"...This past weekend at Agape was an example of how we are attempting to care for the physical and spiritual needs of our boys."

"On Saturday, Lebaus, our project administrator holds a Bible Class for the older boys.  We have decided to complement that study with a showing of a video entitled “Virtual Reality.”  It is a stage production done by a church in Texas.  In it a number of people in different circumstances find themselves before the judgment seat of Jesus.  The message of the video is dramatic, moving and to some, a bit unsettling.  It makes you think about your life, where you are headed and what will happen when it is over.  We want our boys to be confident in life and death." 

"We invited six boys to join us on our compound for the showing of the video.  We’ll repeat the showing each Sat. until all our older boys have seen it.  Patty made spaghetti and meat sauce.  We served fruit, soda, cake and ice cream.  It was a very enjoyable afternoon.  I talked for a short time after the video about a man in a book I have been reading.  Late in life, he finally placed his faith in Jesus as his Savior.  Overwhelmed by the enormity of this life changing experience, the man sat with the pastor in the front row and sobbed.  He kept repeating the same phrase, “I’ve wasted it, I’ve wasted it.”  He was speaking of his life  to that point.  And while none of the six boys broke down, several of them struck up conversations with other staff members about the video and how it was making them think.  It is a good thing, even for Christians, to be reminded that one day life will end.  It helps to keep the “hear and now” in perspective."

"...On Sunday, we took the day to take our 40 older boys to a clinic hosted by a local bank and the Lions Club of Kisumu to have their eyes checked.  Six of the boys were referred to the hospital’s clinic in town for a prescription.  All the testing was underwritten by the Bank of Baroda.  It took four trips in our personal vehicle to get all 40 boys to the site but it was well worth it.  To these six boys, it will greatly impact their learning capability.  To the others, it said: “We are concerned about your eyesight and want to make sure you have every opportunity to succeed in life.” 

"One of our boys called Bob Peter Ojanga is blind in his left eye and needs glasses to see better out of his right eye.  You can be assured, we’ll take care of that need ASAP.  Bob is a happy and positive young man who leads worship on Sunday and always seems to have a positive outlook."

"We also know that many of you are hurting with your own aches and pains and worries over loved ones.  Take heart in the words of Jesus about this blind man.  God will work in your life through the difficult times.  He promises to do just that.  Blessings to all!!"

Prayer list

1. Four of our youngest boys were taken to the hospital with malaria symptoms this afternoon.  One was very seriously ill.  Pray for them all.  I just found out about this and can’t give you names at this point.

2. Pray for John Mwalo, our houseparent who is to be wed to a young lady named Layla

3.  Safe travels for Darla, Blake, Mike and Karen who are traveling to Kenya in 10 days

4.  Peace and hope for Blake Gibbs –COO of Agape USA, whose mother passed away about a week ago

5.  Pray for Leonard and Matilda, new teachers just hired at Agape. 

6.  Pray for Susan, one of our teachers, who is expecting a child in about two months

7.  Blessings on Jegatha Rajkumar, wife of our board chair in Kenya who just celebrated a birthday

8.  Pray for Nicholas who is busy placing our seven graduates from 8^th grade into area high schools

9.  Pray for Bennard, a Form 2 (sophomore) in high school who was recently assigned to us by the children’s department due to family strife.  He is a straight A student.  (More on his story next week)