Special Ministry to those infected/affected with HIV/AIDS
In August 2002 we became involved with HIV/AIDS patients by helping Laxmi, our house maid, and her husband and little daughter who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Many others began to come seeking help.
New, more accurate estimates of HIV indicate that approximately 2.5 million to 3.1 million people in India are living with HIV in 2010.
Superstitions as well as social stigma and shame attached to the disease add to the problems of poverty and illiteracy. Patients are often isolated from the society leading to emotional and eventually physical death.
God is using Ark to make a difference in lives of several patients.
Services provided to HIV/AIDS infected/affected persons
- Testing & Medication
- Nourishment
- Counseling
- Residential facility and schooling for HIV/AIDS orphans & semi orphans
- HIV/AIDS awareness programs & literature.
- Rehabilitation & Self support Schemes for widows infected/affected by HIV/AIDS
Ashirvad Family Day
“Ashirvad” means blessing. At each monthly Ashirvad Family Day, the patients are received with the love and compassion of Christ. They are encouraged through counseling and fellowship. During time of worship Word of God is clearly expounded. Since many patients have experienced rejection from their family and friends, their hearts are open to hearing about the eternal hope Jesus offers. Many have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. This has given great meaning and purpose to their lives.
Ashirvad Children’s Home
According to UN estimates, the number of children in India orphaned by AIDS is approaching two million. AIDS orphans are often denied inheritance rights, education, suffer malnutrition & exploitations and are discriminated against. (Christian AIDS National Alliance (CANA)-March 2010)
Seeing the plight of the children of the HIV patients, Ashirvad School was started in July 2004 for 11 orphans infected & affected by HIV/AIDS. As of April 2010 there are 39 residential students, between the age of 5 to 17. There are 19 boys and 20 girls. They are given residential facility, nourishing diet to fight against the disease as well as an English medium education to give them a bright future. 16 of the 39 children are HIV +ve and most are in good health. Above all the Word of God is given daily which encourages them to live a quality life in this world & eternal hope for the coming world. 30 children have been counseled to personally received the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. They are being discipled to live for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rehabilitation and Self-support Schemes for widows and abandoned women of AIDS patients
Many of the widows after losing their husbands are rejected by relatives and often driven away from their homes.
In 2009 we were able to help around 300 widows & their children in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat states. 43 women were given self support projects. Several were given milk buffaloes, others were given goats, and yet others were established with small shops.
Responses:
“When I was very sick Ark arranged 5 units of blood for me. They also gave me a buffalo to earn money by selling the milk.”
“The first time I heard the gospel was at the Ark meeting. I trusted in the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior. God is helping me to earn through woolen works.”
