Update: December 2010

• This past year has been a very happy and eventful one for Agnes and her children.  At this time last year they were excited to see construction on their new home nearing completion.  Then in May they hosted many important dignitaries of the surrounding community as they celebrated the completion of the home and moved in!  The Fabians and my daughter Leah Shaver were on hand to participate and represent the Canadian partners in this phase of the project to “Help Agnes”.
• Since then we’ve launched the Help Agnes – Children’s Support Program which to date has 14 children sponsored, with an overall goal of 30 children at $300 a year.  Each sponsorship enables Agnes to feed, clothe, provide an education, and offer medical assistance to a child in need.  To date we have sent her $4,500 CAD.
• I’m pleased to tell you that God has richly blessed Agnes and her ministry.  There are now 31 children living in the home and enrollment at her school is up to 172 students!
• Bethel Pentecostal Church is providing Agnes with funding to ensure her living expenses for the new home are covered for things such as, her electrical and utility bills.
• Bob Carson and Education Without Boundaries is continuing to provide support for Agnes’s school through training teachers, covering printing costs for manuals/exams and he is working to provide computers and training for the teachers and senior students.
• The remaining funds in the construction account, $3,212 CAD were sent to Agnes in September for related expenses to the home.  I’m pleased to say that our final tally was $77,212 CAD raised for “A Home for Agnes” with every dollar raised sent to Agnes.

Thank you to all who participated.

• Our next initiative will be to focus on getting Agnes help with “The Living Faith Preparatory School”.  We are working with Agnes to decide our course of action and I’ll be sure to provide you with updates as we prayerfully consider our plans.  The website www.helpagnes.com will be updated regularly so be sure to check there for more information.

Agnes is still in need of our support and prayers.  Even though we’ve enabled her to live in a safe and secure home with support to provide for the children, there is still opposition to her work in this community.  Teachers at her school do not always adhere to her faith based approach.  She is in need of experienced leadership to help her run the school.   There is sickness and persecution, but her faith is strong and her trust in God to lead and deliver her never wavers.  I know she wants to thank each of you for your support and we are believing for even more great things for this upcoming year as together we allow God to use us for His glory.  May this year find you healthy and happy, God bless and thank you,

Gary Shaver