Written by Dani Hammond, Bhutanese Kids Club Coordinator
One of my favorite things about being part of the Mission Adelante community is that our mission goes beyond our programs. We make an effort to spend a lot of time with kids and families outside of the building, in their homes and celebrating their culture. We truly live on mission here in KCK, it’s not always simple, but the Lord is good to us and He is faithful to create spaces for us to speak His truth.
During our spring break week I spent a lot of time with kids and families I know and love. I found that I could turn some simple, everyday activities into moments to serve, teach, and demonstrate the love of Jesus. While walking with one family to the neighborhood park, I was able to teach a first grader (and her three-year-old sister) not to run in the street. When she was resistant to my authority, I took the opportunity to tell her that the adults in her life discipline her because we love her. I shared with her that we discipline her not because we are mad or disapprove of who she is, but because we want to take care of her and make sure she is safe, just the way Jesus longs to take care of us. I also reminded her that she should act with the same caring love for her younger sister. While I was teaching some young teenage girls how to bake cookies I also had the opportunity to talk to them about being confident in who God created them to be. It’s important to feel good about ourselves and God wants us to find confidence in the way we treat ourselves, with honor and respect. I shared with them that this is how we should expect others to treat us also. My brother and I took a couple of our Nepali sisters to see a movie, when we asked them what they thought about the movie it opened the door for uplifting Gospel conversations and created moments for us to speak the name of Jesus to the kids that we love.
Living in community on mission is an ongoing learning experience for me. One of the most helpful things that I’ve learned so far is how to see opportunities like these that God places before us and bring fearless, Kingdom love into ordinary spaces. With the support of a strong community, I am encouraged to be faithful to where the Lord is calling me; not only with big life decisions, but also in the everyday, ordinary moments.
Other News:
- Last week our Bhutanese Teens Club relocated to a student's house to celebrate his birthday with him and his family! It was a great time to set aside the structure of programs for one night and embrace Nepali culture in a fun and relational way together as a community.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Immigrant and Refugee friends to feel supported and loved here in their homes in the United States. Many have recently expressed feelings of fear and rejection in light of the current American political atmosphere.
Important Dates:
- Please join us at Adelante Thrift, 3720 State Ave, Kansas City, Kansas 66102 this Saturday, March 26, 12:00 - 2:00 for our Saturday Kids Fun Day/"Easter Extravaganza". There will be an Easter egg hunt, crafts, games, a fashion show, and a visit from the Easter bunny. Bring your friends and family for a fun day at Adelante Thrift ( and plan to do a little shopping too).
- Bhutanese Spring Party: Saturday, April 9, 5:00-7:00 at La Fe En Jesus Christo Church, 1500 Central Ave Kansas City, KS 66102 (park in the back parking lot and enter through the back door). Please come and help us celebrate the accomplishments of our ESL, Teens, Kids Club, and L.I.T. students this trimester and honor our volunteers who have continued to serve with us.
- Latino Spring Party: Sunday, April 10, 4:00 - 8:00 at Bethany Community Center, 1120 Central Ave Kansas City, KS 66102 (between 11th & 12th Street, behind the fire station). Please come and help us celebrate the accomplishments of our ESL, Teens, Kids Adelante, and L.I.T. students this trimester and honor our volunteers who have continued to serve with us.