I live in a small Mennonite community, I don't think once in school HIV was even discussed. There is no one that I know (within my community) who is public about their positive status. Last year I traveled to Africa for two months and the biggest question I got asked was "Will you be with HIV children, aren't you scared? Won't you get AIDS?" I wish so greatly that at this time I had been more educated and had shared with these people that AIDS and HIV aren't what they think. These children are not contaminated. You will not get sick for hugging them, kissing them, or holding them. Please take a few minutes to watch this video and educate yourself on AIDS and HIV. Truth Pandemic
On a more personal note AIDS has touched me in a deep way. When I spent time at an orphanage in Uganda I had the privilege of caring for a beautiful baby girl who was suffering from AIDS. My friend was fighting to become her foster mom and in the mean time she was staying at the orphanage. I loved this precious girl dearly. I rejoiced as she learned to take her bottle and as her fever broke while she fought off pneumonia. I remember one night clearly where I though she was going to go be with Jesus and I just held her and cried out to Him. She fought through. I watched her gain back health and the day I left, as I was saying goodbye, her foster mom and I together witnessed her first smile since being with us. Oh the tears that were shed at this moment. I left for home trusting all my children to the Lord, he had taken care of them before me and he would continue to love them and care for them after. Several months after I arrived home I heard word that this precious girl had fallen with pneumonia again, when you have AIDS your immune system cannot fight. There aren't words to describe the devastation I felt when I heard that the Lord had taken her home. She was rejoicing in heaven, painless, with her Saviour. But as humans all we see is our pain, we no longer have this beautiful baby girl in our lives anymore. Why would God take her away? She had so much life to live. We don't understand his plan and it can be so frustrating.
As I mourned this precious girl God began to open my eyes to all the other orphans who have HIV. There are millions of orphans who lost their parents due to HIV and have had the virus since birth. Some orphanages don't even put these precious children on adoption lists because who would even consider adopted a HIV baby. Well the truth is there are people who adopt HIV children, it is possible. When HIV is treated your life span can be up to 70 years old. That sounds similar to everyone else doesn't it. Bringing an HIV child into your home doesn't endanger your family. This child can be loved and play with this siblings without fear of transmission. The can be cuddled and adored by their parents. They can go to university, become teachers or pilots or firemen, they can get married, they can become parents.
So please join with me in spreading the word and educating people. We can't just turn a blind eye to the HIV orphan. God calls us to help the least of these so what is your role? What are you doing to help the orphan crisis. Please join me in spreading the cause of these beautiful children. Ask the Father what your role is, and how He wants you to help these beautiful babies.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
Matthew 25:34-40
Alisa, I am truly touched after reading your blog. It is clear that you have a huge heart for these children as well as making the facts known about HIV and AIDS. I truly hope and pray that you are able to find a meaningful and active way to share that love with those children and the world - this blog is a great step! God bless you Alisa for your heart and who YOU are. I am thankful to know such an amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteMatt