THE FACES OF AIDS

"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter." Proverbs 24:11



What do each of these women and children have in common? They are all living with HIV/AIDS. One scary reality is that we see more young women and children than any other group. Women are at much higher risk for HIV than men, and often times get HIV from their husbands.
Pray for James (above) and his mom Joy. James came back from living in the village with his grandma for the last 7 months, and has lost much weight. He is at risk for dehydration and infections.





Jehovah Shammah (above) is still fighting for life. He is currently increasing in weight and stable. Although still extremely malnourished his prognosis is good. We thank God for his divine healing and for saving this precious one!!

LIFE IN AFRICA

village women and children
People selling fruit by the roadside
Flat tires are a part of daily life
A baby pig wandering about
Young girls selling fruit by the side of the road. When you stop your car, they all flock to try and sell fruit to you.
A woman selling bananas on her head, a common site here in Nigeria
A dirt road behind Spring of Life

HIV Testing

Each person who comes in for HIV testing meets with a counselor who shares their test result with them. Those who are positive receive encouragement and hope through Jesus Christ. Those who are negative are also given education on how to prevent HIV and avoid risky behaviors.
Yams are a staple to the Nigerians diet. These women dance in with their yam offering to the Lord. I am always amazed at how they can carry heavy things on their heads.


Our team traveled to the annual women's fellowship conference where thousands of women in church leadership gather to worship the Lord. We tested most of the day on friday and for 11 hours on saturday. It's merely a finger poke and the result is ready within minutes. We tested over 850 people that weekend. The bad news is that there was a 4% rate of HIV among these women. Needless to say there is still so much work to do in the area of awareness and prevention.

The Nigerian women all wear matching outfits and love to dance and sing praises to their God!!! We sat up on the stage and listend in awe as ten thousand women sang banging the drums and lifting their voices to the Holy one.