children. Worldwide,

women make up half of

all people living with HIV.

Let the CHURCH stand up Let the CHURCH stand up Let the CHURCH stand up Let the CHURCH stand up

and be counted on this and be counted on this and be counted on this and be counted on this

important day.important day.important day.important day. Jesus

didn’t stand by while peo-

ple suffered. He got in-

volved. Today, through

His Word, He asks us to

do the same. There are

those in every community

who need to hear about

and feel the love of Jesus

in the midst of their suf-

fering. Encourage your

church to get involved!

On 1 December 20101 December 20101 December 20101 December 2010,

Worlds AIDS Day Worlds AIDS Day Worlds AIDS Day Worlds AIDS Day will be

celebrated. Why not plan Why not plan Why not plan Why not plan

ahead now to do some-ahead now to do some-ahead now to do some-ahead now to do some-

thing special in your thing special in your thing special in your thing special in your

church to celebrate this church to celebrate this church to celebrate this church to celebrate this

very important day.?very important day.?very important day.?very important day.?

World AIDS Day is impor-

tant in reminding people

that HIV/AIDS has not

gone away. There are

many things still to be

done. Many are suffering

and need compassionate

care.

This special day began on

1 December 1988 as a

time to increase aware-

ness, fight prejudice and

improve education.

There are now a total of

33 million people living

with HIV/AIDS. Two mil-

lion of them are under the

age of 15. Every day Every day Every day Every day

7,397 people contract 7,397 people contract 7,397 people contract 7,397 people contract

HIVHIVHIVHIV————----308 every hour308 every hour308 every hour308 every hour.

More than two-thirds

(67%) of all people living

with HIV, 22 million, live

in sub-Saharan Africa—

including 90 percent of

the world’s HIV-positive

A Positive Muslims’ Approach A Positive Muslims’ Approach A Positive Muslims’ Approach A Positive Muslims’ Approach totototo Stigma, HIV/AIDS Stigma, HIV/AIDS Stigma, HIV/AIDS Stigma, HIV/AIDS & & & & PLWHPLWHPLWHPLWH

The Positive Muslims’ Ap-The Positive Muslims’ Ap-The Positive Muslims’ Ap-The Positive Muslims’ Ap-

proach to stigma, HIV,AIDS proach to stigma, HIV,AIDS proach to stigma, HIV,AIDS proach to stigma, HIV,AIDS

and PLWHand PLWHand PLWHand PLWH is written by

Jeanette Westh and Fatima

Noordien. It is an article that

presents a theology of com-

passion translated into non-

judgmental support for HIV-

positive Muslims in South

Africa.

The South African organiza-

t ion Posit ive Muslims Posi t ive Muslims Posi t ive Muslims Posi t ive Muslims

(posi t ivemuslims.org.za),

based in Cape Town, resulted

from one of the founding

members’ experience of

being stigmatized. When

Faghmeda Miller discovered

her HIV+ status, she noted

that there were no support

structures for Muslims living

with HIV in South Africa.

One the contrary, stigma

surrounds infected and af-

fected persons in Muslim

communities. Since HIV is

associated with pre– and

extramarital sex and drug

usage, the widespread concep-

tion is that ‘good Muslims’ are

above contracting the virus as

they are not supposed to in-

dulge in these activities.

A survey on Asian Muslims’

opinions on HIV and AIDS, con-

ducted by the Asian Muslim

Action Network, found that ap-

proximately half of the respon-

dents viewed AIDS as God’s

vengeance on immorality. An

almost similar percentage con-

sidered AIDS a ‘disease of sin-

September 2010 Volume 1, Issue 6

Cry Africa Newsletter

1 DECEMBER 2010

Theme: Universal Access & Human

Rights

Clip art copyrighted by Bobby Peachey. More at

http://www.webclipart.about.com.

ners’ and almost as many re-

garded people living with HIV

(PLWH) as “devoid of morality’.

Although the study focused on

South East Asia there is valid

reason to presume similar ten-

dencies in the attitudes of

many African Muslims’ atti-

tudes towards AIDS and PLWH.

