• Throughout the world there are 42 million men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS.
• Every hour, an average of 350 people die of AIDS related illnesses.
• Every day, 14,000 people are newly infected with the HIV virus.
• Every year, 3,000,000 children lose one or both parents to AIDS.

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) The first case of AIDS in Belize was diagnosed in 1986. Since then HIV/AIDS has reflected an increased trend over the past decade. Today, Belize has the highest rate of HIV infection per capita in Central America.

According to UNICEF-Belize there has been a 150 per cent increase in the infection rate among children less than one year of age over the last two years. An increasing percentage of HIV-positive mothers are single mothers.

Channel 5 Belize Reported that a UNICEF study completed in October 2004 has revealed some frightening statistics for Belize:

• 2000 children have already been orphaned
• Twelve thousand children are vulnerable
• Each adult death leaves behind 3 orphans
• For every Belizean who has died from AIDS their are three more HIV infections 

"The invaluable loss of parents result in children assuming adult responsibilities before their time; facing stigma, gender discrimination, poverty and inadequate social services. This is getting worse by the fact that HIV/AIDS is killing people who have the skills to help to save these children, including relatives who traditionally help to provide care to them. In addition, teachers and health workers are also dying in unprecedented numbers."

~Juan Fernando Aguirre, UNICEF

Friends, AIDS seems to have reached epidemic proportions. The epidemic in Belize is fueled by poverty, unemployment, a poor health care infrastructure, and immoral behavior. It is estimated that one Belizean dies every day with AIDS. Many Belizeans will die this year with AIDS related illnesses because they cannot afford the medicine that will save them. And most will die without Jesus. When parents die with AIDS, their children are left behind, leftover orphans to fend for themselves. If only we can help. And we can!

THERE IS HOPE!

AIDS is a treatable. People are living longer and fuller lives. With antiviral medicines, working with doctors, watching their viral loads and T-cell counts, people can live longer, healthier lives. When we introduce them to Jesus, they have the added hope of divine intervention and divine healing, and they also have the assurance of salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We can’t sit idly by while thousands perish in Belize. This is an incredible opportunity for ministry. It’s an opportunity to reach the hopeless and the broken and their families too. There is a terrible stigma attached to people living with HIV or AIDS. The first question we always ask is, “Is he a drug addict? Is he homosexual? She must be promiscuous.” Friends we need to break that cycle of stigma. We need to set aside our attitudes of prejudice, fear, and apathy, and put on the Christ-like qualities of compassion, love, and courage. Our first question should not be, “What sin did they commit?” Our first questions should be, “Does he or she know Jesus? Is he seeing a doctor? Does she have medicine? Do they have children? Do they belong to a support group? Are we doing enough to educate our churches, our schools? Are we offering practical support as well as spiritual support? Are we praying for those infected and those affected?  Or are we doing anything at all?”

“Sickness and disease, including AIDS and HIV, are present in our world because of Adam and Eve’s sin. Satan, not God, desires to use AIDS as a means of destroying millions of youth and adults around the world. What Satan plans to use for man’s destruction, God can use to bring glory to himself.”

~Assemblies of God Beliefs http://www.ag.org/top/beliefs/contemporary_issues/issues_15_aids.cfm

YES, THERE IS HOPE!

Belize is in turmoil. They’re confused and they’re sad. Their friends, their families, and their children are dying. Belize is weeping. Their sobs can be heard as their sorrow is seen. Who will cry for them? Who will weep for Belize? Who will intercede with compassion, prayer, and love? Will you?