Walk Amazed with God!

Dear Friends: Thank you for continually coming alongside of us in this ministry as His hands and feet!

Praise God for:
~ 3 of our girls who have accepted Jesus into their hearts in the past few weeks!
~ all who supported this Fall’s Clothing Drive, and Cyndie Devries for coordinating this event; it was a huge success!
~ all who participated in the Great Apple Ride sponsored by Royal Oak Farm and The Bike Haven; this was also a great success!
~ all of you that joined us for our Information Night and heard about the AMAZING things God has done this past year at Agape House; those who shared their testimonies about the changes in their lives as a result of taking part in our program; and our sponsors who helped to make this evening possible:

Kunes Country
Baird
Friends Offering their Time & Talent:
Geneva National
Advance Printing
Lake Geneva Cost Cutters
Our Silent Auction Donors
Our Volunteers

Please pray for:
~ each one of our girls to know that God has brought them to Agape, and for the boys that will soon come, too.
~ for grace and compassion for each other; to be filled with God’s love and grace.
~ girls to be unified and give God praise and glory .
~ for healing for girls/families from the hurts/pain of their past.

Work Days at Home & School for Boys

Saturdays, November 3, 10 & 17
8 a.m. to 12 noon
Can you give of your time & talents?

Call 262.745.1882 if you have questions.

We are now accepting donations for our annual
Christmas Open House and Bazarr; items needed:
***Holiday décor/ornaments, crafts, gifts & baked goods***

These items can be dropped off at any time; please ask for a Donation Form at the school office to complete with the following information:
Description of Donated Item, Value of Item Donated,
Description of Item, Name (and Business, if applicable) of Donor,
Phone Number of Donor, Email of Donor, and
Mailing Address so we can send you a donation receipt/thank you.

Thank you for your consideration of this request!

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 12 – 16 YEAR OLD BOYS for the School. Contact Agape House at 262.275.6466 or via email at office@AgapeHouseHeals.org.

We hope you will enjoy reading the following topics in our Fall Newsletter :

Girls and Boys: Reaching the Promised Land by Pam Patterson, Executive Director
Another Year Brings Change by Kym Bachtell
Opening Soon: Home and School for Boys
Donor Recognition
Coming Events

Please click on this link: Fall 2018 Newsletter

OPEN TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
August 14 to 16, 2018
10 am to 4 pm
Office: 262.275.6466

Dear Friends:
Have you noticed:
~ the school supplies available in all of the stores now?
~ the shorter days with cooler mornings, and often foggy?
~ parents ready for their children to return to the structured school day?

Ahhh … the signs that the start of a new school year is around the corner. Another season of transformation is upon us!

“And all of us, as with unveiled face,
continued to behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another;
for this comes from the Lord Who is the Spirit.”
~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

We all, along with the children, continue to be transformed; what a glorious blessing!

Blessings . . .

Jan

PS: FREE FIREWOOD to anyone who is willing to help cut up fallen trees at Agape House Counseling Center; contact the office: 262.275.6466 or office@AgapeHouseHeals.org

IF YOU CAN HELP WITH DEMOLITION/RENOVATION PROJECTS, such as: Installing Siding, Painting, Building Walls and Demo, join us any of these days:

Saturday, August 18, 2018,
Saturday, August 25, 2018, OR
Saturday, September 1, 2018,

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
please contact us at 262.275.6466 or office@AgapeHouseHeals.org
And meet us at 119 Phillips Avenue, Walworth

Prayers and Praises:

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

~ Continued unity for our staff and school.

~ A solid foundation to come together for the staff of the Home and School for Boys.

~ The upcoming students and their families as they prepare for this life changing year!

PRAISE GOD FOR:

~ Current training for staff and volunteers to prepare for this upcoming school year.

~ All house staff returning after a summer break, preparing to love on our girls.

~ A wedding in our midst; happy blessings for a special Agape couple!!!

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
~ Luke 1:37

LOOK WHAT’S NEW!!!
Lakeshore Estate Resale is a local charity that has been created to support local causes. They will accept “gently used” donations for resale, and all net proceeds from the sale of items you donate will be sent to the charity of your choice.
Simply designate Agape House and your donation will benefit this ministry. And you can shop for yourself here, too!

Phone: 262.325.5459; Open weekends only;
Located at 80 N. Walworth Street, Williams Bay, WI

Dear Friends:

“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.”
~ Matthew 6:9-10

It has always been our prayer at Agape House to do God’s will, in all that we do at Agape House. This week I am happy to say that His will for us to open a boys’ home and school is coming to fruition!

A few weeks ago, we spoke about ‘Something new. It is coming!’ And now here we are . . . something new, but really something old because we began this process 4 years ago when someone offered us a home in Elkhorn that seemed like the perfect set up for a boys home and school. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right place or the right timing.

Move forward to 2018, and we see that God had another plan! Full Gospel Church recently donated their 119 Phillips Avenue church building in Walworth to us, and we are now officially planning to open a boys home and school – praise God!

