According to UNAIDS, India now holds the second largest number of HIV infections in the world following South Africa. With an estimated 5.7 million HIV infections in 2005 (UN AIDS), India accounts for nearly 10% of the global HIV/AIDS prevalence.
Because of poverty and considerable percentage of illiteracy, this disease is growing at an alarming rate. Because of superstitions and social stigma, patients are isolated from the society, which leads to emotional and eventually physical death.
February 29, 2005 issue of Times of India reported:
“On February 27, Sadu Ravi, an AIDS patient hailing from Urugonda village in Warangal District was forcibly put on a bullock cart and banished from the village by the villagers. He spent the night in his father’s field until an NGO (Non-Government Organization) came to his rescue and took him to the rehabilitation centre at Peddapendial village.”
How we got involved
It was in August 2002 that we became involved with HIV/AIDS patients. Laxmi who had been our house maid since the past 7 years, and her husband and little daughter were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. As a result of the help extended to Laxmi and her family, some of her suffering relatives and other HIV/AIDS patients from neighboring villages began to come for help and treatment. It was almost like opening the flood gates. As the patients began to come, we realized that more than anything they need be received and accepted in the love of Jesus and be led to faith in Jesus Christ.
With additional funds, we can help more patients and also give them better facilities.
The Project
Because of limited funds we have been able to help only around 140 patients. Hundreds more await treatment from these and many other districts and states.
We provide them:
- Medication:
- monthly health checkups with qualified doctors
- immunity building drugs
- multi-vitamins and iron
- medications for secondary infections
- Because of our efforts a few have been given Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) drugs by the government hosipital
- Nourishment:
- We provide counsel regarding nourishing & hygienic diet.
- Added to this we provide them finance each month for nourishing diet.
- Transportation:
- We provide travel fares from and to the village
- We provide transport to the medical clinic
We see much improvement in their health and outlook on life in general.
Love & Acceptance: Often these patients have experienced rejection from their family and friends. They receive our love and acceptance through counseling and fellowship. Each month we share together in a fellowship meal.
The Great Hope in Christ: More than anything else we offer them eternal hope in Jesus Christ. Each month as the patients come, we gather for a time of worship and expound the Word clearly. Many have put their faith in the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. This has given great meaning to their lives. Their relatives are also listening to the gospel and a great door for the gospel has opened for us.
Laxmi
Laxmi had been our house maid since the past 7 years. The summer of 2002, the parents and the three children went back to their village. When we were informed that her husband, Bhikshapati was diagnosed with AIDS, we personally went to their village and requested the family to come back to Secunderabad with us. Upon testing, Laxmi and the youngest child, a daughter, Latha were found to be HIV positive.
We began to help them with medication and nourishing food and housing. More than this, they experienced our love and acceptance. In this caring environment, they quickly began to gain health. Laxmi again began to help us with the household tasks which gave her opportunity to be gainfully employed. Bhikshapati succumbed to the disease in November 2002.
Laxmi was left a widow with her three young children. Ark Family Ministries took her under their wings. We were able to place the older two children in the local school. Laxmi continued to work in our home as well as the office. As she heard the message of salvation and the hope the Lord Jesus offered through His death on the cross, she understandingly placed her faith in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus. She opened her heart to the Lord and began to experience great joy and peace. She understood that there was no known cure at present for her HIV condition, but she boldly shares the assurance of eternal life she has received through the Lord Jesus. She has certainty that when she dies she will go to be with the Lord Jesus in Heaven.
Now she serves as Caregiver in Ashirvad Residential School where her 3 children are enrolled. Seeing how well her three children are doing brings much peace to her heart. Even little Latha, who in August 2002 looked as if she may die soon, looks very healthy and cherubic. Laxmi takes every opportunity to witness to others what great things the Lord has done for her and her family. She does not hesitate to share that if it was not for this disease she may have never found hope and salvation in Jesus. Her joy spills over to all of us who are around her.
Annapurna
Annapurna’s husband died of AIDS in September 2004 leaving her a widow with two young children ages 4 and 5. The family was already in a desperate financial situation on account of her husband’s lengthy illness. She was earning a very small income rolling “beedis” (local leaf cigarettes), but it was not enough to sustain the three of them. There were days she had to fast to feed the children.
Seeing her condition, we welcomed Annapurna and the 2 children to live in Ashirvad Residential School. They joined us on October 1, 2004. Initially for several weeks both the children were very insecure on account of the recent death of their father. They expressed extreme fear every time they did not see their mother nearby. But slowly both began to adjust and began to trust the other significant adults in the school. Both have proved to be good students.
Annapurna and her husband had placed their faith in the Lord some time before he died. Now her trust in her Savior grew as she experienced His love, compassion and provision for her family. While serving as a caregiver, she also began to serve as a teacher for the primary children in Ashirvad School. Soon she was given the responsibility of teaching God’s Word to the younger children in the morning devotions.
Although she had completed her high school education prior to her marriage, she had not passed three subjects in her 10th class government exams. Now we encouraged her and arranged tutoring classes to prepare her to write these 3 exams. It required extreme discipline on her part to study as more than 11 years had passed since her formal education. How we all praised God and rejoiced with her on June 29th 2007 when we received news that she had passed the these 3 exams.
She had earlier shared her desire to serve the Lord as a nurse. Thus we joyfully share that on July 12th Ark has enrolled Annapurna in a two year Nursing course in a nearby hospital. She has repeatedly expressed her overwhelming joy in these wonderful opportunities God has brought in her life. It is truly God’s grace operating in her life. And we are privileged to be part of the miracles in her life and family.
