HIV

Hearing about HIV/AIDS while living in Africa is a common if not daily occurrence. Maybe too often. Is it possible to hear about the dangers of AIDS so much that we stop actually hearing all the rhetoric? We all know AIDS is dangerous to the point of deadly and as of today there is no cure. With all the information, knowledge, and especially marketing to sensitize people about the dangers of sex outside of marriage, it is a bit unsettling to realize how few seem to take heed to the advice given and still contract HIV. 

Statistically, 262 new people contract HIV worldwide per hour... or roughly 6,300 new cases per day. Seventy percent of all people living with HIV are in sub-Sahara Africa. In 2012, an estimated 2,300,000 people were infected with HIV. Staggering numbers. 

After 10 years in Zambia, I am accustomed to sickness, daily funerals, HIV slogans, and programs to help it all go away. Unfortunately the problem is not going away. The spread of HIV continues. 

Recently a close friend's college age daughter contracted HIV. After she received her results she called us crying. As she discussed with my wife, she asked, "have you ever felt as good as dead?" Heartbreaking. Painful. Destructive. We prayed with her, spoke to her about God's love, and encouraged her in every way we could think. My heart broke. 

The irritating part about HIV is it is a preventable disease. I do understand there are ways to get HIV other than sex but the most common form of transfer is through sexual intercourse. I dont believe the government needs to do more.. I dont believe the doctors and scientists needs to do more. I dont want to make excuses as thousands daily continue down the path that leads to death and pain. I do believe I should do more. Maybe I am part of the problem. Maybe I have become too sensitized to sin instead of sensitizing others to its destructive power. 

Ephesians 5:1-3 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;