"Families for Life" Update

Geetha (not her real name) came to Pastor David on the edge of hopelessness. She had discovered she was HIV-positive. Because of the extreme shame associated with the disease, she and her husband, also infected, had decided to commit suicide. She had seen many in the community die from AIDS, and she could not bear to face the discrimination she knew would come. As a last-ditch effort, she sought advice from a Christian her mother had told her about—Pastor David. He and his wife fully embraced Geetha. As World Relief volunteers, they had been trained on HIV/AIDS and how to care for those affected by the disease. They had intentionally planted their church in the midst of a community deeply and quietly affected by AIDS. They were able to offer Geetha the facts about HIV as well as the hope that comes in Christ.

World Relief seeks to support rural Indian churches and help pastors be trained to lead small groups where they will work to strengthen marriages and deal with the growing issue of HIV/AIDS.  Bethlehem has joined with World Relief India to help sponsor their “Families for Life” program.  In the past year over 50 churches have been reached with this program and pastors have the understanding to care for people like Geetha who are hurting and in need of truth and love.