South Africa - Touching the 'untouchable'

South Africa remains an area heavily affected by AIDS. There is much to be hopeless about in Africa. Everyone has lost friends and families to the dreaded disease. But God tells us to share His love and the truth found in His Word—to offer hope.

God’s Word empowers

Timothy, a hospice worker, has figured out how to do that. He works at where many AIDS patients come to die. As a Christian, he wanted to help both the patients who were facing an eternity without God and their caregivers. After receiving the Project Philip Bible study training, Timothy begins regularly holding Bible studies at the hospice.

Regular Bible study has also had an impact on volunteers who were relying on their own strength to help those who were dying.

Marion, a hospice volunteer recalls, “I knew about God and the Bible but I thought I was to keep that to myself,” she said. “After going through Project Philip training, I realised that I was responsible to share my faith through God’s Word so I decided to help people die with dignity—physically, emotionally and spiritually.”

Johanndes, another hospice volunteer, was overcome by the death she faced daily. “Project Philip came to my rescue. Now I am spiritually ready to help the patients see their need for God.”

Anna, who also volunteered in the hospice, was not a Christian before she began the Bible study. But with her new faith, she was prepared when she lost a nine-year-old patient. Instead of becoming depressed, she gathered the other volunteers together for prayer. She realised that God, through His Word, would supply the strength she needed to face the terrible loss of this little boy. “When people are facing death, they ask us to pray for them,” says Anna. “Before the Bible study, I didn’t know how to pray. Now I can pray for them and with them.”

God’s Word transforms

“Africa will be transformed as individual believers demonstrate their faith by living holy lives that are filled with compassion,” says Bible League’s Director of Africa Ministries.

The director of the hospice is very thankful for Timothy’s influence. “Now it is not unusual for volunteers to stay beyond their regular shifts. None of them miss Friday mornings. When the Project Philip group meets, they’re always here. The study has changed every person here.”

Timothy’s willingness to work with those who the world has already considered “lost” has made a difference. By bringing God’s Word to this lonely building in South Africa where people come to die, he has helped those who are dying, their families and those who work with them. Timothy, through the power of God and His Word, has brought hope to the lost.

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