"...Some say there are 100 million children living on the streets in urban centers around the world.  In Kenya alone, that figure is around 200,000.  In Nairobi, statistics indicate the number exceeds 50,000.  And in our city of Kisumu, there are upwards of 1,000."  

"At Agape we have rescued just over 100 street boys who now live with us full time.  That obviously is only a drop in the bucket of this crisis.  However, and that is a big HOWEVER, none of those young boys are considered just a drop.  They are precious."

"While our primary responsibility as a ministry is the rehabilitation of the boys who live full time at Agape, it is extremely important to not forget those who remain on the street.  We also need to continually stay in touch with who is on the street when the opportunity presents itself to rescue another boy.  But the primary reason why we meet with the street boys twice a week is because we care and because they are valued by God and therefore valuable to us also."

"I remember my first few visits to the street.  Although it was almost five years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.  I had never seen children in such desperate situations before.  Lebaus, our Project Manager who has been involved in street work for more than 10 years now was my emotional life line.  And even to this day, I don’t stray too far from his sight when we are on the street.  That isn’t because I feel in danger.  Rather, it is because I feel emotionally vulnerable around these street boys.  Something inside of me is screaming at me to run away and hide my face from them.  But I just can’t.  I’ve seen their situation and I can’t un-see it."

"On Wednesday, the meeting begins at a local park.  Boys come streaming from every direction.  Some are injured, others sick and all of them wearing nothing more than filthy rags.  The air is pungent with the stench of body odor, urine stained clothes and the familiar glue they inhale.  None of the visuals are pleasant, until one of them gives you a smile or offers to share his meal with you.  It is such moments that are treasured.  For words like hope, potential and a future are not a reality with these boys.  Many of them will die before they are 20.  Those that don’t will not have much of a life beyond 20.  They may end up sweeping “matatus” (local transport vehicles) or pushing carts loaded down with water or other heavy burdens.  All of them will be harassed, beaten and chased by shop keepers and police." 

"Wednesday also includes a football (soccer) match in a local park.  It is in this way that Lebaus teaches these boys teamwork, loyalty and competition.  In the “fend for yourself” world of street life, these are not commonly displayed character traits.  But for an hour or two, they are reminded that they are human beings who feel free to dream like the rest of the world."

"After the match, we march from the field to a local kiosk for a hot meal, perhaps their only hot meal of the week.  They are served porridge in a bowl made from half a gord and a dish called Nyoyo, a combination of maze and red beans.  It is filling and nutritious.  The kiosk is anything but posh.  Simple, crude benches are all there is.  But these boys don’t care.  They aren’t there for the ambience.  They are just hungry."

"Even though  we try not to show any partiality, we do have our favorites.  A warm smile, a receptive handshake called “gotoo” and a conversation about school and getting out of the street quickly makes you wonder, “Can this one be saved?”  While most of the heart wrenching stories we receive from the boys are seldom, if ever true; still we listen, try to encourage as best we can and at times recommend to Lebaus that we consider rescuing one of the boys."

"One of the goals we have for this outreach ministry is to establish a permanent site in the park where we can meet the boys, a place where they can store a micro-enterprise project and supplies, meet for worship, medical treatment, etc.  Just having a place they can call the own would be a big boost for them."

"On Sunday, instead of football, we gather the boys together for their own church service in the park.  The trees serve as the lofty spires and the open skies are the stained glass windows.  Lebaus shares a Bible story with them, prays with them and treats their illnesses and injuries.  At times it leaves you with the impression that this may have been what it was like to walk with Jesus."

"While I am comfortable with these street boys now and know many of them by name, their circumstance is never comfortable within my heart.  But it is also encouraging to see young boys rejoice in a hot meal, a conversation and a few shillings in their pocket.  There is something innocent and open in their eyes..."