He had a comfortable job in a far away country when God called him.  He didn’t go reluctantly but willing traveled a long distance to a place in shambles.  The people were demoralized, the living conditions threatened by a lack of security.  “Disgrace” is the best word to describe the circumstances of God’s people.  In 52 short days, the walls were rebuilt and a massive celebration of worship was organized by Nehemiah and Ezra.  In the words above, Nehemiah describes some of the events of that day of celebration at the rebuilding of the walls of Jerualem.

            When God has used you to accomplish his purposes, the natural response of the heart is thanksgiving.  People don’t give thanks in order to please God, quite the contrary!  Thanksgiving is expressed because God is pleased and because he is pleased, so are we.

            Security comes in many forms.  High protective walls and massive gates protected ancient cities from outside attack.  In the heart of a child, those walls and gates are innocence and trust.  Just like in Jerusalem, the walls of street children are in shambles.  And one cannot overestimate the depth of the hurt and pain the comes from having your innocence torn down. One also cannot underestimate how long it takes for this pain to heal.  So when those same children rejoice and give thanks, it is important to note the day.  Nehemiah noted the rebuilding of physical walls with massive choirs, worship, reading of the Word and celebration.  At Agape we recently did the same.  The Day of Thanksgiving in Jerusalem was preceded by a long period of rebuilding and hard work.  At Agape, we rejoiced after some strategic efforts at rebuilding the walls within the hearts and lives of the boys.

            On Saturday, 22 Jan. all of the staff and boys of Agape gathered under the shade of a tree in the middle of the compound to worship, pray, give testimonies and give thanks.  We read and studied the Word.  We talked about what God says about family in I Thessalonians 4.  Then each of the boys and staff took some time to speak of the good things happening at Agape.  Giving thanks and gratefulness was the theme of the testimonies.  Here are some words from staff and boys:

            Christine Onyango (Teacher Grade 1) – I am blessed to have found a godly place to minister.  This helps me to grow. I am also happy for the health insurance plan, including clinical reference for specialized investigations.

            Daniel Chogo (houseparent)  I am pleased with the spiritual growth I have experienced while sharing and applying the Scripture among the boys.

            Nicholas Kimatu (Sponsorship Officer)  On the top of the list is the experience of shaving with the boys from the street.  I has changed my world view.  Also in blessings, I am thankful for the medical treatment we are getting.  Also my faith is growing and put into practice. I now know what “agape” love is at Agape.  It is a privilege to see God working.  When I observe the boys as they come in here, it amazes me to observe them changing physically and spiritually.  They become new and somehow I too know God can make me new!

            Mary Aloka (Rehabilitation Teacher)  It is an answer to prayer that I wanted to trust God more than ever before.  When I came to Agape, my prayer was that I wanted to be used more than before and be stretched.  Everything I do here reflects back on trusting God.  My faith has been stretched along with my whole being.  What I am doing is different and challenging.  So being here in Agape has answered the prayer that I had before I came that God would lead me to trust Him more.

            Eric (18 years, recently had his leg amputated)  I am thankful to God for Agape because God’s love is so much for me.    I feel lighter, happier and relieved from my pain.

            Benjamin (10 years)  In Agape I am changing.  I thank God for brining me in Agape for now I have clothes and food.  On the street I was suffering.  The day I came to Agape I was very thin.  Now I am fat.  (Benjamin recently shared that an aunt died in December and a sister also died in Jan.)

            Busolo (14 years, most recent boy just rescued)  I am thankful for food and for God.

            Rashid (13 years)  I only want to mention my prayer that God continues to bless Agape.

            Mike (9 years)  I am happy and grateful for now I have clothes.  I am also happy about the toy I have to play with.

            Peterlis (12 years)  I am very happy about education.  I am glad that I can go to school.  I am also happy that I do not have to sleep on the ground and that I have clothes.

            Musa Karani (15 years)  I am grateful that I am going to school.  I can write.  I am also happy to have clothes.

            William Espida  (14 years)  I have clothes.  I am happy to be here, just in Agape….while I am learning.

            The work of rehabilitation is difficult work.  In many ways it was easier for Nehemiah to rebuild physical walls than the work we are doing in rebuilding emotional and spiritual walls within children.  It is also a lengthy process because of the severity of the emotional damage they have incurred. Often you don’t even see the hidden places of the heart where the pain is the most severe.   But through prayer and love the walls begin to rebuild themselves.  One of the critical elements in that rebuilding process is working to reconnect the boys with their homes.  This restores identity and a sense of belonging.  A western visitor, acting on pity and sympathy, may not always realize how crucial it is for these boys to know their real physical home place.  In fact many of the issues we deal with come because these boys have more of a Western influence on their lives than the culture of their home: where they will live for the rest of their lives.  This is why we work tirelessly to make sure they spend time at home at each break in school and why we put restrictions on visitors and what they can do with the boys while they are here. 

            I would add that Nehemiah had some critical partners in ministry during this rebuilding process.  Malachi the prophet and Ezra were assisting him in the task of rebuilding.  Here at Agape, we have 36 staff members, of whom 5 serve in leadership positions on a management team.  These dedicated leaders and staff are the nuts and bolts of this ministry.  We respect, love and admire them.  We trust them implicitly in the work they are doing.  They are partners in every way as we do this work. 

            As you read this update, I ask that you too would take a moment to give thanks for what God is doing at Agape in Kisumu Kenya.  Pray that God continues to work in the hearts of these boys.  Pray for our staff that they might be encouraged to be confident even on those days when the boys don’t express thanksgiving or when their behavior makes you wonder if you are making progress.

            As for Patty and myself, we are thankful as well for all of you who pray for us and support us.  It is your confidence in us, your words of encouragement that rebuild our walls when we are down.  God bless you for that!

Other news and notes, prayers and praises.

1. Eric continues to recover from his amputation on the 19^th.  He returned to Agape on the 24^th.  When his stitches heal, he’ll go back to Nairobi for a check up by Dr. Mulimba and then after some time he will be fitted by “Jaipur Foot” a Rotary sponsored facility that provides artificial limbs to the needy free of charge.  God willing, he’ll have time to return to the Vocational Training that he began. Praise God for Dr. Mulimba who did the surgery gratis, Dr. Joe Serra who was an invaluable tool while he was here and for Eric himself who has demonstrated courage, faith and vision.

2. The work of Project Hope continues.  Half of the compound has been encircled with the cement posts.  Lebaus hopes to get the letter from the Town Clerk today allowing us to fence also the new land adjacent to our existing property.  Also the energy saving cookers will be installed tomorrow.  They laid the cement slab yesterday.  By the end of the week 120 school desks will arrive and a week after that the tables and benches for the dinning hall and church will be delivered.  TEMAK has also ordered their looms, medical supplies, school books and uniforms.  Tom will be coming next week to work on the items for the farm. Praise God for these blessings.

3. Patty and I returned from the farm on Saturday last after attending a TOT 1 lead by Jack and Claire from Maseno.  Shaddrack and Mishen, two Form 4 graduates accompanied us.  In time these two hope to assist their communities with the concepts of CHE (Community Health Evangelism).  They are returning to their homes this week to reconnect and do some LLL. (Look, Learn and Listen)  Pray for these two that they might someday be a blessing in their communities.

4.  Pray for our 8^th grade students who are focused on excelling and being the first to have a student’s name listed in the paper among the top 100 students in Kenya.