The next step in this process is to do a little bit of demolition so we can begin some painting, building of walls for office space, install new flooring, etc.

IF YOU CAN HELP WITH DEMOLITION WORK
Saturday, July 28, 2018
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Please contact us at 262.275.6466 or office@AgapeHouseHeals.org
And meet us at 119 Phillips Avenue, Walworth

Watch for more details to follow as we get this project up and running.

Blessings . . .

Jan

Prayers and Praises:

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

~ The families that are considering Agape for their child for the 2018-19 school year; may they be filled with peace and hope about their decisions. We are now saying child instead of daughter, as we may be able to open the school for boys yet this Fall! Please pray for God’s will be done with regard to when we open the boys school.

~ Our returning girls to be strengthened in all that they have learned in the past year about who they are in Christ, and that they are walking in that knowledge over the Summer as they are given opportunities to mend relationships and let His healing be evident in their lives.

~ His blessings to pour forth for our staff and their families over the Summer months, as the need for His presence, comfort and strength is great in many ways; pray also for these families to walk faithfully trusting our awesome God!

PRAISE GOD FOR:

~ The generosity of the congregation of Full Gospel Church, and their hearts’ desire to support and encourage Agape House in this new venture of opening a home and school for boys; together we can all make a difference, one child at a time!

~ Those who will jump on board to help with the demolition and renovation of the building for the boys home and school, and the hope of offering these services to young men, as well as young girls!

~ The prospective staff and volunteers God has already provided to begin this ‘New Thing’.

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
~ Luke 1:37

Upcoming Event Supporting Agape House –
Mark Your Calendars for Saturday, October 13th

Summer Office Hours: CLOSED THURSDAY, 6/28/18

Dear Friends:

“Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”  ~ Isaiah 43:19

Something new. It is coming! Do you see it? Or are you not even looking?

With summer officially here, time will be enjoyed by all with vacations, summer camps, beach days, picnics and catching up with old friends. It is full. I admit to being caught up in the daily grind and all the fun to be had while doing so. I don’t always quiet myself to take the time to look at what’s to come. Then, when the new arrives and hits me square in the eyes, I question where that came from! But the truth is, God is always speaking to us, revealing Himself to us and showing us glimpses of what He has on the horizon for us. With our busy lives, do we make time to allow the new? I recently heard a bold statement that is still stepping on my toes ….. “If you are too busy, you are wasting God’s time”. That’s right: God’s time; not mine!

Something new is coming. Do you see it? Are you using His time wisely?

Blessings . . .

Kym

Praises for:

All the staff and volunteers who have made end of year clean-up and organizing for the upcoming year happen!

The girls who are able to re-unify with their families for the summer break

A time of reflection and refreshing for our house staff as they take the summer off.

Prayers for:

A new lead teacher for the School

Staff retreat: For the staff to unify, vision cast and pray over the upcoming school year’s needs

The families that are considering Agape for their daughter for the 2018-19 school year.

Summer Office Hours

We will do our best to be here these hours, but it might be a good idea to call before coming . . . sometimes I am the only one here, and I get called away on another task. Thank you!

Tuesday to Thursday
10 am to 4 pm
Office: 262.275.6466

Dear Friends:
Connect . . What do you think of when I say this word?

A few months ago, some of us at Agape House attended a movie by Kirk Cameron called ‘Connect’. It was very insightful as to what is going on in our world with regard to the use of social media, cell phones, etc. It’s too bad it was only available to see for a very short period of time because this is one of those movies I think everyone should watch.

Ultimately, they revealed that there are 5 lies people are believing in our fast-paced society as a result of social media, cell phones, etc.:
#1: I am the center of the universe.
#2: I deserve to be happy all the time.
#3: I must have choices.
#4: I am my own authority.
#5: I don’t need teachers/mentors; information is all that matters.

WOW! Is this really the message we want our society to believe, especially our young people? I don’t know about you, but when my phone beeps, dings, rings or sings to me, there is a reaction in my head! It makes me think there is something important that I must deal with on that phone! And, if I allow that thought process to go one step further, it can make me feel important, needed, or special; not to mention the fact that it can be a distraction from dealing with what is really going on in my life.

They went on in the movie to reveal the truths about the lies stated above.
#1: GOD IS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE.
#2: WE CAN HAVE JOY IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES THROUGH GOD.
#3: CHOICE IS A PRIVILEGE; BE THANKFUL!
#4: GOD IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY.
#5: SEEK GOD FOR WISDOM.

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8:31-32

If we can focus on this basic truth as closely as we hold on to our cell phones, we will find ourselves in a much better place in this world. I pray that together we can convey this truth to the world

Blessings . . .
Jan

Prayers and Praises:

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

~ people to be able to set aside their phones, and have face-to-face conversations with family and friends.

~ all of us to recognize the truth about what is happening in our society today, and to do our part to redirect everyone His truth.

~ God’s healing for all those who have been hurt/bullied/abused through social media, and change in how we use these modern day tools.

PRAISE GOD FOR:

~ His truth that sets us free, as we cling to it and share it with others/

~ volunteers who have been helping with painting projects at Agape this past week as we freshen things up!

