Dear Friend of Children,
It is scary! Seriously, it is frightening!! It is not a fictitious story. It is real! We have raw data from our own survey to prove it.
In Benue State of Nigeria, "one in three students is intimately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and one in twenty students is already infected." What do you think about that?
The vision is clear, the passion is strong?the young people of Nigeria MUST be educated to make a life changing decision that will result in prolonged health, a productive life, and an assurance of eternal life.
By the grace of God and financial assistance from you, we launched a Holy War on HIV/AIDS in May of 2005 among the High School students of Benue State in Nigeria.
Our weapons?the gospel and educational literature?are "not carnal but strong and mighty in pulling down the strongholds" of the enemy. We shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, with the message of abstinence, and distributed over 15,000 copies of the HIV/AIDS educational literature to the students. The response was overwhelming! Over 66% responded positively, prayed the sinner's prayer, and took a Vow of Virtue. It was awesome!
Today, the AIDS epidemic unfortunately continues to grow, sweeping the world, ravaging lives of present and future generations of people. In 2005, "3.1 million adults and children died of AIDS; 4.2 million people were newly infected with HIV; and 40.3 million adults and children are now living with HIV/AIDS." Africa is one of the hardest hit continents, Nigeria is one of the hardest hit countries, and Benue is the most affected state of Nigeria.
The battle continues, and we must win. With your help and by God's power, we are taking the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ along with a dynamic sexual abstinence program to over 31,000 students this year.
Time! Time!! Time is the single differential factor in reaching this goal. Time waits for no one, and students are graduating by the thousands every year. We must press on until the work is complete!
We are looking for volunteers to go with us for a ?Holy War on AIDS' rally in October of 2006. Please pray about becoming a part of this great outreach program. We will make all the necessary arrangements. Please contact us for more information.
We are seeking for prayer warriors who will fervently and regularly pray for the Lord to bless these efforts, to send His Holy Spirit of conviction into the hearts of these 31,000 students, to make them receptive to the Gospel and the help we are bringing; thereby preventing the spread of AIDS in their lives. The success of this war is "not by power and might, but My Spirit." Only God can change hearts, and only a changed heart can win this war.
Realistically, we also need your financial support in order to fight and win this war! The estimated cost of fighting this war this year is $31,000 or approximately $1.00 per student. In order to achieve this goal, we are counting on the Lord to work in your heart and the hearts of hundreds of others to help. We trust the Lord to lead:
ü 5 churches or individuals to give $1,000 each $ 5,000
ü 10 churches or individuals to give $500 each $ 5,000
ü 100 churches or individuals to give $100 each $10,000
ü 100 people to give $50 each $ 5,000
ü 200 people to give $25 each $ 5,000
ü And other gifts $ 1,000 Total $31,000.00
REMEMBER!! One Dollar will educate one child about HIV/AIDS
$1 will do the following:
ü Print one AIDS Educational Booklet
ü Make a personal contact with one young person
ü Give the Gospel of Jesus Christ to that young person
ü Call that young person to a life of moral purity
ü Help to SAVE that young person from SIN and AIDS.
I believe the War on AIDS program is an integral part of fulfilling the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:19. The recipients of the grace of God are responsible to share HIM with others. And the scripture says, "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them." Proverbs 3:27
Would you join me in giving the gift of life to the students of Benue State in Nigeria? Please prayerfully consider giving in support of this program and let us hear from you immediately.
His blessings on you!
David C. Akaji
Vice President for the Africa Region
As you read this letter, I hope it touched your heart as it did mine. It brought back memories of standing before hundreds of high school students and seeing them respond to the message of the gospel and a call to purity and virtue. There are thousands more to be touched and I urge you to respond to this letter by becoming a prayer partner and supporting this ministry with your best gift. Also consider joining the team that will be going in October.
Gerald Bustin, President
