Agape Children's Home

Michael's victory!

Our hearts were full after visiting the boys living at Agape Children's Home. It was difficult when we first arrived because we don't speak the language of the state of Kerala (Malayalam) and the boys' English was limited. But once we discovered we could take funny pictures and arm wrestle, the whole night changed! It was good for our souls to be able to laugh and see smiles come to these boy's faces! Michael even got Abraham to join in the fun! :-)

Look at his face!! The other boys could not get over
how serious his face was!

Abraham and Michael. We have really enjoyed
every minute with this guy!

We learned that somewhere between 40-50% of India's 1.2 billion people are children. Agape Royal Ministries (the ministry directed by our host) is wisely making children's outreach a priority and has a number of children's homes throughout India. Most of the children they take in are not orphans per se, but come from single parent homes who are unable to raise them. We were so impressed by the cleanliness and family atmosphere of the home, for which a godly couple serves as houseparents. What a commitment this couple has made! Raising one or two boys who are not your biological children would be difficult, but they have charge for eighteen! Most of the boys in this home come from Hindu families, but now they are regularly taught Scripture, participate in a local church, and hear the gospel. They even sang for us when arrived! Each of the boys were respectful and well-mannered, and we were encouraged that the each of the older boys—or young men, we should say—had a clear career path. One was working toward a degree in Information Technology, another one was pursuing engineering, and two intend to study medicine.

We thank the Lord for enabling us to meet with them even if we only crossed paths for an hour or so. We pray that we will see these boys again one day—around the throne of God as every tribe, tongue, and nation gathers to declare His praise.

Michael was able to pray for the boys before we went downstairs to eat.