"Dark Shadow" Ministry: A Curse can become a Blessing

It’s amazing how something seen initially as a curse can become a blessing. Alcoholism, when accepted, becomes a source of well-being and inspiration. Cancer, when accepted, brings the key to a spiritual search that leads to Christ and inner peace. HIV, when accepted, can be the beginning of a healthy lifestyle, an awareness of being human and a new creation in Christ, and the opportunity to serve in a unique way the needs of others.

I beginning to meet people and read more and more about the importance of the ‘dark shadow’ in people’s lives – the hurtful experience in our lives – the ‘dark shadow’ that few people are willing to talk about. It is in our ‘dark shadow’, I believe, that disease (I have few friends with HIV/AIDS in mind as I write this) has a special place because it gets mingled with fear and strength, shame and hope, rejection and love. If we are able to confront our disease and speak about all the feelings that surround it and seek Christ in it, then we become aware of who we are in a most special way. God in Christ loves you and me. It’s cliché but true: disease presents challenges that lead to growth.

Friends, to face and live with a disease on a daily basis, inviting it to be the source of dependence on God’s grace and use that opportunity to serve others, and making it a friend, is a unique life experience. I don’t have a serious ‘dark shadow’ in my life, but I observed that those who face lives with a disease in a way that is glorifying God have a blessed life indeed. Isaac Tan, founder of Crisis Home, a non-profit ministry caring for people living with HIV/AID, have many great stories to tell. Stories about how the ‘dark shadow’ can become a living hope, well of inspiration and create awareness in people’s lives. Most teachers, have at some time been forced to confront their ‘dark shadow’ and we all are the beneficiaries. I’m one of the benefactors. I’m not sure what I’m getting at as I write this… but thank you. Thank you for those who stay strong living in their ‘dark shadow’ and making the Light known in your ministry. Thank you for your unique ministry.  

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Touches Someone with HIV/AIDS

Pic: From the internet

“Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. ‘Lord,’ the man said, ‘if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.’ Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ And instantly the leprosy disappeared” (Matthew 8:1-3, NLT).

Maybe you have had read this story before. Maybe too familiar that you might lost it’s significant. I do, from time to time. It sounds like a very ordinary story – until you understand what Jesus has done. First, what does leprosy look like? We know that it’s a dreaded skin decease but only few of us have really met a “leper.” Greek-geek students probably have studied the word intensively and preachers might preached it many times before but still don’t know how to relate to it today. I’ve never seen lepers around Kuching area frequently. The word “leprosy” has become hijacked by religious haze that we hardly have a proper reaction to it other than, “Kesian nyer orang ini” (“Pity him”). That’s all.

Secondly, what are the Jewish attitude toward those infected with leprosy during Jesus’ time? Well, based on the Old Testament, particularly in Leviticus 13:45-46, those who suffer leprosy “must tear their clothing and leave their hair uncombed. They must cover their mouth and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as the serious decease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp.” Anyone who come in contact with the leper physically will be considered as unclean. To make the case worst, anyone who get within a stone’s throw from the leper was to jeopardize their own righteousness, holiness and reputation.

But like I said earlier on, most of us never really have met a leper before. So, how can we “experience” this story? Try this: substitute “leprosy” with AIDS. At least, we have seen them on TV or read about AIDS in newspaper and radio programmes. Think of public attitude – your attitude – toward AIDS patients. Those bursting cloud of stigmas, ocean of intolerance and desert of unending prejudices toward people with AIDS. I even heard some people are afraid to go to their dentist or donating blood or shaking hand with patients for fear of catching AIDS somehow. Afraid that they will become “unclean”, don’t want to risk their own self-righteousness, and fear of what people will think and say. Ignorance and even religious-conformity have shut our eyes, ears and hearts from knowing the truth about AIDS. Last stages of AIDS – emaciated body, nearly bald, wheezing, face ravaged by ulcers – maybe similar with leprosy. But unlike leprosy, AIDS decease cannot be transmit through touching, breathing and sharing of food.

