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Beyond Blood: Hope and Humanity in the Forgotten Fight Against AIDS
The true-life story of how three men helped save the lives and families of thousands living with HIV/AIDS in East Africa.
Written by three co-founders of CARE for AIDS—a nonprofit providing support for men and women living with HIV/AIDS in East Africa—Beyond Blood is the true-life account of how three men from drastically different backgrounds came together to form a grassroots nonprofit that has empowered thousands of HIV-positive people in East Africa to live lives beyond AIDS.
This is the story of how Justin T. Miller, an American Vanderbilt undergraduate student, met Duncan Kimani Kamau and Cornel Onyango Nyaywera, two men who had grown up witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in their own communities in Kenya. Though Kamau and Nyaywera grew up in opposite ends of the country and came from opposing tribes, they overcame prejudice and cultural expectations to bring healing to their communities. With Miller’s help, their dream of empowering people to live a life beyond AIDS became a reality.
Once Kamau, Miller, and Nyaywera realized their common purpose, CARE for AIDS was born. But it was only the beginning of their fight against AIDS, as they quickly discovered the fear and stigma that blanketed the disease. If their fledgling nonprofit was going to empower anyone, they would need help—and they found it, one local church at a time. As they slowly but steadily grew their network of friends and allies, Kamau, Miller, and Nyaywera discovered that the most complex problems can be solved through intentional, redemptive relationships.
Written by three co-founders of CARE for AIDS—a nonprofit providing support for men and women living with HIV/AIDS in East Africa—Beyond Blood is the true-life account of how three men from drastically different backgrounds came together to form a grassroots nonprofit that has empowered thousands of HIV-positive people in East Africa to live lives beyond AIDS.
This is the story of how Justin T. Miller, an American Vanderbilt undergraduate student, met Duncan Kimani Kamau and Cornel Onyango Nyaywera, two men who had grown up witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in their own communities in Kenya. Though Kamau and Nyaywera grew up in opposite ends of the country and came from opposing tribes, they overcame prejudice and cultural expectations to bring healing to their communities. With Miller’s help, their dream of empowering people to live a life beyond AIDS became a reality.
Once Kamau, Miller, and Nyaywera realized their common purpose, CARE for AIDS was born. But it was only the beginning of their fight against AIDS, as they quickly discovered the fear and stigma that blanketed the disease. If their fledgling nonprofit was going to empower anyone, they would need help—and they found it, one local church at a time. As they slowly but steadily grew their network of friends and allies, Kamau, Miller, and Nyaywera discovered that the most complex problems can be solved through intentional, redemptive relationships.
164 pages, Hardcover
Published October 22, 2019
8 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 25, 2019
This book (which should be more widely known) exceeded my expectations! It was convicting, encouraging, and entertaining. Really everything I could’ve hoped for.
The book is about three friends - one from Atlanta and two from different Kenyan tribes - who come together through incredible circumstances to devote their lives to caring for individuals infected with AIDS in Kenya through the Church.
From a literary standpoint, the most interesting thing about this book is that the three authors took turns righting chapters, each writing along the same story line from their own perspective in the first person. Similar story telling strategy to a typical movie. I really enjoyed it and I think they executed it well. I was certainly emotionally invested and well entertained!
From a spiritual standpoint, I loved how this book humbly challenged American Christians to actually care for suffering people with an international perspective. The authors didn’t take a condescending or negative tone, but they presented the realities of poverty, disease, and the Church’s chronic shortcomings to its biblical call in relation to a crisis like AIDS. They mostly communicated this through their own personal journey, but when they stepped away from the narrative and made broader claims, they did so very well!
From a cultural or anthropological standpoint, this book did all the right things. They encouraged westerners to realize their ability to help without encouraging paternalism or White Saviorism. They encouraged unity and global connectedness without neglecting to express just how different our lives are and the ways that impacts our outlooks. They even do a great job of eliminating the incorrect notion that “African” or “Kenyan” is a culture in itself. The two Kenyan authors, who are from rival tribes, explain the implications of their histories in a way that is probably enlightening for the book’s general audience.
