Dear Pastor,

My fellow Jamaicans, this message is from my heart. It is constantly on my mind and I can't seem to get rid of it. I know I must do something about this in order to have some peace of mind.

Jamaicans, there was a time when if a man/woman caught a venereal disease, a doctor could help. Mankind could walk into a doctor's office and the doctor could give him/her a penicillin injection, a dose of antibiotics and promise he/she would be all right within a few days.

days are gone

Now, my fellow Jamaicans, those days are gone and, I mean, for good. Now, when doctors diagnose you with 'the big man' living among us, Mr HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, which we, unfortunately, do not have regard for, the doctor only encourages you to go home and eat right.

Another thing is, in reality, every adult, man or woman, have a right to live the life they choose to lead, whether they live it in a negative or a positive way. If a person chooses to live a negative life, he/she does not have the right to force another human to live like him/her, especially when the other person is at your mercy and however helpless.

When one chooses a promiscuous lifestyle, one needs to take a rain check. Think about how one can actually destroy someone else's life along with theirs. Mr AIDS does not know colour or creed, does not identify with diplomats, degrees, power, money or friend in high places. This is a sad message but a serious one. The next generation of governor generals and prime ministers is already being affected by the HIV virus. It is now spreading across the length and breadth of our beautiful island. The full manifestation will be realised in the next 15-20 years from now when our children will not be able to assume their positions in society.

Jamaicans, AIDS is a one-time catch, but a lifetime thing.

Read Deuteronomy 7:15 and ll Chronicles 7:14. Love, Jamaica.

E.G., St Catherine

E. Gordon

Dear E.G.,

I don't want to comment whether I believe you got this message from God, but I would hope and pray that the day will come when a cure would be found for HIV/AIDS, and to this end I pray.

Pastor