The entire article can be

viewed at http://www.kit.nl/

net/KIT_Publicaties_output/

Showfile2.aspx?e=1450.

to keep one hygienically to keep one hygienically to keep one hygienically to keep one hygienically

safe. If that is the case, safe. If that is the case, safe. If that is the case, safe. If that is the case,

why not use water and why not use water and why not use water and why not use water and

bath?”bath?”bath?”bath?” said Prince Mangal-

iso, head of King Mswati’s

advisory council, called the

Liqoqo. Prince Mangaliso is

Swaz i land’s h ighes t -

ranking traditional author-

ity.

The prince blamed “profit-

hungry drug and condom

makers” for misleading the

public about the extent of

the AIDS epidemic in his

country. In addition, he

stated that he would not

take an HIV test because

he was not scared of HIV.

With 42 percent of its sexu-

ally active adults HIV posi-

tive, Swaziland was failing

to change attitudes and

sexual behaviour that lead

to AIDS, said public health

officials who expressed

dismay at Mangaliso’s re-

marks. Siphiwe Hlope,

head of Swaziland Positive

Living, a support group for

HIV-positive women, said,

“The statistics about AIDS

in Swaziland speak for

themselves. We must take

the disease seriously.”

This is just another exam-

ple where government

leaders are giving confus-

ing signals. Let the Church Let the Church Let the Church Let the Church

speak with a loud, clear speak with a loud, clear speak with a loud, clear speak with a loud, clear

voice! We are here and we voice! We are here and we voice! We are here and we voice! We are here and we

care! care! care! care!

Flag Clip Art—<a href="http://www.fundraw.com//

clipart/clip-art/2452/Flag-of-Swaziland/">Flag of

Swaziland - Free Clip Art at FunDraw.com</a>

Swazi AIDS epidemic is exaggerated by drug companies, says royal leader

TB and AIDS Go “Hand in Hand” So what are the dangers of

the TB-HIV combination:

1. A HIV positive patient

with a deficient immune

system is 10 times more

likely to develop TB or have

their old TB infection reacti-

vated.

2. The mortality rate

(death) from TB is as much

as four times higher in peo-

ple who are HIV+.

3. TB can shorten the time

it takes for HIV to become

final-phase AIDS and it can

worsen the condition of

someone suffering from

AIDS

4. TB can diminish the

number of CD4 cells in the

body while, at the same

time, increasing the HI viral

load.

5. There is a higher chance

of TB treatment failure if

someone is infected with

the HI virus..

Although treatment is

somewhat unpleasant (1st

course is 6 months, 2nd

course is 8 months), it is

important that patients fol-

low through with medica-

tions all the way to the end

of their course treatment. If

they don’t, they are likely to

contribute to multi drug re-multi drug re-multi drug re-multi drug re-

sistant TB (MDR TB)sistant TB (MDR TB)sistant TB (MDR TB)sistant TB (MDR TB) and

extremely drug resistant TB extremely drug resistant TB extremely drug resistant TB extremely drug resistant TB

(XDR(XDR(XDR(XDR----TB). TB). TB). TB). XDR TB is resis-

tant to almost all drugs avail-

able and can require up to

22 months hospitalization

along with some very expen-

sive medicines.

So encourage testing for

early treatment and cure!

Tuberculosis and HIV go hand-

in-hand in Africa. It is esti-

mated that 50% or more of the 50% or more of the 50% or more of the 50% or more of the

HIV positive people in Africa are HIV positive people in Africa are HIV positive people in Africa are HIV positive people in Africa are

cocococo----infected with TB. infected with TB. infected with TB. infected with TB. In sub-

Saharan Africa, where the

greatest impact has been felt,

those statistics are closer to

70%. In fact, TB is TB is TB is TB is the most the most the most the most

common cause of death in AIDs common cause of death in AIDs common cause of death in AIDs common cause of death in AIDs

patients. patients. patients. patients. What most people

don’t understand is that about

a third of the world’s population

carry latent (non-active)

tuberculosis infection.

