Showing posts with label HIV/AIDS. Show all posts

Saturday

On the Road: "Simple Superstars of East Africa"

I am thrilled to publicly announce one of the biggest trips thus far in the history of Trinity International -- "Simple Superstars of East Africa"!

Coming in November, a handful of Trinity teammates will be traveling to Ethiopia and Uganda with our dear friend, Wilbur Sargunaraj for what is sure to be an busy and fruitful several days of work.

The highlights and goals of our trip are as follows:

To host 3-4 "Simple Superstar" community concerts feat. Wilbur Sargunaraj to bless children and families impacted by poverty, HIV/AIDS in both Ethiopia and Uganda. Local leaders from our ministries Goh Bright Future and Endiro will help us facilitate this. In most cases, these concerts will include free meals for members of the community.

To investigate opportunities for potential international or local workers to "MoveIn" to needy communities as well as to secure part or full-time employment. The need for more laborers in this mission field is critical and we hope this trip will enable us to develop concrete plans for mobilization.

To record multiple short films and music videos which will highlight our East African children's work, raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges presented by global migration, and to honor some cool aspects of East African life and culture. Films will be used specifically by our East African ministries (Goh Bright Future and Endiro) to raise awareness and to mobilize prayer and laborers. The diaspora short film will be premiered at Manila 2015: Lausanne Global Forum on Diaspora Mission.

To study more carefully diaspora South Asian Hindu and Muslim populations especially in Uganda and opportunities to minister among them.

To facilitate greater collaboration between our Ethiopian and Ugandan ministries in order to share best practices and resources. We hope to see more church planting result in Uganda and more self-sustaining mission practices in Ethiopia.

Financial Needs for the Trip [GIVE NOW]:

We need to raise a large amount of money in a very short time in order to make this trip possible. The team that is going will include myself along with teammates originally from India, Bhutan, Ethiopia and Uganda. It will be a fantastic, multi-cultural team. Here is a breakdown of the costs:

Air Travel (5 persons): 7300

Community Concerts: 2000

Lodging: 500

Vehicle Rental: 400

Sound mixing/recording: Donated

Video recording/editings: Donated

____________________________

Total: $10,200

Raised thus far: 10.2% ($1050)

That is a large amount of money that we need to raise very quickly. Please give your gift of support today. We have well over a thousand people who follow our ministry, pray for us, and have been blessed by our work in the past. If everyone gives even a very small amount, we will be well on our way. Give now here!

[Note: Your gifts of support are made to Trinity International Baptist Mission a licensed 501c3 charity. Your donations are fully tax deductible and you will receive a giving record. Our online giving is secured by PayPal.]

Thursday

Urgent Need! Help us Replace Gloria's Stolen Laptop!

UPDATE: WE'VE RAISE $400 USD TOWARDS OUR GOAL OF $700! HER BIRTHDAY IS TOMORROW, CAN YOU GIVE $10 NOW???

Gloria Katusiime serves as a part of the Trinity International family as the Exectutive Director of Endiro, a business as mission endeavor based in Kampala, Uganda that is using the vehicle of coffee shops to generate financial support for ministries that are rescuing HIV/AIDS orphans and transforming "child-headed homes" with the hope and wholeness of Jesus Christ.

Support Gloria Now!

In the coming months, you will hear a lot more from me about Endiro and Endiro Coffee as we launch our third coffee shop, re-launch our website and social media sites, develop our newly established board of directors, and explore ways to bring the incredibly delicious Endiro Coffee to North America. But for now, we need some urgent help:

A couple days ago, Gloria's home was broken into and thieves stole a bunch of stuff. Most important among these items was her laptop which is vital for managing the business and ministry components of Endiro as well as for staying connected with people through email, Skype, etc. I was saddened to hear about this and with Gloria's birthday coming up next week (shhh ...), I wanted to make every effort I could to replace her old laptop.

Children perform at Young Achiever's School

So, I have set up chance for you to make a safe and secure, tax-deductible donation online at Trinity's main ministry website. My goal is to raise $700 for Gloria as quickly as possible and get it to her by the end of the month so that she can purchase a good, new laptop for her work. Again, since Gloria and Endiro have officially become a part of the growing global Trinity International family, you gift is fully tax-deductible in the United States. Just follow this link to give now!

Thanks so much for supporting the new and growing work of Endiro. I think you will be very excited about what it coming in 2014!

Monday

Children with HIV in Asia resistant to AIDS drugs

HIV/AIDS has lost some of its headlines in the West. I remember my high school days with Magic Johnson, made-for-TV movies, and public awareness campaigns. It seemed then that HIV/AIDS was threatening our very way of life. But, that fear gave way to the fear of terrorism and now to the fear of economic collapse. We are rich and comfortable enough to have a short attention span on these things. The rest of the world isn't so lucky . . .

