Date: Thur, Aug. 7, 2003
Subject: Pain and Rejoicing

Today was our last day in Philippi and it was a day of tears, excitement, anger, and smiles. Another words, today was an emotionally draining day. We had last home visits to the sick to make, goodbyes to share and hugs to relish in. I was encountered with good news, shocking news, and news that burned my heart so deep I am not sure what to do with my ball of mixed emotions.

Let me tell you about some of the people I visited and some I have spent time with over the last three weeks. Some of our time has been spent visiting the ill with the Health Workers, which are volunteers of the church who evaluate the community and include the most ill in a series of visits they do every week. The following are sketches of some of the few that have left an impression on my heart.

On our first day of home visits I met Patricia. Patricia is 32 has three children and has AIDS. When we walked into the little shack she was staying in we saw her sitting on the couch crouched over bundled up in a jacket and blanket with her hood barely revealing her sagging eyes and hopeless expression. The health workers, Silvia and Cynthia (who have stories of their own), translated for us but Patricia said very little. Her voice was tired and she spoke very quietly like it took too much energy. Patricia is one of the few people who have actually told others of her disease because it is so shameful for those that are infected. In fact it is against the law to ask someone if they have the disease. The elders of the community are not educated, or do not believe in the education is out there, about how AIDS is really spread. Many of them deny their family members not only because the disease is shameful to them but also because they think they can catch it by sharing a spoon or holding hands with someone who is infected…My ride is here, to be continued (no time for spell check:) ).