I probably shouldn't use that title with what went on with the Michael Vick scandal and all, but...
Recently we've been hearing alot about HIV/AIDS in Africa at church. A week ago, Children of the World presented a concert at the church. Some of the children were orphans due to AIDS. They presented some very moving videos and testimonies about the ravages of this disease. Today Paul and Pastor Sam are leaving to travel to Africa with World Vision to see first hand the impact that AIDS and poverty are having there. The Advent Christian General Conference is moving towards a partnership with World Vision as part of our denomination's outreach strategy. World Vision is a Christian-based organization that is much more knowledgeable and capable than us when it comes to addressing hunger, lack of clean water, lack of education and opportunities, and health issues around the world. I especially like World Vision's strategy of addressing the needs of the entire community, including health, clean water, and agriculture. When the opportunity arises and after trust has been gained, they also address spiritual needs, but in a low-key way. They treat communities in a holistic way.
The focus on AIDS is because of the enormity of the problem. AIDS is killing off the leadership of families and communities. A whole generation may be wiped out leaving the elderly and children to care for themselves. Why specifically Africa? Because of the 3.1 million deaths worldwide reported yearly by the Yale AIDS Watch, 2.2 million of the deaths are in Africa. Thinking of it in terms of the tsunami that devastated parts of Indonesia -150,000 lives lost to that disaster and the world couldn't stop talking about it. There was an overwhelming response. But in Africa, over 150,000 lives are lost every month to AIDS. A tsunami every month, and hardly a word.
As Rich Sterns, head of World Vision, notes, the lead in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in showing compassion to its victims has been from "the homosexual community, Hollywood, rock stars, political liberals, the U.S. government, the United Nations, secular humanitarian organizations, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation." Where has the Church been? I think the Church has been caught up in the blame game - that people are reaping what they sow. The Church disapproves of behaviors such as drug use, promiscuity and homosexuality - behaviors that can lead to contracting HIV. Some even believe that this is a judgement from God on sinners. Therefore, the Church is less than compassionate about people who contract this disease. The question of prejudice also come to mind in regard to Africa. People have questioned whether the loss of life that is occurring there would be tolerated in any other area of the world.
The Church does have a dog in this fight! Our Lord has called us to be the light of the world; to take care of the widows and orphans, the hungry, sick and the naked. To show compassion, love and grace to people. As Pastor Sam stated last Wednesday night, just because we didn't cause it or just because we don't see it doesn't take away our responsibility to do something. I am encouraged that more and more evangelical Christian churches and organizations are catching a hold of that idea. I applaud the leadership of the Advent Christian General Conference for taking the step of sending representatives to Africa to better understand how we can fight against this evil and to show the love of Christ.
AIDS in Africa or elsewhere may not be the fight that pulls at your heart. Maybe that is not where God is leading you to give or to serve. There are plenty of other needs out there in this dark world - plenty of other fights. The important thing is to pick a fight and jump in!
Recently we've been hearing alot about HIV/AIDS in Africa at church. A week ago, Children of the World presented a concert at the church. Some of the children were orphans due to AIDS. They presented some very moving videos and testimonies about the ravages of this disease. Today Paul and Pastor Sam are leaving to travel to Africa with World Vision to see first hand the impact that AIDS and poverty are having there. The Advent Christian General Conference is moving towards a partnership with World Vision as part of our denomination's outreach strategy. World Vision is a Christian-based organization that is much more knowledgeable and capable than us when it comes to addressing hunger, lack of clean water, lack of education and opportunities, and health issues around the world. I especially like World Vision's strategy of addressing the needs of the entire community, including health, clean water, and agriculture. When the opportunity arises and after trust has been gained, they also address spiritual needs, but in a low-key way. They treat communities in a holistic way.
The focus on AIDS is because of the enormity of the problem. AIDS is killing off the leadership of families and communities. A whole generation may be wiped out leaving the elderly and children to care for themselves. Why specifically Africa? Because of the 3.1 million deaths worldwide reported yearly by the Yale AIDS Watch, 2.2 million of the deaths are in Africa. Thinking of it in terms of the tsunami that devastated parts of Indonesia -150,000 lives lost to that disaster and the world couldn't stop talking about it. There was an overwhelming response. But in Africa, over 150,000 lives are lost every month to AIDS. A tsunami every month, and hardly a word.
As Rich Sterns, head of World Vision, notes, the lead in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in showing compassion to its victims has been from "the homosexual community, Hollywood, rock stars, political liberals, the U.S. government, the United Nations, secular humanitarian organizations, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation." Where has the Church been? I think the Church has been caught up in the blame game - that people are reaping what they sow. The Church disapproves of behaviors such as drug use, promiscuity and homosexuality - behaviors that can lead to contracting HIV. Some even believe that this is a judgement from God on sinners. Therefore, the Church is less than compassionate about people who contract this disease. The question of prejudice also come to mind in regard to Africa. People have questioned whether the loss of life that is occurring there would be tolerated in any other area of the world.
The Church does have a dog in this fight! Our Lord has called us to be the light of the world; to take care of the widows and orphans, the hungry, sick and the naked. To show compassion, love and grace to people. As Pastor Sam stated last Wednesday night, just because we didn't cause it or just because we don't see it doesn't take away our responsibility to do something. I am encouraged that more and more evangelical Christian churches and organizations are catching a hold of that idea. I applaud the leadership of the Advent Christian General Conference for taking the step of sending representatives to Africa to better understand how we can fight against this evil and to show the love of Christ.
AIDS in Africa or elsewhere may not be the fight that pulls at your heart. Maybe that is not where God is leading you to give or to serve. There are plenty of other needs out there in this dark world - plenty of other fights. The important thing is to pick a fight and jump in!
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