A seed of hope growing from a mustard seed. What is that about in real life where AIDS has ravaged? It begins with something really small, planted by God. In desperation, a whispered prayer. A new insight or a moment of delight in the eyes of another. Intervention of Grace.

	Clara milks her goat.

Two million child-headed households exist in South Africa alone, parents gone to AIDS. They deserve something to smile about. Slowly, one at a time, someone gives them a chance—a place to stay, school fees, encouragement, food, a new chance at life. This is the inbreaking of the Spirit of God into a community of rough tin shacks in a local township.

Many children under five in Malawi wander loose and unattended in the dry dust; close to 80% are affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and they start the day hungry. A Hope for AIDS program of church volunteers welcome over 70 little ones each morning and cook a meal of maize porridge. Meanwhile the teacher, trained in early childhood education, patiently draws them together and guides the youngsters in games, rhymes and activities which prepare young lives for life. We hear that once they get to primary school, their readiness to learn allows them to outshine their peers. Hope grows.

In another distant country, a young woman decides to begin her life again. She tests positive but has taken seriously the encouragement to “live positively”—staying on her HIV medications, eating nutritious foods and depending on God. Now healthy and looking to the future, she has begun a small business with start-up funds, gifts from compassionate donors. Her unique business: public showers.

A small family, subsistence farmers in a remote area of Zimbabwe, grieves the loss of the young mother to AIDS. Her three month old nursing baby girl would likely starve, but a local pastor referred them to Windows of Hope. Project leaders arrived with formula to stabilize the infant. Soon after, milking goats were introduced with good success. Her grandmother says, "Without this program little Clara would not be with us." Her father thanks God publicly for this unexpected gift of life.

In regions where the majority of the population is under 15 due to the scourge of AIDS, children need to learn how to “do life.” Zimbabwean Pastor Christopher Maposa has a passion for children and a well-prepared program called Today for Tomorrow (T4T). Scores of church volunteers share their time and energy to bring psychosocial skills, child friendly activities, HIV/AIDS awareness, and the light of Christ in a lively environment. They serve over 4,000 children. It’s done so very well that neighboring countries of South Africa, Swaziland, and Malawi are picking up the T4T curriculum and stepping into trainings.

It should not surprise us that at the most basic level we are all vulnerable and live with dimensions of brokenness. Our truest needs can only be met by God’s forgiveness, grace and embrace. Readers, as we remember World AIDS Day, consider how you’ve seen hope grow.

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Find out more about HOPE for AIDS projects at hopeforaids.org and get short updates from the H4A blog