In Houston, Texas, the health department
estimates that 1 in 93 residents lives with HIV.
For African Americans, it’s 1 in 40. And up to a
quarter of these people don’t know they are
infected. Reed Galin shows us how a church is
speaking openly about this subject in order to
save lives.
SCRIPT:
(Locator: Houston, Texas)
(Amber to client) “I’m Mr. David. I’ll be your
counselor and tester for today.”
Fifty or sixty people a month come to Amber
David for an HIV test.
(Amber to client) “Do you think you have put
yourself at risk …?”
The clinic is run by St. John’s Downtown United
Methodist in Houston.
The Rev. Rudy Rasmus at service: “It’s good to
see everybody in church today. Thank you for
coming.”
Two decades ago, when most churches hardly
acknowledged the AIDS epidemic, Pastor Rudy
Rasmus found he was attending too many funerals.
The Rev. Rudy Rasmus, St. John’s Downtown: “We
actually began to reach out and to do outreach
and testing in the early 90’s.”
That was about the same time Amber David learned
he was HIV-positive.
The Rev. Rudy Rasmus at service: “Last year we
tested over 700 people for HIV...”
On “testing Sunday,” Rasmus and David issue an
invitation from the pulpit: “After church, get
tested next door.”
Amber David, St. John’s Downtown: “I feel
honored that after being diagnosed, I would be
given a platform to go and be an example of
living after being diagnosed with HIV… and then
being able to provide services.”
Half of new HIV cases in the U.S. are African
Americans, though they make up only 12% of the
population. Houston has one of the highest HIV
rates in the country, and the vast majority are
African Americans under the age of twenty.
Christopher Roberts got his first HIV test after
services here.
Christopher Roberts: “I’m not used to people
being really open about that kinda stuff, especially
in a church.”
And Leslie Williams, who is HIV-positive, brought
her partner for testing. Diagnosed when she was 16
and pregnant, Williams says she felt judged in other
churches, but not here.
Leslie Williams: “I love this church. I love the
ministry. If anyone ever wanted to feel love,
unconditional love, man, this is truly the place.”
Amber David and the staff counsel and educate all
ages.
(Amber David talking with young people) “HIV is out
there when you’re dating and that that kind of
thing? Oh yes...”
Teen: “I learned about HIV here. I hadn’t heard
about it even at school sex education, in health,
hadn’t heard about it.” Another teen: “Hadn’t heard
about it.”
(Amber David does testing) “In fifteen minutes,
we’ll let you know what your status is.”
Amber David: “When I say at the end, ‘You can live
with the results,’ I am an example of that.”
TAG:
For more information on St. John’s United Methodist
or “get tested Sunday,” contact the church at
713-659-3237 or the clinic at 713-650-0595 ext. 4143.
