When God Stood Up: A Christian Response to AIDS in Africa

By James Cantelon

The growing HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa has met its match in James Cantelon. What Cantelon proposes is as old as scripture itself - caring for the widows and orphans ravaged by AIDS. He calls upon churches around the world to join the desperate fight to stem the spread of AIDs.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470839279
• ISBN13: 9780470839270
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.9" x 0.6" x 5.9"

Customer Reviews

Crisis in Africa

It is significant to note that in times of crisis there are those in humanity who step up to the plate, regardless of personal sacrifice and meet the challenge. Mother Theresa is a name we well remember for how she loved forgotten people stricken with leprosy. We will never know this side of Heaven how many small children were held in her arms as they slipped from this life into the arms of the Heavenly Shepherd. "When God Stood Up," is another example of a couple, James and Kathy Cantelon, whose hearts were drawn to the far away continent of Africa. I am sure because my own brother Mike and his wife Linda have given their lives of service as missionaries throughout Africa; my heart has been turned to that continent as well. To see how God's heart was infused into James as a seven year-old boy so that one day he would have the capacity to love children dying of HIV/AIDS that did not even possess a name brings me to tears. I have to admit this is not an easy read, but as one turns the pages of this novel, awareness happens as we see little children with such brave hearts caring for the youngest family members, with not even the barest of necessities. Cantelon gives insight into how this pandemic spread so rapidly throughout the continent of Africa. And now, it is a crisis that has swept throughout the globe. It is almost mind numbing to see the numbers of people infected with this disease. His ability to draw the reader to scriptures throughout the Bible compels humanity to reach out to the suffering in their darkest hour. Out of his compassion for those suffering from this disease, James Cantelon became the founder of "Visionledd". I think the Mission Statement is the best statement I can outline for this novel. "To motivate, educate, equip and empower compassionate, effective response to the global HIV/AIDS pandemic." submited by Patricia McClaflin Booher, Author of "Reflections of a Wyoming Shepherd on the 23rd Psalm"

Very powerful resource

Our church has used this book as part of an Africa education class. Cantelon very successfully puts a face on the AIDS crisis on the continent. His objective is to compel readers to act, and his stories and approach provide a very strong catalyst for this. We supplemented the book with additional reading materials that provided other perspectives on the pandemic, as well as a more broad background on Africa overall. Specifically on the book, Cantelon is at his best when he's allowing us to see the individuals affected by the crises through his eyes. His stories of personal tragedy, as well as individual strength are incredible. For someone such as me who has regarded AIDS in Africa as an 'issue' to be addressed, Jim shook me awake to the personal pain being felt every day by millions of mothers, wives, and children across the continent. This is often an emotionally painful read - Cantelon pulls no punches in describing the personal impacts of the disease on those affected. I would not recommend it for youth or children. But for those who want an up-close and personal view through a Christian lens, I highly recommend the book. The reason for 4 vs. 5 stars is the flow, which I blame mostly on his editor. There are a number of sections where Cantelon changes tack in the middle of the reading to tell an antecdote or example that feel more like a distraction than a reinforcement of his points. I struggled some with his introductory passages for each chapter, many of which didn't seem to strengthen, or in some cases, even tie to his message. I also think he missed a major opportunity to close the book with a final call to action. His last chapter is a verse-by-verse analysis of Psalms that might appeal to a biblical scholar, but felt misplaced for the general reader here and somewhat anticlimactic given the great work leading up to it. These editorial points, however, are minor compared to what Jim offers the reader in terms of understanding Africa's plight and the requirement for the Church to act. An enlightening read.