Today (Sunday), we took a 1.5 hour tuk tuk ride to an HIV village. Not everyone in the village is HIV+ but several of the people are. We had a wonderful time with them. It is a very small village. There were maybe 15 huts/houses. We hung out with them, did a craft and painted some nails. There was one lady there who was so beautiful and so skinny. Her disease had definitely progressed to AIDS. Her mouth had some sores and bleeding in the gums. It is just so sad because if she had proper care, she would have the chance to live a long, normal, healthy life. You will see her and Diana sitting next to each other in the picture. Diana especially loved here. Diana was amazing today! She played with the kids and painted nails! Trent was a little moody, but he did control himself. Taliah wondered down the path a few times and was crazy as usual.
We had to cross a bridge to get to the village and walk about 20 minutes. The bridge was pretty scary. It might look easy to cross, but it was pretty freaky. About 10 feet below was some pretty dirty water, not a place one would like to fall! We all made it across safely. Some locals and Lois (missionary) here, helped the kids across.
It was a great day, but a sad day. We met a little boy that was unmedicated and HIV+. His grandma is also positive and both of his parents already died. They will remain in our hearts and prayers. I wish we could do more for them.
On Saturday, Trent, Diana and I went to a different village and helped Kitivat with her weekly visit. Kitivat is the daughter of Sunat (the health promoter we told you about). Kitivat visits this village weekly and works with the kids there. She teaches them, tells them Bible stories and helps them with their overall hygiene. This week she had promised to wash a few of the kids hair, so the kids and I helped. It was a lot of fun! We of course had to add some fun clips in the girls hair after! We also did some crafts and of course, Trent passed out lollipops!
Thanks for your support!
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Just wanted you to know I am praying for you guys. You are AWESOME! GO GOD!!! Amy
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy I found this on the Holt BB! I've been praying for you guys and all those lives you have touched. Thank you all for having such a loving heart for God. Prayers for the continued safety of your trip. Can't wait to "talk" to you when you get home.
ReplyDelete~Beth (aka steveandbeth, Holt)
Wow sounds amazing! It's awesome that you are getting to experience all this as a famiy. I'll keep you all in prayer.
ReplyDeleteScary bridge. Amazing ministry. Love the nail painting. What a testimony.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful work you are doing as a family Van Winkles! How sad the people in the 'HIV Village' have to be seperated and are not integrated into 'regular' villages. The stigma is still so awful. And what about ARV meds for those who are positive? So sad they aren't available there yet. I wonder how much longer it will be. Hopefully the Clinton Foundation or PEPFAR (for example) will be able to provide meds to the region very soon, but I think it's generally smaller local organizations which set up the infrastructure to distribute, then get the meds and grants from the larger organizations. I'll be following along with your fascinating adventure.
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