any people ask me about my favorite HIV/AIDS charity and how they can donate time and/or money.

Most of my volunteer efforts are dedicated to the people living with HIV/AIDS in Central America, specifically on Roatan Island.  Roatan is located in the Caribbean, lying 40 miles off the northern coast of Honduras. One in seven people there live with AIDS.  I discovered it one Christmas vacation when the cruise ship I was traveling on docked for six hours. After taking a snorkeling excursion, I found myself in a double-kayak with a Honduran man named Leo.  Looking straight ahead, Leo sang songs to me about heaven. “Today is my 33rd birthday," he said, “and to celebrate, I’m going home to kiss my newborn twins, Leonce and Leah, and roast the pig in the front yard.” With the mountains of the Yucatan Peninsula  coming towards  me and the cool water splashing at the side of my face, Leo asked me, "Where do you witness God?” I told him I am an AIDS educator and witness God every day, everywhere I look.  “That’s good,” he said, literally rowing my boat forward. “As long as you witness.”

I gave him my word that I would be back one day.

In June ‘07, I returned for a week and gave numerous lectures and testimonials in connection with a non-governmental organization named Familias Saludables (Healthy Families). Click here to read the TIME Magazine article about my visit.

In June 2008, I went back to Roatan Island and brought eleven friends with me. We visited HIV/AIDS patients in the hospital, brought food to the inmates in jail and lectured all over the island. Our main project, however, was building a house for a woman living with AIDS.

This coming June 2009, we have given our word to return once again to build three more houses. In order to do this, we will need to raise the funds for lumber, roofing, paint and other supplies. If you or your school organization would like to learn more about how to donate or get involved, please contact me.

Thanks!
Scott