World AIDS Day

December is here! As I continue to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas during this season of Advent, I become more and more aware of the many needs of those around me who are marginalized by society both locally and globally.

This is what I read this morning in one of my Advent Readings:

We hear so often the phrase "Jesus died for me" that sometimes we forget the purpose of salvation isn't just to be glad our souls are safe for eternity; it's to follow Jesus's example --- give ourselves to others. That's what the Scripture talks about in 2 Kings, and that's what Christ did for us.

The truth is, we were saved from something for something.

As a family, you can create a giving experience by going to a homeless shelter or making sandwiches to pass out, and this is a good thing to do. But what if this year you prayed for God to send a giving experience? God is more than able to answer and would delight at your willingness to be a blessing in the life of another soul --- or many souls --- whom he loves.

~ Advent Reading from 25 Days of Christmas by Greg Johnson.

Today is World AIDS Day. This is the quilt panel I made over at the (2015)QUILT website where I pledged to continue to take action against AIDS!

Here are a few things that our family does to join in the fight against AIDS...

First, let me introduce you to Moses! Moses is 9 years old and he lives in the Mposa region of Malawi. Isn't his smile just adorable? I think so!

Well... he is our family's newest sponsor child!!! He is a World Vision HopeChild whom we decided to sponsor just this past month after Tony Campolo spoke at our church, launching an official partnership between our church and World Vision Canada.

Together, our entire church family has sponsored {to date and counting} 1,016 HopeChild children... all from the same village in Mposa, Malawi. I think that is just amazing! Don't you?

HopeChild sponsorship is a unique sponsorship program offered by World Vision Canada designed specifically to help families who live in areas impacted by HIV and AIDS. Through this program, families are better able to care for their own children as well as vulnerable children in the community, while helping more children stay HIV-free.

Another thing that our family has been doing for the last couple of years is packing AIDS Care Kits with our church family for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

Little things... small sacrifices on our part... big impact in the fight against AIDS!

Would you consider taking action too?

To fight AIDS?

To see the beginning of its end by year 2015?

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!