Please vote for Agape!

Hello all!!  We are home safe and sound.  Yesterday we reminisced while unpacking, and it's amazing the lessons God is already teaching us.  I am looking very forward to putting together a rather lengthy blog to describe some of those invaluable lessons to all.

http://givingoflife.com/profile/agape-childrens-ministry/

Right now, if you have time, will you take a minute to click on this link above and vote for this vital ministry?  You do not have to sign up to do so.  Your vote will be counted whether you sign up or not.  It's an organization giving a $10,000 grant to one deserving ministry within the top 5 of each category.  Please check out the website!  Thank you!!

Here are just a few ways that the money will be used.  Each of the missionaries at Agape are well-loved by their home churches and supporters.  Some months giving is lower, but they will each tell you that God has richly provided for their ministry and their families.  Jonathan and I have been given the unique perspective by seeing this ministry first hand.  We understand things about nonprofit and raising support that we never understood before.  Agape is entirely dependent upon the Lord.  In fact, I may be stepping out of line here to explain all of this budget information, but I so badly want people to understand the needs on campus.  God will provide for their needs, and quite honestly, I believe He's give you and me the privilege to be a part of it.

1.  The boys need Kenyan curriculum to teach them to read English.  Tammy and I spent quite a bit of time looking over different reading curriculum from several publishers.  Most of the boys at Agape speak three or more languages.  They were being taught to read English from an American perspective.  I could list several technical reasons why this is very difficult and sets the kids up for failure, but I will put it to you plainly.  Would you want your child to be taught to read English in kindergarten from a Kenyan perspective with different pronunciations of the sound "i" in "kite"?  No!  And that is a very small for instance.  Just this week, a new curriculum is being introduced in the classrooms at Agape.  This will give these boys a huge advantage.  

Once they are reintegrated into their homes, the boys will attend the schools in their villages in the rural area.  Let's don't stop at just feeding and clothing them.  Teaching them to read in a competitive way will help them clothe and feed themselves and their families in the future.

2.  The boys need character curriculum that relates to their everyday realities.  Jonathan and I sat in on an Agape meeting outlining this dynamic devotional program for the boys where the houseparents lead them in a biblical lesson each evening.  Eric and Lisa Kjeldgaard are developing object lessons, memory verses, games and activities to reinforce the biblical character lesson.  That all sounds great, right?!  The problem is the general fund.  There is not enough money to make copies of the character lessons for each of the boys. 

3.  There are many mouths to feed on the Agape campus.  The last figure I remember is that the average cost of one meal is 15 shillings.  That's about 20 cents per meal per person.  The cost of food is not cheap in Kenya, but their funds are used wisely.  They are great stewards of their finances!

4.  Among other costs that I am not aware of, because we were only there for short time, the boys are in constant need of clothes, shoes, uniforms, and medical treatment. There are teachers' salaries to be paid as well as houseparents, a resident nurse, cook staff, office staff, and general overhead/maintenance.  

Okay, that's enough talking about money.  It is great to look at pictures and watch our family minister, but I don't think it's fair for me to show you all of the fun we had without letting you know that there is a huge need at Agape.  You may not be able to contribute to the general fund.  You may not be able to sponsor a bed at Agape for $200 a month (you'll hear more about that soon...bet you can't wait :).  You may not be able to donate at this time, but please take a moment to vote for this vital ministry!  You won't be sorry you did.  We know that blessings come in much richer, fulfilling forms than finances, but I am praying that God blesses Agape's general fund abundantly!!  I will keep you posted if they are awarded the grant.  We know it's in God's hands.