. As I perceived the benefits of this training back then, it was for my immediate Jamaica context. At that time, I lived and worked near the communities of Rio Bueno and Clark’s Town both in the parish of Trelawny, Jamaica.
In 2004, these two communities held record status having the highest infections in small towns in Jamaica for STI’s and Rio Bueno specifically for HIV infections. I saw how I could use my new skills in these communities.
Who would have thought that what I learnt in Jamaica, would now be relevant in similar circumstances in Colon City complete with living in the city with the highest number of infections in Panama. So, I go….hmmmm. Strange indeed because who would have thought?
Preparation for Mission
And so I continue to look at how God prepares us for future events in our lives in the strangest and often unnoticed ways. Consider your own life. Are you missing these little moments? Are you overlooking the significance of some of the “weirdest and off-beat experiences” you have ever had, clueless as to their significance?
Stop and reflect on your own life for a while….
Paz,
Marvia
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