Rose Bosire, doctor and AIDS researcher, attended Bethany during her time as a student at the UW

Wait . . .

Wednesday

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
--Micah 6:8

by Rose Bosire

Belinda, a single mother of an adolescent daughter, had been working with a Christian training institution for 12 years. Four years into her work, she came to know the Lord as her personal savior, as her workmates demonstrated what Christian love was all about.

One day last year she noticed that colleagues who had formerly greeted her warmly with a hug were barely giving her a handshake. She wondered what was going on.

Later in the day, she got a call from the human resource manager who informed her that on medical grounds her insurance coverage would not be renewed for the following year. This surprised her, considering that she was in good health, and she sought to find out more details.

In most organizations in Kenya, employees are routinely HIV tested as part of their annual medical exams. Although no one told her directly, Belinda began to suspect that she may have tested positive and that her test results had been leaked to the other staff.

A friend advised her to go for an HIV test. She was referred to a Christian doctor, who confirmed that she is HIV infected. Because her immune system is still strong, she will not need HIV treatment for a few more years.

In spite of the shock of the diagnosis, the betrayal of confidentiality, and the discrimination she received at work, Belinda put on a brave face and continued to go to work, acting as though everything were normal. Six months later she was fired.

She is now trying to find another job, but feels so let down by her fellow Christians.

Merciful God, we confess that too often we let our fears get in the way of loving others. Forgive us for turning away from those in need. We pray for Belinda who, along with many others, is suffering from HIV and maybe even more from the pain of rejection and injustice. Teach us, Lord, what it means to walk humbly with you and with each other so that together we may experience the joy and healing of Christ-centered fellowship. Amen.