Often, people with AIDS suffer in silence without even basic healthcare to soothe their pain. Meanwhile, the epidemic is leaving a legacy of widows and orphans. Orphaned children as young as 12 are being forced to assume the role of head of household, desperately trying to provide for their younger brothers and sisters.

Using a multi-faceted approach, World Relief, in partnership with our church and others, is confronting the myriad of social problems associated with the AIDS epidemic. Churches are curbing the spread of the disease through education, assisting families affected by HIV/AIDS and caring for the sick, widows and orphans.

Part of this is providing employment opportunities and counseling for AIDS sufferers as well as training families to care for sick relatives at home. Churches are also educating people about the dangers of promiscuity and the spread of the virus—teaching God's design of a faithful monogamous relationship within marriage.

Through the compassion of the Church, AIDS sufferers are seeing the love of Christ in action—and many are receiving the hope of eternal life as they come to Jesus.