Mission News: Mary of Bethlehem, Marys of Africa

In sub-Saharan Africa, one-third of the entire population is chronically malnourished. The AIDS pandemic is killing twice as many Africans everyday, as the United States lost on 9/11. Poverty and AIDS are devastating the continent of Africa. Half the people live on less than $1 per day. Every ten seconds AIDS takes a life and infects two more. By 2010, there will be 40 million orphans in Africa, nearly the number of children currently attending public schools in the United States. The UN has labeled the AIDS circumstance as the greatest crisis in the history of humanity.

Rev. Colin Bishop, Director of International Bible Society in South Africa, has decided to launch a vigorous attack to address the crisis of the past 20 years. He recognizes that the AIDS epidemic can be attacked in two major ways: medically and morally. Giving antiretroviral drugs to an AIDS victim who does not choose to change his/her life style prolongs the life but propagates the infection. God is using Colin to offer life-giving outreach that cries for an appropriate moral decision. REACH 4 LIFE, a New Testament with study tracts that directs teens to abstinence is being distributed, accompanied by in-your-face facts of the consequences of ignoring the problem.

About half of the 5 million people in South Africa with HIV became infected between ages 15 - 24. Since the REACH 4 LIFE program began in 2003, 45,000 of these Bibles have been given to youth. The Bibles, along with discussion opportunities, are welcomed into high schools, even where there is a strong Muslim presence. So far the Bibles and small group discussions led by Christians have reached 3,000 of the 30,000 schools. As fast as finances come in, the program will progress.

There are 26 million young people in South Africa who need to be sealed off from AIDS. Can teachers, half of whom are infected, be asked to be the authority? Colin responds that only God can give moral credibility. "You can't live a righteous life by yourself. God gives you the power to live life on a higher level."

As we live out this first Sunday in Advent, what a contrast in thinking about Mary who was startled by her pregnancy, but has hope because God is caring for her. A girl of Mary's age in sub-Saharan Africa is without hope because she knows her future holds only sickness and despair. December 1st is WORLD AIDS AWARENESS DAY. Let us pray for the Mary's and families of Africa.