From a development economist’s standpoint, this book said all the right things without saying too much at all. The last chapter proved to me that in terms of economic development, the authors really get it! BUT, they don’t make this the point of the book - and they shouldn’t. It’s nice to see someone with that kind of technical know how have the humility to write a book without ever feeling the need to prove themself. I had no idea if the authors did or didn’t understand the best practices of a dev econ non-profit until a couple subtle remarks at the end that said a lot without many words. What a pleasant surprise!
All in all, simply a great book! Not mindblowingly good, but really I don’t have a negative word to say about it!
The book is about three friends - one from Atlanta and two from different Kenyan tribes - who come together through incredible circumstances to devote their lives to caring for individuals infected with AIDS in Kenya through the Church.
From a literary standpoint, the most interesting thing about this book is that the three authors took turns righting chapters, each writing along the same story line from their own perspective in the first person. Similar story telling strategy to a typical movie. I really enjoyed it and I think they executed it well. I was certainly emotionally invested and well entertained!
From a spiritual standpoint, I loved how this book humbly challenged American Christians to actually care for suffering people with an international perspective. The authors didn’t take a condescending or negative tone, but they presented the realities of poverty, disease, and the Church’s chronic shortcomings to its biblical call in relation to a crisis like AIDS. They mostly communicated this through their own personal journey, but when they stepped away from the narrative and made broader claims, they did so very well!
From a cultural or anthropological standpoint, this book did all the right things. They encouraged westerners to realize their ability to help without encouraging paternalism or White Saviorism. They encouraged unity and global connectedness without neglecting to express just how different our lives are and the ways that impacts our outlooks. They even do a great job of eliminating the incorrect notion that “African” or “Kenyan” is a culture in itself. The two Kenyan authors, who are from rival tribes, explain the implications of their histories in a way that is probably enlightening for the book’s general audience.
From a development economist’s standpoint, this book said all the right things without saying too much at all. The last chapter proved to me that in terms of economic development, the authors really get it! BUT, they don’t make this the point of the book - and they shouldn’t. It’s nice to see someone with that kind of technical know how have the humility to write a book without ever feeling the need to prove themself. I had no idea if the authors did or didn’t understand the best practices of a dev econ non-profit until a couple subtle remarks at the end that said a lot without many words. What a pleasant surprise!
All in all, simply a great book! Not mindblowingly good, but really I don’t have a negative word to say about it!
January 24, 2022
I enjoyed the first half of this book greatly. I enjoyed hearing the stories of Duncan, Coronel, and Justin and how God and their passion for the marginalized brought them together. However, I feel as if instead of focusing on the stories of those they helped or the real plights of those suffering from HIV/AIDs as I expected, the latter half of the book was instead focused on the organization they founded.
December 27, 2019
"Through it all, their hearts were bigger than their fear." I love this story of how two men from opposing tribes in Kenya and an undergraduate American college student lives are woven together to bring hope to those living with AIDS. My husband has worked part-time for this non-profit for a couple of years now, and I have witnessed their integrity and compassion first-hand. This book was a good reminder to me as I'm setting goals for next year about how important it is to let God orchestrate my life.
January 13, 2020
I enjoyed this book so much! Once again, I am amazed at seeing God at work through His people. How God will mightly use those who listen and obey. How He can bring together strangers from different continents to work together to accomplish His plans. How He uses people of ALL ages to do great things for His people and for His glory.
These men listened to the Lord's calling on their lives and because of their obedience, many people have been helped and great strides have been made in the fight against AIDS. As I read their story, I was so impressed by what they have been able to accomplish at such a young age. And I was reminded of 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
I was blessed to receive a copy of this book through Netgalley, as well as being gifted a hard copy from a friend.
These men listened to the Lord's calling on their lives and because of their obedience, many people have been helped and great strides have been made in the fight against AIDS. As I read their story, I was so impressed by what they have been able to accomplish at such a young age. And I was reminded of 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
I was blessed to receive a copy of this book through Netgalley, as well as being gifted a hard copy from a friend.
October 14, 2019
(I received an advance copy of Beyond Blood as a member of the Launch Team.)
