"Yes, you may feel unqualified, undereducated, under-gifted, or even unworthy. Yet...those are excellent qualifications for God to do a mighty work. This story is a perfect example! It demonstrates how amazing things can happen as a result of sincere faith and obedience." - Charles R. Swindoll

Agape’s Children is the heartwarming story of how an ordinary woman responded when confronted by child beggars in Kisumu, Kenya. 

Darla’s story of how she rescued street children and transformed their lives by the power of God’s love will grip your heart. Can one person really make a difference? These boys and girls rejected by their own; hooked on glue; and sick with scabies, HIV, or worse often run from help. How much love does it take to reach beyond their outward appearance to redeem the lives of these little people? As much love as one can give, and then some. It requires Agape Love, the kind that comes from God.

On the inside, these street children are as real as you or I. Their spontaneity will make you laugh. Their vulnerability will make you weep. And their responsiveness to the gospel of Jesus Christ will encourage you to rejoice. They are so real, and Darla knew without a doubt that God loved them deeply, and he told her to do the same.

Today, instead of nearly 1,000 children in the streets of Kisumu, only 160 remain. Instead of growing up to be street thugs, these little champions are being reintegrated with family, winning achievement awards at school, and blossoming in Christ. Darla and the Agape team are changing the world, one little boy and girl at a time.

About the Author

At eight years old, Darla opened her heart to Jesus at a vacation Bible school. Six years later, she received a compelling nudge from the Holy Spirit when she heard a missionary speak at a Christian camp. From that point on, her goal was to become a medical missionary.

For 20 years, she accumulated life experience as she raised three sons and worked as a registered nurse. Finally, her opportunity presented itself, and Darla received an offer to travel to Kisumu, Kenya, with a community development team. As she learned the local tribal language and became acquainted with many of the street boys, she was touched by the tragedy of their lives. As a result, she founded Agape Children’s Ministry with a leap of faith in 1993. The ministry has grown by God’s grace beyond all expectations. To date, over 2,000 children have been rescued from the streets. 

Darla and her husband, Dr. Paul Calhoun, former president of Medical Ambassadors International, were married in 1995. Between them they have five sons and seven grandchildren. They make their home in Glendale, Arizona.