As we came out of the prison, Megan asked me what was next. I replied “lunch with sex workers”. Megan started laughing so loud that I wondered why she was laughing. Phil was curious too. I asked Megan why she was laughing, and she replied “Because you said “lunch with sex workers.” I said this was true and our next program is to have lunch with sex workers and drug abusers in a restaurant. Megan said “it was not because of what you said; I was laughing because the way you said it”.
A newly married couple told their story about how they realized that the husband was HIV positive immediately after their marriage. They do not want to have any children at this point. The wife told us that she is trying to support her husband and praying for his healing.
Two young women involved in sex trade told us about their painful stories. One of them was HIV positive. They told us the stories of how poverty and hunger brought them to this trade, and how they don’t like what they do but they do not have any other alternatives.
We left the meeting with much sadness as we could not give these people any immediate answer or hope for their future.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, with the abundance we enjoy in our lives, let us not forget the true meaning of the celebration – the birth of Jesus Christ, who came to this world, walked amongst the sick and the trodden, and died on the cross for us all. No matter what the politics of the Church, or differences we have among us, one issue remains a constant – there are many out there who need our help and our prayers. I pray that we all make a commitment for the upcoming New Year that we will come together as one and serve those who the world sees as “one of these leasts.”