HIV/AIDS and Us

So today there is something heavy on my heart. For me, this blog has been about sharing my heart and hopefully inspiring others to get involved with something that matters to you. But today, I am just really sad. And there is something we can do about it.

The numbers on HIV/AIDS in Africa are staggering. If you've been out of the loop on HIV for the last 10 years, I encourage you to pick up a book or two and get affected by what is happening in our world. Melissa Fay Greene's book "There is No Me Without You: One Woman's Odyssey to Rescue Her Country's Children" is a fabulous choice and you won't be the same. She writes on the political, economic, and cultural impacts of this pandemic. You will learn more about the disease than you thought possible. If you are more interested in a Christian's response to AIDS, then try Tom Davis' "Red Letters". I've just started "When God Stood Up: A Christian Response to AIDS in Africa" by James Cantelon, and I'll let you know what I think. My point is we should all know what is happening, because these are real people, real kids, real parents and grandparents. And they aren't that far away.

Chris and I contribute to AHOPE's orphanage for HIV+ children. The amazing thing is that America now allows these vulnerable kids to be adopted here. Adoption of these kids is undeniably saving a life. Actually, we save 2 lives with each adoption. For every kid that gets to come home to a new family and excellent medical care, there is a newly opened spot in the orphanage for another child who will definitely die without this chance. Can you think of anything you could do with your life that would more clearly make a difference for eternity? You may not be able to adopt one of these kids, but I have no doubt that you could support other people who can.

Today I am so sad because AHOPE has lost 3 children in the last 5 weeks or so. Since the introduction of ARVs to their care of kids, they haven't lost a child in years. They are devastated. And I think we should be too. In April a little 1 year-old girl came to the orphanage very sick with AIDS and died. In early May a 7 year-old girl died of complications of the measles. Then this week a 5 year-old girl died of a bacterial infection. A heartbreaking part of this last death is that she has a 10 year-old brother who is HIV-. He loved his sister very much and insisted that he would only be adopted with her. So people were working hard to find them a family together. Now he is completely alone, facing a much different future than he hoped for. My heart breaks for this boy. - For the loss of his little sister and the life that he hoped for with her.

But the thing that has hit me hard is that if more of us took the step out of our comfortable lives to make a difference in kids' lives who desperately wait, then this little girl and her brother could be alive and healthy together in a family today. One of us could be blessed with sharing and guiding their lives. We could be the ones to hold them in their grief, take pictures at band concerts and soccer games, laugh at their silly antics, and help them make decisions about what they will do and be in their lives. We could have been the ones to smile and cry with pride on a wedding day, and we could have been the grandparent someday trying to hide a smile as we watched them struggling to parent a strong-willed toddler. We could have been the ones offering support through all the trials of life and stopping ourselves at times to reflect on how in the world God allowed our path to cross theirs. These kids deserved that. And we have missed out. This little girl's story ended this week. Her brother's is changed forever.

Let's do something. At the very least check out some resources. The links are on the side of this blog.

AHOPE is the agency and orphanage working exclusively with HIV+ children in Ethiopia. They have an orphanage, and now run a community outreach center for kids who are able to stay with their families (check out my last post). There is lots of great info on their website. The American side of the agency is based in Washington state.

Chances by Choice is an agency that works to find families for orphans with HIV worldwide.

Many adoption agencies are getting involved with HIV adoption. But one of the leaders is Adoption Advocates International. They now have a staff member who is devoted to providing information and helping families make this decision. They subsidize a bit of the costs for HIV+ kids. They work with AHOPE and Kidane Mhiret in Ethiopia, and are working with China to be able to adopt HIV+ kids.

A new agency that I am so excited about is From HIV to HOME, and you have to check out their website. They are raising awareness, and have by far the best information on parenting a child with HIV that I have seen. They answered so many questions I didn't even know I had! They are also setting up funds to provide grants to families who adopt HIV+ kids. They have lots of ideas on how to get involved. So exciting!

I'm adding another one that a blogger friend just told me about (thanks Melinda!). It definitely looks great too! Go check out Project HOPEFUL. Lots of support, information, and hope from kindred spirits.

So we are too late to save the lives of these 3 girls and so many other victims of HIV/AIDS. But there is still time to do something powerful in the lives of the kids who are still fighting for their lives. At the very least let's all work to support the people working so hard to care for these kids. They need donations and financial support. Let's support the families that adopt HIV+ kids and give them so much more than medical care.

And maybe today is the day to explore that flicker of interest you have been trying to quench. Maybe you are one of those families...