“Lord,” said the man. He comes near Jesus but not too near, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” What does Jesus do? Running away? Stoned the man? Avoided the man because his righteousness and reputation were at stake here? No. Jesus reached and touches him. Jesus reached the man with leprosy (we now imagine “the man with AIDS”) and – touches him! Mind you, Jesus don’t need to touches him in order to heal him, Jesus can just say the word and he will be healed. Yet, Jesus touches him. Why? Because this is the one thing the man needs – a human touch. No one has touched him for a very looooooong time but Jesus did! This is true for all people that we ought to helps – the needy, the poor, the orphanage, the widow, the sick, the old folks, the AIDS patients – they are starving more for human touch than their need for our money, food, program and prayers. Jesus now was considered as “unclean” but he doesn’t care. He care more about touching people’s lives. Jesus is God entering human’s life and get involves. Jesus Emmanuel, God with us. We gives a human touch and through us Jesus gives divine touch in their lives.

There is no other man like him, follow his examples and get involve in people’s lives.

There is no God so kind and loving like him, worship him alone.

Jesus, I love you. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

You Can Make a Difference: Called to Love even Those Living with HIV/AIDS

Myth #1: “I can get HIV by being around people who are HIV-positive”. No! The evidence shows that HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, or saliva. You cannot catch HIV by breathing the same air as someone who is HIV-positive or thru hugging, kissing and shaking hands with someone who is HIV-positive or sharing eating utensils or using exercise equipment at a gym with an HIV-positive person. But you can get it from infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or mother's milk.

Myth #2: “I don't need to worry about becoming HIV positive – new drugs will keep me well”. There are drugs that can improve and extend the lives of many people who are HIV-positive but are expensive and have many serious side effects. None yet provides a cure. Also, drug-resistant strains of HIV make treatment an increasing challenge.

Myth #3: “I can get HIV from mosquitoes”. Yes, HIV is spread through blood but insects don’t inject the blood of animal they have last bitten when they bite us. Also, HIV lives for only a short time inside an insect. So, this myth is nonsense!

These are only top 3 myths and misconceptions people think about AIDS and HIV. There are many more, of course. But these three is enough I guess to make us aware that we are actually ignorance of the truths about HIV. Our misconceptions proof that we don’t care enough. When I told my friends about my experiences with the Crisis Home’s residents, (a non-profit ministry caring for people living with HIV/AIDS), they asked me many questions, “Did you hug them?” “Can you eat with them?” “What are they look like?” “Can we shake their hands?” “Are you using mask when you talk to them?” and many more questions that are too shameful for me to write here. Mr. Isaac Tan, who is working full-time at Crisis Home shared a story about how a man didn't even touch a cup of tea when he came to the Home. That is how deep our misconceptions and stigma against people who is living with HIV/AIDS. There is only one way to breakdown this wall of prejudices – love.

Jesus told us that love for friends is not enough. Love for our own family members is not enough. Love for our neighbour is not enough. Love for those who are different from us in culture or belief is not enough. Love for those who are disagree with us is not enough. Even love for our enemies is not enough. Jesus told us to show love for “the least of these” (as in Matthew 25:31-46). The “least of these” refers to those in a variety of needy situations. They include the hungry, thirsty, impoverished, sick, imprisoned, anyone! – even those who is living with HIV/AIDS. Those are the people we are called to love also. To love is to know; to know is to care. That kind of loving-caring is the sign of God’s spirit at work in us.

How can we show love to people who is living with HIV/AIDS? May I suggests? Firstly, repent from our sin. To repent of our lack of care and rejection towards them. To repent of the way in which we as Christians have often stigmatized those with HIV. Secondly, create personal awareness. Do some research, get some reading, find articles, allocate HIV/AIDS homes nearby you (or in Malaysia) and if possible get to know those whom closed to you who might have HIV-positive. Thirdly, invest your time. Try spend time with the person living with HIV/AIDS. Eat, play, talk, walk or do activities with them. Most of them whom I know personally are rejected by the family members and friends and society. They are longing for companions and friends. Fourthly, invest your money. Support them financially (One way is to give to Crisis Home ministry. Click HERE). And finally, support them in prayer. Indeed we are not just to show deep, compassionate, caring love, but also to pray to God for His grace, mercy and blessing on such people. You can make a different!

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them” (Mother Teresa)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Below are some pictures of Crisis Home’s residents. Share with permission:

Picture with leaders in the church