Kenya 2013. With Humphrey, Part 3.

Here is a picture of the necklaces

NOTE: do to privacy laws in Kenya, you cannot “out” someone with HIV.  If the individual has not stated that they have HIV, then no one can speak openly about it.  This is to protect jobs and status in the community.  While the stigma of HIV is lessening, individuals are still shunned from communities and families if they contract the disease.  This is both a social and religious stigma, and the lack of education is a primary contributor to the problems that HIV patients face.  This is the ministry and world that Humphrey moves in every day.

I also met a farmer and his wife who are leasing land to support their 9 children.  Mark and Agnes both have HIV.  Humphrey had shown them both how to make paper necklaces that they can sell in the local market.  This allow them to make enough money to purchase the HIV medicine that slows the effect of the disease.  After the last test, the mother showed now signs of the high white cell counts that accompany HIV sickness.  The husband showed only slight increases.  They are able to buy time for their family and also contribute to their community.  And their hope in Christ and joy in life is quite evident.  And I pray that their children will remain HIV free and also become children of God who will bring this hope to the next generation.