Imagine, for a moment, someone having to care for a family member--or perhaps a whole family--suffering from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Imagine that this person lives with the daily knowledge that she, too, may be infected with the virus, and may soon be too weak to continue. Imagine that the water she and her family drink, cook in, bathe in, wash their clothes and dishes in, and do everything else in their daily lives with, is contaminated with parasites and bacteria that hamper their fight against illness. Imagine her and her children, and all the other women and children in her village--the ones healthy enough to manage--having to travel up to ten miles a day on foot to collect water that is safe to use. Now stop imagining. This is real life for millions of Africans. When Dan Haseltine, lead singer of the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay, visited Africa in 2002, he was deeply shaken by what he saw. Poverty, social injustice, and physical suffering overwhelmed him. Haseltine returned home determined to turn his despair into hope and, ultimately, action. Sharing his experience with his bandmates, he soon created a vision of clean blood and clean water for Africa, a continent that would be transformed by Christ's sacrificial symbols of blood and water. Blood:Water Mission was born. A nonprofit organization founded to address the HIV/AIDS crisis on the African continent by providing clean water, Blood:Water Mission is greatly reducing the impact of the disease while addressing the underlying issues of poverty and social oppression. They're building wells, supporting medical facilities, and working toward a changed worldview through personal relationships with African communities. Jars of Clay's audience is mainly churchgoers and American youth. Recognizing that these two groups are uniquely equipped to respond to suffering in the world, they saw a shining opportunity to share God's love and mercy with this hurting continent. They now use their platform to bring awareness to the plight of Africans, linking the needs of one population to the talents and resources of the other, changing lives on both sides of the ocean. Dan Haseltine tells about one of his most memorable experiences: "We arrived at a support group for people with HIV/AIDS. They [had] formed a group to combat the horrible stigma attached to contracting the HIV/AIDS virus. They all had their stories of being disowned by family, or excommunicated by fearful people in their village. They would meet and encourage one another like most support groups would do [and] also developed programs to be caregivers to the orphans in the village. They would farm and provide food, they also spoke out about destroying the stigma of AIDS. "It was an amazing group of men and women, but the most heartbreaking was a boythe youngest member of the support group. He was seven. His name was Kevin. He told us how much the group meant to him and how he would not have lived if it were not for the love and care of [these] people. He also told us he had dreams of becoming a doctor. I had a difficult time knowing that this little boy's hopes and dreams would not line up with the reality that he would most likely be dead within a year. "We all felt the hopelessness of this young boy's place. We all felt again the rage inside that we do so little for such amazing people. All [of this group] will die in the coming years. They will be replaced by others who will try to make a difference in the time they are given. I stared across the small room at two mothers both holding children in their arms. These children were also infected [and] will die. [They] could have been protected. Again, why are we so blind to this need? Oh how our comfort betrays our greedy hearts! "We prayed with the group and walked across the street to a small building where some music was filling the air. They were called the Black Rovers: a group of teenagers with a gift of music, singing songs about the horrors of HIV/AIDS with a passion to stir up the community. It was humbling. As a musician, I am very aware of the powerful combination of music and passion. I spoke to them and encouraged them to keep doing their music. "They made one comment about needing louder instruments so that they could play for larger crowds. All the instruments they played were handmade. The guitars were made from gas cans and sticks. The drums were calves skin and cans. It sounded wonderful." You can read more journal entries on Blood:Water Mission's website. Blood:Water Mission's work depends on the generosity of people who have more than they need to survive--which includes pretty much everyone reading this article. Although the enormity of the tragedy is difficult to grasp, the good news is that it takes only one American dollar to provide clean water to one African for one year. The 1000 Wells Project is currently building wells in 1000 African communities. Businesses, churches, schools, artists, and individuals are collecting funds to sponsor the construction of these wells. In the process, they are learning about how HIV/AIDS affects African communities, and what it means to partner humbly with them to effect positive change. With a clean water supply nearby, women and children will no longer have to spend all day hauling water back to their families. People with HIV will live longer and better, supporting their families and contributing to their communities. All will become stronger in the process. As a participant in Blood:Water Mission's 1000 Wells Project, you, too, will be changed. Please visit their website, www.bloodwatermission.com, to learn about the variety of ways you can help. Or contact them at bloodwater@bloodwatermission.com or 615-550-4296. Think of it. One dollarone year of clean water for someone struggling to survive. This is a vision worth turning into reality. |