Children with HIV in Asia resistant to AIDS drugs: "HONG KONG (Reuters) - Teenagers in Asia receiving treatment for HIV are showing early signs of osteoporosis and children as young as five are becoming resistant to AIDS drugs, an anti-AIDS group said on Thursday, urging more attention be given to young HIV patients. The finding, made available on World AIDS Day, is a reminder that while more people in Asia now have access to basic AIDS drugs, improved medicines remain out of reach and patients -- both adults and children -- still suffer from inadequate care. In Asia, some 160,000 children are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. Of these, 57,000 require treatment but only 30,000 were receiving it as of the end of 2008, according to UNICEF."

Tuesday

You Can't Just Plant Churches!

Thoughts are formulating in my heart.

My mission board, which I love, is energized. Zealous to plant churches. Hundreds. Thousands.

I cringe when the well-intentioned talk sounds too much like denominational franchising. But at the end of the day, that isn't my largest concern. I am encouraged that people like me (and people far better than me) are intentionally given seats at the table -- even prominent seats. When my leaders invite my critiques and the critiques of many of my wiser colleagues, I am given hope. They want the accountability. They sincerely desire to advance the gospel and not just the Southern Baptist Convention.

So that's good.

But on a deeper level, I am concerned about the passion to just plant churches. In Chicagoland, the zip code with the highest number of churches per capita is also the one with the highest crime rate. However you interpret that (i.e. there is more crime there or perhaps there is something wrong with the way the justice system works there), the point is made. We don't simply need more churches. We need the Kingdom of God.

So, I have been listening carefully to what my friend, Andrew Jones, has been saying. He's a hippy who actually lives in a yurt. So there's that. And I just saw Titanic for the first time a couple weeks ago, so I have a tendency to feel more comfortable on the anti-bandwagon bandwagon. So, I don't think I'm reading Andrew because he is cool. He is cool. And that's kind of intimidating for someone who still thinks that clothing from the eighties is better off left there.

But I digress. Sorry, haven't blogged since Easter and am still shaking the cobwebs off.

Mission strategies -- even sweeping church planting strategies -- must account for the brokenness of the world. That is, if the multiplication of churches does not mean the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel as good news where people need it most, then, well, perhaps God won't bless it.

So, a while back, Andrew posted this article about a community of Balinese ex-prostitutes who are finding new life in Christ. A quote:

Like the young ladies who have been cooking breakfast for us each morning, without complaint. Shining brightly as God's new people. They still have HIV but they are cleaner than anyone around them. They shine. They are new creations. They are the children of God. According tothe Bali Times, one quarter of Bali's 8,800 sex workers are HIV+. The other major HIV+ group in Bali is the businessmen who visit the prostitutes . . . and their wives. Add to that group the HIV+ drug addicts and you have a sizable group of people who need the grace of God.

And I'm just thinking that if our mission strategies don't include that kind of "bringing the Kingdom to bear", then I am not sure they are really from God. I'm not saying that they will necessarily be from Satan. They may indeed be derived from insights gleaned from the Bible and good traditions. But we may not be able to confidently say, "This is what God is saying to us!"

Let's be thinking about it. More to come.

Friday

Excess Female Deaths

My friend, Sam George of Parivar International, has recently shared the following information regarding gender inequality and death:

Gender inequality

Death and the maiden

Sep 19th 2011, 15:08 by The Economist

Women and girls die prematurely in greater numbers than men
OVER a quarter of all excess female deaths occur in China at birth, says the World Bank's annual World Development Report, published on September 19th. The number has risen since 1990 from 890,000 to 1.1m. These are the numbers of extra girls who would have been born if the normal sex ratio at birth (105 boys to 100 girls) had prevailed in China. It does not do so because of the practice of sex-selective abortion. Aborted girls account for the largest single share of excess female deaths worldwide, but other sorts of death have been growing faster, notably those of women of child-bearing age in Africa. The excess deaths of African women aged 15 to 49 (when compared with female death rates in rich countries) rose by 150% between 1990 and 2008. The number of excess deaths in African countries with high rates of HIV-AIDS increased by 760%. Excess female mortality is shifting from birth in East Asia to adulthood in Africa.

Monday

Photos of Bhutanese - Nepali Church Learning, Discussing, & Praying About Global Challenges

Yesterday, the members of TriEak Parmeshwar Mandali -- a Nepali-speaking Bhutanese church in the Chicago area -- spent time learning, talking, and praying about three great global challenges. Human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, and unreached people groups were the topics of focus for this young church made up entirely of refugees. The primary question before them was this: "What would God have us do?"

The discussion was tremendously fruitful and I look forward to seeing what develops from here. Some of the ideas that came forward including planning dedicated times of prayer and fasting, getting more education about these issues as a group, hosting fundraising and awareness events, and sending mission teams and even full-time missionaries from our church. Little attention was paid to the fact that the ones having the conversation were mere refugees and thus typically considered unable to even attempt such things. The belief was firm that with God's help, we could accomplish anything.

