ELCA companions in Asia and Pacific region gather for HIV and AIDS conference

​     CHICAGO (ELCA) – Recognizing the distinct role faith communities play in helping restore the dignity of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, Asian and Pacific companion churches and organizations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Sept. 21-25 for a conference on HIV and AIDS hosted by ELCA’s Global Mission.
     Meeting under the theme, “Our Positive Stories: Reducing Stigma by Building Community,” the conference focused on increasing knowledge about the epidemic in Asia and globally, best practices in HIV and AIDS programs, and the importance of the faith community in advocacy efforts.
     “While HIV gets more attention in sub-Saharan Africa, the sometimes forgotten and unfortunate reality is that Asia, by virtue of sheer numbers and even with lower percentages, has much of the world’s cases,” said Y. Franklin Ishida, Asia area program director for ELCA Global Mission. “We wanted to network among the Asian companions, to support one another and come together to address HIV in ways that we, as faith-based communities, can find some common approaches by telling our stories and addressing the human dimension of stigma.”
     Conference participants represented churches and organizations from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and the United States. Participants from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa served as special resources at the gathering. 
     According to a conference statement, there has been progress in the response to HIV and AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, but challenges still remain among several populations with disproportionately high HIV infection rates. The stigma that surrounds HIV and AIDS often creates barriers to prevention, care and support.
     The gathering follows specific actions of the ELCA strategy on HIV and AIDS that states, “Sharing resources with trusted global partners and companion churches … will enable them to expand their service to the most vulnerable through effective ministries of HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care and advocacy.”
     It was an opportunity to listen and learn from the sharing of best practices and positive stories, said Ulysses Burley, program associate, ELCA strategy on HIV and AIDS.
     “HIV is usually a tale of positives and negatives as it relates to HIV status. Treat those who are positive, keep those who are negative, negative. (But) this conference wasn’t about that," he said. "Instead it was about sharing the stories of people living with HIV positively. It was a gathering not just about acceptance of those living with HIV, but affirmation of them. It was an opportunity to hear stories of redemption and resurrection. It was a chance to hear the stories of people living with HIV in a world where we’ve so often associated HIV and AIDS with the dying.”
     The conference included worship, testimonials, country presentations and visits to local institutions dealing with HIV.
     “The body of Christ has AIDS, as we consider Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 12:26, ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together with it,’ ” said Burley in his opening remarks at the conference. “It’s not about them and us, but it comes down to all of us together in accompaniment.”
     The Rev. Aina Sheetheni from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia described her experience as a pastor who is also HIV positive.
     “Five months after ordination, I went for blood testing. I was tested HIV positive. I just prayed and asked God to help me accept myself as I am,” Sheetheni said. “But stigma ensued, and this included self-consciousness. But after some time, I started telling my story to fellow pastors and friends, anyone who came close to me. It still often came across as a shame story, especially as people were curious how I would carry on my ministry. People still connect HIV to sin, and they would ask how I was going to preach. But I have strong supporters. And in reading a lot about HIV and AIDS, I was empowered and realized I could live my life.”
     Amad Uma, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea, spoke of the challenges facing those who live with HIV in her country. Challenges include communication barriers and geographical access.
     “HIV is a hidden epidemic in Papua New Guinea,” said Uma. “Many young women, ages 20 to 29, are infected by HIV. There are cultural taboos, where sex is not to be openly spoken about. (There are) church taboos, where pastors will not speak about HIV, and there are church issues that do not allow condom distribution under the argument that these promote promiscuity. In the midst of this, a church volunteer who goes into a home carries the presence of Christ. We are the body of Christ. We are his hands, his feet, his smile, his voice,” said Uma.
     Beryl Logan Ratnaraj from India told the gathering that HIV and AIDS disproportionately affects the Dalit, or outcast, population in India and that there are about 100,000 children there living with HIV. According to Ratnaraj, the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India provides free medical camps and volunteer blood testing, but education on HIV and AIDS is still needed.
     “One of the challenges we face is getting proper permits from the government to conduct medical camps,” said Ratnaraj, who added that because of the difficulty in obtaining permits, “doctors are often hesitant to participate and there is also skepticism from the general public.”
     In a final conference statement, the global gathering declared “We, global companions and partners of the ELCA, return invigorated and commit to advance effective HIV and AIDS responses towards zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths. We now have greater understanding of the complex nature of the HIV and AIDS epidemic and best practices globally and within the region. Based on the recommendations of the conference, we have set plans for action around HIV and AIDS across our faith community networks. We commit our actions to the restoration of human dignity.”
     “Through relationships, communities are formed, and in community hearts are changed,” said Burley. “When hearts begin to change, we begin to eradicate the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS. It was inspiring to hear of the positive stories through the work being done by our companions in the Asia region and beyond, made possible by the ELCA’s commitment to end AIDS.”

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.8 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

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