NOTE: The following is an portion of a report from Wayne Smith of Samaritan Ministry on the International AIDS conference. We continue to pray for and with Wayne in this important life-changing ministry BRP.

The International AIDS Conference (IAC) returned to America after a 22 year absence this summer in Washington DC. While this is a departure for us – we usually do strictly domestic ministry – this seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, Wayne was able to go for the experience, and what an experience it was.
About 25,000 delegates attended from all over the world and there were great lectures and workshops on many, many topics. Leading researchers and scientists, explored topics including vaccines, microbicides, genetic breakthroughs, and pre-exposure prevention (called PreP). We are learning more and more about how current medications provide protection against infection for both HIV negative and HIV positive individuals, and the benefits of starting medications as soon as possible after infection.
The most exciting news is that many speakers are talking about finally CURING HIV, which has become a realistic goal, and the prospects of an “AIDS Free Generation”, which seems possible even with current technology. What we need is the WILL to make it happen.
These are exciting times, but we cannot let our guard down. Not with 56,000 Americans becoming infected each year. We have already lost 650,000 AMERICANS and 30,000,000 world-wide.. As you strain to look across the Atlantic, don’t forget to walk in your own neighborhood, too. Thank you, CBF, for your support of our ministry, and for your part in making our trip to IAC possible.

Wayne Smith, Director
Samaritan Ministry
Central Baptist Church of Bearden
Knoxville, Tennessee
865-450-1000 x827
http://www.samaritancentral.org