dark room/ shiny cross

Tigist is 27 years old and HIV Positive. Her name means patience.

Etasesn is 45 years old and HIV Positive. She is the mother of Tigist.

Tigist is the oldest of four children. In 2003, she tested her blood and found that she was HIV positive. She thinks she acquired HIV at a younger age through sexual intercourse with a boyfriend. She was then bedridden for two years, as there was no access to free Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) at that time. At one point, her CD4 count was down to just 1, but through prayer, and access to the free ART’s, her CD4 count is now above 500 and she is able to live an active life, working as much as she can to help generate even a small bit of income for her family (I later asked a nurse at a clinic in the area about such a drastic transition, and the nurse spoke of how such a happening could only be a miracle). Tigist now often teaches others about the realities of HIV, and has even shared about the socio-economic effects the disease on her life over national television.

(Tigist's younger sister, Magdes enjoys the company of their family's cat)

(nutritious foods like spinach are very helpful for those on ART)

It is possible that Etasesn acquired HIV through caring for Tigist when Tigist was bedridden. Etasesn is mute, but she will quite often make hand motions and smile widely to communicate her happiness and thankfulness to God, or her appreciation for having you visit her in her home. Her CD4 count is above 400, but is not taking any ART as she is bedridden, and an active lifestyle is necessary for the ART’s to function properly. Etasesn is cared for faithfully by Tigist and the rest of the children, and also by her husband, Hailu, whose name means, “Power of God.” Hailu continues to faithfully care for and support his wife, but he has yet to come to a personal faith in Jesus.

Tigist accepted Jesus through one of the former directors of a church program in the area, who would come to pray with her two days a week. Before accepting Christ, Tigist recalls a very disturbed life with no peace of mind. Since accepting Jesus as her personal Savior, she speaks of how she became healthy and received peace of mind. Sitting in her naturally lit living space, Tigist sang aloud with her friends, Pastor Esayas, and Sheba, from the local church:

Jesus is the joy of my heart. I’m living in this world my Your name.

(Tigist and Sheba, the counselor for the church's community outreach program)

Prayer requests from Tigist and Etasesn:

1. Improved Health.
2. Ethiopian Economy. When going through ART, it is necessary to have a well balanced diet including a lot of protein-rich foods. The price of these foods though has gone up in cost. In the past few years, it is not uncommon for certain costs to have risen over 100% of their normal cost.
3. Family members to come to Christ. Hailu, Etasesn’s husband has not yet accepted Christ, but they believe he is close.