The Agape House

One of the five homes at Agape House

A living room of one of the homes

A bedroom scene

These two, Clay and Jewel, are such amazing people.  They once worked at Shepherd's Field Children's Village and now are house parents at Agape house.  They have such a big, big heart for orphans in China.  Our group fell in love with them immediately

We had the opportunity to go to The Agape House this morning to visit Clay and Jewel Floch, who used to run Shepherd’s Field, but felt led by God to be more hands-on with the children opposed to the more administrative role they had taken on at Shepherd’s Field.  They have an amazing little village they run.  All of the children have Brittle Bone Disease.  They have 5 houses, and 2 of the houses have children in them.  They are houseparents in one house with five children under the age of 8, all girls and one boy—Ruby, Charlotte, Olivia, Addison, and Joseph.  Joseph is the oldest and he is 8.  He was quite spunky!  When we opened the door and walked in, he was sitting on the floor and said, ‘Hi!  Come on in!’  We wanted to take him home immediately! 

Some of the sweet little girls who live with Clay and Jewel

Our group with Clay and Jewel's foster children at Agape House

Such sweet children and their foster mommy, Jewel

Clay and Jewel gave us a tour of each of the houses, and at the school there were 7 or so kids, all in wheelchairs.  We listened to them sing some songs in Chinese to us, and then we sang a couple of worship songs in English.  Then we went back forth, singing ‘This is the Day,’ together.  Three of their kids also play the piano, and they played some songs for us.  It was amazing sitting there, listening to them sing and also heartbreaking at the same time, knowing that some of them will not get adopted before they turn 14.

Beautiful children of Agape House singing for our group.  It was so moving.

Our group with those beautiful children

We ate lunch at the Bread of Life Bakery that some girls 18-25 run in the village.  They made American pizza for us, which was absolutely amazing!  Cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and veggie.  The veggie was very yummy!  They all were really, but especially the veggie. 

Two Stacy's - one China Stacy and one US Stacy.  China Stacy once lived at Shepherd's Field, and now she lives at Agape House and works in the bakery.




After lunch, we went back to Shepherd’s Field because Kelli and Staci were leaving to go pick up Kelli’s passport because it was finished!  It was a very good afternoon!  She can now spend the rest of the trip focusing on loving the kids and not worrying about getting that taken care of.

This afternoon, we had our program with the kids and then we watched ‘Curious George’ with them and brought them McDonald’s.  They all really enjoyed their meals.  For the kids who couldn’t come, we took the food to their houses for them. 

Who is that character? 

This evening we spent some time as a group, laughing and enjoying our time together!  It’s hard to believe our trip will be coming to an end soon and we will have to say good-bye to the kids after tomorrow, which will not be an easy thing to do.  But, they have left an impression on us and they will forever be in our hearts!