Mission of Mercy - Medical Mercy

We had the privilege to host a Medical Mercy team this past week. There was well over 1000 children and adults seen at the five Mission of Mercy CarePoints. The patient flow started with registration, then the medical team, HIV testing/counseling, then spiritual counseling, and then the pharmacy. Tremendous testimonies came out of the spiritual counseling where each patient was prayed for individually. Tremendous testimonies from tremendous hardships and pain. I watched as one crestfallen young woman (17?) came out of the HIV testing bewildered and in shock. Not having to say a thing, I knew what the results had told her. What answers do cold dead religion or an uncaring culture have for her? There is no hope there.
We received the results from PSI from testing during the clinics. PSI and TASC are two agencies here that offer free HIV testing and counseling. TASC will test children. Below are the statistics from PSI. (I know column 1 doesn't add up, I'll correct it when I get updated info from PSI)

CHILDREN’S CUP REPORT - FROM 7 TO 11 APRIL 2008

AGE	15-19		20-24		25-29		30-34		35-39
SEX	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M
NEGATIVE	1		2	1	2	1		3	1
POSITIVE	2		6		1	1	3	1	4
Pos %	66%		75%	0%	33%	50%	100%	33%	80%
TOTAL	5		8	1	3	2	3	4	5

40-44		45-49		50+
F	M	F	M	F	M
1		11		8	2
1		2			3
50%		15%		0%	60%
2		13		8	5

Some people walked in to be tested on their own. Most were referred by the medical team. Many people did not test even after the referral. The numbers don't look encouraging.

The tremendous testimonies came from people who recognized that in their hardship and pain, there is One who offers hope above and beyond our present circumstances.