23 June 2005
An energetic young man from the settlement came to tell us some important news. He had received a job in the district hospital as a gardener. He said, "I will work there for the rest of my life." Then he turned his face away and ran across the sand, never looking back. We didn't see him again. This perplexed us. Why would a young man so intent on preserving the way of life of his people suddenly change and leave his desert life?

The answer came soon after. A friend told us that a mobile AIDS clinic had come through the desert settlements. Results from the mobile clinic were alarmingly high. Some screeners in Botswana have worked for an entire year without finding one HIV-negative male between the ages of 19 and 39. A 15-year-old male in Botswana has an 80% chance of contracting HIV/AIDS. We fear the young man had also been tested and knew his results; hence his comment, "...for the rest of my life." Drugs administered to AIDS patients have to be closely monitored, and the only place that can be done is at the hospital.

If the figures from these mobile clinics are correct, the !Xóõ have little hope of survival as a people group. AIDS is sweeping Southern Africa, and the effects of its sting are only beginning to be felt. It may already be too late to preserve many of the peoples. They have survived centuries of deprivations from wars and disease, only to be cut down now by this silent killer. Facing the future in Africa requires fortitude and courage.

Pray

• That this young man will respond to Jesus before it is too late.
• That the !Xóõ will understand the devastating effects of AIDS to their community.
• For our workers in Botswana who minister among the !Xóõ .