Her Ignorance About HIV/AIDS Led Her to Reject Her Desperately Needy Nephew

Gospel for Asia (GFA) News, Wills Point, Texas

Mani entered the world infected with HIV. Soon after birth, he lost his parents to the deadly disease. His uncle, Dhiraj took him in and cared for him. He made sure Mani had the medicine he needed to stay healthy, but his wife was not so welcoming. Fear and suspicion filled her heart when she thought of Mani. Her ignorance about HIV/AIDS led her to reject her desperately needy nephew. She continually pressured her husband to send Mani away, but Dhiraj would not abandon the boy. Instead, he found help from three GFA-supported Sisters of Compassion that served in the area.

On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day will be observed around the globe, bringing needed awareness to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. All across the globe, organizations work together to promote the prevention of AIDS, to emphasize the compassionate care needed for those living with the disease and to remember those who have died from it, like Mani’s parents.

Many GFA-supported pastors, Bridge of Hope centers and bible college students and staff took to the streets in honor of World AIDS Day. Last year, 31 Bridge of Hope centers located in Kolkata, West Bengal, came together and held rallies in the red light district. In one rally, participants shouted slogans, such as “Lets aid each other to combat AIDS” and “Know AIDS, no AIDS.” They also carried banners sharing God’s love for victims of the deadly disease. More than 50,000 people were impacted by the rallies.

In the Delhi area, GFA-supported bible college students and staff worked with the local Red Cross AIDS Team to distribute pamphlets in slum areas where the disease is known to spread quickly.

A representative from the Red Cross said, “The church is doing a great job… We are with you for any help in regards [bringing] awareness of this disease. We will work jointly.”

According to UNAIDS, “36.7 million people globally were living with HIV in 2016.” They estimate 35 million people have died from the disease since the time HIV/AIDS was recognized as a global epidemic. India is estimated to have the third largest population with HIV/AIDS-infected individuals. With concentrated effort, India has been able to reduce the new HIV infections by 46 percent and AIDS-related deaths by 22 percent since 2010, UNAIDS reports. And when community organizations, such as GFA-supported Bridge of Hope centers and local churches, work in partnership with government authorities to educate high-risk populations on prevention, treatment and care for those living with HIV and AIDS, we can continue to see the percentages decrease.

A senior medical officer who attended a GFA-supported World AIDS Day event encouraged such cooperation saying, “The humanitarian work of the church will really generate mass awareness in the general public.”

Gospel for Asia supports those affected by HIV/AIDS in many ways. In addition to awareness rallies on World AIDS Day, GFA-supported medical workers provide free HIV/AIDS testing during medical camps throughout the year. Bridge of Hope centers help children orphaned by the disease. And Sisters of Compassion support affected families, like Mani and his uncle and aunt. Through this multifaceted approach, in partnership with other organizations, we can impact thousands of lives ravaged by this disease and see thousands more prevented from becoming victims.

Just as Jesus cared for the sick and ostracized in His community, GFA reaches out in love and compassion to those affected by HIV/AIDS. We are grateful for opportunities like World AIDS Day to communicate God’s love and redemption.

“For … I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord … when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” —Matthew 25”36–40

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