FIVE CLASSES

The following is a summary of the five classes taught by Julius Nguku to the East Churches comncerning the topic of "Embracing HIV In The Church"

"HIV/AIDS, The Facts."
The first of the five classes was "HIV/AIDS, The Facts." This detailed the progression of HIV to AIDS in adults, the 6 phases. This illuminated the fact that being HIV-positive does not mean that one will die the following day. Too many people had 'perished' due to lack of that knowledge. The interventions available today for prolonging life were explained. These include: ARV therapy, Counseling and Group therapy.

"You Can Make Me Clean,"
The second class was about stigma. Titled, "You Can Make Me Clean," it exhorted the disciples to imitate Jesus in his relationship with the lepers. Our Lord was willing to touch the untouchables and make them clean (Mark 2:40). The three ways in which stigma is manifested - deliberate, unconscious and self-stigma - were discussed. The class helped the church to embrace the infected just like Jesus would.

"Normal Reactions In A Crisis"
The third class, "Normal Reactions In A Crisis" dealt with the psychological aspects of a person in a crisis. Using the acronym DADA for Denial, Angry, Depression and Acceptance, the need for any HIV positive person to quickly come to the level of acceptance was expounded. The deeper feelings giving rise to the reactions were explained. Taking too long in the phases preceding Acceptance results in a myriad psychological and physical problems that compound the problem.

"The Need To Know"
To encourage the Christians to access VCT services, the class, "The Need To Know" was taught. The need to know one's status now rather than later was emphasized. "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" was the rallying call. Fearing to know one's status won't take the virus away if it is there. Neither will it become easier later. Ten advantages of testing sooner rather than later were given. The church heard that the Lord has always been, still is and forever will be our Shepherd. We never shall be in want, HIV-positive or not (Psalm 23).

"Power Of A Group - Are You Willing?"
The last class of the series, "Are you willing?" was called the "Power of a group." The aim was to encourage those who tested positive that Sunday and those who already knew that they were HIV-positive to become part of the support group for disciples. Ten advantages of joining a support group were given. The way a support group works was mentioned. Truly, a cord of three strings is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12).