written by Lauren Timberlake, Bhutanese ESL Director
At Mission Adelante, we believe that God’s heart is for immigrants to feel welcome in our city, be valued in our communities, be encouraged as they learn new language and culture, and be enjoyed for who they are. We are thankful that so many volunteers partner with us to do just that. It wouldn’t happen without them. Mission Adelante has more than one hundred volunteers from all over the Kansas City area. They come from different neighborhoods, different churches, different life stages, different skill sets. But they all come to serve, share life, and ultimately share Jesus with immigrants and refugees.
On any given night at English class, you will see evidence of that. Volunteers welcome students warmly, creatively teach material, encourage progress, and spark laughter. Students gain confidence with these positive interactions. They talk more, try more, laugh more. They invite volunteers into their home for tea, for birthdays, for weddings. True friendships begin. These budding relationships change people. They bring value and belonging to an immigrant family. They also bring understanding and clarity. People won’t understand traditions like Thanksgiving until someone explains it to them. But these relationships change our volunteers, too. Someone recently shared that spending time with Nepali families had given her a deeper understanding of her own culture and heritage. Inviting someone into her life brings learning and richness in many ways.
By entering into these relationships, volunteers reflect God’s heart for immigrants. Leviticus 19:33-34 says, “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
Important Dates:
The Bhutanese End of the Trimester Party will be held on the last day of programs, Tuesday December 8th, 6:30-8:30 pm during regular program time.
The Latino End of the Trimester Party will be held on Saturday December 12, 2015. The Latino Party will be held at the Bethany Community Center, 1120 Central Ave. Kansas City, Kansas 66102. Festivities will be begin at 4 pm with Dinner, followed by a Mexican Folklore Dance at 5 pm and ending with Awards and Recognition at 6 pm.