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…for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:9
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The Crisis…
As the HIV/AIDS crisis has spread throughout the world, this plague has had catastrophic affects on the continent of Africa. This generation and generations to come are to witness the devastating epidemic of HIV/AIDS that has brought about the death of hundreds of millions, orphaned millions of children, caused appalling social problems, exasperated economic woes, and has helped to destroy cultural traditions of the peoples of Africa.
The Reality:
By 2010, 40 million orphaned children will need basic aid.
Infection rates are 5 times higher among adolescent girls than boys.
90% of HIV positive children received the virus from their mothers.
Statistics show that the HIV/AIDS epidemic will not even begin to subside until 2020. The final death toll has not even been hazarded.
There is no cure for the AIDS virus. Yet, there is hope to be had in the merciful grace of Jesus Christ, and in the wake of Christ’s salvation is transformation.
Imagine…
So, imagine, a generation that not only witnesses the devastation of AIDS, but a generation that responds with love and aid to this tragedy and brings with them a message of good news.

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and eighth most populous country in the world. In Nigeria, one person is infected with HIV every minute of every day. Many are the victims of cultural traditions and practices and promiscuity.
Ministering in Nigeria offers strategic opportunities to serve people of all religions, among them Christians, Muslims, and Pagans, men, women, and children.
Complex Problems -Simple Solutions…
HIV is often spread through promiscuous habits. If men and women are educated in healthier sexual practices, such as abstinence, educated in the causes of the spread of AIDS, and educated in basic sanitary habits, the deaths due to HIV infection could be greatly abated.
Mothers who are HIV positive can prevent the spread of the virus to their infants if they are provided with drugs that can inhibit the passing of the virus from mother to child before and during birth. The spread of the disease could also be prevented if mothers are provided with infant formula, as a mother can pass on the virus through breastfeeding.
Due to cultural traditions and practices women are often at the mercy of the men in their communities. When a woman’s husband dies, the wife and mother is often left destitute. The mother may have several children to care for and feed, and she may be forced to beg. Common is the story where a widowed mother, to fend off hunger, resorted to prostitution in order to feed herself and her children-further perpetuating or leaving the mother and children at risk to HIV.
Tragically, false cures for the HIV virus abound. Infected men are told that sex with a virgin will cure his disease. Adolescent girls especially are at risk in being seduced or raped.
Art and Dorothy Helwig have been working and serving in Nigeria's Mambilla Plateau for several years, providing HIV/AIDS treatment and preventive education and caring for ill and starving families. Currently, the Helwigs serve thousands of individuals in several communities. Much of their ministry is based upon contact with community elders and setting up family care programs that identify and reach out to orphaned children, families with parents dying of AIDS, widows, and families who are struggling to feed themselves. This is a heavy labor and burden for Art and Dorothy for, as Jesus said in Luke 10:2 “The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few”. The Helwigs are seeking ministry staff and workers to come and labor alongside the lost, lonely, and broken of Nigeria’s Mambilla Plateau.
The LORD healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
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Advancing God’s kingdom…
I desire to work and live with the needy and broken of Africa; I have been called to answer the need for more workers. My heartfelt hope is to see God praised and glorified in the Mambilla Plateau, and in all of Nigeria, then unto Africa, and to the ends of the earth.
God, in His grace, has called me to serve…
I grew up with a love for people…all the while God has shaped my heart around serving Him. God has called and equipped me to travel with Him to Central Africa to serve, as He has burdened my heart for those who do not know the love of Christ. They need to know that the LORD has not forsaken them and that they must seek His will.
I am gifted in teaching and have been teaching in public schools for over two years.
I have lead up to 10 small groups and Bible studies for over 6 years.
I have traveled to 5 nations and have spent a total of 4 months in South Africa and Namibia. In Namibia, I was privileged to work in two separate villages teaching children and teenagers, mentoring and discipling young women, and caring for the elderly.
Recently, God arranged a providential meeting between Converge Worldwide (BGC) International Ministries staff and myself, and I have undergone assessment and training under Converge Worldwide (BGC) guardianship. I was commissioned as a missionary appointee at the 2008 Biennial Meeting.
Ministry Goals…
God willing, I will:
Immediately begin work with widows infected with HIV in a Widows Workroom. Most of these women have contracted AIDS from their husbands, and their spouses have either abandoned the family or are dead. In order to feed their families these women are in need of honest labor. In the Widow’s Workroom they create marketable crafts. My purpose there will be dual: I will be working on new marketing strategies, but more importantly, forming bonds and relationships with these women who are from all walks of faith. By God’s mercy and grace, and through His timing, I will have opportunities to share the Salvation of Christ.
I will be working on setting up similar programs in surrounding communities; this will allow me to target women, young and old, who are interested in learning more about God and His will for our lives.
I will work on strategic curriculum that trains Biblical leaders among women. This will provide opportunities for Bible studies for women and discipleship groups.
I will reach out to mothers in the community who wish to educate their children but do not have the means to provide schooling. I will provide them with curriculum and training necessary to educate their children.
I will work with orphaned and in-need teenage girls. My goals is to build relationships and provide encouragement, education, and an opportunity to see the benefit of living moral and godly lives-my heart beats here! I am desperate for these young women to know that the Great Creator of the universe is so in love with them!
My ministry will be critical in that I will be seeking the exposed members of the community; women, teenager girls, and children who are wounded by emotional and physical trauma. I will provide the opportunity to gather, share, and support one another, all the while building discipleship groups and Bible studies. Through this, I will create training materials so that those whom I disciple and lead in Bible study can then go out and minister to others. Women in the community will have the resources to build and support ministries for women, men, and children who I am unable to reach. I will be equipping; God will ignite and transform.
Will you join me in this Kingdom work…