Nathaniel Elliott has witnessed firsthand the devastation of AIDS in Africa. It was during the teen’s 2005 summer missions trip in The Gambia when the horrible reality of the epidemic hit home.
“The founder of the group told us bluntly, ‘Millions of people in Africa will be HIV-positive by the time you graduate from high school, and that number is rising daily,’ ” Nathaniel says. “That day, I knew I had to do something about the seriousness of such statistics. But I also sensed the gap between knowing these numbers and actually caring. So I set out to close the gap.”
We talked with this real-world revolutionary to find out more about his passion for bringing hope to Africa and for challenging his generation to live out Jesus’ love.
Breakaway: The statistics on AIDS in Africa are staggering. [See for yourself in “Deadly Numbers,”] How can we see the people behind the numbers?
Nathaniel: It’s truly difficult for anyone to see past the numbers, because we don’t want to. But we need to put ourselves in these people’s shoes. Think and imagine yourself waking up, going into your parents’ room and beginning the day with them not waking up—ever again. The fact that this is happening on a daily basis is disgusting and disturbing.
My brother’s death three years ago made death real to me. He died from an unexpected brain seizure. It was terrible. But my brother is not a statistic. Most teens have been to a funeral or memorial service. Those loved ones who died were not statistics. Neither are these people in Africa. They are real people with friends and family. They have dreams and aspirations. They have to become real to us so we can care about them.
Jesus Christ did not die for statistics; He died for individuals, because He loves each one of us. The numbers may be staggering, but if we were in the Africans’ shoes, would we want to be seen as only numbers? We want to help kids in America see the lives of the children in Africa as having the same value of our own.
Why build schools for children with AIDS?
To educate a child is to give that child hope. Education will provide these children with the resources to have a different future. Our prayer is that people—perhaps even you—will be able to go back and present the Gospel to the students. Christ is our ultimate hope.
Why a bus trip across the country to get the word out?
Getting the word out, especially to our generation, is difficult. We have to think outside the box. Looking back on it, a school bus as a vehicle to build schools in Africa sounds good, but that isn’t why it started. God had it planned out, and that’s why it was a school bus. Somebody donated the bus. It was unusual and grassroots. And, to be honest, the media loved it, so they helped get the word out even more. The bus is at Taylor University with me now, and it will stay here for a while.
What were a few of the best moments of the bus tour?
The memories that I’ll never forget range from hilarious to dead-serious and tearful. We grew as a community in accountability and loved on each other with honesty. It wasn’t all fun. The honesty sometimes stunk, but God helped grow me. The change that has taken place in my life is the coolest memory. But memories like white-water kayaking in a hail storm in Colorado—I don’t know, there are way too many great times to name. God did some amazing things and brought us together.
What were the worst moments?
We lost our trailer on the side of a road because of a huge hole. It freaked me out, to be honest. We just had to abandon it. But that’s about it. God really had His hand at work the whole summer.
Did you ever feel like or have someone tell you, “You’re just a kid. What makes you think you can change the world or stop AIDS on a whole continent?”
When God first put the idea on my heart, I told everyone, because I thought it was a great idea. But all my friends thought I was crazy for a full year while everything was still in planning. Once we got the bus, they realized it was a huge thing and that God really had His hand in it. But, yes, people would say, “You can’t do it” or “Don’t dream so big.” But, hey, I’m a dreamer. I like to dream big and will keep it up if that’s what God wants.
What can teen guys do to stop AIDS in Africa—or to change the world in some other way?
Anyone can do something. Just dream big, spread the word and be available for God to work through you. I mean, he chose disciples who were mere fishermen. He believed in them and let them believe that they could be like Him. Those fishermen were not the best of the best. They were learning the family trade probably because they weren’t good enough or smart enough to follow other rabbis. But Jesus came and said, “Follow me.” He believes we can be like Him. We just need to make ourselves available, even though I believe that’s one of the hardest steps.
What’s next for you and Living Hope?
Lots and lots of dreams. I believe God is calling me to go live in Africa, but right now I’m in college at Taylor in Upland, Ind. I love it and believe God has me here for a reason.
There are many plans for the future of Living Hope, but to meet the original goal of $250,000 is not one of them. God met the goal He had set out with the money that we have raised. God willing, we will be doing the bus trip again, but we’ll see what happens. Who knows? We may raise more money this school year. God is a big God. 
