Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome-commonly known as AIDS-has affected the entire globe, but is nowhere more devastating in its effect than on the continent of Africa. Callisto Madavo, vice president of the World Bank African region, recently said: "Too much of Africa will enter the 21st Century watching the gains of the 20th evaporate." Madavo's comments flowed from the fact that AIDS is wiping out economic achievements of the past century in large parts of Africa.

What is the greatest catastrophe that can befall mankind? Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts and floods are common in today's news, and all of these events cause destruction bringing injury, suffering and death where they occur in populated areas. In the aftermath of these disasters, journalists commonly state as they describe the devastation: "The area looks like a war zone!"

Many people are important in making us who and what we are. None are so important, however, as father and mother.

In infancy Mother fed me, changed me and bathed me so that I was comfortable. Mother set protective barriers around me to keep me from harm. She taught me to avoid the hot stove, to fear harmful things, and she bundled me up against the winter's cold. Mother taught me many things while I was a tiny infant and toddler. Mother created a strong bond which endured between us until the day of her death.

Why is it that we human beings, created in the image of God, generally ignore our Creator until some tragedy or calamity strikes? Is it because many of us by nature are procrastinators? Historically, the servants of God have always urged the human family to seek God now—not wait for some so-called deathbed repentance.

A lot of upsets in the world are due to occur right around the turn of the MILLENIUM! What will things look like in about three to five years?