"...As Patty and I boarded British Airways flight #286 for London and #65 for Nairobi, our thoughts were filled with a combination of anticipation and anxiety.  We longed to return to our boys at Agape and to the work we love.  Yet this journey was a bit different from last year.  The freshness and adventure of a new experience was gone.  New experiences were replaced with familiar sites, sounds and smells.  Somehow the challenge before us seemed more imposing because the joy of the experience was no longer a new one.  We needed the reminder of this verse.  We need the eyes of our heart enlightened by hope."

"The certainties of eternity are inescapable in Africa.  With a generation in the process of being wiped out by the pandemic called AIDS, you can’t help but think about your own eternal future.  In America, we have isolated ourselves from those eternal reminders and our own mortality.  It is a culture that worships youth, physical beauty and earthly treasures.  In the process, our life experiences seldom remind us that all these things are temporary.  One day they will all be gone.  I don’t remember the last time I saw a U-haul following a hearse, do you?  Perhaps each of us should pray that the eyes of our heart are enlightened so that we know the hope of our calling."

"Mission work is all about eternal issues.  Agape children’s ministry certainly works to improve the earthly lot of street children.  Rescue and rehabilitation are our goals because human beings, as the crown of God’s creation, should enjoy dignity.  Children are not trash and they should never be think they are.  But life consists in more than a warm bed and a full belly.  Life is about having a destiny, knowing the hope of our calling heavenward, anticipating the riches of God’s presence for eternity.  This is the real reason God has called us to Kenya.  He wants street children to live confident lives filled with hope because heaven is their home.  May the Spirit enlighten the eyes of your heart today with the same hope."

"Patty and I didn’t spend much time in Kisumu upon arrival.  Greeted by Lebaus, Anthony, Tom and Marg at the Kisumu airport, we dropped our luggage at our home, took a quick shower and drove to Agape for a quick reunion with the boys at Agape.  Many of the boys have yet to return from their December break.  Each year, our boys return to their “home place” to connect with any family they have remaining.  After a few hours of hugs and welcoming conversations with children and staff we relaxed with Tom and Marg over an evening meal in town at our favorite Chinese restaurant.  Jet lag, woke us at about 3:30 AM and we spent the wee hours unpacking and rearranging our home.  The next morning we left early to accompany Tom and Marg to their home to enjoy New Year’s  on the farm and location of our rehabilitation center.  After six hours of jostling along the Kenyan roads, we arrived in Matoso…to the delight of the six boys have been here for the past five months enjoying their skills training in carpentry, masonry and auto mechanics.  As Bennard took my hand and showed me his school, my heart smiled at his comments of hope: “This place is good….I have been surprised that I can learn all these things.”

"...I want to thank all those who welcomed us in the US during our time there.  The many churches and church groups, Bible study groups, missions seminars,  and Rotary assemblies were a great encouragement to us.  On a practical level, Patty and I were able to talk about Agape everyday and since the audience was always a different one, we never felt like we were taxing anyone’s attention" ...

"Just as I was finishing the paragraph above, a young lady named Sarah Akini came to Tom’s door.  He had helped her a few months back with 500 shillings. (About $7.00)  She has used that money to support her family for two months.   She is a widow four times over and can’t be more than 30 herself.  She is surviving in a one room shack with four children.  Mito (the houseparent and pastor) commented to me as he was telling me her story: “She told me that she is thankful because now she has someone she can come to when she has a problem, someplace to seek the Lord, a place to pray and be filled with hope.”  Many thanks to Shelter Cove Community Church who are regularly supporting the work here on the farm.  This is just one example of the good your money is doing.  Later Tom will return to her home to repair her roof that leaks badly.  She smiled broadly as I took her picture and Tom explained to her that her picture would be seen by those who are encouraging her and praying for her in America.  Sarah’s picture is below."

"At this writing, Patty and I are at the Farm and will send this E-mail out as soon as return.  And now, here is Patty to share some of her insights and comments."

"What a fantastic place this is for recuperation from our long journey back to Kenya.  It is so good to see the six boys we left here last August as they began their vocational training.  I’m encouraged by their smiles and their positive attitudes about school and their futures. The Farm has provided these boys with more than the academic and skills training as outlined in their daily curriculum. I want to share the story of John Otieno. Those of you who have met John know him as “little” John."

"John was very sickly as a small child. His legs were badly stunted and twisted by a severe case of rickets. Many years ago John underwent surgery to help straighten his legs. Although they are very short, John is now able to walk and even run.          The illnesses John dealt with in his early childhood caused his voice to remain very high pitched and squeaky, it never developed as he grew into manhood. Can you imagine what it must be like for a young man of 21 years of age to speak only in a squeaky tone?" 

"Kids are kids and are often be very cruel to those who are different. The local youth here at the Matoso church began to talk and tease John about his voice. Each night before going to bed the boys spend time in prayer. Mito, the boy’s houseparent began to pray with John asking God to give him a man’s voice. What an awesome God we have, the prayers have been answered; John’s voice has completely changed. He now speaks as a man. In the past John has only responded to me in one word or in very short sentences because of his self consciousness. I was overwhelmed with joy yesterday as John and I sat and held a lengthy conversation for the first time. It was so hard to believe this is the same “little” John I left here just four months ago!  Tom Tucker once told me that the spirit of God dwells in this place, I believe it does."

Blessings to all our friends.

Dan and Patty

Prayer requests

1. Thanksgiving for the safe journey to Africa

2. Pray for houseparent John Mwalo whose wife passed away last year.  He is to wed on          Jan. 27 to a woman from Disciples of Mercy Church.

3. Pray for the safe return of all the boys and the start of the new school year

4. Pray that God brings us the two new teachers we need at Agape.

5. Pray for our six boys on the farm as they continue their vocational training.

6. Pray for the smooth development of the Rotary grant that is in process and will be a   wonderful blessing to this ministry

7.  Pray for our Mom’s: Josey and Chrysta.  Pray that God fills their heart with joy.

8.  Thanksgiving for the good grades all our Standard 8 boy received on their KCPE exams.  (These are the exams 8^th grade students take in order to be eligible for high school.)  All 8 boys passed with Robert N’ganga receiving top marks.  Robert was the boy you may remember who traveled to Nairobi to address a conference last year.

Photos attached

1.  The boys on the farm swim in Lake Victoria

2.  Patty and Terri (who works at the Llamba clinic near the Farm)

3. A maribou stork on the beach at Tom's

4.  Sarah Akini and Tom Tucker

5.  A local woman washes dishes along the lake while children play in background

God bless each of you,

Dan and Patty