Bringing Gospel of Jesus Christ

to AIDS-infected people

Official statistic of HIV-infected people in Ukraine as of 2009: HIV-infected: 146.549 people, including children - 21.938. Sick with AIDS: 28.009 people. Died from AIDS in 2009: 15.866 people.

This is official statistic. The real number is much higher because most of AIDS-infected people don't want to go through the medical treatment as well as they don't want others to know about it.

Infection Hospitals in Ukraine are not able to provide patients with necessary medicines and food. Christian Ministry "Choose Life" brings medicines and products for the patients; then doctors allow ministry's workers to come and communicate with these people on regular basis. The most astonishing thing is that christians are now able to freely share the Word of God with AIDS victims; to tell them about Christ, and no one interferes with ministry!

In 2009, Choose Life ministry workers visited 548 AIDS-infected individuals, 177 of whom gave their lives to Jesus.

We use different approaches to successfully reach the community impacted by the AIDS Virus:

Visitation of AIDS-infected patients in the hospice clinics

Often, due to a weakened immune system, AIDS-infected individuals have other diseases: tuberculosis, meningitis, etc. In many cases, the diseases cause pain and tremendous physical suffering. These people need lots of emotional and spiritual support because they have lost all their hope for life!

Bible tells us to help those in need and take part in their sufferings. Our ministry workers take part in physical, emotional, and psychological hardships of AIDS patients.

Sofia, a ministry worker, says: “We bring these patients vitamins, fruit juices, and medications. But most importantly, we bring them Jesus. We have been able to give hope to these dying people through the Word of God. There were times when an AIDS patient would receive Jesus into their heart and then die several days later.”

Visitation of AIDS-infected children

Ministry Choose Life especially concentrates its efforts on the children infected with the AIDS virus. Special events such as puppet shows, sketches, and fun activities are a part of the ministry to the children. We also share the Gospel of Christ with children and their parents.

Visiting of AIDS-infected patients in their homes

There are numerous AIDS-infected individuals who do not seek medical help and choose to remain in their homes. They either don’t want others to find out about their disease, don’t believe that they will get much help at the clinic, or would just rather remain in their home than in a hospice care clinic.
Our ministry reaches these individuals at home. During our visitations, we provide them with food items, vitamins, medications, and of course, share the Gospel of Christ with them.

Picnics for AIDS Virus victims

Many AIDS patients are reluctant to come to church. We organize picnics especially for them. These events are very successful and attract many AIDS patients. We gather, socialize, and enjoy a delicious barbecue. It is easier for them to share personal stories in a relaxed atmosphere. They are more likely to come to church after these picnics.

Bible club for AIDS Virus victims

We also organize a Bible Club on bi-weekly basis for the AIDS-infected. We pray, study the Bible, worship, have tea, and socialize. The casual atmosphere allows all of the attendees to relax and build friendships with each other and to get to know Jesus better.