Refugees

The Image of God

The Image of God

by Kristen Maxwell, Refugee Resettlement Director

It’s hard to comprehend the number of displaced people in the world. Right now, there are 43.7 million refugees.  Behind the statistics and images are real people—parents, children, brothers, and sisters—each carrying their stories, struggles, and hopes. And as people of faith, we’re called to remember that every single one of them is made in the image of God.

The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:27 that God made humanity in His image. This isn’t about physical resemblance—it’s about the imprint of God’s likeness on each of us. That truth doesn’t change based on someone’s circumstances, nationality, or immigration status.

When we look into the eyes of a refugee, we’re looking at someone who reflects the heart of God. Their courage to seek safety and a better future echoes God’s desire for justice and abundant life. Jesus himself experienced displacement as a child. When His family fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s violence, He became, in a very real sense, a refugee (Matthew 2:13-15). This shared experience connects us to Him even more deeply as we seek to walk alongside those fleeing danger today.

Last week, in our staff meeting, one of our team members shared how grateful they were that we had the opportunity to pause and acknowledge the image of God in the clients we serve and that we had the opportunity to get to know the person. That often looks like listening to someone’s story, sharing a meal, or simply offering a warm smile. Even small acts of connection can be profound reminders that they are seen, valued, and loved—not just by us, but by God.

In December, we have had the opportunity to welcome 21 individuals fleeing their homes thus far and will welcome 21 more over the rest of the month.  The average case we are receiving has been waiting for resettlement for over 10 years, some much less, but some much more.  One of the most beautiful aspects of welcoming refugees is how it enriches our lives. Refugees bring with them incredible strength, resilience, and cultural beauty. When we take the time to connect, we see that their presence is a gift—not just to them but to us as well.  God’s kingdom is gloriously diverse, and embracing that diversity here on earth gives us a glimpse of what’s to come. Building bridges of understanding and friendship honors the Creator who made us all.

This is our time!

This is our time! Help us build out our new Refugee Welcome Center. Donate here: www.missionadelante.org/give

From Immigrant to Advocate: A Journey of Hope and Service

From Immigrant to Advocate: A Journey of Hope and Service

By Geraldin Olaya Crisanto, Refugee Resettlement Case Aid



At Mission Adelante, the work we do goes far beyond simply providing aid. Every day, we have the privilege of helping families rebuild their lives in a new country. As a Refugee Resettlement Case Aid, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with assisting refugees as they navigate their new lives in the United States. But for me, this work holds a special place in my heart because it is deeply personal.

I grew up in a family that made the courageous decision to leave everything behind in search of a better future. My parents migrated to the U.S. in pursuit of the American Dream, bringing my sisters and me along to give us the opportunities they never had. I’ll never forget the sacrifices they made, leaving behind their home, family, and everything familiar to build a life from scratch. In many ways, their journey mirrors the experience of the refugee families we serve at Mission Adelante.

As someone who has walked the path of immigration, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new country, a new culture, and a new language. The feelings of uncertainty and homesickness are all too familiar. Yet, amidst these struggles, I also experienced a deep sense of hope, the hope that comes with the chance for a better future. That hope, though it may flicker at times, is what keeps families pushing forward, even when the path seems uncertain.

This is why working in refugee resettlement feels like more than just a job to me. It feels like a calling, an opportunity to use my God-given gifts to help others on similar journeys.

One of the most meaningful moments for me came when my sister and her college club at K-State volunteered their time to support newly arrived refugee children. They assembled small “welcome kits” filled with colored pencils, coloring books, and activities. Something simple, but incredibly powerful. These kits will give the children something to enjoy and occupy their time while they wait for their permanent homes to be ready. To see my sister and her peers giving of their time and resources for these kids reminded me that no act is too small; each gesture has the potential to bring joy and comfort during a time of transition and uncertainty.

I am reminded daily of the importance of hope, compassion, and the gift of community. It’s truly amazing to be part of the refugee resettlement process and to witness the transformation that takes place in these families’ lives. From the relief of receiving a permanent home to the joy of children starting school and making new friends, each small victory reminds me of why this work is so important.

I feel so blessed to have found friends through my job at Mission Adelante. People who share the same passion for justice, kindness, and serving others. In these friendships, I find strength and encouragement, knowing that we are all part of a greater purpose.

Through it all, I’m reminded of the words from my favorite Psalm- Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This work is a reflection of my own heart’s desire to serve, to help others, and to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to walk alongside these incredible families and to play a small part in their journey toward new beginnings.

As we continue to walk alongside these families and support their transition into a new life, we invite you to be a part of this important work. Whether through direct support, prayer, volunteering to help, or simply by being an advocate for refugees in your community. Together, we can continue to welcome and empower those who need it most.

This is our time!

