It is my joy to reach you all through this newsletter. Many exciting and Positive things are happening at Agape Orphanage. I can assuredly tell you that it is happening because God’s children are praying for it, and the Holy Spirit enabled all of us to be the part of these great incidents.
Agape Orphanage Children
As I am looking back, how the Lord led us over a period of 15 years to minister to the less-fortunate children in the areas of rehabilitation, education, and nurturing them in Spiritual matters. We were able to minister to 58 children through this ministry over the period of 15 years and to see that they are doing well in their life.
Samuel
Samuel is an orphan. Fifteen years ago, he came to the Agape children’s home with his sister when he was 2 ½ years old. He completed his high school. He took believers baptism. In one of the church meetings he dedicated himself for the Lord’s work. At present he is studying in a reputed seminary in South India. This has made my heart very joyful because the aim of our ministry is to spread the Gospel in India. Since Samuel has dedicated his life we are sure that the Lord will enable him to continue in this ministry. Thank you so much for supporting Samuel. May I request you all to continuously support and sponsor Samuel in his seminary education and see that he is excelling in our Master’s vineyard. There are many more children like Samuel, looking forward for the financial assistance to pursue their secular education.
Vacation Bible School
During the summer vacation, we were able to conduct Vacation Bible School. There were 120 children who attended regularly for the 10-days VBS program. It was a golden opportunity for us to minister to the children. Last year our attendance in VBS was only 60 children.
Children with crown- Seen from VBS
This year it has grown up to 120 children. Children brought their friends. This was a special time for children to study the Word of God, learn new songs, stories, and memorize many more Bible verses.

2009 March will be our next VBS kindly pray for the staff and the children who will be attending the classes. VBS is the best way to reach out children as well as the families. After the VBS got over we have started our Sunday school class and at present we have 17 children from the Hindu background is regularly attending the Sunday school Class. Now guess what? Parents are eager to know more about the word of God and we are getting some enquiries.
Esther is in her second year college studies which will be finals for her. Continually uphold Sridhar, Krishna, Ravi, Mani and Sneha who have completed their high school and are continuing their education.
Five of the senior students of Agape Foster Home have witnessed their faith through water baptism, in obedience to the Word of God. Please do pray for these young lives to stand firm in their new life.
There is a saying in English, “Little drops of water makes a mighty ocean”. Your small and big contribution towards this ministry will make great significance in the lives of many less-fortunate children. The expense in Bangalore city is growing up beyond our expectation. Since this is a faith ministry, may I request all of you to increase the donations little more to minister to these children with the touch of ‘love of Christ’. Your prayer is important for us. You can tell your friends and relatives about this ministry which is also equally important along with your prayers.

Christmas Gifts
As we are approaching Christmas, May I request you to remember the children in the Agape orphanage and share your financial gifts to them to celebrate Christmas with joy. Last year one of our prayer partner and his family have visited the Agape Orphanage and celebrated the Christmas with our children. They said it was a wonderful experience in their life to celebrate Christmas with the orphanage children. Perhaps you and your Sunday school class may send a gift to these orphan children to know your love, write to them that you care them and love them.
Indian Institute of Theology and mission
As we are doing our work among the Lepers and the less fortunate children in India for the last fifteen years our ministry was growing. We felt the need of training the young people for the ministry to preach the word of God to the unreached communities in India. After much prayer and guidance from the Lord we have started our Bible school Program where we can train people. We offer a three year bachelor degree residence program with practical training Students of I I TM

Under the leadership of local pastors. Our Bible school is running at the Dr. Wilfred Landrus Center, Which is a donation from Mrs. Clara Landrus in memory of her late husband. At present we have 6 students getting
training at I I T M. All our students are not in a financial position to pay their tuition and food expenses due to various reasons. We have students even from Burma, Communist Military ruling country. The students they cross the Border and come to our institute for the theological studies. “Sangyong” a young man came to our institute with only one shirt and one pant which he was wearing. We need to encourage them to continue their study at IITM. Here I am making an appeal to all our supporters to stick on with us to carry on the work in India.
To educate one student at IITM will cost us US $100 a month. May I request you kindly support us with your small and big donations to help this young people to get their Education.
New Baby in Our HomeRev. Alex Korulla and Reny Alex are blessed with one more Baby boy in to their family. We have named him Benjamin Joseph Alex and he was born on 15th May 2008. Blessen has turned to 13 on 22nd October. He is studying in 7th grade. Bensen is 11 ½ and he is studying in the 6th grade. Kindly uphold us in your prayers and give us your maximum support in which we are involved.



Rev. Alex, Reny, Bensen, Blessen with baby Benjamin.
Your Prayers are very much appreciated for our family.

Some tips to help us

Many a time our friends have asked me how to send the financial donations to Agape.
Well, it is very simple. Write a check in the name of Agape Leprosy Ministries India and at the memo kindly mention that for what project you are sending the donation. After you mail it to us kindly intimate our office via E-mail so that we can track on it. As soon as we received your donations at our office we will mail a receipt with a thank you note.

