Women and HIV
Before we begin to explore the discussion of women and HIV, let’s begin with a basic HIV 101.
What is HIV? HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. What is AIDS? AIDS is the actual disease. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
How does one contract HIV?
1). Sharing infected needles, syringes or other drug equipment and even infected needles used for tattoos or body piercing.
2). Vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone that is infected.
3). Mainly from blood, semen, and vaginal fluids.
4). A woman can pass HIV to her baby before or during birth, or while breastfeeding.
How does one not contact HIV?
1). HIV is not spread through the air, or through food or water. You cannot get HIV by:
* Sitting next to someone
* Shaking hands, giving a hug or dry kissing
* Using restrooms, water coolers or telephones
* Eating in a restaurant or cafeteria
* Swimming or using hot tubs
* Being bitten by an insect
*Giving Blood
We are currently in the 26th year of HIV. Individuals are still becoming infected every day. Every minute of every day, 11 people around the world become infected with HIV. A lot of the individuals are women.
I have always believed that God has a special place in his heart for women. He created us to be nurturers and caregivers. When we see someone hurting, we hurt and we just want to help in any way we can. You may be asking yourself how can I minister to women that are infected with HIV?
First, if you are not infected with HIV you do not know or even understand what it is like to be infected. Never say you understand what they are going thru, but let them know that you are praying for understanding in ways to help. What has always helped me is to try to put myself in their shoes. What would I want someone to do for me?
1 Corinthians
Everything is connected. Imagine a woman finds out that she is HIV positive. Spiritual: she may hate God for this happening to her. Mental/Emotional: she may become depress or angry. Social: she may become with drawn from friends and family or the opposite. Physical: she could try to hurt herself or others. We need to think of ways to act Christ-like in a holistic approach. Two key ways to help in a situation like this would be to find resources in your area that helps individuals that are HIV positive and some areas have program that specially helps women that are HIV positive. Also God may be leading you to start a support group for HIV positive women.
Matthew 9:35-36 talks about Jesus traveling through different towns and healing individuals from various diseases. A lot time individuals question healing. Healing totally relies on faith and we serve an almighty physician and nothing is too small for our God.
Specific Ways to Minister:
1). Always share God’s love with them and constantly reassure them that God still loves them.
2). Be a good listener. At first you may not say a lot, but listening means everything to someone that is HIV positive.
3). Keep in mind the holistic approach about how everything must be balanced. “point to board”
4). You may be their only support system at first. Make sure that you are able to cope with a lot of emotional dependency.
5). Become educated about HIV and know what resources are available in your area. (This should be the first step you take)
6). Encourage excellent healthcare.
7). If this lady does not know the Lord as her personal savior, encourage her to walk the path of accepting the Lord as her personal savior.
8). Since you are ministering to women that are HIV positive encourage your churches to become educated about HIV/AIDS.
Main Keys to Minister:
1). Know your facts about HIV/AIDS
2). Know what type of listener you are
3). Do not be judgmental in whatever way the woman may have contracted HIV.
4). Have the attitude of “this is my opportunity to do what God wants me to do”.