- News & Updates - May 2009
- News & Updates-December 2009
- News & Updates - April 2010
- Steve's Photo Tour of Zulu Land
South Africa - News & Updates - October 2010
- News & Updates - September 2010
- Angel's New Home - Update March 2011
- Easter Derby
African Style - April 2011 Update - Soccer and a Team from China - June 2011 Update
- A Church Story - August 2011 Update
Kelly and Cherise Smith
Location: KwaZulu Natal, near Durban
Timeline: On-going
Status: Currently operating
Topics: African HIV/AIDS epidemic, Education, Evangelism
The Need
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is ravaging South Africa, causing untold statistics of death, suffering and misery. While many victims are also perpetrators of the disease, behaving irresponsibly and sinfully, many of those who suffer have been inflicted through no fault of their own. The country of South Africa ranks number one in HIV/AIDS deaths. According to the 2003 estimate of the CIA’s World Fact Book, 370,000 South Africans die of HIV/AIDS during a given year. According to this same estimate, there are 5.3 million South Africans living with the pain and suffering of the HIV/AIDS virus. These numbers represent only the reported cases. There are many unreported cases of HIV/AIDS, because many do not know when they are infected. Sadly, the few that know they have the virus are not aware that it can be passed from mother to baby, or do not have the resources to take preventative measures.
Description
Kelly and Cherise see the HIV/AIDS pandemic as an opportunity to offer Christ’s love and salvation to those who are suffering. Burdened by the number of South Africans dying of HIV/AIDS before finding Christ, the Smiths are focusing on the fact that if there are 5.3 million South Africans suffering from HIV/AIDS, there are people who know that they face imminent death and are willing to discuss getting their affairs in order for eternity. In short, the Smiths’ goal is to use HIV/AIDS relief and education as a vehicle to let this group of people, who are keenly aware of the fact that they are dying, know that they can secure their after-life status before they go. In detail, the Smith’s ministry will include overseeing HIV/AIDS ministries such as orphanages, foster care homes and hospices. As their ministry grows, they intend to help doctors test people for HIV/AIDS and reach out to friends and family members of HIV/AIDS victims.
The compassion of Christ for the sick and suffering of this world can be seen in the amount of time He spent healing the sick while He was on earth. Truly, those who are suffering are close to the heart of our Savior. He Himself was the pioneer of this type of ministry. He used his power to heal as a way to reach people with the Good News about Himself.
Goals
- Use HIV/AIDS relief as a bridge to build relationships and share the Gospel with those affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Use education as a tool to decrease the number of lives affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Bring relief to suffering victims and their families.
Needs
- Faithful prayer warriors to ask our heavenly Father to soften the hearts of those affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
- Monthly support used for the living expenses of the Smith family.
- Support for the HIV/AIDS ministry’s projects.
Who’s Involved
- ITMI to provide oversight and US presence exposing this ministry to those God has called to partner with it.
- Serving In Missions, a South African based organization that is partnering with the Smiths in ministry.
A Place For You - Penn Gumbi
To read Cherise’s letter of their dear Zulu friend, please click here.
