Nazarene Pastor in Trinidad Ministers to Those with HIV/AIDS
Rev. Dexter Daly and the Point Fortin Church of the Nazarene is answering a call from God to show mercy and compassion to those who are suffering. The Point Fortin Church of the Nazarene has taken on the challenge to reach out to those in Trinidad who are suffering from HIV/AIDS. The Church is also engaged in ministering to those not infected but affected and we are also passionate about reaching those who are vulnerable in regards to becoming infected. Below is a short message from Rev. Daly that explains in his own words what Point Fortin Nazarene Church is doing and why.
In 2006 I was asked to be the country coordinator for a program called reach4life. The objective of the program is to facilitate the prevention of HIV/AIDS, particularly to the youth population. I readily gave my time and energies towards advancing this program. As I became involved I realized the magnitude of the situation and I became increasingly aware that Jesus’ commission to be salt and light must take effect in this situation.
I soon realized that The Caribbean had over 250,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. Therefore I strongly felt that the program and strategy is very timely, as the imminent threat of losing future generations to this disease became so real.
I began to sense a strong impression to work with these people who were both infected and affected. Therefore, in April of 2006 the Ministry from the Point Fortin Church of the Nazarene was initiated to participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
We started with a simple outreach program of ministering to those infected and affected. We provided food baskets, household materials, school assistance for children with infected parents. By this time several persons who were infected started attending our local Church. Jonibelle was one of these persons who started attending on a regular basis. Jonibelle has been living with HIV/AIDS for the last seventeen years and has been the victim of discrimination and ridicule. The HIV/AIDS ministry has been very supportive to Jonibelle in many ways through telephone calls, prayer support and encouragement and economic assistance. More than all these Jonibelle has the assurance that she is loved and appreciated by the leaders of the Ministry. Though not be a person who loves to be pitied Jonibelle has been a source of encouragement to many in our local Church. She is always ready to send an encouraging text message and usually remembers birthdays and special occasions.
Therefore the Point Fortin HIV/AIDS ministry “Haven of Hope” is rising to the need of ministering to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDs. We have a vision to further establish an HIV/AIDS support center. Here we are hoping to acquire a building to house our operations. We will continue to offer information, sponsoring HIV/AIDS seminars, providing initial counseling, sending out work teams to help provide food, refurbish houses and provide loving relationships to persons living with HIV/AIDS. It will also be a place where these persons can come to relax and to be in an environment of love and care.
In addition we are hoping to provide a transportation system which will enable these persons to honour their medical appointments in a timely manner. Travelling has also become challenging to these persons since these persons are usually unfortunate victims of discrimination and ridicule.
Our desire is to be an extension of the love of God to our community. Therefore, we desire you to prayerfully commit to partnering with us as we seek to fight against this dreaded pandemic. I am convinced that there is a cause so join us on the battle field and let us advance God’s Kingdom in this regard.
St Theresa of Avila said, “Christ has no body now on earth but yours, No hands but yours, No feet but yours, Yours are the eyes through which is to look out Christ’s compassion to the world; Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.
Rev. Dexter Daly
Point Fortin Nazarene “Haven of Hope”
HIV/AIDS is a significant problem in the nations of the Caribbean. In fact, the Caribbean has the highest infection rate in the world outside of Sub-Saharan Africa. Pray with us and join with us as the Church of the Nazarene continues to respond to the increasing needs that are the result of this preventable and treatable, yet destructive, disease.
To support the work in education and prevention among the youth, click here.
To research further about HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, click here.
These same facts and statistics are available here en español.
Questions? Email ncm@caribnaz.org