Story number 3 for 8 Aug 2001

(Russia)–The number of people infected with HIV in Russia has increased more than 50 percent in the first half of this year over the end of last year, according to new government reports. Injection drug use is being blamed as the cause for the spread of the disease. He Intends Victory’s Bruce Sonnenberg says that’s their new field. “My heart was broken as I looked across the city of St. Petersburg and saw over five million people living in this area, and probably 120-thousand are HIV-positive.” Sonneberg says they are hoping to open an office in Russia to help support the work they’ve already started. “The church has something to offer. We have the hope of Jesus Christ. So, by going in and educating the churches, we communicate the hope of Jesus and we then encourage the church to communicate the hope of Jesus Christ as well to those who are affected by this virus.”