Dear Friends:

We’ve come to the end of another year. Did you accomplish what you set out to do this year? Or are you going to repeat the same resolution for 2018? What if you give something back to God?

I feel closer to God this year because I trusted in Him with all my heart (most days), to lead me and guide me through my day without having to hurry and scurry through to get everything done on my ‘to-do list’! I learned to live in the moment, with less stress. It is a very peaceful way to go through life, and I like it!!!

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests
be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
~ Philippians 4:6-7

What would you like to give back to God in 2018? This is the question Pam asks every year of our staff and our girls. As the girls took turns opening their Christmas gifts, they had the following responses to this question:
TIME
LOVE
MYSELF
COURAGE
MORE TRUST
MY STRUGGLES
MORE WAYS TO SERVE
TALENTS & RESOURCES
CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

I pray that you find peace in your life with whatever it is you might choose to give back to God.

“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!”  ~ Philippians 4:4-7

Blessings . . .

Jan

Prayer Requests:
~ for the girls to recognize they are almost half-way through the school year, and that they desire to actively seek the healing that is waiting for them, in the next few months.

~ for one of our girls who has left the program; please pray for a hedge of protection around her, and that she will remember what she has learned here and will come to faith in Christ.

~ for the girls who have not accepted Jesus Christ yet as their Lord and Savior, that their hearts are moved to desire all that He has to offer!

Praise Reports:
~ for all that the girls are willing to have a closer relationship with God.

~ for the love of God the girls felt with all of the special Christmas gifts they received!

~ for new Christmas memories created for the girls as they participated in our school Christmas party.

Wish List:

File Cabinets

Please see list on last post for all other items.

Merry Christmas Friends:

How to sum up this year, never mind the past 20 in one short letter, other than to say God is good and He is faithful. Agape House celebrated its 20th anniversary this past November by sharing a 3-part video about how awesome our God is, that He is faithful to break the chains and set the captives free! (Note: This 3-part series can be viewed our website under ‘What We Do; Our History’).

This year we are ministering God’s hope and healing by sharing the love of Jesus to 17 girls and their families. Both our Teen Home and Transitional Living Home are full, and we continue to get telephone calls asking for help. It reminds me of Mary and Joseph looking for a place to rest their head and give birth to our Savior, but all the inns were full. Until one man said they could use his stable – he offered what he had and the Son of God came to earth to give us the greatest gift of all, His love, all the way to the cross.

This Christmas season as you may be looking for the perfect gift, remember the greatest gift is love; our love and God’s love. Love transforms lives, heals broken hearts and sets captives free. We don’t need more stuff, we need more Jesus because He alone is the greatest gift of all.

Thank you for your love and support and for helping us share the love of Jesus with these girls and families. Thank you for being like the inn keeper offering your gifts, talents and resources to make a difference.

Praying Jesus’ love fills your hearts and home this Christmas.

With all His Love,
Pam Patterson

WISH LIST:
Box Tops for Education: This school year, our goal is to earn $1,000! Clipping Box Tops is an easy way to help earn cash for our school. Each one is worth 10¢ for our school! Just look for the pink Box Tops on hundreds of products. All you have to do is clip them and drop them in one of the collection jars located at the Home, School, Counseling Center and Transitional Home. Or if you live out of town just save them up for a couple months and mail to the school. That money will be used to pay for art, music and computers for the school as those items are not in the regular budget. A list of participating products can be found at www.boxtops4education.com/earn/participating-products

We could win 10,000 boxtops (that’s a $1,000) for Agape just by signing up on BoxTops4Education.com, selecting Agape House to support, and then clicking the sweepstakes link below to be registered. Each registered email address can submit an entry form once/day during the month of December. PLEASE consider registering (you get cool coupons for products too). Details and links are below. Please share with all Agape supporters and staff!

First: Sign up to be a member of BoxTops4Education.com to enter and designate Agape School to support during the Sweepstakes Period by going to: http://www.boxtops4education.com (membership is free)

Second: To enter online sweepstakes, go to:
http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/sweepstakes/2017/lysol-holiday-cheer
to complete and submit the online Sweepstakes entry form during the sweepstakes period (begins December 1, 2017 and ends December 29, 2017 (“Sweepstakes Period”).

