Lead me in the Way Everlasting Psalm 139:24: Reece's Rainbow

What You Should Know About HIV and AIDS

-HIV can NOT be spread through casual/household contact. HIV is not spread through hugging, kissing, shaking hands, sharing toys, sneezing, coughing, sharing food, sharing drinks, bathing, swimming or any other casual way. It has been proven that HIV and AIDS can only be spread through sexual contact, birth, breastfeeding and blood to blood contact (such as sharing needles).- HIV is now considered a chronic but manageable disease. With treatment, people who are HIV+ can live indefinitely without developing AIDS and can live long and full lives.- People who are HIV+ deserve to be treated with love, respect, support and acceptance as all people do.Additional information on transmission of HIV can be found on the Center for Disease Control website: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources

Monday, April 13, 2009

Reece's Rainbow

"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act" Proverbs 24:12

I read this Bible verse for the first time about a month ago(At least I don't remember reading it before!). I cannot get it out of my head. I don't want to be held accountable to act because of the things I know. I want to be able to pretend things are fine, and people aren't hurting. I think this verse also buts up against the apathy that seems to be my natural tendency. It is easier to close my eyes to the hardships around me than it is to respond with action. But God is so good about calling us to look beyond ourselves and our comfort and see what He sees. I've been reading James for my quiet time in the morning, and I am reminded that my faith is worthless without action. (This would be a good time to listen to Screen Door by Rich Mullins on the playlist to your left!) So, I guess my plan is to try to see the opportunities God puts before me and pray about the action I should take in response to what I see. Easier said than done, I know!

Here is an example of God touching my heart and the action I have chosen. I recently read a blog with a link to Reece's Rainbow: http://www.reecesrainbow.org/ . This is an organization that aids the international adoption of children with Down Syndrome. They have also begun to help kids with other special needs from around the world find forever families. I don't really know a lot about Reece's Rainbow, so if your heart leans towards these beautiful kids, please do your research! However, as I read over the profiles of the kids who are waiting, and looked at their pictures...I was humbled. God loves these kids and I do believe that His heart is that each child would grow up with loving parents and a family. I have to think that special needs kids have special families waiting for them. So, even though my heart was deeply touched by these kids, another adoption is not in our near future(other than Joseph's finalization, of course!) However, I do want to share these kids and Reece's Rainbow with other people, so naturally it is on my blog. I hope if you read this, you will take the time to check out their website. Who knows, maybe God will break your heart for these kids also!