Researchers are deeply con-

cerned about

the high inci-

dence of TB in

HIV-positive

people in Af-

rica. In one In one In one In one

community in community in community in community in

South Africa South Africa South Africa South Africa

(Hlabisa in (Hlabisa in (Hlabisa in (Hlabisa in

Kwazulu Natal) Kwazulu Natal) Kwazulu Natal) Kwazulu Natal)

the percentage the percentage the percentage the percentage

of adults with of adults with of adults with of adults with

TB increased TB increased TB increased TB increased

from 8.7% in from 8.7% in from 8.7% in from 8.7% in

1991 to 70% in 1997.1991 to 70% in 1997.1991 to 70% in 1997.1991 to 70% in 1997. Most of

these TB patients were co-

infected with HIV.

Page 2

Cry Africa Newsletter

A microscopic view of the TB germ

A picture of a lung that has been

damaged by long-term tuberculo-

sis.

In a recent newspaper

article written by James

Hall (Cape Times, 18

August 2010), a senior

royal leader dismissed royal leader dismissed royal leader dismissed royal leader dismissed

the severity of the AIDS the severity of the AIDS the severity of the AIDS the severity of the AIDS

epidemic in Swaziland—

the country with the

world’s highest HIV

prevalence rate—and

ridiculed programmes

that promote circumci-

sion and condom usage

as ways to combat AIDS.

“Circumcision only helps “Circumcision only helps “Circumcision only helps “Circumcision only helps

In August of this year,

AGWM missionary Brenda

Strysko trained home-

based caregivers in the

rural village of Ntalale Zim-

babwe. Brenda relates

that it was rough going...no

water, no electricity and

sleeping in a room at the

local clinic, but there are

now 36 caregivers to lend

a compassionate hand to

those suffering in this re-

gion of rural Zimbabwe.

Also in-

volved in

the teach-

ing were

the Dis-

trict

Nurse,

Mrs.

Moyo,

and a

local pas-

tor, Pas-

tor Nyathi. Pastor

Nyathi effectively ad-

dressed sexual abuse and

domestic violence using

the story of Tamar and

Amnon in II Samuel 13.

His lessons were provided

through a new contextual-a new contextual-a new contextual-a new contextual-

ized Bible study on the ized Bible study on the ized Bible study on the ized Bible study on the

topic of gender based vio-topic of gender based vio-topic of gender based vio-topic of gender based vio-

lence. lence. lence. lence. The materials are materials are materials are materials are

available for free available for free available for free available for free (internet

download) at the following

website: www.ukzn.ac.za/

sorat/ujamaa/

default.htm . Look under

“Resources” and then

“Tamar Campaign”.

CHECK IT OUT!CHECK IT OUT!CHECK IT OUT!CHECK IT OUT!

HomeHomeHomeHome----based Care Training in Ntalalebased Care Training in Ntalalebased Care Training in Ntalalebased Care Training in Ntalale

Book Highlight: Book Highlight: Book Highlight: Book Highlight: Called to Care Series gious leaders living gious leaders living gious leaders living gious leaders living

with or personally af-with or personally af-with or personally af-with or personally af-

fected by HIV/AIDS.fected by HIV/AIDS.fected by HIV/AIDS.fected by HIV/AIDS.

2.2.2.2. Making It Happen: A Making It Happen: A Making It Happen: A Making It Happen: A

guide to help your con-guide to help your con-guide to help your con-guide to help your con-

gregation do HIV/AIDS gregation do HIV/AIDS gregation do HIV/AIDS gregation do HIV/AIDS

work.work.work.work.

3.3.3.3. Time to Talk: A guide to Time to Talk: A guide to Time to Talk: A guide to Time to Talk: A guide to

family life in the age of family life in the age of family life in the age of family life in the age of

AIDSAIDSAIDSAIDS

4.4.4.4. Pastor Action on HIV Pastor Action on HIV Pastor Action on HIV Pastor Action on HIV

and AIDSand AIDSand AIDSand AIDS

5.5.5.5. Community Action on Community Action on Community Action on Community Action on

HIV and AIDSHIV and AIDSHIV and AIDSHIV and AIDS

6.6.6.6. The Child Within: Con-The Child Within: Con-The Child Within: Con-The Child Within: Con-

necting with children necting with children necting with children necting with children

who have experienced who have experienced who have experienced who have experienced

grief and lossgrief and lossgrief and lossgrief and loss

7.7.7.7. Call to Me: How the Call to Me: How the Call to Me: How the Call to Me: How the

Bible speaks in the age Bible speaks in the age Bible speaks in the age Bible speaks in the age

of AIDS.of AIDS.of AIDS.of AIDS.

