AGAPE Newsletter

		AGAPE Newsletter June, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We give God our thanks and praise for each of you and your support during the past year. May this letter find you and your family filled with the peace, compassion and joy of Jesus Christ our Lord. We have accomplished much, but there is still much to be done to help our brothers and sisters in Africa . We are grateful for your assistance and faithfulness in helping these young people complete their education. In Sierra Leone and Liberia we are rejoicing that peace continues and are amazed by the rebuilding that is taking place. In Zimbabwe , Ghana and Congo we are praying that inflation, post election violence, and discrimination will come to an end. We are thrilled to hear of the hopes and plans of the people of Africa that continue to be lifted up even in times of great difficulty.
			Student Sponsorship Ephesians 4:12-13 “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Education is highly prized by these young people and our help is greatly appreciated. I wish you could individually hear from each student how grateful they are and the encouragement your support gives for them to continue to reach for their dreams. Perhaps some day mail service will be available in Sierra Leone and Liberia and more reliable in the other countries. Please know that even when you cannot receive a personal letter from your sponsored student, you are changing a life and giving hope for a better future. Know that you are demonstrating Christ’s love by showing compassion for the “least of these”. When each student receives sponsorship the entire family celebrates. This is an encouragement and raises hope in not only that family, but also in the neighborhood and even the entire village. These people realize that the people of America do care about them. To help a complete stranger that you will most likely never meet and to know you will receive no reward in this world, if truly being Christ-like. John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the father will honor.”
Help for Refugees	Liberian refugees in Ghana are being deported. This is part of a letter from Richarles Wilson, a Liberian refugee. “Currently there has been increased tension and pressure particularly from the Government of Ghana that all Liberian refugees leave Ghana sooner rather than later. Recently there has been mass arrests and detention of mainly women and children who were having a sit-down protest against the UNHCR's decision to repatriate Liberians, some of whom have been refugees for the past 18 years with increased family size, giving them just one hundred US dollars with which to begin a new life back home after losing everything to years of war and exile. Here in Accra there has been, and still is an atmosphere of fear and a feeling of insecurity amongst Liberians due to verbal and physical treats from both the Government and locals.
People, even including men of God, are picked up at night, at dawn, just about anytime and taken away by the police to where only God knows. The entire refugee camp is right now in total darkness at night as electricity supplies are also reduced. Out of panic, people are finding any and every means to get out of here especially so after the fast-track court in Accra has ruled that the Government can continue with its immediate deportation of Liberians who are found without their UN registration card on them at the time of encountering the police. As for those who joined their relatives here after the UN registration, though they might have registered with UN in places like the Ivory Coast and left because of the civil war there, the court also ruled that they too can be deported”. These refugees must travel by road through Ivory Coast which is in civil war, making it a very dangerous journey. The first group of men from the refugee camp traveled safely to Liberia from Monday, May 19 – 26^thwith only what they could carry on their backs. They are seeking places to live and a job so that they may send for their wives and children. The families that remain in Ghana have little or no way to support themselves with the men gone. Even those who remain in Ghana are afraid to leave the refugee camp to go to their jobs for fear of being arrested and never seen again by their family. We are working with a few compassionate people in Ghana who are risking themselves to assist us in getting money and food to the refugee camp. AGAPE is now seeking a safe and economical way for these refugee families to travel to Liberia. We are also seeking a way to assist these families in purchasing food. We are working with people in Liberia to develop an AGAPE Center where refugees will be able to stay temporarily once they arrive in Liberia . If you feel compassion for these refugees please consider giving a one time donation to meet expenses or sponsor a refugee family. A donation of $200.00 will pay rent for 6 months, which is necessary to secure a place to live. We will accept donations of any size to help with food, rent or transportation of refugees to Liberia . Supplies needed at the AGAPE Center are: Rent for the Center (any amount), Mattresses ( $75.00 each), Wooden benches ($2.00 each), Cooking pots ($10.00 each), Cooking spoons ($2.00/2), Plates ($1.00 each), Eating spoons ($1.00/3), Drinking cups ($1.00/4), Generator ($400.00). Please pray for these refugees as they seek a safe way to return to their home country. Pray that families can remain together and that God will provide food and shelter for His exiled people. Pray for jobs to be available in a country with 85% unemployment. This program helped save hundreds of lives during the civil war in 2003. Lets show that we can do it again!!
Zimbabwe John 13:34-35 “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” The people of Zimbabwe have suffered from the HIV/AIDs epidemic and 300% inflation. The unemployment rate is high. Now many are suffering at the hands of their own people after the election outcome which is being denied by the incumbent party. I am showing just a few of many pictures sent to us from Zimbabwe of post-election violence and retribution. The opposition party is suffering greatly and this is a part of a letter sent at great risk to the sender. Please pray for peace and that justice will prevail in Zimbabwe . Pray for the AGAPE students and their families throughout Zimbabwe . “Please send this to as many people as you can so the world will know what the news media refuses to acknowledge. arch 29, 2008 Post Election Violence & Retribution Perpetrated by Zanu PF Militia on MDC District/Provincial Office Bearers, Activists & Members”


We are sorry that the pictures are graphic, but we need to be aware of the violence that is happening in many places of the world. It is our prayer that this newsletter will enlighten you of what is happening in Africa . Galations 6:9-10 “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.” This letter is long, but there is much happening. It is our hope that you will be more aware of the needs of those less fortunate. May the passion of Christ for His people be stirred in your spirit. May you seek ways to meet the needs of your brothers and sisters around the world. May you be filled with the wholeness of Christ as you seek and serve Him. Mathew 25:31-40 “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Donations can be sent to: AGAPE PO Box 115 La Crescent , MN 55947 Please write in the memo if you wish to designate your donation for a particular need or outreach. We have speakers or PowerPoint presentations available for your group or church. Questions can be mailed to address above.
		Classroom in Liberia