Today is World AIDS Day 2006. No … that’s not a celebration. No, it’s not a holiday. It’s meant to call attention to the pandemic we’re living in.

Almost 40,000,000 people worldwide have HIV or full-blown AIDS. More than 2,000,000 of these are children under the age of 15. They get it from their mothers. That is, they are born with it. Did you hear me??!! BORN with it. They are born with a death sentence. In some manner I suppose we all are. But in this instance it is somewhat different. These children are born with a horrible illness which carries a stigma and they will never be healthy, then … they will die. They will also likely spend a significant time as orphans. This … because their mothers are caught in the web of a culture which uses, abuses and then tosses them in the trash heap.

There’s not much we can do to change the culture. There’s not a whole lot we can do to stop people from having sex. But here’s what you can do.

I bet you have $10. Almost everyone has $10. Especially at this time of year. So, take $10 and donate it towards anti-virals to be sent to the moms in Africa. At the very least, we can help the moms. That’s the very least we can do. Help the mothers stay with their children. Help the children grow up. Learn to live. Make a donation for life. If you really are pro-life, here’s a way to make a stand. This is part of the consistent life ethic. Being about life … rather than death.

We must no longer condemn these innocents to death. Rather we must continue the mission … set the captives free, restore sight to the blind, release the oppressed. Look at at all the good stuff $10 can do!