Website: www.agapehouseforgirls.org

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, . . . He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners . . . " ~ Isaiah 61:1



Thursday, February 24, 2011

God is Light

“God is light, and there is no darkness at all in Him.” 1 John 1:5

Prayer Requests
~ Pray for the girls to allow Him full entrance into their hearts and minds, so there will be no darkness; rather, that they be filled with His light.

~ For continued financial support of this ministry, especially at this time of year.

~ For continued healing of colds, viruses, sleep deprivation and emotional issues.

~ For a new student starting next week; that she feel a sense of hope and comfort about coming to Agape, and that the girls will welcome her with open arms.

~ For a continued to desire to learn, and love the process!

~ For amazing progress in meeting educational goals.

~ For improved communication among all staff, parents and children.

~ For continued intrinsic motivation to strive to be the best we all can be through Christ with the gifts He has showered upon us.


Praise Reports:
~ For the joy of being able to celebrate the completion of the renovation process on Sunday, March 13th, with an Open House from 1 to 5 p.m., and a program in the gym by the girls at 3 p.m. – all are invited!

~ For volunteers and the relationships being built with many of the girls.

~ For safe travel on our servant events and field trips.

~ For health being restored to some of the girls.

~ For Fran Yankee and her inspiring message of hope being a child of Holocaust survivors.

~ For an amazing time serving the homeless at Milwaukee Rescue Mission last Friday.

~ For an enlightening field trip to the Wisconsin Black Historical Foundation last Friday.

~ For the ongoing donations of all that we need, from the items on our wish list to the surprises we are blessed with!

Available for Babysitting – One of our older girls is available for babysitting in the Walworth area after school hours and weekends. Experience includes 2-month old babies up to 13 or 14 years old. Please contact Sarah directly at 262-394-5239.


Wish List:
Scholarships for girls to attend ‘Dare to Share’ youth conference; $75 per girl, need by mid-March
Red Pens
Colored Markers
Folders, inexpensive and solid colors
Cold Cereals
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Yogurt
Healthy snacks
Iron-rich foods
Butter
Mayonnaise
Shredded Cheese
Gift Cards for: Starbucks; Movie Theatre; Roller Skating; or Bowling Alley


Ways to Help at this time:
~ Volunteers to make and serve lunch on 1st Tuesday and 4th Tuesday of each month.

~ Volunteer to repair stained glass.

Bring in your Campbell’s labels and Box Tops for Education - ask family and friends to help as well.


“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.” Psalm 8:1

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Sowing and Reaping

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

Prayer Requests
~ Pray for our girls to see how others have sown so generously into their lives here at Agape, and that they will desire to do the same for others.

~ For healing physically, emotionally and spiritually, for all the girls and their families, the staff and volunteers.

~ For the girls and their families to come to Agape in the future, pray that their hearts will be softened and encouraged with hope for their future.

~ For wisdom and discernment as we reach out to the girls and their families, that we are guiding them as God would have us do.


Praise Reports:
~ For one of our past students who is now in her 2nd semester of college!

~ That one of the girls’ heart seems to be genuinely softening to God!

~ For the generosity of so many who made ‘Agape Love’ the focus of Valentine’s Day for the Agape Angels as they enjoyed a Spa Day last Friday afternoon.

~ For staff and volunteers who step up to fill in for those who have been out sick!

~ For the following poem from one of our Agape Angels:

You
You’re beautiful; people want to be like you.
You’re skinny; many thrive to achieve that goal.
Your skin is almost flawless, so many wish they were that blessed.
But you see yourself as someone ugly, and no one wants you – you’re fat, not worthy and unloved.
Your reality is distorted to a point that you almost can’t turn back.
I reach out and you’re so close to grasping my hand - but you slip and fall back into the black muck.
You faded away like a distant memory, and now it’s hard to remember you.
A picture perfect teen crushed by the harsh thoughts of this world – wounded and drowning and trying to come back.


Wish List:
Scholarships for girls to attend ‘Dare to Share’ youth conference; $75 per girl, need by mid-March
Colored Markers
Folders, inexpensive and solid colors
Iron-rich foods
Mayonnaise
Tuna Fish
Shredded Cheese
Butter
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Healthy snacks
Gift Cards for: Starbucks; Movie Theatre; Roller Skating; or Bowling Alley


Ways to Help at this time:
~ Volunteer to repair stained glass.

Bring in your Campbell’s labels and Box Tops for Education - ask family and friends to help as well.


“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice.” Psalm 32:11

Friday, February 11, 2011

Love Never Fails



Here's a picture of the completed Sanctuary; can you see God's love shining through?

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Prayer Requests
~ Pray that above all else, the Agape Angels learn the true meaning of God’s love!

