How did we get here? Where are we going?

By Rick Boucher

Our family-Sandy and I, and our daughters, Juliet and Madeline, 14 and 9-went on a trip to Africa in June. We traveled with other families from Central to observe the impact of HIV/AIDS on the people of Africa, how the Church is now involved and how Central might become more intimately involved.

Sometimes I stop and wonder how and why focusing on AIDS, the world's greatest health crisis, has become so important to our family. I then ask myself, "Where are we and Central going in the future?" I never had any real knowledge or interest in HIV/AIDS until the late 1980's. At that time, I met a gay friend of Sandy's. Ultimately diagnosed with AIDS, I watched him wither and deteriorate to a shell of his former self. It was awful! He died in 1996.

One response to her friend's tragic death for Sandy was a professional transformation. Her knowledge of the disease and commitment to those affected, resulted in her becoming a pharmaceutical, clinical consultant, dealing with HIV/AIDS medications. Her training, clients, relationships and stories impacted me over the course of ensuing years. I not only began to care about those affected by this dreaded disease, but wanted to help and contribute in some way.

In recent years, this has involved attending fund raisers for agencies which are addressing the crisis in our area, such as AIRS (AIDS Interfaith Residential Services) and the JACQUES Initiative connected with the University of Maryland and Maryland General Hospitals. I have conducted pro bono legal seminars at HERO as well as other organizations. In recent months, Sandy and I have moved from attending fund raisers to sponsoring a benefit. We are seeking to grow support for Partners in Malawi, the organization that underwrites Dr. Perry Jansen and his clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. Perry will be sharing his story at Central on October 1st. We are watching God bring people and strategies into place, as this family focus unfolds.

Barbara Ellingson was the real "trailblazer" at Central on the AIDS issue a decade ago with her inspiration to encourage Central people to gather supplies for local AIDS patients in the ministry, Love in Action.

With many at risk and many AIDS-infected people in Baltimore, is it necessary to also look to Africa to find those in spiritual and physical need? Consider the fact that Christianity is growing faster on that continent than anywhere else in the world. Matthew 9:37-38 tells us that "...the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field." We must consider not just the physical plight of Africa, but its spiritual state in an eternal context. Remember, the gospel is only good news if it gets there in time. Are we hearing God's call?

Central's Mission Conference begins next week. Let's listen and learn together.