These books are well written

and filled with creative ideas

that will motivate your church

and community to take action.

In this article I’d like to take a In this article I’d like to take a In this article I’d like to take a In this article I’d like to take a

look at Volume 1 and Volume look at Volume 1 and Volume look at Volume 1 and Volume look at Volume 1 and Volume

2 (pictured). 2 (pictured). 2 (pictured). 2 (pictured).

Volume 1 Volume 1 Volume 1 Volume 1 (Positive Voices) is

a wonderful compilation of 14 compilation of 14 compilation of 14 compilation of 14

personal testimoniespersonal testimoniespersonal testimoniespersonal testimonies from

Africans (12 Christian and two (12 Christian and two (12 Christian and two (12 Christian and two

Muslims)Muslims)Muslims)Muslims) who are either living

with HIV or are personally af-

fected by HIV/AIDS. Eleven of

the people in the book tell

their stories and are them-

selves HIV positive. The other

three have been tested and

found to be HIV-negative, but

their lives have been pro-

foundly affected by caring for a

close relative, friend or col-

league who has died of AIDS-

related illnesses.

This book gives ideas for using

these stories in a small group

to get people discussing AIDS

in a constructive way.

Volume 2 Volume 2 Volume 2 Volume 2 (Making It Happen)

is a veritable treasure trove of

ideas to help you get your

church or community group

motivated and involved in

helping those in their commu-

nity with HIV/AIDS. It has five

chapters which have various

topics such as planning, deci-

sion-making, putting it on pa-

per, keeping up the momen-

tum and frequently asked

questions. It even shares a

Sometimes in my travels across

Africa I run across a “tool” that

would be of wonderful help to

those working with HIV/AIDS on

the continent . The ‘Called to

Care’ Series, which is published

by Strategies for HopeStrategies for HopeStrategies for HopeStrategies for Hope, is one of

those tools. This is a series of 7

books which examines all of the

various aspects of HIV/AIDS in

Africa. The books offer guid-

ance and ideas for ministry

that the pastor and/or church

can do in their desire to minis-

ter to AIDS victims in their own

communities. The books have

various titles including :

1.1.1.1. Positive Voices: Reli-Positive Voices: Reli-Positive Voices: Reli-Positive Voices: Reli- Page 3

Volume 1, Issue 6

A picture of the 36 people 36 people 36 people 36 people who comprised the HBC graduating class in Ntalale, Zimbabwe. Every graduate receives their own “bucket” of care

supplies to begin their ministry. This is the Zim-babwe ‘church in action’ in the time of AIDS!

Compassion ministry at workCompassion ministry at workCompassion ministry at workCompassion ministry at work.

sample workshop and has a

section on additional resources.

If you would like to order these

y o u c a n v i s i t

www.stratshope.org or you can

contact the Christian Literature Christian Literature Christian Literature Christian Literature

Fund Fund Fund Fund i n Sou th A f r i c a

(info@clf.co.za) and order each

book for R39.50 (+/- $5.75).

For those of you in French For those of you in French For those of you in French For those of you in French

speaking countries, these books speaking countries, these books speaking countries, these books speaking countries, these books

are available in French...are available in French...are available in French...are available in French...but only but only but only but only

through the Strategies for Hope through the Strategies for Hope through the Strategies for Hope through the Strategies for Hope

website. website. website. website. Next newsletter we’ll

look at Volumes 3-4.—Emily

Johns

Brenda Strysko (AGWM), District Nurse Mrs. Moyo,

and Pastor Nyathi involved in training at Ntalale.

We will be on the web in December

2010!

http://www.cryafricanetwork.org

out sessions for each of the out sessions for each of the out sessions for each of the out sessions for each of the

five ministries. five ministries. five ministries. five ministries. These break-

out sessions will allow you to

ask questions and get ac-

quainted with those who are

directly involved in the facili-

tation of those ministries.

