E-mail
Print
RSS
G-bookmarks
Live
TechnoratiMnkandla said that he has to cross the border to neighboring Botswana to buy food because the shelves of stores in Zimbabwe are empty.
Dr. Raju Abraham of India, who studied in England as a neurologist, emphasized that the Church – if it is true to the Gospel – must not only think about saving souls, but also respond to the physical needs of people.
“Souls are more or less attached to the body,” Abraham said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “I believe winning souls is important; I am very committed to that, but the soul is attached to the body.”
The conversation then switched back to HIV/AIDS when panelist Sally Smith, who is an adviser with UNAIDS and previously served as a BMS medical missionary in Nepal for 16 years, challenged those who support the ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful, and use Condom) model of HIV prevention.
She said in Nepal, girls are forced into arranged marriage and they do not know who they will marry until the day before. Smith, who has adopted two Nepalese children, said it is usual for girls to cry on their wedding night.
The UNAIDS advisor challenged the ABC model supported by many evangelicals and Christians because it is based on the Western idea that all women have the power to choose and make their own decision.
“Most women in the Middle East, in Asia and Africa have no choice to who they marry,” Smith said. “On their wedding night they cannot choose to be abstinent. They cannot choose the faithfulness of their husband. And when they see that he is being unfaithful, they cannot ask him to use a condom.
“So ABC has failed the women of the world, and we need to think again about comprehensive approach to HIV prevention and empowering women to make choices that will save their life,” she said.
Panelist Dr. Peter Okaleet of the ministry Medical Assistance Program, who has both a medical and theological degree, responded to Smith by saying he supports another HIV prevention model – SAVE, which stands for Safer sexual practice, Access to medication, Voluntary counseling and testing, and Empowerment.
“If the A and the B and the C are not working, how do we then move this discussion forward,” Okaleet asked.
Church leaders, he believes, need to listen to what UNAIDS and other agencies are saying and be open to dialogue even if they don’t agree completely with what the secular community says in hope that God will move forward their effort to prevent HIV.
Sawo concluded the “Living Room” session by sharing one more revelation she received during her time in poverty.
“One thing I realized is that when you are fighting poverty, there is that part in you that says I don’t want to beg,” she said. “And you kind of think that when you speak out that people will see you as a beggar. And you hate to be a beggar, and you hate to be in poverty.”
Sawo called on agencies, governments, and churches to empower people instead of just giving handouts.
mike »
Agree: 
Disagree: 
