World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day.

Let me start by admitting that I am no expert on HIV/AIDS.  In all honesty, I’ve always felt very removed from it and unaffected by it.  That was until I traveled to Ethiopia last summer and met men, women and children affected by the disease.  Suddenly, what was once a “cause” was now… people.  Friends.

Today, I urge you all to pray for those who have HIV/AIDS.  Pray for hope, healing, acceptance into their communities, support from their loved onces, access to proper medical care.  Pray that they would know the love of God through Jesus and find rest for their weary souls.  Pray for their families.  Pray for the children orphaned because they lost their parents to this disease.

Remember that this is not just a blanket cause, but that it is tied to people.  It is not faceless and nameless.  And we are to love, serve and pray for those affected more than one day a year.

I encourage you to look into the following organizations and consider supporting them prayerfully and financially:

AHOPE Ethiopia

Caring for HIV+ orphans in Ethiopia

Mocha Club

Create a team and support Mocha Club’s HIV/AIDS & Health Care projects for as little as $7 per month.

Mocha Club Emergency Needs

Give a one-time donation to help provide ARV’s (Anti-Retroviral medication) to HIV+ men, women and children in Sunyani, Ghana.