Matthew 18:15 - 17

Praise Reports:
~ Praise for the wisdom of the girls in the Teen Home to follow Matthew 18:15-17: "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” ~ Praise that one of the girls has moved back home (but still attending Agape School). She will be missed in the Teen Home!
~ Praise for mature women of faith that serve tirelessly to bring hope to hurting girls – our faithful volunteers and staff are awesome!


Prayer Requests:
~ Pray that the girls continue to strive to take responsibility for their education.
~ Pray that the girls continue to help themselves by being accountable for their actions.
~ Pray for peace and understanding as the girls work through some very difficult situations.

Wish List:
• Napkins

• Paper Plates

• Toilet Paper

• Spaghetti Sauce

• Chicken
Food items rich in iron, as several of the girls need more iron in their diets:

• Sesame Seeds
• Apricots
• Almonds
• Bran Flakes
• Special K Cereal
• Licorice
• Cashews
• Dried Figs
• Red Kidney Beans

Renovation Update:
~ Praise God, for all the volunteers working on the renovation this month! Please pray for the work to continue through to completion, and for us to have patience until it is complete! (See the December 31st post for the last picture).

The Truth will Set You Free . . .

Praise Reports:
Praise for a sincere apology made by one of the girls; and a huge effort made on behalf of a student to realize and ask for forgiveness – it’s so healing!
~ Praise for a student who tested on 3 PACEs, and conquered a Math fear!
~ Praise for our faithful volunteers as we complete first semester this school year!
~ Praise for the volunteers from Johnson Bank who gave up their day off on Martin Luther King Day to be at Agape for a variety of tasks, including tutoring the girls – helping hands make light the work!
~ Praise for the donation of calculators!
~ Praise for the donation of ½ pig for our meals; someone made the donation to Sorg’s, who in turn donated it to Agape House!
~ Praise for all of our supporters who continue to pray for Agape House and School, and provide all that we need, from the toilet paper, to computer equipment, to office supplies, to food and lunch donations, etc.!

Renovation Update:
~ The wood flooring has been installed, and the painting has been started – praise God!


Prayer Requests:
~ Pray that the girls remember that “the truth will set you free” – John 8:32
~ Pray for the staff to continue to work as a team; and the girls to stay focused on the task at hand in school.
~ Pray for all of the girls who have come to Agape House and School over the years, that the seeds planted are being sown.
~ Pray for all the needs of our faithful staff and volunteers to be met.
~ Pray for the financial support to purchase the commercial-grade appliances needed for the kitchen renovation.
~ Pray for the ministry needs to be met as we continue to reach out and serve the community.
~ Pray that the girls are remembering their goals for the new year.

Poem - Anonymous

It's a new year
a new start.
So tell me then,
why am I falling apart?

I came back here,
with a new attitude.
How is it that
this life is still screwed?

I'm wanting to go home,
and I'll deal with my fears.
Fighting is never fun
and it always ends in tears.

But quote me if need be,
quote me if you must.
But I'm heading home
freedom or bust.

Wish List:
Food items rich in iron, as several of the girls need more iron in their diets:
• Sesame Seeds
• Apricots
• Almonds
• Bran Flakes
• Special K Cereal
• Licorice
• Cashews
• Dried Figs
• Red Kidney Beans


Have a blessed week!

Serve One Another in Love . . .

Galatians 5:13


Praise Reports:
~ Some of the girls are delving into God’s word as their coping mechanism!
~ Praise for the girls who are beginning to take responsibility for their education!
~ Praise for our faithful staff, their love, their encouragement and their servant hearts!
~ Praise for the new volunteers who m God has provided for us!
~ Praise for our faithful volunteers, including those who provide lunch!
~ Praise for the ongoing renovation work in the Sanctuary; painting should begin soon!


Prayer Requests:
~ Pray for healing for Hailey Burger, who is in Africa and recently became ill.
~ Pray for healing for Arin, one of our students, who sprained her ankle today.
~ Pray for strength, wisdom, discernment and blessings for each staff member/volunteer and their families.
~ Pray for continued good health for the students, volunteers, staff and their families.
~ Pray for discernment in dealing with each student’s individual issues, and the grace to help and shower love upon each and every one.
~ Pray for the completion of the living quarters in the Sanctuary.
~ Pray for ongoing financial support as this ministry continues to grow and serve the community.
~ Pray that the girls all come to know that “In freedom Christ has made us free;” and that they should “stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
~ Please also pray that the girls “walk and live in the Holy Spirit, being responsive to and led by the Spirit in every situation so that they will not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16


Needs:
~ Calculators (5 or 6) that simply do addition, subtraction, multiplication and division


Wish List:
Food items rich in iron, as several of the girls need more iron in their diets:
• Sesame Seeds
• Apricots
• Almonds
• Bran Flakes
• Special K Cereal
• Licorice
• Cashews
• Dried Figs
• Red Kidney Beans


Renovation Needs/Update:
~ The renovation project is moving along, and the installation of the flooring will begin next week. We are so grateful for all of you who have responded so beautifully to our appeal letter /‘Wish List’ with generous donations! To review this letter, go to our website (www.agapehouseforgirls.org); click on the ‘Help This Ministry’ tab, and you will see a link for the letter.

Let the Light Continue to Shine . . .

As we begin a new year, may the joy of our Savior’s birth remain in your heart each day to refresh your delight in Him, to be the light that shines into the lives of others.

Praise Reports:
~ As a follow up to last week’s blog, there were more girls who returned from Christmas break having successfully used their coping skills, and continuing to press in to God!
~ We have received a donation of a half of beef – what a blessing!
~ We have a volunteer working on the renovation project for the entire month of January!
~ We had a work crew here one day this week to assist with the renovation work, as well as some organizational needs!


Prayer Requests:
~ Pray that we are all willing to make changes in our behaviors, through the grace of God, to be more like Him in all that we do.
~ Pray for good health and well being for the students, volunteers, staff and their families.
~ Pray for the renovation work to continue to the completion that honors God in His timing.
~ Pray for continued financial support for all areas of the ministry.
~ Pray that the girls know God’s love, and pray for His wisdom and discernment always.

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3


Ways you can help:
We are in need of volunteers to:
• Tutor a couple of hours a week at school
• Lead worship with the girls in the Home on Wednesday evening


Renovation Needs/Update:
~ What would you like for Christmas? Praise God for all of you who have responded so beautifully to our appeal letter /‘Wish List’ with generous donations! As the kitchen moves towards completion, we are still praying for the commercial-grade appliances required by code. To review this letter, go to our website (www.agapehouseforgirls.org); click on the ‘Help This Ministry’ tab, and you will see a link for the letter.

We thank God for your continued faithfulness and devotion to Him in your ministry and life.