Sandy, just 20, now reduced to skin and bones, lay motionless on the bed. Her home was made with mud and wood, no windows, and just one door. The floor was of naked mud. The odour was strong and smelt of death. Darkness filled the room.

She stared at Jaya and I. Her eyes were sunken deep. The only movement was the occasional pulling of the sheet over her semi-naked body. She felt guilty and seeing us ... tears ran down her shiny face.

Tears ran down Jaya’s face too. But I was angry, so angry. I almost charged Sandy. "We told you. We warned you! We taught you! You were so beautiful, so strong, a good learner and so bold a speaker. Who expected you to leave all that behind? Just for a boy with AIDS! I don’t think we can help you anymore!" But I said nothing.

Then love that is definitely not from my human nature took over. Touching her shoulders and holding Jaya’s hand, I said softly to her, "Sandy, we love you. We will help you. Jesus too loves you so much and He too will help you." She relaxed her face. Then we prayed for her.

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