This week I have had the opportunity to participate in the “Step into Africa” program through World Vision Experience: AIDS at a local church. Even though we all know something about the HIV / AIDS pandemic most of us have to admit that our details on the subject are a bit sketchy. Some of our knowledge and fears come from years of misinformation that we have accumulated.
But the facts are no one is immune to the possibility of getting the disease with the fallen world we live in. One moral failure could open up Pandora’s box. It is not limited to certain groups as many of us may believe. It does not matter how someone became infected, whether it was innocently or through a failure, compassion is still needed. For those of us living in developed countries drugs are available to slow the advance of the disease and even though there is no cure, life can be extended.
But in Africa the numbers of people with this disease are huge, many children are infected, many who are not are orphaned due to both parents dying of it, and with no cure in sight it will only get worse. Africa does not have the medical staff, drugs or educational structure to combat this disease and therefore more will die and be orphaned.
The “Step into Africa” experience gives you the opportunity to walk through a maze showing the life of an African child whose family has been affected by AIDS. It is a very sobering process to hear through headphones and experience through the walk, the trials of these children. I highly recommend using this experience as a way to open up the eyes of your church to the needs of Africa. Go to www.worldvisionexperience.org/events.php to see if the experience will be in your area. If not consider hosting the event for your community. For more information check it out at www.worldvisionexperience.org .
HIV and AIDS is worldwide with cases in every country and the church must become passionate about the greatest pandemic of our time. We as the body of Christ must show compassion to those in our community and around the world affected by this terrible disease. There are many groups that currently are serving people with HIV / AIDS around the world. Prayerfully seek them out and partner with them.
John 13:35 says “ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples”.
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