Last winter we said our goodbyes to two of our teenagers, both are adopted by American families. Joseph left Agape just before Christmas to be with his new family in the US, and Candy left right before Chinese New Year. She lives with her new family in China.
We have updated the "our kids" section, please have a look to see new pictures and meet the new kids in Agape.
ANNOUNCING the new Agape Family Adoption Fund (AFAF)
We are excited to announce that wehave created an AGAPE FAMILY ADOPTION FUND for each of the adoptable children living at Agape Family Life House. The purpose of these funds will be to assist those families who qualify to adopt AFLH children with the cost of adoption. You may or may not be aware that cost to adopt a Chinese orphan can be well upwards of $ 20K. For many families who would be inclined to adopt, this amount may discourage them from pursuing the opportunity. Although there are many resources available from which families may obtain financial assistance in the form of grants and loans, the current economic situation and number of adoptions have stretched the existing sources beyond their abilities to provide enough funding for all who apply. To help our AFLH children have a better chance of being adopted, we have decided to create an Agape Family Adoption Fund (AFAF) for each adoptable child as an extra resource for those families who will pursue adoption of our children. By helping our children be adopted, we are taking one more step toward helping them be placed into a loving environment with a FOREVER FAMILY of their own. Of course, when an AFLH child is adopted and goes to live with their new family, it opens space at AFLH for additional orphans to come to live in a loving environment where they can receive medical help, education, spiritual enrichment, hope and love in preparation to face their future as they grow up.
We have updated our website to be able to receive donations to the AFAF for each adoptable child as of today. We have indicated which children have an AFAF fund into which you may donate. These funds are NOT intended to replace the regular monthly support or any other donations you may wish to give toward the regular operation of Agape Family Life House, but, rather, to be another way to help AFLH provide for the future of our kids. We pray that many of you will see this as an opportunity to make a difference in the future of these precious children and the families which would provide a loving environment in which they can grow up. Donations may be sent to Agape Family Church, P.O. Box 215, Wood Dale, IL 60191 and marked for the specific child’s AFAH. For those who wish to donate online, our website, www.agapeflh.org, have included a provision to donate to the AFAF for each specific child for whom we have an AFAF set up.
On behalf of Agape Family Life House Staff and Children, THANK YOU for your past support and thank you in advance for becoming a part of the AFAF program to facilitate the adoptions of our kids.
Clay and Jewel Floch been working towards adopting since the end of August 2011. Of course there is a very long story in their journey but we will just give you a few highlights.
They truly thought they would be parents again by May 2012 because they got their paperwork completed quickly and it was in China the end of March. Then they found out, their daughter's paperwork wasn't completed. The Chinese authorities weren't sure that Clay and Jewel truly understood the severity of the child's special needs and that she will likely be in a wheelchair all her life.
They assured the authorities that they have known the child for almost 4 years, and were fully aware of her condition. After more steps along the way, Clay and Jewel found out, finally, on August 28th that they would be parents again! Elizabeth is 10 years old and has congenital spinal abnormalities and club feet. She is beautiful, smart and is a leader.
Explaining a bit of their story, will help you to understand the significance of that news. You see, they lost their sons in an accident over 11 years ago, and their lives were changed forever, never to be the same again. The date our boys, Jewel's dad and our nephew died in the accident was August 28th. Our heavenly Father was on the redemption path yet again - redeeming a day that would forever be remembered as the worst day in their lives - changing that day to a day when they became parents again.
On Thanksgiving Day they got to tell Elizabeth they would be her parents sometime in the next 30 days. Just 17 days later they got to "pick her up" at her orphanage. Doing the traveling thing and getting a daughter before Christmas was the best Christmas present they could get after the gift of His Son!! Another coincidence,or "G*d cidence," is that they signed the final papers on the day of their oldest sons 32nd birthday.
We rejoice with Clay and Jewel. They have been very blessed indeed!
Charlotte broke her leg on October 23rd and subsequently had surgery on the 24th. She is doing well now but was in quite a bit of pain initially. She came home after 6 days and is continuing to do well. This picture is of her playing with the cast dust after getting the cast cut down for a bit of "wiggle" room. Please be sending Knee Mail for complete healing of her newly rodded tibia and femur. She was actually "excited" for surgery as it means her leg will now be straight!
After living at AFLH for almost a year, Stacy will be leaving to work in a job in Beijing. She has gained valuable experience working in the Bread of Life Bakery while at AFLH. Although we will miss her presence with us, she will not be far away and we expect she will visit us often. We are always sad when our "kids" leave, but we are proud that they have matured to the place of self sufficiency while at AFLH. We bless her and wish her all the best. Thanks to all who have been a part of her support group while she has been with us.
We mistakenly posted previously that Cindy was leaving, but, that is not the case. Sorry for the mis information.
Some guests helped with painting on the house and a couple of the bakery girls, too. Cindy and JoHannah joined us for part of a wall! We got more than half the Bakery painted on October 20th! We are always grateful for the extra help!
A Team from Hawaii made a return visit to AFLH. These folks are always a great blessing. The men assisted with some construction work like laying a brick sidewalk and building a brick wall while the ladies did crafts and taught the children inside. Thank You Hawaii Team for being a great blessing!
The weekend at the conference was great; the Wyse’s made many new friends, and lots of new connections.
Pictured (Left) is a great young man from Arizona. Seeing what someone with a difficult situation like Chris could do with his life, and how he could use his life as a perfect example was a real inspiration to Keith.