AIDS WALK 2008

This weekend a team of seven of us went down to Orlando and walked in their annual AIDS Walk. I was so impressed with everyone's committment to the cause. We left Jacksonville at an ugly 5:30 am. It was great spending the 2 hours getting to know them and seeing that they were as excited as I was gave me much encouragement. We walked around Lake Eola two times, only to realize that we were supposed to walk three times, but don't worry we are honest. We walked our third lap after everyone else was finished. There were all kinds of people there from all walks of life. There was the gay men's chorus, a huge group from Disney, a group from Gap and a quite large group called "Alex's Angels" who were walking for Alex who had died of AIDS. There were even black women wearing shirts that said "I HAVE HIV....Don't you wish it were that easy to tell." And an older man proudly wearing his "I'm an 18 year survivor" T-shirt. As we left the walk, I felt a little disappointment that I did not create an opportunity to talk with any of them.

Now that I have had time to reflect, I realize I will be doing that many times again in my life. It was an experience like no other. I see that group of people in my mind, and I think that is where we, as Christians, SHOULD be. We are on this earth to bring people to Christ. But not just people that we are comfortable being around... ALL PEOPLE!! Even the man at the walk that was dressed as a woman; yes Jesus loves him, too. Yes, it is incredibly difficult to find a way in their world, but who cares?!! God never said it would be easy; in fact He tells us it WILL be difficult, but He is with us. He wants us to give our everything so that anyone and everyone will see His love reflected off of us. In my mind, God gives us a huge opportunity with the gay community, people with AIDS, and just plain hurting people. It is an opportunity to give of ourselves; a call to bring hope to the hopeless. To show love to the unloved; to bring God's compassion and grace to those who feel rejected. We have to stop sitting in our churches looking out the window waiting for them to come to us. God tells to "go out unto all the world." I am done waiting for them to find me; LET"S GO GET THEM!!!! God has given me a burning desire to love these people. God never let that passion die. Make it burn until the day I die.
With all that said, I want to say that I am so proud of my team! They are awesome. The 2 teens that went, I cannot say how impressed with them I am. Jordan and Lindsay, God is raising up great leaders in you! I CANNOT wait to see all that He will do through you! The rest of my team: Cheryl, Belinda, Melissa, Rachel, I am so blessed to have such great warriors on my team. We are going to shake up Jacksonville with God's love! Who is with us?!!! :) Thank you for walking on this journey! You are awesome!