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FACT: 70% of new HIV infections in 2010 were in Africa.FACT: 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS.
- FACT: HIV/AIDS has claimed more than 30 million lives.
- FACT: Male circumcision can prevent HIV infection. Source:malecircumcision.org
- FACT: 2 million children are living with HIV/AIDS. Most were infected during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- FACT: Mother-to-child HIV spread is almost entirely preventable—but access to needed tools remains low.
- FACT: HIV treatment medicines have saved 2.5 million lives since 1995.
- FACT: 3.2 million people are receiving HIV treatment thanks to gov’t
- support for @GlobalFundNews.
- FACT: The U.S. can provide lifesaving HIV treatment to someone in need for less than $1 per day.
- FACT: For every person starting treatment today, two are newly infected
From Gates Foundation blog…World AIDS Day
This is all about bringing glory to God.
A friend said this to me the other day about Give New Life, and it hit me square between the eyes -
This is all about bringing glory to God.
In the middle of that, God cares for everyone involved: the women, the staff, the donors.
We aim to bring glory to Him through our obedience, through living out who we are created to be…
This is a pivotal truth that defines us as an organization. Not as a slogan or meaningless phrase - but as a solid core that defines us, that lives in us - this is one of the pillar truths that holds us up. I could scream this from the highs and lows of this journey:
This is all about bringing glory to God!
Breathe in me Your life, I can feel You are close now…
I can never hide, You are here and You know me…
All I need is You and I love You…
Essential Reading List…
28: Stories of AIDS in Africa, by Stephanie Nolen Walks through stories of pastors, street kids, sex workers, truckers, doctors and students. Outlines the web of destruction involved with AIDS in Africa and the forces holding it in place.
AIDS: The Ultimate Challenge, by Elisabeth Kubler-RossWritten in the 1980s, it walks through the challenges the US was facing as AIDS came to the forefront. Details the stigma, the uncertainties, and the gravity of the epidemic in this time period in America - which Africa is still living in.
Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, by Maaza MengisteNovel about Ethiopia in the 1970s during the Revolution. Provides an amazing backdrop of Ethiopian culture, religion, history — it is fiction, but many of the events described are also documented in nonfiction historical accounts.
The Hospital by the River, by Dr. Catherine HamlinAnother book - nonfiction- with an amazing backdrop of Ethiopian culture, custom, history in the last 50 years. Tells the story of women suffering with fistula and the beautiful work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Kristof/WuDunnInformative, quickly moving storybook of women around the world. Unbelievable and important facts and insight from two NY Times journalists. Amazing read.
one.org/blog news blog for Africa
This is an awesome collection of stories - of aid reaching the right place, of trends turning around and development work being successful, transforming communities. Living Proof is an inspiring look at what is happening around the world.
Her Story
To truly know Africa, you need to be still enough to listen to her quiet story.
The story that is written between the lines.
The story that lies behind the eyes of the storyteller.
The story that lives in the hearts and spirits of her people.
You must be still and …LISTEN!
There is a deep pain behind the bright white smiles and the swaying hips of her women.
There is a cool and turbulent frustration held in the fist of protest and the praying hands of her men.
There is a despondence lying in the laughing eyes and humble obedience of her children.
But to know the full dynamics of her story…
You must listen…
With your heart, not your ears
With your soul, not your mind
With your love and not your ignorance.
You must listen.
Then and only then, will you HEAR her story.
Then and only then, will you KNOW her story.
These last two posts…these songs seriously meet my heart’s place for Ethiopia…every time I sing them, my eyes close, and all I can see, hear, feel, pray for, and imagine is the work God is doing in many hearts. I have built with my hands all the walls that hold me in, Pre-Chorus: Chorus: Verse 2: Bridge:
I have wandered my way in the desert.
I have struggled against all the blessings you have sent,
and I am back to the place of surrender.
Lord You meet me here in my darkest hour
And You stirred my heart with Your love
Forever, I am changed by mercy
Forever my heart is alive
Forever, I am Yours my Savior
Forever my hope is Christ
Tears are sweet as they fall, mercy rushes through my soul
Bowing low as you wash me with healing.
Lord, you’ve sealed me with grace
Life eternally sustained, by the hope in my soul You’re revealing
The power of sin is broken I have been set free
For I have died and Jesus is alive in me
In our hearts, Lord, in this nation
Awakening
Holy Spirit, we desire
Awakening
For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me
In Your presence, in Your power
Awakening
For this moment, for this hour
Awakening
For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me
For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me
Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my
Awakening
Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my
Awakening
Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
From the darkness comes a light
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
Only You can raise a life
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
About me
They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. Ezekiel 37:10
