(Africa)–In the headlines, millions of children are at immediate risk in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique due to a crippling combination of drought, hunger and HIV/AIDS. As the humanitarian crisis unfolds across Southern Africa, World Vision is taking a public stand to raise awareness of the plight of the people. World Vision’s Brian Peterson spoke to us from Malawi, part of an eight-country cycling relay. “We want to make a statement that Africa’s problem with HIV/AIDS is really our problem as well. They cannot do it on their own. We believe it’s a Biblical mandate to be engaged in this crisis. It’s probably the greatest crisis we will face in our generation.” Peterson says the cycling relay also gives a visible platform to the work of the Gospel. “It’s an incredible opportunity to show the compassion of Christ. One government official got up and said, ‘If the church doesn’t step forward and be a part of the solution, we’re really not going to get the job done.'”
