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Zambia
A Zambian living with AIDS is supported by a care group.
Sue and Ted Wright, regional liaisons for south and central Africa, sent this story:
Mr. Mtonga had worked for many years for a large cement company. When he became very sick, he discovered he was HIV positive. When he told his employer, he was fired and told to move out of the company-owned house. Then his wife and six children abandoned him and moved back to his wife’s village.
He stood by the side of the road. Mr. Mtonga had lost everything and had nowhere to go. He was thin and covered with sores. He asked anyone who walked by for help. Finally, someone took him to the vicinity of the Lilayi Police College, where there was a home-based program sponsored by the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP).
Around midnight, the police found Mr. Mtonga and took him to the home of a trained caregiver. Although she was a stranger, she became like a mother to him. She allowed him to bathe, gave him clean clothes, fed him, and found him a place to stay. The caregiver told Mr. Mtonga about antiretroviral (ARV) medications and urged him to go to one of the few clinics that distribute them. She cleaned his lodgings, provided spiritual and psychological support, cooked the nutritious meals needed by anyone taking ARVs, provided personal care, and ensured he always had his medication.
As he got stronger, Mr. Mtonga began attending the CCAP church. Over the next two years he regained his health, went to work, and became transformed. He said, “I have seen God’s work.”
PC(USA) People in Mission
World Mission: Rev. Charles (Ted) Wright, regional liaison, South-Central Africa, Susan Wright, regional liaison/team ministry
Partners/Ministries
United Church of Zambia: Rev. Chrispin Mbalazi, general secretary
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia: Rev. Victor Chilenje, moderator, Rev. Lazarus Mbewe, general secretary, Rev. Lecton Kaluah, deputy general secretary
The Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, Zambia Synod: Rev. Reuben Daka, moderator; Rev. Thomson Mkandawire, moderator-elect
Christian Council of Zambia: Rev. Suzanne Matale, general secretary
Christian Hospital Association of Zambia: Ms. G. Haimbé, director
Mbreshi and Mwandi hospitals
Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation: Rev. Reuben Daka, director
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Pamela Burdine, GAC
Paul Burkhead, GAC
Janie Burton, OGA
Lord of unending compassion, give us eyes to see the needs around us so we can be your heart and hands. Amen.
Ps. 89:1–18, 147:1–11 Ps. 1, 33
Isa. 59:1–21
2 Tim. 1:15–2:13; Mark 10:1–16
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