Thank you cards
Stamps
Extra large band-aides, Cough Drops, Dayquil, Nyquil, Robitussin, Sudafed, Benadryl, Neosporin, hydrocortisone cream
Kitchen Cabinets for the MPR Kitchen (if you are renovating your kitchen, would you consider donating your old cabinets?)
Computer (up to 2 years old – does not need to be new) for use in the Home

Santa Cause is in Town!

Join us at the 2nd Annual Santa Cause and the “12 Charities of Christmas Tree Festival” at the winter harbor in the wooden boat center at Gage Marine/Pier 290 (1 Liechty Drive, Williams Bay! Charities create a themed winter wonderland by decorating a Christmas tree surrounded with marvelous prizes. Visitors stroll through the beautifully decorated trees and can purchase raffle tickets to enter into any of the “Twelve Charities of Christmas” raffle boxes. Raffle tickets are $1 each (110 for $100). Don’t miss the chance to win many amazing prizes!

Agape House’s themed tree is “Tropical Paradise Getaway” with a Grand Prize of a one-week trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, including round trip air fare for 2 and $500 spending cash. 100% of the “Tree Festival” proceeds will be divided among the 12 charities accordingly.
So help us fill our box for your chance to win our Grand Prize “Tropical Paradise Getaway” package or any of these additional generous prizes: Tiki Bar with Barstools & more; Bar Cart; Abbey Resort Spa Package for 6 Adults; “Pie a Month” for 12 months; Beach Adirondack chair & more; Kayak; Dinner for 2 at Cafe Calamari; Frontier Flowers of Fontana $100 Gift Certificate; Medussa Grill & Bistro $100 Gift Certificate; and Lake Geneva Canopy Zip Line Tour for 2 & Gino’s East $50 Gift Certificate.

View the trees:
Mon-Fri from 4pm-9pm
Sat-Sun from 12pm-9pm beginning Nov. 24 through Dec. 30!

Visit santacauses.org for details!
COUNSELING SERVICES IN MUKWONAGO

Contact Carol Hayes, B.A, Christian Counselor
262.894.7397 (text/voicemail)

Did you know you can support Agape House for Girls just by shopping Amazon for your holiday gift giving needs? Many of you shop Amazon weekly and don’t even realize that we are part of Amazon’s amazing give back program, Amazon Smile!

All you have to do is shop http://smile.amazon.com, choose Agape House, Inc. and every purchase you make, Amazon donates money to our mission! You can give year ’round just by shopping! So easy!!

Dear Friends:

Break every chain – let us always reach for this goal!

God is so good . . . we had an amazing celebration last Thursday evening at Geneva National as we celebrated all that God has done at Agape House in the past 20 years!!! The beautiful room filled with almost 300 people, the delicious food, the awesome testimonies, and many fabulous items for the silent auction were all memorable. Today we want to give a shout out to all of our friends who donated those items for our silent auction; we hope you all enjoy your gifts!
Agape Girls – Homemade pies
Astaland II, LLC- Colorado Condo for 1 week
Brahm – Starbucks Basket
Brosel – Gromme & Redlin Paintings
Bruno’s Liquors – Rum & Kahlua Kits
Buckau – Mountain Bike
Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn – Gift Certificate
Coffee Mill – Basket of Coffee
Cost Cutters – Supplies & Gift Certificates for Haircuts
DeVries – Photography Sitting
Ebbner – 1950’s Lazy Susan, Teapots and Purses
Egg Harbor Cafe – Gift Certificate
Evergreen Country Club – Comedy Dinner Show Gift Certificate
Excel Chiropractic & Wellness – Health & Wellness Basket
Fontana Jewelry – Silver Necklace
French Country Inn – Gift Certificate
Frese – Prepared Dinners for 4 for 1 week
Friends On The Square – Coffee Mug &Gift Certificate
Gallagher – Jewelry Holder w/Jewelry
Geneva Family Dentistry – Sonicare Toothbrush & Teeth Whitening
Geneva Inn – Gift Certificate
Geneva Lakes YMCA – One-Month Family Membership
Geneva National Golf Club – Golf Package for 4
Gordy’s Boat House – Gift Certificate
Hilbelink – Handmade French Rolling Pins, Wooden Bowl & Pens
Kruizenga – Don Bird Collectibles & Dual Lumbar Support Pads
Lofy – Pure Joy Gift Basket & Custom Signs
Louise – Salon Chair by Baker Furniture
Maclay – Michael Jordan 1982 NCAA Picture
McQueen – Gift Certificate for Therapeutic Get Away
Mueller – Basket of Health & Wellness and 10 Prepared Meals
Nelson – Fire Pit, Candy & Coffee Gift Baskets
Oakfire – Gift Certificate
Patterson – Permatex Products for Auto
Pearce – Massage Therapy Gift Certificate
Pialoo – L’Bri Gift Basket
Rea – Willow Tree Carvings, Hand Woven Rug, Wooden Signs & Baby Frame
Royal Oak Farm Orchard – Gift Certificate for Bushel of Apples
Sammy’s On The Square – Gift Certificate
Stair – Power Washer and Thieves Basket/Gift Certificate
Staller Estate – Private Wine Tasting for 8
Stillwater Coffee Company – Candle, Gift Card & Espresso Beans
Subway – Gift Certificate for 3′ Giant Sub Sandwich
Sweet Aroma Ristorante – Gift Certificate
The Ridge Hotel – Gift Certificate
The Sower’s House – Stain Glass Window
Thelen Bros. – Lawn Maintenance