This is our time! Help us build out our new Refugee Welcome Center. Donate here: www.missionadelante.org/give

The Courage to Welcome: Building Bridges in a Divided Nation

The Courage to Welcome: Building Bridges in a Divided Nation

By Amy Herman, Reception and Placement Director



As I sit here writing this post on Election Day, 2024, I am saddened by how the world seems more divided than ever. The very people—our friends, our refugees, our neighbors—that we are biblically mandated to care for, are hiding in the shadows, wondering what tomorrow will bring and who they can trust.

I think of the 110 refugees we received this year, displaced and scattered from their homes by war, famine, or persecution. They are often the first to bear the weight of a divided world, waiting anxiously in camps or cities far from their homeland, hoping for a future where they are seen as people, not problems. What will today's election mean for them? Will their hopes for safety and opportunity be dashed, or will their voices be heard? 

As all of this is heavy on my heart and mind, I have seen a glimmer of hope from the local church and a call for unity in an era of division.

Friday night, we hosted folks from two local churches in a training session, who are committed to joining in unity the seven other Good Neighbor Teams coming alongside our Afghan, Congolese, Eritrean, Guatemalan, Venezuelan and Burmese families.  A Good Neighbor Team is a small group of people from a church or friend group who have said yes to walking alongside a newly arriving immigrant family for 6-12 months, providing tangible care, friendship, and community connection.

The Bible is clear about how we are to treat the stranger, the sojourner, and the foreigner. In the book of Leviticus, we are instructed to "love the foreigner as yourself" (Leviticus 19:34). Jesus Himself, when speaking of the final judgment, tells us that when we welcome the stranger, we welcome Him (Matthew 25:35).

In these scriptures, we see that hospitality is not a mere suggestion—it’s a divine command. But it’s also a powerful way to bridge the gap between people of different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. It’s a way to turn division into connection, fear into understanding, and suspicion into friendship.

Welcoming immigrants and refugees means offering not just a physical place but also a place of dignity, respect, and belonging. It means taking time to hear their stories, to recognize their humanity, and to walk with them through the challenges they face. It’s about seeing people as individuals, not as labels or stereotypes.

The negative portrayal of refugees in the media doesn't reflect my personal experience. This year alone, I’ve had the privilege of meeting 110 new refugees, building meaningful friendships, and being welcomed into the lives of hundreds of immigrants over the past 12 years. My journey has been one of connection, compassion, and mutual respect—experiences far removed from the fear-driven narratives often seen in the media.

So today, as I distract myself and focus on the beauty of my relationships with many immigrants from all corners of the world, our staff is busy moving a recently arrived family from Afghanistan into their new apartment. Free from the constant fear of the Taliban, they now have a chance to rebuild their lives in safety, surrounded by new opportunities and a community that welcomes them with open arms. It's a reminder of how fragile freedom can be, and how transformative a simple act of kindness can be in the lives of those who have endured unimaginable hardship.

Would you and your church or friend group or business join us in personally welcoming and discovering friendships with people from all places?  I can assure you and the lives of the new friends you welcome will be mutually impacted.  

If you are interested in forming a Good Neighbor Team or learning more about it, please reach out to me at resettlement@missionadelante.org.  

This is our time!

This is our time! Help us build out our new Refugee Welcome Center. Donate here: www.missionadelante.org/give

Gracias a Dios!

Gracias a Dios!

By Caleb Miller, Refugee Empowerment Director

I’ve always loved learning. Since childhood, I’ve been a big reader. I liked going to school, unless the homework started to pile up too high, and I’ve always been interested in trying new things or going to new places. So when I joined Mission Adelante back in April, I was excited at the prospect of working with people from all over the world and the learning opportunities this would bring.


Over the course of seven months or so, there have been plenty of touchpoints with other cultures. Food, culture, body language, traditions, you name it. These are all ways that we teach each other about who we are and where we come from. But how we most tangibly communicate these things on a daily basis through language. On a weekly basis, I text (with the help of Google Translate) in Spanish, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, and Dari – maybe even some Tigrinya or Hahka Chin thrown in there as well. I grew up around other languages, having lived in the Czech Republic for most of my childhood, where I played on a Czech hockey team and attended international schools. I studied German throughout high school and college. I love languages, and I consider myself pretty decent at picking them up. 

As you can probably imagine, Google Translate can only do so much. It’s almost a daily occurrence for one of our staff to receive a message from one of our clients that either makes no sense or is translated so clunkily that we can’t help but laugh. And I’m absolutely positive that this happens on the other side as well, leaving our clients more confused than ever about what exactly these crazy Americans are trying to say. But over time, there are some words that become familiar and recognizable to us from these other languages, and I’d like to share a few words I’ve learned with you today along with my best attempts at their pronunciations:

Thank you:

Kinyarwanda, mainly spoken in Rwanda - “Murakoze” (mu-ra-KOH-zeh)

Dari, Afghanistan - “Tashakor” (tash-a-KOR)

Thank you, bye!:

Spanish - “Gracias adios!”