~ For health to be restored to all students and staff, and that the viruses would run their course and the sniffles would be eliminated from Agape.

~ For continued progress in counseling and seeking Him in all areas of our healing and lives.

~ For all of the blessings that we don’t see yet, open our eyes to see all that He has done, is doing, and will do in our lives.

~ For faith to be strengthened.

~ For wisdom, patience and endurance.


Praise Reports:
~ For the anonymous donor and deliverer of sand for our parking lot when it was so cold that the salt did no good.

~ For all those who helped with the work day in the Sanctuary last Saturday, as well as those who put the finishing touch on everything this week.

~ For the safe travel to the Bucks game and the girls being blessed by such a treat. Thank you, Tina.

~ For special volunteers who make the time to take out individual girls and shower them with time, love and attention.

~ For volunteers and their faithfulness.

~For overnight sleepovers and the fun that accompanies them.

~ For special treats like ice cream (even in the winter time).

~For several girls making it a priority to do homework.

~ For continued healing in all areas of our lives.

~ For the completion of the renovation work and the army of volunteers willing to help to complete this final phase.

~ For the friendships being made and for that precious gift.

~ For the blessing of food for meals in the Home, as well as the meals that are prepared ahead and brought to be served for meals in the school and home.

~ For those who will be giving of themselves today for our surprise Spa Day in the new Sanctuary, and for the LOVE that God will shower upon the girls through the hands and feet of so many other people.


Wish List:
Folders, inexpensive and solid colors
Iron-rich foods
Shredded Cheese
Butter
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Healthy snacks
Gift Cards for: Starbucks; Movie Theatre; Roller Skating; or Bowling Alley


Ways to Help at this time:
~ Volunteer to repair stained glass.

Bring in your Campbell’s labels and Box Tops for Education - ask family and friends to help as well.


“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice.” Psalm 32:11

Friday, February 4, 2011

I Will Give You Rest

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28


Please join us for a work day Saturday (2/4/11) between 9 and 4 to clean and organize everything, as well as set up furniture!

Also, if you would like to donate any items to complete the kitchen, please see the ‘Special Gift’ registry at Kohl’s.


Prayer Requests
~ That we all seek the Lord for rest and trust Him with our burdens.

~ For safe driving for one of our Agape Angels who just passed her driver’s test!

~ Travel mercies for those out and about in the winter weather.

~ For all the girls of Agape who have participated in the Agape House ministry and moved on in their lives, that the seeds that were sown here are being watered.

~ For the healing process to continue with our Agape Angels and their families.

~ For good health for all the staff, volunteers, students and families.

~ For continued responsibility for their education and accountability for their actions; we are seeing many girls mature in this process.


Praise Reports:
~ For a ‘snow day’ from school, and then another ‘snow day’ for the cold weather; however, we are very appreciative of Kelly’s willingness to come in and work with the girls who live in the Home for a partial day on Thursday.

~ For all staff and volunteers who have had safe travel this past week in the storm; especially those who were in particularly difficult situations. And for those who used wisdom and discernment as to whether or not they should stay home or go to school.

~ For our weekly chapel speakers, and the message God has them share with the girls; His timing is always perfect.

~ For the joy of the Agape Angels being here to participate with other volunteers in the final cleaning of the Sanctuary as we prepare to use this space.

~ For all who are joining in with the final phase of work to be done in the Sanctuary – it is a magical time.

~ For the blessing of furnaces fixed, and safe buildings that are protective as we sit inside and hear the winds blow.

~ For the many hands and feet doing His work through the Agape House ministry.

~ For encouragement from our students in welcoming new students and families.

~ For the wisdom to press in and speak, also, when to stay silent.

~ For the gift of laughter. After several students were ill on the way to our last field trip; love, concern and compassion, amidst the smell, the difficulty, and the traffic. Praise God for a loving staff, and the patience of Job. We are His hands and feet. All the girls were witness to the spirit of love.

~ For the message of the Holocaust. Sin hurts everyone. For the willingness to hear a very difficult part of history, meet survivors and go where hurting took place. We pray that we love, not hate and hurt.


Wish List:
Plain, Inexpensive Folders – 6 of any one color, up to 3 or 4 dozen total
Yogurt
Cottage Cheese
Cream Cheese
Shredded Cheese
Butter and Margarine (tub and stick)
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Ranch Dressing
Healthy snacks
Snack Crackers
Peanut Butter
Chicken
Gift Cards for: Starbucks; Movie Theatre; Roller Skating; or Bowling Alley


Ways to Help at this time:
~ Volunteer to repair stained glass.
~ Volunteer on February 4th to help with deep cleaning and furniture assembly in the Sanctuary.

Bring in your Campbell’s labels and Box Tops for Education - ask family and friends to help as well.


“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.” Psalm 62:1