~ hope and healing in a hurting world.

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
~ Luke 1:37

LOOK WHAT’S NEW!!!
Lakeshore Estate Resale is a local charity that has been created to support local causes. They will accept “gently used” donations for resale, and all net proceeds from the sale of items you donate will be sent to the charity of your choice.
Simply designate Agape House and your donation will benefit this ministry. And you can shop for yourself here, too!

Phone: 262.325.5459; Open weekends only;
Located at 80 N. Walworth Street, Williams Bay, WI

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you

and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Isn’t this a great promise from God? With graduations going on everywhere, it is a good time to encourage our young people with this hope-filled message from God! Our graduation/recognition ceremony last week was a blessing as we had 3 young ladies receive their high school diplomas, and another one graduate from 8th grade!

This is no small accomplishment for our Agape Angels, as they have much more to accomplish during their time at Agape House than simply a high school diploma. And this is where the ‘hope and a future’ looks dramatically different because most of our girls would not have completed high school if they hadn’t come to Agape House, seeking to overcome the affects of trauma in their life, in one form or another.

Ultimately, the goal is that they come to know who they are in Christ so that they can walk out their days after leaving this program continuing to grow and change as God shapes and molds each one of them.

Blessings . . .
Jan

Prayers and Praises:

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

~ All of our graduates across the nation who are moving on to the next season in their lives, pray that they know who God is and that they are seeking to know God’s plans for them!

~ The girls as they have longer weekends with their families/respite care for the next few weeks, that they will recognize what they have accomplished in the past year, and see God working in their lives..

~ The plans God has for this ministry as we continue to follow the path He leads us on!

PRAISE GOD FOR:

~ Recognition given at our graduation last week for goals reached by our Agape Angels, and what they realized has been important to them at Agape House this past year. We give God praise for all of you who have been a part of making a difference in their lives, and hope you enjoy these thoughts:

Agape made a difference in my life by:
Loving me more than anyone ever has.
Helping my family grow closer with God and blessing us.
Showing me how valued I am and how worth it I am.

At Agape….
I made a lot of friends
I got a lot of help on my schoolwork and I learned about God’s love.
I learned there are seasons for everything and you will get through them.
I have gotten so much help and support and feel loved and cared about.
I have learned to be patient, to forgive and to love.
Set goals and accomplished them. I learned how awesome life can be.
I am learning to be a more godly woman.
I learned to have patience.
I am learning so much about myself
I am learning to trust God.

I no longer:
Feel alone
Self-harm
Down talk myself

I’d just like to say:
Thank you for blessing my family and me with your kindness and support.
You have helped me walk close with God and have brought my family together.

~ Volunteers from Brooklife Church who donated their time this past weekend to participate in a ‘Work Day’ at Agape House! The tasks they completed were many, and their service is greatly appreciated.

~ Hope and a future . . . such reassuring promises!

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
~ Luke 1:37

Have you checked out the newest shop in Williams Bay yet? Lakeshore Estate Resale is a local charity that has been created to support local causes. They will accept “gently used” donations for resale, and all net proceeds from the sale of items you donate will be sent to the charity of your choice. Simply designate Agape House and your donation will benefit this ministry. Be sure to do some shopping for yourself!

You are invited to join us for our
Graduation / Recognition Ceremony
Thursday, May 24, 2018 – 6:30 p.m. in the MPR

No RSVP Required; Light refreshments will be served afterwards!

Dear Friends:

We stand back swallowed in life’s chaos that stirs around us, and miss the moments that matter as it all passes by. The chaos isn’t always bad, but it is distracting. So we watch and pray and wait and do. We do what we know how to do in our own strength.

But God asks us rest in Him. He is the One who stands in the calm of chaos and directs our steps. In Him, His glory is revealed in us. In Him, we are able to be powerful. In Him, we accomplish more than we might ask our even think. In Him, we have watched these beautiful daughters of His do all that and abundantly more this year. In the midst of the daily chaos, our vantage point has been limited. But, in reflection of this past year, His abundance is obvious!

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,
to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” ~ Ephesians 3:20

Blessings . . .
Kym & Jan

Prayers and Praises:

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

~ Peace during this season of transition.

~ Respite providers for the families and girls in need.

~ Discernment for upcoming opportunities within Agape House’s ministry.

PRAISE GOD FOR:

~ Girls who are crossing the finish line stronger than any of us imagined possible!

~ Stronger family connections and bonding as the girls prepare for reunification for the summer months!

~ Mentors who are so creative with the time they invest in their relationship with their mentee!
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
You have set Your glory above the heavens.”  ~ Psalm 8:1

LOOK WHAT’S NEW!!!

Lakeshore Estate Resale is a local charity that has been created to support local causes. They will accept “gently used” donations for resale, and all net proceeds from the sale of items you donate will be sent to the charity of your choice. Simply designate Agape House and your donation will benefit this ministry. And, you can also go shopping here, too!                                                                    Located at 80 N. Walworth Street, Williams Bay, WI