tom davis has said something that stands out to me: 'i wrote red letters because i truly believe the gospel is something simple.' so I remember that as I get up early this morning, pour my coffee, and read my daily email from bbc news. a lead story speaks of the horrors and hope of malaria in Africa.
the title of the story grabs me: 'nets boost Africa's malaria fight.' ror a mere $4 - the cost of a latte at starbucks or a dvd rental at blockbuster - a person living in a high-risk region for malaria could literally have their life saved. but since much of the world lives on less than $1 or $2 a day, a simple net is not so accessible.
the story goes on to say that though more nets are being distributed, unicef is reporting that just as many children are dying each year because they don't have access to life-saving drugs when they are infected. why? the new treatments are more expensive and the world health organization has urged the phasing out of the older treatments. but people can't afford the newer treatments!!! 800,000 children dead! why? simple economics. the africa malaria report in 2003 reported that an adult could receive a full course of outpatient malaria drugs for between $1.50 and $3.50.
the gospel is really simple. $4 for a net. $1.50 to $3.50 for drugs. that's about the cost of a bottle of water. jesus said that if we give a cup of cold water to the little ones, we will receive a reward. this reward is a saved life!
Comments