And another big thank you to the
following Sponsors for this event:

Termax, Baird & Kunes Country Auto Group

Please Pray:
~ for our Agape Angels to resonate with the testimonies they heard last Thursday evening, and be filled with hope for their future!

~ for our new girls at Agape: Farica, Melissa, Grace and Kira, that they are adjusting to their new environment, beginning to trust the staff and volunteers who are here to help them find their way, and seeing God’s love pour forth in the miraculous ways that He always shows up.

~ for all of our staff as we continue to minister to the girls and their families, pray that we are being led by the Spirit for all decisions that we make for/with them.

Dear Friends:

I heard the girls laughing in the classroom yesterday; it was like music to my ears! So I figured a verse about laughter would be appropriate. I searched under ‘laugh’ at biblegateway.com and the first verse that came up was this:

“. . . a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance . . . ”
~ Ecclessiastes 3:4

I’m sure you would all agree with me that this is exactly how we are able to express our lives. It’s a good mixture of emotions, and we hope that the love from our God is all part of the mix.

Please Pray:
~ for those who are weeping and mourning, that they will find time to laugh and dance as well, and see God’s faithfulness.

~ for our 20th Anniversary Celebration next Thursday; the excitement is building as we finalize the details of the event. We know that God is good, and are looking forward to this celebration!

~ for the new girls starting out at Agape; we have had a flood of requests and are filling up quickly. Pray for them to feel safe and comfortable here, to feel God’s love and to be ready to seek His healing.

Praise God:
~ for the joy of seeing prayers answered for Bob Milliman; he is gaining strength daily; please continue to pray for him to be patient with the healing process.

~ for the beautiful colors of Fall we have experienced this past week; what a beautiful season to dance in the leaves!

~ for the joy of the girls supporting and encouraging each other!

We are so excited to celebrate all that God has been doing at Agape House for the past 20 years, and looking forward to seeing all of you who will be attending our Information Night on November 2nd. We have a special video to present that “Tells the Story” of Agape House!

We’d also like to thank the following Sponsors for this event –

Termax, Kunes Country Auto Group & Baird

your support is greatly appreciated!

If you want to attend and haven’t registered yet, see the information below – do not delay . . . we’ll accept new reservations until Monday morning!
And don’t forget about our Silent Auction;
see the list below of some of the fabulous items that will be available for Bidding, which will end at 6:30 p.m.

Here’s a ‘Sneak Peak’ at some of the
Silent Auction Items Available to Bid On:

French Rolling Pins & Homemade Pies by Agape Angels
Condo in Steamboat Springs, CO – 1 Week Stay
Certificates for 1 Night Stays at:
– French Country Inn,
– The Ridge &
– Geneva Inn
Comedy Dinner Show at Evergreen Country Club (for 11/18/17)
Designer Upholstered Salon Chair By Baker Furniture
Golf Package for 4 at Geneva National
Young Living Essential Oils Basket
L’Bri Basket
Starbucks Basket
Healthy Self Basket
Gift Certificates for Restaurants & Coffee Shops, i.e.,
– Egg Harbor Cafe,
– Oak Fire Grill,
– Gordy’s,
– Chucks &
– Sweet Aroma
Stained Glass Window
Framed Terry Redlin Photo
Purses from Coach & Vera Wang
Pressure Washer
Mountain Bike
And much more . . .

