Missions In Motion: Placement with a Purpose

By Phyllis DeSmit

"The pandemic crossed the sea," stated Rev. Deborah Hickman. As President of STAR (Sisters Together and Reaching), she addressed the overflowing crowd at the Human Institute of Virology on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, February 7, 2007. People from several walks of life attended ~ Annapolis politicians, health professionals, clergy, client advocates plus 6 from Central. Three pastors were recognized for encouraging their congregations to address AIDS issues and creating a safe place to seek help. Pastor John Schmidt remarked, "This is what God wants us to do. It is a growing focus, because we're involved with the heart of God." The two other pastors were from Set the Captives Free Church and St. James Holiness Tabernacle.

A recurring message of the ceremonies was "you can live with AIDS," in contrast to the situation in the 80's when AIDS equaled a death sentence. "I don't have to die in shame, but can live in abundance," testified a healthy looking Judith Shaw, who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1992. "My purpose today is to be part of the solution. I say to people, 'Let me tell you about a man who can clean you up on the inside. The Lord Jesus!' It's not where I've been. It's where I am standing now that matters."

Derek Spencer, Director of JACQUES Initiative issued a challenge to the community.

"HIV/AIDS IS the issue of our time. We can't stand before God having missed this opportunity. Like Esther, we hear, if you ignore this, destruction will come. Action must be attached to the word, rather than a whatever-will-be mentality. Consider that, like Esther, you are placed where you are for a purpose."

A Channel 13 camera man followed several of us into the impressive STAR bus to witness our being tested for AIDS. Many are "housing" the AIDS virus and unknowingly infecting others during the 7-10 years it takes for HIV to become AIDS. Rev. Hickman's challenge was that the one thing all have in common is the 86,400 seconds of each day. "We can't carry any of those seconds over into the next day. Use them to redeem those who are precious to God, leaving them in hope and not desperation." Her STAR bus is busy daily offering AIDS testing, appropriate referrals and counseling, hoping to stem the tide of the 2260 new infections occurring annually in Baltimore. The bus pulled away to set up again at Coppin State University.

An important take-away: Healing cannot happen until ministry touches the mind, the body and the spirit. Health is the presence of peace and wholeness, not merely the absence of disease. The Church contains the experts in HOPE.