Nash Tribe: Hope is Red - World AIDS Day 2008

Today, on December 1, 2008 more than 8000 people will die from AIDS, with a majority of those deaths taking place in Africa. I am not ok with this...are you?

There is no cure for AIDS but the anti-retroviral drugs that are available in western countries are too expensive and too rare for most people in "majority world" (the new term for third world) countries.

Today is World Aids Day and there are millions of people around the world, some famous and some obscure, that are fighting to save lives that could be spared if the right medication got to the people that needed it. Some people do not care because they are not personally affected by HIV/AIDS but I am not one of those people. My best friend has the HIV virus and when I was in Africa in 2006 I met many people that either have AIDS or have lost family members because of this horrible disease.

Today Starbucks is giving 5 cents of every drink sold to fight AIDS and they sell a lot of drinks globally in a day so please consider going and getting a drink there to help. Obviously this is one small act but that is how the world is changed, one small act at a time.

There are many organizations that are doing amazing things with HIV/AIDS victims and their families so please visit one of these sights and get involved. It is not just about writing a check or putting in volunteer time. It is about an awareness that there are helpless children, mothers, fathers and others that are affected by this disease and WE can be the solution because of the power of God. We can be the hands, feet, mouth, ears and arms of Jesus to a world that wants to see hope come alive.

This month we celebrate Christmas and for many hope is red. Not hope in a man dressed up in a red suit but a baby that was born and gave his life so that we could be with him. His red blood was shed so that the world could be reconciled back to God. Please do your part to help those affected by AIDS and when people ask you why...tell them Hope is Red!

Matt