Check out the details of this

event today. Registration is Registration is Registration is Registration is

limited and can be done onlimited and can be done onlimited and can be done onlimited and can be done on----

line through line through line through line through

www.TheLongAfricanDay.comwww.TheLongAfricanDay.comwww.TheLongAfricanDay.comwww.TheLongAfricanDay.com

Hoping to see some of you Hoping to see some of you Hoping to see some of you Hoping to see some of you

there!there!there!there!

sonal.” If you are a pastor,

this event would be an ex-

cellent opportunity to ex-

pose your Missions Commit-

tee members to ministries

in Africa.

Five of the major African Five of the major African Five of the major African Five of the major African

ministries will be high-ministries will be high-ministries will be high-ministries will be high-

lighted during this event lighted during this event lighted during this event lighted during this event

including Africa Tabernacle

Evangelism, Africa’s Chil-

dren, Africa’s Hope, Africa

Oasis Project and Cry Africa.

In addition to the main

event, there will be break-break-break-break-

Your Cry Africa ContinentYour Cry Africa ContinentYour Cry Africa ContinentYour Cry Africa Continent----Based TeamBased TeamBased TeamBased Team: (l-r, back row) Kwame Wumbee Kwame Wumbee Kwame Wumbee Kwame Wumbee (Ghana),

Stan DrewStan DrewStan DrewStan Drew, (Swaziland), Elaine Caswell Elaine Caswell Elaine Caswell Elaine Caswell (Mali), Brenda Strysko Brenda Strysko Brenda Strysko Brenda Strysko (Zimbabwe) ,

Emily Johns Emily Johns Emily Johns Emily Johns (Team Leader): (l-r, front row) Suzanne Hurst Suzanne Hurst Suzanne Hurst Suzanne Hurst (DRC) , Rhonda Allen Rhonda Allen Rhonda Allen Rhonda Allen

(Malawi), Aaron Santmyire Aaron Santmyire Aaron Santmyire Aaron Santmyire (Madagascar) and Don Tucker Don Tucker Don Tucker Don Tucker (USA). Absent: Larry Larry Larry Larry

Allen Allen Allen Allen (Malawi)

Will you give Africa one Will you give Africa one Will you give Africa one Will you give Africa one

day to change your life? day to change your life? day to change your life? day to change your life?

On 28 March 2010, the re-

gional Africa office of the

Assemblies of God USA will

be presenting a one day a one day a one day a one day

eventeventeventevent entitled “The Long

African Day” at the Grand

Hyatt Hotel (Dallas/Ft. Worth

Int’l. Airport).

This is a special event for This is a special event for This is a special event for This is a special event for

pastors and those interested pastors and those interested pastors and those interested pastors and those interested

in African missions. in African missions. in African missions. in African missions. In one

day, they will experience

Africa “up close and per-

THE LONG THE LONG THE LONG THE LONG

AFRICAN DAYAFRICAN DAYAFRICAN DAYAFRICAN DAY

DateDateDateDate: 28 March 2011: 28 March 2011: 28 March 2011: 28 March 2011

Place: Place: Place: Place: Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dal-Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dal-Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dal-Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dal-

las/Ft. Worth International las/Ft. Worth International las/Ft. Worth International las/Ft. Worth International

AirportAirportAirportAirport

Cost: Cost: Cost: Cost: $25.00 Registration fee $25.00 Registration fee $25.00 Registration fee $25.00 Registration fee

plus housingplus housingplus housingplus housing

Website for Event Registration Website for Event Registration Website for Event Registration Website for Event Registration

and Hotel Reservations:and Hotel Reservations:and Hotel Reservations:and Hotel Reservations:

www.TheLongAfricanDay.comwww.TheLongAfricanDay.comwww.TheLongAfricanDay.comwww.TheLongAfricanDay.com

Contact Details:Contact Details:Contact Details:Contact Details:

Dr. Emily Johns, Team Leader

PO Box 11066

Bloubergrant 7443

South Africa

Phone: 079 481 6925 or 021-558-9514

E-mail: CryAfricaNetwork@gmail.com