RED AGAIN

(RED) has caught my attention. December 1 was World AIDS Day . What I thought was going to be just an interactive game that I was making up for my co-workers to raise awareness - well, I'm the one who actually has become aware and very convicted to do something. The statistics are heart breaking - and I have been saying, "Someone needs to do something. Someone needs to go!" As the Lord often does -- the finger was pointing back at me. This summer I'll hopefully be heading to Malawi. An old acquaintance of mine runs the GAIA where he has focused on the stigma of HIV/AIDS specifically in Malawi. I can't imagine the burden that one has to carry who has HIV/AIDS in Malawi and surrounding countries. I've always had a heart for children - and learning that 15 million children have been orphaned by AIDS - I just can't get my head around that. It's overwhelming! The UN has put out their 2006 Report On The Global Aids Epidemic and the statistics are sobering. *South Africa remains one of the worst - 5.5 million people living with AIDS *An estimated 38.6 million people are living with AIDS worldwide by the end of 2005 There is also progress being made in many ares. *The number of people using HIV testing and counselling service has quadrupled in the past 5 yrs. in over 70 countries *In 58 countries that reported - 74% of primary schools and 81% of secondary schools now provide HIV/AIDS education *6 of 11 African countries heavily affected by HIV reported a decline of 25% or more in HIV cases among 15-24 yr. olds in capital cities. This is good news -- and yet there is still a lot more to be done. Get involved!