A few days ago we met with the AIDS Task Force.  This is a group of ladies from the Swazi churches formed to minister to those in their communities with HIV/AIDS.  This home-based ministry provides education, nutrition, and medicine for nearly 400 people.   They also currently provide care for 178 children whose parents have died because of AIDS.   Perhaps most importantly they provide a loving presence for those who are suffering, lonely, afraid, and have no where else to turn.  Mary Magagula, a retired nurse who helped begin the ministry, said to me, “We did not begin this ministry because we had money; we began because we had compassion. We knew we had to do something.”  They are truly the hands and feet of Jesus.

We split up into two teams and went on several home visits.  My team went to a tiny two room hovel to visit a young man dying of AIDS.  Themba is 27 years old.  His brother has already died of AIDS, leaving his brother’s 12-year-old son to live in the house with him and his wife, mother, and two year old toddler.  Themba was the breadwinner of his family, but since his illness has gotten worse, he has been bedridden with almost no way to support his family.  His wife tries to find work through the week as she can, but it is never enough to fully provide for even their most basic needs.

When we walked into the house Themba was lying on his bed.  He was very thin but his eyes were bright, and he smiled when he saw us come in.  He told me, “I was so sick my family thought I would die.  But because of these ladies I have new strength.  I pray to Jesus everyday now and Jesus is helping me.”

There is currently no cure for AIDS.  But a person can extend their life considerably, and greatly enhance their quality of life, through proper nutrition and medication.   To provide a nutrition pack for those taking antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) costs around $7.  This is only a supplement to balance the rest of a person’s diet, but it makes a world of difference.

We brought Themba enough food to last his extended family of five enough food to last a couple of weeks.  Before we left we hugged his children and prayed with him.  Themba will not live more than a year.  There is a very good chance that his two-year-old son also has HIV. But today the Lord used His people to remind Themba of his hope for eternity, and to give him strength for another day.  Perhaps that is enough.