I have known Justin and his wife, Lindsay, for a long time and have heard bits and pieces of the CARE for AIDS story over the years; however, most of what I read in Beyond Blood was completely new to me. The HIV/AIDS crisis in East Africa is one of the most deadly humanitarian issues in the world, and Justin, Cornel, and Duncan manage to highlight this truth with grace and humanity and also challenge readers to engage with what they know, or don't know, about the disease in a whole new way. The authors are skilled storytellers, and it shows. Beyond Blood is at once funny, poignant, earnest, and utterly compelling.
Each chapter is narrated by a different co-founder and picks up where the previous author left off. It was fascinating to read how three very different men from three very different lives eventually came together to form a holistic international nonprofit that has saved thousands of lives, challenged generations of stigma and shame, and supported one of the most misunderstood and marginalized groups of people in the world. It is truly an extraordinary tale.
Part memoir, part spiritual narrative, and part leadership book, Beyond Blood has something for everyone. It is a must-read for any person who calls himself a follower of Jesus and says he wants to care for "the least of these."
This book is a reminder of what will be lost if we look away.
Bravo, guys.
I have known Justin and his wife, Lindsay, for a long time and have heard bits and pieces of the CARE for AIDS story over the years; however, most of what I read in Beyond Blood was completely new to me. The HIV/AIDS crisis in East Africa is one of the most deadly humanitarian issues in the world, and Justin, Cornel, and Duncan manage to highlight this truth with grace and humanity and also challenge readers to engage with what they know, or don't know, about the disease in a whole new way. The authors are skilled storytellers, and it shows. Beyond Blood is at once funny, poignant, earnest, and utterly compelling.
Each chapter is narrated by a different co-founder and picks up where the previous author left off. It was fascinating to read how three very different men from three very different lives eventually came together to form a holistic international nonprofit that has saved thousands of lives, challenged generations of stigma and shame, and supported one of the most misunderstood and marginalized groups of people in the world. It is truly an extraordinary tale.
Part memoir, part spiritual narrative, and part leadership book, Beyond Blood has something for everyone. It is a must-read for any person who calls himself a follower of Jesus and says he wants to care for "the least of these."
This book is a reminder of what will be lost if we look away.
Bravo, guys.
October 14, 2019
I started and finished this book in the same day. It is well-written and entertaining. Although it is a quick and enjoyable read, it is full of heart, and is incredibly timely.
Read this book if you want to:
-get inspired to help change the world for the better
-hear something good about millennials
-learn about 3 young men from different nations, races and tribes, who became closer than brothers
-gain perspective into what it means to be HIV+ in East Africa
-chuckle, and be surprised, and be shocked, and be hopeful in the end
Read this book!
Read this book if you want to:
-get inspired to help change the world for the better
-hear something good about millennials
-learn about 3 young men from different nations, races and tribes, who became closer than brothers
-gain perspective into what it means to be HIV+ in East Africa
-chuckle, and be surprised, and be shocked, and be hopeful in the end
Read this book!
November 28, 2019
This book had me laughing and crying throughout. A truly incredible convergence of 3 different stories told in an intriguing way that is just plain inspiring at its core. The story’s of these 3 men and how they made this organization come to be deserve to be shouted from the rooftops because I think it could change lives.
February 12, 2023
This is such a beautiful story of how three men from different backgrounds, cultures, stories, and callings came together to fight against a global crisis in order to provide healing, hope, and new life. It’s inspiring, convicting, and encouraging and will leave you wanting to take a bigger step to make a difference!
October 23, 2019
The thing I loved most about this book was how different experiences in these men's lives shaped them for the task God had for them. Their stories are soaked in God's sovereignty and goodness. It also gives me hope to know there are people and ministries out there doing such needed, holistic work.
November 11, 2019
Beyond Blood is a truly inspiring story of how a few ordinary people came together to serve those with HIV/AIDS. It shows that with prayer, passion, and hard work anything is possible. It is worth the read!
January 30, 2020
It has been my honor to rub shoulders with these three men in the past few years. Truly remarkable what God has done!
April 15, 2020
""Allow Him to prune the areas where I was trying to prove my adequacy."
His pruning is His protection.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for man."
His pruning is His protection.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for man."
March 22, 2021
An eye opening story about HIV/Aids in Africa.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews