Blog | Agape House Heals

They Will Run and Not Grow Weary

Click here to check out our latest Prayers, Praises & Updates: https://conta.cc/3krETnZ .

Love Sweet Love

NOTE: SUMMER OFFICE REVISED HOURS:
Tuesday & Thursday, ONLY, 9 to 3
or by appointment: 262.275.6466

Dear Friends:

This song has been buzzing in my head lately:

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.

It’s so true . . . it’s interesting that this song was released in 1965, and 55 years later, it’s more true than ever before!
You can listen to this song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUaxVQPohlU

We pray that you are all enjoying your summer, and that His blessings abound as you go about doing good and spreading His love!

Blessings . . .

Jan

Praise God For:
~ Work Day participants the past couple of weekends, much has been accomplished, inside and outside! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH SOME OF OUR SUMMER CLEAN UP/PREPARATION TASKS, please call Pam at 262.745.1882.

~ The bittersweet ending to the year; last time events, i.e., tuck ins, fun times and spiritual growth opportunities with the Agape House staff.

~ His LOVE; all we need now is love, sweet love!

Please Pray For:
~ Anointing and blessings over the girls as their journey continues, and that the seeds planted this past year will continue to grow, while they hold on to that rooted place of love that Jesus provides.

~ God to bring the remaining new staff needed (girls’ house staff) in time to prepare for the new school year.

~ Wisdom and discernment as we plan for the new school year, and that we will be able to continue with the program, in spite of what is going on in the world around us.

Donate Now: As we go about cleaning and freshening things up for the upcoming year, we are painting and redecorating some of the girls’ dorm rooms, the MPR, the Sanctuary, the gardens, and so many more tasks. If you would like to contribute towards these projects, please ‘donate now’ and indicate “FRESH LOOK” so we know your desire to help with these projects.

Wish List: See UPDATED list of items needed.

Click on Prayer Blog Photos to view a couple of photos and captions.

Set Free to Walk in Victory

Dear Friends:

Our mission at Agape House, as a grace-based, Christian ministry working with teens, young adults and families, is to allow the Lord to help them overcome the effects of abuse, addiction and the hurts of their past, so they can be set free to walk in victory.

With the help of many people, through prayer, support, donations and encouragement, we have been blessed to continue to do this, in spite of the state of affairs in our world today. God is so good!

Please pray that God will lead the right people to us to fill staff positions for September (see Employment Opportunities), and that He will also bring the teens who desire learn how to be set free and walk in victory.

We are now accepting applications for 2020-21 for girls and boys. See our website for More Details and Application.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory,

the victory and the majesty;

for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,

and You are exalted as head over all.”

~ 1 Chronicles 29:11

Blessings . . .

Jan

Relationships being developed;

Led by the Holy Spirit;

Yearning for freedom;

Encouraged and supported by many;

ONE CHILD’S SMILE SAYS IT ALL!

Please Pray For:

our teens to never give up on themselves, and to recognize that changing their thought patterns will make a difference in their lives, as led by the Holy Spirit.
our staff to continue to seek God’s strength, wisdom and discernment daily, as we go about loving on, supporting and encouraging our teens and their families.
our world to realize that what we are going through is temporary, and to set our hearts and minds on the unseen things of eternity.
5K participants to praise God and rejoice as they participate in our virtual 5K tomorrow (and if we could have some sunshine, that would be great, too)!

Praise God For:

our ability to keep our doors open, at a time when so many businesses have closed down, and that we are staying safe as we continue to serve God with our mission.
relationships, developed through hours of conversations, and built on trust.
the hope of the VICTORY, and the joy of being set free!
all of you who continue to pray, support, donate and encourage us at Agape House; may God’s blessing pour forth upon you

See our Wish List for items needed.

Your financial gift will offer our teens the care they require during these uncertain times! Click here if you would like to Donate Now.

5K Details/Registration Info

Dear Friends:

Just 9 more days to register for our Virtual 5K event, if you haven’t already done so (by Wednesday, 5.13)!

We are thankful for all of you who are coming alongside of us to make a stand against child abuse! During this time of isolation and stress, reports of abuse have increased, so what a perfect time to show our support, prayers and love.

We have all been forced to live life in an extraordinary manner since mid-March, due to the necessity of the ‘Stay at Home’ order. Let’s do something good together!

“. . . be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity.”
~ 1 Timothy 4:12b

The need is greater now more so than ever before! Show your support, prayers and love for those that are struggling by joining us in this event.

Blessings . . .
Pam and Staff

Here are the UPDATED details of our Virtual 5K:

Run, Walk or Stroll, at a ‘social distance’, in your neighborhood on Saturday, the 16th of May, anytime throughout the day.

T-shirts: Wear a t-shirt from one of our past events, or this year’s t-shirts will be available for pick up at the Agape House Counseling Center if you have pre-registered, on Friday, May 15 from 1:00 to 3:30 pm OR Saturday, May 16 from 8:30 to 10:00 am.

For those of you who haven’t registered yet, we did order a few extra T-shirts. So please call 262.275.6466 to register (leave message with your name, email address and t-shirt size) or register by April 13 HERE .

Carry a Sign (or a blue pinwheel or wear a blue ribbon) promoting Child Abuse Prevention. We will have some blue ribbons & pinwheels available, as long as they last, when you pick up your T-shirt.

Support/Sponsorship Prizes (listed below) are still being offered for the 3 highest sponsorship monies donated; simply turn in your donations with this Support Formby June 1st.

Registration Fee Waived (donations accepted: DONATE NOW)

Send us a photo of your participation with your thoughts about the event, how you prayed, etc. to be shared on social media and/or in the newspaper, to #agape5k.

THANK YOU to our sponsors of this event:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kunes: EVENT SPONSOR
WW Trucking: CORPORATE SPONSOR
FRIENDS:
Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Worth, SC
Knead2Relax
John’s Disposal Service

PRODUCT/SERVICE:
Triple Crown Products

Prizes for 3 Highest Sponsorship Monies Raised:
~ Geneva National Golf for 4 w/cart 18 holes
~ Gia Salon & Spa $71 Gift Certificate
~ First National Bank Gift Card

May Your Joy Be Complete

Dear Friends:

God is so good, and He brings JOY to my heart!

In the midst of this corona virus “storm” I wanted to share some of the miracles taking place at Agape House. I pray you are seeing the same sort of blessings in your life!

Lunches continue to be brought in almost daily.
We were blessed with an abundance of toilet paper a few weeks before there was a run on it in the stores!
Kleenex and beef are some other needed donations we received.
Lakeland builders made a donation to pay for half of the cost of the trim and doors needed to finish the boys home.
Sherwin-Williams donated paint for the MPR at the boys home.
It was recently noticed that there was a big limb down at the boys home; bushes needed to be removed and lots of other yard work needed to be done. In less then a week, without asking, two men contacted us to come and do a work day. They worked with Ben and took care of the limb, bushes and did a ton of yardwork.
New timbers were donated to replace the ones that were rotting at the boys home.
All of the flooring has been donated to finish boys home, and Tony Bachtell is donating his time to install all of it.
And in the midst of not having our full staff present due to a myriad of health issues, and our head RA stepping down in March, we have still been able to keep the doors open and serve four girls and two boys in our program.

God is so good, and we are grateful for each of you who are His hands and feet. I pray these miracles will encourage all of us as we keep our trust in Him because He is faithful and good!

“I have told you this so that My JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete.” ~ John 15:11

Blessings . . .

Pam

See our Wish List for other items needed.

Please Pray For:

students to fully accept their salvation in Jesus and allow His healing touch
an outpouring of community participation in this year’s virtual 5K
upcoming family visits for the students
next year’s students and families
next year’s home and school staff to be led by the spirit to their calling to Agape

Praise God For:

girls participating in the ‘Thank You Parade’ encouraging essential workers
continuation of our program consistently in spite of Covid-19
the opportunity to venture into a Virtual 5K experience

The boys have been busy with a variety of activities these past few weeks, as we wait patiently for the time when we can have all of our amazing volunteers return to Agape House. They have been taking walks, in a variety of safe locations. Campfires have been popular. They went fishing this past weekend. And they have been very helpful with the chores, including clean up of the yard at the boys home.

Your financial gift will offer our teens the care they require during these uncertain times! To make a donation now, go to our ‘Get Involved’ tab.

Visit our website for employment opportunities: www.AgapeHouseHeals.org/Employment

VIRTUAL 5K Run Walk Stroll – UPDATE

Due to our ongoing ‘Stay at Home’ orders, and for the safety and well-being of all of our participants, we have restructured our 5K event for May 16^th. Please click on this link to see the details: https://conta.cc/2VYJB1V

It will be interesting to see how many photos we receive from people who participated in this unique manner. As we continue to trust that God has a purpose and plan for the uncertain times we are experiencing, I have to believe this is part of His plan. With everyone participating in their own community/neighborhood, the opportunity is much greater for spreading the awareness of child abuse.

Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement of this ministry; you are truly helping to make a difference in the lives of many young people and their families.

5K Registration Deadline Moved Up to April 24th

Dear Friends:

We had to move up the 5K registration deadline to Friday, April 24th!
See details below.

Blessings . . .
Jan

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ANNUAL 5K RUN WALK STROLL ~ it’s a family event!

We’ve Rescheduled to May 16th!

We hope that we will all be released from our ‘stay at home’ status by then, and be ready to get out and enjoy some fresh air and fellowship, while we support the cause of Child Abuse Prevention

We are VOIDING the registration FEE; donations accepted

REGISTRATION WILL STILL BE IMPORTANT to guarantee t-shirts

REGISTER by FRIDAY, April 24th

To stay safe and avoid crowding into the MPR, there will be NO LUNCH

Prizes for 3 Highest Sponsorship Monies Raised:

~ Geneva National Golf for 4 w/cart 18 holes

~ Gia Salon & Spa $71 Gift Certificate

~ First National Bank Gift Card

THANK YOU to our sponsors of this event:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kunes: EVENT SPONSOR
WW Trucking: CORPORATE SPONSOR
FRIENDS:
Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Worth, SC
Knead2Relax
John’s Disposal Service
PRODUCT/SERVICE:
John Palmer PT
Triple Crown Products
Dean

God is Doing a New Thing

Dear Friends:

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” ~ Isaiah 43:19

We are definitely seeing God at work in the lives of many at Agape House, including students, staff and families, in spite of the uncertainty of life.

The teens who are still at Agape are definitely getting lots of quality time with staff, and it is joyful to see them find ways to adapt to the new normal. When we have nice weather, they are outside enjoying walks, fresh air, sunshine, collecting shells and tossing rocks into the lake and smores by the campfire as the sun sets!

We are also encouraging other healthy habits, i.e., reducing sugar intake to help maintain a healthier immune system, ongoing hand washing, disinfecting door knobs, light switches, etc. Other areas being focused on are intentional language, accountability, and boundaries – all very important! And they have come up with some creative ideas to give back to others in this season. New habits are encouraged regarding making positive choices: coping skills, writing letters to loved ones, walking away, deep breathing and kind words.

I believe that some day the teens who are at Agape House at this time will look back and recognize that they were truly hand picked to be here for this season.

“May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
~ Psalm 4:7

Blessings . . .
Jan

Praise God:
~ for our volunteers in and around the community who continue to support Agape House in many ways, including our faithful lunch providers, maintenance pros, IT helpers, mentors, teachers of many classes, including life skills, donors and so much more! While we are not able to have our VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUNCH this month, we still want to give all of you a shout of praise!
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all,
that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”
~ Romans 1:8
~ for all parents who have become home school teachers in the last few weeks! Let their time with their children be blessed!

Please Pray For:
~ our nation to remain united under God, as we navigate this battle with God as our lamp to light the path for us to follow regarding our families, our physical, mental and spiritual health, our finances/jobs/businesses, our government and the ongoing decisions being made, our medical and emergency response teams, and most of all our FAITH/HOPE/LOVE.

~ our teens, at Agape and those at home, to continue to seek God, to press into their counseling and all of the biblical-based truths they are being taught through our program, allowing them to seep into their spirit and be practiced.

~ nice weather for our 5K event on the 16th of May, and that people will be able to gather and enjoy great fellowship in the outdoors as we bring awareness of CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION. (Don’t forget to register by Friday, May 1st).

~ our staff to remain united, in spite of how we are scattered in different locations; that communications/prayers are ongoing and uplifting, and that we will know when the time is right for us to reunite on site and go forth with the work God has called each one of us to do.

Have a blessed week!

5K Rescheduled: Details Below

Dear Friends:

I think we need a more realistic name then COVID 19 Pandemic for what we’re experiencing in our lives. I like this better, I saw it on a recent post from a friend: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOD UP TO? Just spinning the words in such a way takes away the panic, in my mind. And it gives a person a totally different perspective. Most of us have never experienced anything like this. And while we’re being quarantined, we are really all working at it together to adapt to all of the changes that need to be made. I also think we’re finding creative ways to reach out and touch (in spirit) someone else, to let Jesus’ light shine through this journey.

NOTE BELOW: WE’VE SET A NEW DATE FOR THE 5K!

“May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ~ Psalm 4:7

Blessings . . .
Jan

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ANNUAL
5K RUN WALK STROLL ~it’s a family event!

We’ve Rescheduled to May 16th

We hope that we will all be released from our ‘stay at home’ status by then, and be ready to get out and enjoy some fresh air and fellowship, while we support the cause of Child Abuse Prevention

We are VOIDING the registration FEE; donations accepted

REGISTRATION WILL STILL BE IMPORTANT to guarantee t-shirts; REGISTER by FRIDAY, MAY 1st

To stay safe and avoid crowding into the MPR,
there will be NO LUNCH

Prizes for 3 Highest Sponsorship Monies Raised:

~ Geneva National Golf for 4 w/cart 18 holes

~ Gia Salon & Spa $71 Gift Certificate

~ First National Bank Gift Basket

See Support Form

Praise God:
~ for positive responses regarding conversations we’re having with the teens about perseverance and overcoming hardship, followed up with watching some videos about a person born without arms and legs, and his perspective on life!

~ for continued support and encouragement the teens are offering to each other, and the incredible progress being made as God softens hearts, preparing for a harvest!
~ for the growth being made by one of our teens in setting personal boundaries, surpassing goals in reading and comprehending, maturity and stronger examples of independence and accountability within interpersonal exchanges!

Please Pray For:
~ the teens to remain steadfast on this roller coaster ride that everyone has found themselves on. It can be overwhelming and chaotic to figure out what the new normal looks like at this time, as the teens are not able to spend time with their families for their normal visits they have at this time of year.

~ healthy habits to be important for everyone, to help build strong minds and bodies, for this battle we are enduring now.

~ healing, faith and hope for those in need: students, staff, volunteers, families adjusting to having children home all day, loss of income temporarily, our medical and emergency support people, our leaders in this country and around the world, that we may look out for each other, pray together, and prepare to rise up at the end of this, filled with excitement about letting go of old habits and making new, better ones. Wouldn’t it be amazing if this ‘rising up’ took place on Easter weekend?

THANK YOU to our sponsors of this event:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kunes: EVENT SPONSOR
WW Trucking: CORPORATE SPONSOR
FRIENDS:
Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Worth, SC
Knead2Relax
John’s Disposal Service
PRODUCT/SERVICE:
John Palmer PT
Triple Crown Products
Dean

Adapting . . . Manna . . . Grace . . .

Dear Friends:

We pray that you are all adapting to new boundaries as together we pray our way through the Coronavirus epidemic!

We spent a great deal of time in prayer and conversation as to how to proceed with our program, while still respecting the mandates of our government. Fortunately, because we are a boarding school, the government regulations don’t affect us in the same way as other public and private schools. Thus, we offered to our parents to choose between leaving their teens in our program OR taking them home, with the duration of the quarantine being the same as the public schools. As a result of that choice, we have 5 girls and 2 boys still in full program. And the girls who are at home are continuing to do their school work online ~ this is truly amazing! We are actively practicing healthy and safe strategies, as we hope everyone is doing.

In the same way that God provided the Israelites with manna, one day at a time, we are trusting God to provide us with the grace we need, each day, as we adapt to find a new normal for the duration of this situation. Wouldn’t it be awesome if our nation does the same thing?

“May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ~ Psalm 4:7

Blessings . . .
Jan

Praise God:

~ for “Love Bombs” (in the form of a poster) being ‘dropped on’ (or hung on windows from outside) for those who are ‘shut-in’ (Inspiration Ministries this week). This is our way of learning how to love others through our limitations.

~ because the girls are doing well with their new online curriculum, achieving success, and helping each other when needed.

~ for seeds that are being cultivated in our Healthy Relationships class. God’s words are coming out with accuracy and application. Thank you ALL who are yielding to the spirit and pouring out God’s love through His word so well. You are all valuable vessels!

Please Pray For:
~ our teens, whether they are at home or here at Agape, that they see God’s unconditional LOVE in the staff who have chosen to continue to come alongside of them, as we emphasize that we are trusting God and not walking in fear.

~ our teens to do well with their biblical counseling and press on to get to the root cause of any dysfunctional issues or relationships.

~ all of our staff, volunteers, supporters and families to be touched by God’s protection, and healing where needed.

Upcoming 5K; Watch for Rescheduled Date to be announced soon

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