HIV: Healing the International Village

Johanna French, MCC staff and former SALT participant
August 10, 2006

Hundreds of people from all over the world have gathered for the ecumenical pre-conference for HIV/AIDS here in Toronto: faith communities, church members and leaders, advocates, NGO’s, faith activists and grass roots workers, politicians, and other stakeholders. They are all asking the questions: What are the promises that individuals, families, churches, societies and the international community must keep in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic? How should every person who is living with and affected by HIV/AIDS respond? How should those who are aware and responsible for the HIV/AIDS epidemic respond?

The answer is complex, for it doesn’t take a lot of time to see the multiple issues caused by HIV/AIDS or the many issues that are driving the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Many promises have been broken. Millions of people have died because of HIV/AIDS and some of its correlative crippling counterparts: TB, malaria, poverty, global economic injustice, hunger, ARV drug inaccessibility, gender inequality, and community stigma/discrimination.

I sat at the opening of the conference with a stone in hand, which had been placed underneath all our seats as part of our first worship service. The stone was a symbol of God’s ancient promises: steadfast, redeeming, hopeful, unchanging. As the worship leader led the hundreds of people in songs and reflections about keeping the promise in a world of broken promises, and in a world broken on many personal/social levels from HIV/AIDS, I pondered the enormity of this Giant called AIDS. With the small smooth stone in my hand I began to think of David. With 5 small stones, and a faith in the promises of God, he was able to take down the Giant of Goliath. A giant that was thought to be undefeatable. A giant that had claimed the lives of so many people. Could this vision of a few stones in our hands taking down the Giant be all of us in the fight against HIV/AIDS? The thought lingered and then I began to shrug it off. It seemed a bit naïve perhaps to have such a vision, or to use that analogy. But the idea brought hope.

And then one of the plenary speakers, Rev. Adam Taylor, Director of Campaigns and Organizing at Sojourners, restated the thought that had just crossed my mind. The stones we all held in our hands had reminded him too of the story of David and Goliath. Rev. Taylor stated that God has given us 5 stones needed to overcome AIDS:

1. The stone to overcome fear of "otherness" and stigma and marginalization. For Christ hung out with all people, including "the least of these", ministering to immediate needs in acts of righteousness, justice and love.
2. The stone of commitment and compassion, charity and justice, as Jesus demonstrated a commitment to a just world.
3. The prophetic stone which lay out before us the call help the dispossessed, widows and orphans, and bring to the forefront issues of social justice, fair trade, cancellation of debt, and greater funds for AIDS, TB and malaria.
4. The stone with eyes that sees beyond the ABC approach (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Condom/Protected Sex) and includes D-Doctors-the need to work for increased support for the health infrastructure in countries hit hard by the growing demand for HIV/AIDS related services; E-Empowerment-not only spreading knowledge and information about HIV/AIDS but addressing issues of poverty and hopelessness so that more people can be empowered to make healthier decisions and are less vulnerable to getting HIV, especially women and youth; and F-Faith of a mustard seed which can inspire and motivate us to have hope in the midst of it all.
5. The last stone was the stone to build a movement. Churches and Christian organizations have a huge international body that can network, assist, pray, act and engage in matters related to HIV/AIDS. "When spiders unite they can destroy a lion." (African proverb)

For too many people, AIDS still represents a death sentence, and AIDS has exposed the brokenness in our world and church—and when one part suffers, we all suffer. That is why we need to all increase our funding, resources, partnerships, advocacy, prevention, care/treatment/support efforts, and acts of justice, solidarity and compassion for and alongside those who are suffering. For we are all suffering because of HIV/AIDS.

When David was powerless, he still stood up to the challenge, and God provided and turned the tables. As David showed courage, commitment, and humility, God was able to demonstrate his power and strength even more. As Rev. Taylor stated at the end of his speech, the fight against HIV was about Healing the International Village and participating in the work and purpose of God to bring restoration and justice (like working on issues of poverty) towards Heavens Interdependent Village—another name for the kingdom of God.