"My sister died of AIDS" "And my sister also died of AIDS. We are looking after her family. Her husband died of AIDS too."
When this is told you and you see the little orphans being looked after by an aunt how can you describe the feeling in your heart? You are returning to Scotland next week but they are being left in this jungle village to deal with the massive matters of raising the children, feeding them, and trying to clothe and educate them without very many financial resources.
We all know that HIV is wreaking havoc across so many African nations. I have visited the orphanages in Uganda and Kenya and have met and played with those children who have lost their mummy and daddy. A whole generation is missing. What can we do? What are we to do?
I have spoken to some of the children and I have been teaching the Christian Pastors and Leaders in three day seminars - teaching them the biblical principles of good strong positive caring and compassionate leadership.
In the city slums and rural areas they form support groups, because stigma can be what causes people to feel shame. That can be overcome. it is not easy but it is possible.
When someone soils the bed, it needs someone else who cares sufficiently to clean the person and the bed!
Leadership in caring - leadership in compassion - leadership in not judging - leadership in not making the sufferer feel guilty - such qualities are scarce but they can be taught.
There is a sacrificial service which is remarkable as plates are washed and food provided for those who are weak or those who have no money to buy the basic essential foodstuff. A donor agency may be helping but as often as not such food flows from the scanty shelves of the carers.
The housemothers in the orphanages are amazing as they look after the children in their dormitory - wash their clothes - feed them three times a day if there is sufficient food - and take them over the toilet in the middle of the dark night.
The children have a little case in which is all their belongings and it is their responsibility to look after the key for their case from the age of five upwards.
There are drugs for their illness in various areas but there are few testing centres away out in the rural districts. Transport costs prohibit some from collecting their drugs - and if they miss their specific medicine for just one day they can be back to square one. Life is hard. Life is tough.
These drugs when taken as prescribed improve the immune system and the appetite returns. Some Africans will tell you - "Now I can run. Now I can jump again. I am so much more active. Three months ago I just sat or lay down."
It is my intention to return to Kenya and teach Pastors and Leaders once again in the slums of Nairobi and in the jungle clearings around Kisumu and Bungoma.
If we continue to encourage the leaders and if they pass on the teaching they receive many will reap the benefit. Everyone can contribute.
If you have reached reading this far and if you are moved find out where you can give. We support Tear Fund and I am aware of their projects in various places - and I know something of the work being carried out by World Vision.
Give where you know the money will reach the front line - where it will reach those who need it most of all - where it will do the most good. Give where you know it will not be diverted by corrupt men.
As you take out the rubbish or clean the toilet or deal with some other necessary duty, reflect on the messiness of life and pray for the heroism of those who care in the most difficult circumstances. They are unafraid to get their hands dirty!
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
Sandy Shaw
sandyshaw63@yahoo.com
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