We are on the process of forming a 501 status organization and if it is done we will let you know. Until then if you need a tax receipt you may kindly send all donations through your local church.

Our projects

Agape orphanage
You can sponsor a child and it will cost you only US $ 1 per day – Monthly US $ 30. This amount is not even the cost one bottle of water in USA, and all the child sponsors will get the photo and a thank you letter from the child. We are committed to keep inform the progress of the child. You may feel free to do the communications with the children whom you are sponsoring

Visit our web site www.agapefosterhome.org

Indian Institute of Theology and Mission
Students can be sponsored by your generous donations as well as your sponsorship. Remember you are investing it in the expansion of the kingdom of God.

Visit our web site www.iitmissions.org

Our postal Address

Rev. Alex Korulla
Agape Leprosy Ministries India,
K.M 501, Behind St, Pious Church
Kammanahalli, Bangalore 560084 India


Wishing you the very best, Peace be with you


Yours in his mission field,

Rev. Alex Korulla ( President )

Dear Pastor Denny Finnegan and Congregation,

My name is Julie Worthington, and I am writing to hopefully answer any questions you may have regarding Agape Leprosy Ministries: Indian Institute of Theology and Mission. I come from Alexander, NY and my church sent me for 2 weeks to Bangalore, India to work with this mission group. During my stay here, I have been helping to establish a library, working with the Foster children (ie: playing games and helping with their english homework), and leading a morning devotion with the Bible College students. I have been learning a lot about Indian culture and the difficulties faced with establishing a christian community here. There are more than 1800 dialects. The Bible has been fully or partially translated in only 300 languages. There are over 3.2 million gods and goddess to compete with, and new ones being created everyday. The christian education provided to both the Foster home children and the young adults attending the Bible College will hopefully bridge this gap. Currently, there 6 students attending the College. Three of these student come from Burma. For those of you that do not know, this is a small country north of India. The government is a communist military regime. They do not allow foreigners to come into their country and preach the gospel (similar to China). This country is economically poor, therefore, the students are not able to keep up with expenses in India. 10,000 Burmese kyats is equal to 25 Indian Rupees. 25 Indian Rupees is equal to about 50 cents U.S. Currency. Attached to this email you will find a list of ministry oppertunities that need support, as well as, a list of books that need to be purchased for the Bible College that was started on July 7, 2008. These books can be purchased at a Christian book store in Bangalore. There are seven professors at the College. They are teaching the old and new testament, church history, world religion, evangalism, discipleship, and English. The Foster Home children were originally coming from the homes with one or both parents suffering from Leprosy. There is a stigma attached to this disease in India because of the Hindu culture. Hindus believe that Leprosy is a curse from one of there gods, so if a person contracts this disease they, along with their family, will be shunned. These people are considered the "untouchables". Even after treatment, these individuals will be excommunicated. They are considered to lead a cursed life.

The Foster Home now takes in children who come from extreme poverty, as well. Without a support network, these children would be begging in the streets or worse. There are currently 7 boys and 4 girls in the Foster Home. The Foster Home allows these children to have three square meals a day, attend a christian school, have a roof over there heads, and feel safe. It is a good oppertunity for them to study hard and advance in this culture. Any financial support for these Ministries would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for this oppertunity to correspond with you. If you have any further question please feel free to contact me at this email.

God Bless you,

Julie

Easter Activities

The Word of God is true and powerful. The resurrection Factor of Jesus Christ is real. All the evidence related to the Resurrection is pointing and establishing the fact that it is a Reality, not a fiction.
Wishing you the Easter Greetings and this is our prayers that may you experience the power of Resurrection.
Kindly pray for the children in the Agape Foster home. All the children are busy with their final Exams for this year.
The up coming events in the foster home during March and April are as follows.
Easter Sunday Brake Fast with local community.
Vacation Bible School. We expect 150 Children.
Foster home Children and Staff one day annual Picnic.

Rev. Alex

Easter Week

As we enter into the third month, it has got special significance in connection with lent and Passion Week. The observation of lent may bring us to the humility of Jesus Christ. He was even obedient unto the death on the cross for the sins of the world (sins of every individual). His expression of love on the cross is magnificent and our minds cannot comprehend it because the love of Jesus Christ towards each one of us is so wide and so deep. The sufferings of Christ will remind us one thing that He took the cross up to Calvary so that we may escape out of the shame and punishment on the Judgment day. He taught humbleness by washing the feet of His disciples. The public expression of His humbleness was carrying the cross publicly. Though His death on the cross was a cruel one, but it has given us the eternal salvation because He shed His last drop of blood at Calvary so that we may have victory over our sins. The burial of Christ is so significant to our Christian life that one day we all have to leave from this world. But the resurrection of Christ is the hope of each and every individual who believes in Christ that even if he die, he also would resurrect just like Jesus Christ has risen from the death.

Let us meditate on the sufferings, crucification, burial and resurrection of Christ during this month for our self cleansing and let us lead a holy life which will be pleasing our risen Lord.

Peace and Grace e with you

Rev. Alex O Korulla