Parents and their adopted 14 year old daughter are delighted to have her test results following Grace & Light volunteers visiting her secondary school.

The teenager tested positive during February and at last the family knew why she had been suffering with ill health over many years. She had been receiving treatment from a hospital which had been charging for liver treatment that had cost their life’s savings and not been working.

Now their daughter has free antiretroviral medication provided by the government that is treating her symptoms and will extend her life. Her family are overjoyed.

International coordinator Tassie Ghata said: “The family are very appreciative of Grace & Light. They were taking her for hospital treatment every month and despairing. Now they know what is wrong, can get free treatment for her and are seeing her health improving.”

Tassie also shared that during visits to secondary schools the volunteers are hearing many stories about inappropriate sexual relationships with adults including relatives, teachers and family friends.

“During assemblies we speak openly about sexual abuse, telling them not to sleep with adults they know and explaining that this is abuse; many don’t realise. Then during counselling we hear their stories of sexual relationships with adults from about a third of those we speak with.

“One student said he learnt about sex from his uncle’s wife and then, thinking this was okay, began sleeping with other students. Now he has repented and committed to changing his behaviour.”

Between January and April this year the Jos and Yola volunteer teams visited 12 secondary schools, sharing the gospel of social righteousness with 2,511 students. Of these, 1,093 chose to be tested for HIV and two students tested positive.

Six hundred and seventy-seven students rededicated their lives to Christ, and another 277 made a first Christian commitment.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for:

• The two students who have tested positive, that they will continue to take medication and live healthy and fulfilled lives with ongoing acceptance and support from their families and friends
• Students who are being coerced to sleep with adults they know; that they will have the courage to resist and say no; and that the adults won’t punish them in response
• Students who have made a first or recommitment, that they will grow in their relationship with Christ and give him control of their lives.