Treebeard: We Ents cannot hold back this storm. We must weather such things as we have always done.
Merry: How can that be your decision?
Treebeard: This is not our war.
Merry: But you're part of this world, aren't you?... You must help... please.
In our world, the pandemic of HIV/AIDS is threatening our earth. And estimated 39.5 million people on our planet have the HIV/AIDS, with 4.3 million newly infected in 2006. By the end of the month, it is estimated that we will have lost 2.9 million to the virus. 59% live in Africa. Most of the time, when I talk about the AIDS pandemic in churches here in the U.S., I feel like Merry, talking with Treebeard. To the Church in the U.S., I say, “But you’re part of this world, aren’t you?... You must help… please.”
Today is World AIDS Day. Get the facts about this pandemic. And then determine a way for YOU to help, for YOU to make a difference, for this is YOUR world, too.
The ONE Campaign
AVERTing HIV and AIDS
UNAIDS: The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
World AIDS Day
Whoever said AIDS was a plague sent by God has never met my God!
2 comments:
OK, so just to list some really cool things about this blog post:
1. You quoted Tolkien! And not just quoted Tolkien. You quoted a fairly obscure part of Tolkien's novel. Or maybe you just caught the movie. Still. Very cool.
2. Your focus on AIDS awareness. Goodness knows this is something we all need to be attending to.
3. The "Whoever says AIDS was a plague sent by God has never met my God" quote. (Is it evil of me to secretly hope that one gets back to Robertson, Falwell, et al?)
Anyway, thanks for the post and for commenting on my blog!
Steve, thanks for your comment. First of all, I have read the books (a couple of times) but I had to use the quote from the movie because, in the book, Treebeard is much more eager and willing to go to battle against Isendore. Not sure why Peter Jackson made the change (possibly to empower Merry and Pippin more?), but it makes for a good illustration this way. So thanks, Mr. Jackson. Secondly, I am grateful that the world is waking up to the AIDS pandemic. Thanks, Bono! And finally, the quote at the end of the post is from a button I have. I don't know who originally said it, but I cannot claim it as my own, though it does reflect my sentiment.
Peace,
Rachel
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