21 December 2006
The pots of chicken and stew were bubbling over the fire. It sure smelled good. Martha was hungry. Looking around, she saw colorful bags of rice and a huge pile of bags filled with beans. This was going to be a special day. She was so glad her mother brought her all the way to Jos for the Spring of Life Christmas club.

	Martha, with nurse Susan Bertrand See more photos of this event on Susan's blog

Offering Hope for HIV

Every two months Martha and her mother come to Spring of Life to see the doctor and to get more antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Martha is HIV-infected, but with the ARV's, she is still strong. At the hospital, the doctors are always so kind to her. They make her feel special when they say, "God loves you."

The Spring of Life HIV support group that meets in her village is one of Martha's favorite activities. It is always a special time for seeing her friends and hearing stories about Jesus. But today is different because all the groups are gathering together in Jos for a big Christmas party. There will be singing, dancing, and chicken stew! Her stomach growled again as she smelled the food cooking.

"Martha!" I'm so glad you're here!" Susan, one of the nurses, squeezed her with a big hug.

"Hi Martha," it was Fatima, another girl from her village. They skipped off to play together.

God is With Us

Calling everyone together, Mr. Johnson announced that each family will receive one bag of rice and one of beans. "We also have a special gift for the children," he said. One of the nurses handed Martha a new sweater, just the color of her favorite blue dress.

Then, Mr. Johnson prayed, giving thanks to God for the food. Everyone talked animatedly as they dished up their plates. As they ate their plates of hot stew, one of the leaders told the Christmas story. Then everyone began to dance and sing.

"Halleluiah! God is with us!" "God is with us," Martha sang, and today, she felt it.