west coasters
If you live along the west coast, I could use your help on something. More details to follow, but for now I'm just trying to gauge who I know on that side of the country. So...
Holla if you live in Washington, Oregon, or California!
turning the tide
A huge part of what we do at Thrive Africa is AIDS prevention. I love our strategy for combating HIV because I know we are making a difference. The fruit speaks for itself. And I don't mind shouting that from my blog. Because it's not a pat on my back, it's a pat on God's.
There are a lot of agencies focusing on the effects of the AIDS crisis--building hospices to care for the dying, establishing orphanages for the scores of children left parentless, and providing services to those infected and affected by HIV. I believe in the urgent need for each one of those things. But I also know if we don't start focusing on the cause of the AIDS crisis, we're going to lose an entire generation in Africa.
The vision God's burned into my heart is to mobilize next generation leaders to live God-honoring lives. The only thing that will truly turn the tide of the AIDS pandemic is lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Long-lasting behavioral change comes from the work of God in a submitted heart. So we teach thousands of students each week in public schools about the purpose God has for them and how to avoid getting HIV so they can actually fulfill that purpose.
Our reason for teaching students isn’t just to prevent them from getting AIDS. Our primary purpose is to lead them into growing relationships with God. As they grow as Christ-following leaders, they'll learn to make wise choices in every area of their lives.
You can learn more about our AIDS prevention program, how you can invest into Africa, and opportunities to serve with us on Thrive's website.
you CAN do something
AIDS is a reality you don’t have the luxury to ignore.
Bono wrote in his book On the Move---
6,500 Africans are still dying every day of a preventable, treatable disease, for lack of drugs we can buy at any drugstore. This is not about charity; this is about justice and equality.
Because there’s no way we can look at what’s happening in Africa and, if we’re honest, conclude that deep down, we really accept that Africans are equal to us. Anywhere else in the world, we wouldn’t accept it. Look at what happened in Southeast Asia with the tsunami. 150,000 lives lost to that misnomer of all misnomers, “mother nature.” In Africa 150,000 lives are lost every month. A tsunami every month. And it’s a completely avoidable catastrophe.
There is a continent—Africa—being consumed by flames.I truly believe that when the history books are written, our age will be remembered for three things: the war on terror, the digital revolution, and what we did---or did not do---to put the fire out in Africa.
History, like God, is watching what we do.
Don’t close your eyes or turn your head away. People are dying for you to do something.
What will you do to learn more about the AIDS crisis? What will you do with what you know?
pay it forward
I've never been one for Black Friday shopping. Just thinking about all the crowds and chaos makes me feel an anxiety attack coming on. No thank you! But I love me some internet shopping. Cause I can do that without ever leaving my bed house. Mmhmmm.
Here are some ways you can support Thrive Africa and your online shopping habit---not just on Black Friday but every day:
You can donate without actually donating by clicking on this Amazon.com link before making purchases. Thrive gets a small referral fee when you buy anything from Amazon after you follow the link.
Donate a Portion of Your eBay Sales.
Do you sell things on eBay? You can donate 10%-100% of the final sale price to Thrive, for any item you sell. Learn more about setting up your next listing to donate to us.
Who says you have to live in Africa to make a difference in Africa?