Written by Megan McDermott, Latino Children's Ministry Director
When I was a little girl, I remember the mystery and excitement that surrounded the words “field trip.” Field trips provided the opportunity to explore a topic of interest and to experience something new. It didn’t matter where we were going or what we were doing as long as we were taking a break from the monotony of sitting in the classroom!
After learning about pioneers and westward expansion in LIT, our after-school tutoring and character development program, the Leaders In Training family had the fun opportunity to visit the Steamboat Arabia Museum together, located in the River Market. The Steamboat Arabia sank in the Missouri River near Kansas City, Kansas on September 5, 1856 carrying 200 tons of cargo, much of which is on display in the museum. It was the perfect place to let the children explore, discover, and connect with history. We even had the privilege of meeting one of the main excavators of the Arabia that happened to be there that day as a guest lecturer! It was incredible to see how engaged the children were in exploring the past and how history came alive for them. It is enormously fulfilling to see the thirst for knowledge ignited in a child!
At Mission Adelante, we believe that developing individuals to reach their potential as disciples and leaders is how ministry bears fruit. One of the things I feel called to do with the children of LIT is to invest in the students’ growth into well-rounded, Christian leaders that are innovative thinkers. I’m grateful for the enriching activities, like our trip to the Steamboat Arabia Museum, that we’ve shared.
In other news:
- The application process for next year's Leaders in Training programs has begun. Twenty-one new applicants came to the informational meeting last Saturday, in addition to the students that will be returning! We feel so grateful that God would entrust us with leading these amazing children.
CURRENT NEEDS:
- Volunteers to serve weekly during our summer trimester, between the week of June 1 and the week of August 3.
- Tuesday evenings:
- Kids Club: 3 volunteers
- High-school Teens Club: 2-4 mentors--get to know the teens at events throughout the summer with the intention of forming relationships for discipleship this fall and beyond.
- One regular shuttle driver and one substitute driver
- Thursday evenings:
- Kids Adelante: 3 volunteers
- Tuesday evenings:
- Bhutanese Kids Club is looking for a male mentor to co-lead a Kids Club group made up of 5th-6th grade boys this summer, and into the fall trimester. We are hoping to fill this position with someone who would stay through the fall and transition to Middle School with the group. For more information, contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.
- Our Resource Center needs containers to organize and store books and staple food bags as they await distribution. Specifically, we're looking for 13" by 15" filing crates for the books, and 19 gallon locking storage totes for the food baskets. Please e-mail Molly M. at mollym@missionadelante.org with any questions, or if you can help.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Volunteer Training: Saturday, May 30, 9:00-1:00
- All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert: Monday, June 1, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our Summer trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch!
- Summer trimester programs launch: Week of June 1