The Ugly Truth of Diseases.

This story BROKE.MY.HEART. It is the horrible truth of children with HIV/AIDS all around the world.
from : http://master.dailychilli.com/news/7638-the-lonely-life-of-a-six-year-old-boy

The lonely life of a six-year-old boy

A six-year-old HIV carrier, has been living alone since his parents died of AIDS.

The boy, known as Ah Long, does his own washing, cooking, studying and he also rears some chicken.

He lives in his parents' house at the foothill village of Malu Mountain in Liuzhou in Guangxi Province, China.

Ah Long has an 84-year-old grandmother, who visits him quite frequently and cooks for him.

The granny has also planted some vegetables near the house for Ah Long.

Ah Long making a fire to cook dinner

Ah Long does know what AIDS is.

All he knew was that his friends never want to be near him, doctors did not want to treat his wounds and his only family member – his granny – refused to live with him.

He was also rejected by the nearby primary school.

The only companion the boy has is a dog called Lao Hei.

Ah Long playing with Lao Hei in front of their house

Due to his complicated family background, the Welfare Department has declined to take care of the boy.

Ah Long studying in his room alone

He receives 70 yuan (RM33) monthly subsistence allowance from the civil bureau but it is not enough.

After Ah Long's story was published in Chinese newspapers, a couple announced that they would adopt the boy.

However, it has yet to materialise.
*****************************************

When most hear the word HIV/AIDS it sends fear through them. It is a "silent killer" who wouldn't be afraid of it?! So many have such unrealistic views on the disease. You can't get HIV/AIDS by hugging, kissing, sharing drinks, touching, or any of the basic things. It is not a disease you can just catch like a cold. Yet, so many people think it is. So many orphans in the world never get homes because of the title "HIV+" or even worse "AIDS +" that one little 'title' costs so many children the chance of having a family. To be honest HIV/AIDS has always SCARED ME TO DEATH. I had NO idea what HIV/AIDS was. I only knew that it could kill you. Now I am much more educated on the subject. It is not a disease that should terrify you. Infact it is very manageable. Most children with HIV can live NORMAL lives and have normal life expectancy. HIV/AIDS orphans are continually thrown to the side and looked down on in all societies. Do you think those children can help the disease their parents gave to them? Do you think it is what they want? All the pain, the medicines, the looks, etc. Do you think they chose that? They didn't. They can't help it. So why do we all judge them and refuse to accept them just like they are? Why do we wait and refuse to open our hearts to children who NEED homes just as much as EVERY OTHER ORPHAN IN THE WORLD. Just because they are HIV/AID+ it does not make them less deserving. So why do we think it does?

This is an AWESOME video on HIV/AIDS awareness. I would suggest watching it. It is awesome information.

The Forgotten.

Forgotten : disregarded: not noticed inadvertently
Children all over the world are simply forgotten. Orphans.
I cannot and will not forget them. I simply can't. I refuse to. I will fight with everything in me until they all have a home.
Once you have held an Orphan, Touched an Orphan, LOVED an Orphan, been LOVED by an Orphan, put a face with the name of an Orphan your life is changed. Whether you like it or not. The fairytale days of "poverty and orphans aren't a big deal. they are ok by themselves" is shattered. I know this first hand. In 2007 when my family went all the way to China to adopt a little Orphan girl my world was rocked. I have never been the same. From the time I walked into that civil affairs office and saw all of the beautiful, precious, children of God sitting there...alone. hungry. begging for love. my life was changed. never again was I going back to the sitting on the couch flipping the channel when the commercials we all know about came on. Those days were gone. God changed my heart.
He broke me into 10000 pieces for the Orphan. the Forgotten.
He called me. Of all of the other humans in this world the ruler of the Universe called me! He called US to help the Orphans in widows! Many of us sit back and enjoy our wonderful, happy, sugar-coated lives in America. That is not for me.
I love America, yes.
But I love Jesus so very much more.
Are you willing to leave your comfort zone for Him?
Please join me in refusing to forget the forgotten. One child at a time. One by One until they all find a home.

Overlooked

,
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. -Isaiah 25:1

I would like to take a break from the posting of children {even though that is what this site is for}to share my heart about the growing Orphan crisis. Here are some statistics that hit home to me. Remember, each statistic is not just a number. Each number represents a PRECIOUS child who goes to bed without a Mommy or Daddy each night.
Every day 5,760 children become an Orphan.
Every 15 SECONDS a Child in Africa is Orphaned from AIDS. every 15 seconds!
Every Year in AFRICA ALONE 2,102,400 children become Orphans!
Can you imagine!?
Most of these children have some form of special need. The special needs vary from birth marks to severe heart conditions but all deserve a home. Most people sit in their happy homes, watching cable, eating whenever they feel like it, texting on phones, driving expensive cars, and demanding the very best for their life. Think about the Orphan who fights to eat, who has probably never had cable, or even rode in a car. The crisis is growing. We as Christians need to step out on FAITH and instead of hoping someone else will handle it do it ourselves! If my family would not have stepped out on Faith and went to China twice to bring two precious children home we would have missed out on one of the most amazing things in the world. When we answered God's call to adopt he blessed us. Sure we gave two children a home but what God did with our lives was much bigger than anything we could have ever done by accepting two children in to our family.
Can you change the life of an Orphan? Will you be the Mommy or Daddy that tucks them in to bed each night? Will you be the one to give them the HOPE they so desperately want?
Please pray for the precious Fatherless of the World tonight.
*I did not mean to offend anyone by this post, it is just heavy on my heart tonight.

Ashton