AIDS crisis imperils Botswana; MBM/S missionaries call for prayer

Botswana

MBM/S missionaries in Botswana, Bryan and Teresa Born, have issued an urgent plea for prayer in September for the AIDS-decimated population of Botswana. The country has the highest rate of HIV infection in the world. (HIV is the virus which develops into AIDS, eventually resulting in death.)

In August, the Borns attended a gathering of ministers and health officials where the grim statistics, say the Borns, "broke our hearts and brought us to our knees." The numbers are staggering; they represent a horrendous toll of human suffering, grief and death that threaten to wipe out Botswanan society.

  • 50% of the students at the University of Botswana--the only university in the country--are HIV+. Barring a major medical breakthrough, almost all the infected will die in 5-10 years.
  • In the major towns and cities, 40% of pregnant women test positive for AIDS; many of the children will be born under a sentence of death.
  • 25% of all persons over 15 are infected. Researchers fear that the figure will double in four years.

    Christians Mobilize

    At the August meetings, the concerned Christians declared September a month of prayer and repentance. Churches are being challenged to follow the pattern prescribed in II Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

    Along with the call for national repentance, special events will be organized in all major towns and villages. Workshops will train the healthy "to take care of the sick and dying, as well as help the grieving," say the Borns.

    President to promote morality

    The president of Botswana, Sir Keitumile Masire, will open the educational campaign on September 1 with a speech decrying rampant sexual promiscuity and embracing "the biblical principles of abstinence before marriage and absolute faithfulness within marriage". Meanwhile, the Borns need fresh energizing from the Holy Spirit. "We feel the battle," they write, "and at times we're exhausted and discouraged. Please pray for us; this is a battle for the hearts souls and lives of this people."

    North American Mennonite Brethren are urged to join the prayer crusade and write a note of encouragement to Bryan and Teresa Born, Box 10789, Selebi Phikwe, Botswana.

    Gary Hardaway, MBM/S

    Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 16 Home Page