Now, I want to simply share some of the photos from our time. These are some of the coolest photos:

Ganesh leading a conversation about Human Trafficking

Dikura explaining the concept of Unreached People Groups to members of UPGs

"Round-Robin" Style Conversations on Global Issues

Krishna explaining how HIV/AIDS & poverty are connected

UPGs praying for UPGs

Our Commitment: To Do Something Before Oct. 31, 2011

Sunday

LORD WILLING: WE'LL DO SOMETHING!

Today at TriEak Parmeshwar Mandali, our Bhutanese-Nepali church -- a refugee church -- we are going to have a discussion about three huge global challenges. We will discuss HIV/AIDS, Human Trafficking, and Unreached People Groups / Diaspora. We will talk, pray, and ask God what He would have us do. That's right, the congregation is entirely refugee, poor, new followers of Christ. Considered by most to be mere objects of charity. No, we are in Christ. Christ has something for us. We will rise up and do something.

Last night, I appointed three of the churches leaders to be conversation leaders today. Each will lead the conversations and prayers about each of the key challenges. The rest of the congregation will be divided into three groups that will spend about 15-20 minutes on each topic. At the end, the leaders will report back on what they have heard from God and His Church. Below, is the conversation outline that will be given by the leaders. It is Palm Sunday. Hosanna to the King! Save us! A good time to ask the Lord how He wants to use us as an instrument and vessel of His salvation to those who are crying out around the world.

Basic Facts and Information about Human Trafficking

What are the Facts?

1. It is estimated that there are approximately 27 million slaves around the world.[1]

2. Around half of trafficking victims in the world are under the age of 18.[2]

3. The average cost of a slave around the world is $90.[3]

4. According to some estimates, approximately 80% of trafficking involves sexual exploitation, and 19% involves labor exploitation.[4]

5. Trafficking victims normally don't get help because they think that they or their families will be hurt by their traffickers, or that they will be deported.[5]

6. In Nepal, every year 10-15 thousand women are trafficked to India alone.[6]

How can we pray?

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

(Isaiah 61:1)

· Pray that God will end human trafficking in the world.

· Pray that God will use governments and churches around the world to stop human trafficking.

· Pray that God will show our church what we must do.

What can we do as followers of Jesus?

What are some small things we can do this year about human trafficking?

What are some big things that we could do if God really helped us?

Basic Facts and Information about HIV/AIDS

What are the Facts?

1. More than 30 million people in the world today have HIV/AIDS.[7]

2. HIV/AIDS is among the leading causes of death worldwide and the number one cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa.[8]

3. HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in all regions of the world, but the large majority of people living with the disease (approximately 95%) reside in low-and middle-income countries.[9]

4. More than 2/3rds of people in the world with HIV/AIDS are in Africa.[10]

5. More than 2 million children in the world have HIV/AIDS. More than 200,000 die every year.[11]

6. 15 million children across the world have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.[12]

7. Asia is believed to have nearly 5 million people living with HIV/AIDS, with India accounting for 2.4 million cases.[13]

8. HIV/AIDS is a growing problem in Nepal because of poor education. Most Nepalis (80%) who have AIDS don’t know that they do.[14]

How can we pray?

And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

(Matthew 10:7-8)

· Pray that God will use governments, churches, scientists, doctors, and others to end HIV/AIDS by discovering a cure.

· Pray that medicines will be available to the poor in the world who have HIV/AIDS.

· Pray that good education will be provided around the world that will help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

· Pray that God will show our church what we must do.

What can we do as followers of Jesus?

What are some small things we can do this year about human trafficking?

What are some big things that we could do if God really helped us?

Basic Facts and Information about Unreached Peoples & Diaspora

What are the Facts?

1. A “people group” is a group of people that share certain things like language, ethnicity/race/caste, or other cultural traditions. For evangelistic purposes, a people group is the largest group within which the gospel can spread without facing obstacles of understanding or acceptance. There are about 16,000 people groups in the world.[15]

2. An “Unreached People Group” is any people group in which less than 2% of the population follows Jesus. There are more than 6,000 of these in the world.[16] In Nepal, there are many unreached people groups. Some include: Magar, Maithili, Darjee, and many others. Bhutan also has many unreached people groups including the Dzongkhas, Sherpas, and Lhotshampas.[17]

3. There are only about 100,000 missionaries in the world. Only 3% of them are working among unreached people groups. There is a great need to send more missionaries.[18]

4. An “unengaged unreached people group” is an unreached people group that has no missionaries or churches. Most of these people have no opportunity to hear the message of Jesus in a way they can understand. No one is trying to reach them![19]

5. Today, more than 214 million people live outside their home country. These are diaspora or “scattered” people. Many are from unreached people groups.[20]

6. Nepalis live in countries all over the world. 600,000 live in India. 215,000 live in Saudia Arabia. 125,000 live in Malaysia. 73,000 live in Hong Kong. 2,000 live in South Africa. More than 50,000 live in the USA. Most of these people do not know Jesus and have no one to tell them.[21]