NOTE: Bidding will end at 6:30 p.m., so come early to fellowship and have some fun!

Blessings . . .

Jan

MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT!
Are you thinking about having photos taken for Christmas gifts?
You can support Agape House and get your photos done all at the same time with Cyndie Lee Photography at our Counseling Center in Walworth on November 11th.
Click on this link to see more details: Cyndie Lee Photo Sessions

Dear Friends:

“And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in Him.” ~ 1 John 4:16

Being assured of God’s love sets us free to enjoy the numerous expressions of love He showers up on us each day. God loves us because His nature is love, not because we deserve His love. If we accept God’s love we will be able to return love to God as well as to others. If we cannot accept the truth that God loves us, we will be limited on how we can relate to Him. Without a clear understanding and acceptance of God’s love, we will be disoriented to Him and what He wants to do in our lives.

Please Pray:
~ for our girls and their families to deeply know God’s unconditional love for each one of them so that they might experience the peace and joy, and so much more, that God has waiting for them to experience!

Praise God:
~ for the donation of a whole hog, already processed for us, from the sale at Walworth County Fair. Thank you Plasticraft!

Blessings . . .

Jan

Dear Friends:

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God.” ~ 1 John 3:1a

What a beautiful Scripture for the girls to learn about this week as they begin a new school year! We have 10 girls in our program, including the girls in the TLH. We are happy to say that 8 of those girls are returning for a second year of program. Our experience has been that it takes at least 2 years for the girls to truly grasp how much God loves and cares for us, and to recognize that He cares so much about the healing each one of us need.

Our plans for a Jr. High Home are back ‘in-process’ again; the first plan of action did not work out. We are seeking His direction once again, and are praying for His guidance. Sometimes we don’t hear clearly, but it is good to know that God can close the door for us if we take a wrong turn.

Please Pray:
~ for our girls to recognize the incredible quality of love that God has given and shown us, that we should be named and called and counted as his children.

~ for our girls to be able to focus on their school work; some girls struggle with this more than others.

~ for wisdom and discernment about the direction to go for our Jr. High Girls Home.

~ for the girls who did not return to the program, that they remember what they did learn in their time at Agape, and that His love guides them as they go forward in their lives.

Praise God:
~ for the girls who returned to our program this year, as well as the new girls who started this week; they started the week out feeling comfortable, committed and ready to work on their goals!

~ for a new look on our windows in the classrooms, thanks to Sandy Heinitz – curtains that add a lovely touch to the decor’!

~ for Tina Dillman who does all of our bulletin boards.

~ for JC Plumbing and the awesome job they did with the installation of our new HVAC system. It was no easy task to install the vents in the Sanctuary, as you can see in the picture below!

~ for Walworth Elementary School taking care of the removal of this huge, overgrown bush that was loaded with bees – it was a hazard for the children on their playground.

Blessings . . .
Jan

YOU ARE INVITED

One child at a time, we are all making a difference in the lives of the girls who come to Agape House as they break chains . . .

Plans are in the works for a
CELEBRATION
of all that God has been doing
at Agape House in the past
20 YEARS
on Thursday, November 2nd!
We hope you will ‘Save The Date’.

***To reserve a place at this time***
call 262.275.6466 or
email: office@AgapeHouseHeals.org.

Watch for more details to
come your way at a later date.

WISH LIST:
Freezer for our pantry (about 28″ wide by 60″ high)
Kitchen Cabinets for the MPR Kitchen (if you are renovating your kitchen, would you consider donating your old cabinets?)
Art Supplies, as follows: markers, colored pencils, oil pastels, acrylic paints, variety of sizes of paint brushes, variety of sizes of canvases, air-dry clay, glue sticks, Elmers glue, mod podge, fabric scissors, needles and thread, water-color paper
Bean Bag Chairs for the Home (up to 6); the girls love sitting on these in the dorm and/or home area
Computer (up to 2 years old – does not need to be new) for use in the Home

NEED:
Use of a small BACKHOE to repair our sewer line; please contact Jan at 262.275.6466 if you are able to help.