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Worshipping Together in Lagos

We started our journey through Nigeria with Sunday service at St. Leo's Catholic Church in the Ikeja section of Lagos, where we heard the most powerful sermon on HIV/AIDS. The pastor started by telling his congregation HIV/AIDS was killing more black people than any other people on earth. "AIDS is here in Nigeria," he said. He continues,"There are. 2.7 million Nigerians infected and the numbers are growing daily by the thousands. AIDS is so real that it is present inside this church. AIDS is 100% preventable. That should be our goal: not 80%, not 90%, but 100%. Even a 10% margin of error is unacceptable."

The Reverend continued, sharing personal stories about a family member suffering from AIDS, carefully explaining how you can and cannot contract the virus, and urging responsible sexual behavior. He reminded his followers about the other ways of transmission: blood transfusions, dirty needles at hospitals, dirty clippers at barbershops. He contracted hepatitis from a dirty needle used in a hospital and encouraged people to demand clean needles. He encouraged people to take their own clippers to the barbershop and their own instruments for a manicure and pedicure. And finally, he spoke of stigma and how important it is not to turn our backs on those who have HIV and AIDS.

"We must do all we can for those who are already infected. That is our Christian responsibility," the Reverend stressed. He continued, "If we turn our backs, we are no longer Christians. We condemn people, but who are we to judge? Some of us are much worse and have been lucky enough to get away with that crime. It may not be sex. We may be liars, cheats, and murderers with our mouths, and we dare to point our fingers. They may just be victims of someone else's carelessness. People with HIV and AIDS need care, not condemnation. That person who is infected could be Jesus. Look after that mother and take care of that sister. Show them compassion and you are doing it to Jesus. Show them hatred, ridicule, and contempt, and you are doing it to Jesus."

After church, the Balm team was given a warm welcome with a reception by the Christian Health Association of Nigeria and the Christian Association of Nigeria at Archbishop Vining Memorial, an Anglican Church in Ikeja, Lagos. There were special performances by Lilian Ojo and Broda Martins, a pastor and gospel musician with an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign geared towards young people through music. Throughout the singing and speech-making, the phrase "Welcome home" was often heard.

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