For a while after I would hear this phrase, I was confused because our clients would say “gracias adios” and then not go anywhere. I was unsure if they had a similar culture to Midwesterners, where goodbyes often rebound back into other conversations that require further attempts at goodbyes once the new topic is fully discussed. Eventually I found out that I’d been mishearing the phrase all along.

Thanks to God:

Spanish - “Gracias a Dios!”

Makes a lot more sense, doesn’t it?

Good bye:

Dari - “Khoda hafez” (HODO-fez)

This also means “may God protect you.”

Yep, ok, alright, sure, gotcha:

Dari - “Bale” (BA-le)

Spanish - “Vale” (VA-le)

Kinyarwanda - “Ego” (EH-go)

It’s kind of cool how Afghans and Spanish speakers have an almost identical sounding word with the same exact meaning despite living on opposite sides of the world and in vastly different contexts. 

Cool, fabulous, amazing:

Spanish - “Chevere” (SHEH-ve-re)

Basically this is what this word means →😎

I look forward to this list of words expanding as we welcome more new individuals and families into our city and our community. I’m sure the learning will continue in equal measure to the laughs I receive when I incorrectly pronounce these words in front of my clients. Though there may be language barriers, there are so many other ways to meaningfully communicate. And I’ve come to find that even knowing one or two words in someone else’s language can break down barriers. A multilingual author I like once talked about how when he spoke in someone else’s language, he found that they began to see him as “one of them.” I love this idea that learning from each other brings unity and connection. Thank you for living this out by following or being a part of our organization and I look forward to continuing to learn together!

This is our time!

This is our time! Help us build out our new Refugee Welcome Center. Donate here: www.missionadelante.org/give

One Year of Welcoming Refugees

ONE YEAR OF Welcoming Refugees

by Kristen Maxwell, Refugee Resettlement Director

Let me tell you a story of a remarkable journey—the journey of our first year of Refugee Resettlement at Mission Adelante. If you didn't know, refugee resettlement programs run on the government's fiscal year, meaning we opened our doors to the possibility of welcoming refugees on October 1, 2023. However, we didn't see our first case arrive until the end of January 2024; from January through June, we received a steady flow of cases, with 40 clients over five months. We were just over halfway to meeting our goal of welcoming 75 individuals in the year. We had seen clients from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Sudan, Nicaragua, The Congo, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.  

Then, we received a call from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), requesting organizations to increase their numbers to meet the overwhelming need for resettlement. After discussion and prayer, we received permission from our State Refugee Coordinator to increase our resettlement goal for the year to 100 individuals. We welcomed 60 new Americans to Kansas City from early July to mid-September. We began to see our first clients settling in, establishing themselves in our community, calling this new place their home, and turning around to welcome other newcomers.

One thing we didn't account for was how, in our agreement with PRM, they are allowed to send us up to an additional 10% of our designated goal, so we ended up rounding out the year welcoming an additional ten people in the last few days of September, with 9 of them arriving on the very last day of Fiscal Year 2024, wrapping up our year with 110 new Kansas Citians!

When we welcomed our first couple on January 25, 2024, none of us could have predicted the growth our team would undergo. We’ve expanded from 1.5 staff members to 8 full-time team members. This growth is a testament to our dedication and the success of our program, the commitment to welcoming well, and because of the partnership of World Relief and the Kansas Office of Refugees. We now have programs catering to employment, medical, and English needs. Some of our clients and their children have joined in with the other programs hosted by Mission Adelante. We've also witnessed the Church of Kansas City extending the warmest of welcomes to our new friends, and for this, we are incredibly grateful! 

Help Our Refugee Families

Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:

  • Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3

  • Hygiene kits

  • Vacuums

You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.

For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

How Newcomers Are Helping Others Find Their Way

From Refugee to Resilient: How Newcomers Are Helping Others Find Their Way

By Amy Herman, Initial Resettlement Director



Have you faced a tough time in your life?  Did you go through something you thought no one could ever relate to?  If so, what did you do on the other side of that trial?

Every week, I am amazed by the resilience of our refugee friends, who are escaping challenges we can’t begin to comprehend.  From the moment we receive them at the airport from their emotionally exhausting journey, you can feel the apprehension and anxiety, but also a sense of relief.  We always attempt to make our new friends as comfortable as we can with smiles, hugs or handshakes, and even fun welcoming signage letting them know we are so happy to meet them!

As we take the long, daunting walk down the gate corridor towards the baggage claim,  you can feel their uneasiness.   We gather their luggage and take the family  to their temporary accommodations.  For the next 90 days, our new friends will go through many things.  Lots of paperwork, doctor’s appointments, cultural orientation, school enrollment, job searches, and so much more.  The first 90 days, known as the reception and placement period, are very busy.  Our refugee friends experience many emotions.  Thankfulness, depression, hopefulness and hopelessness, inclusion, and acceptance can be among those.  

One of our answers to helping our new friends learn about life in the United States, is called a Good Neighbor Team (GNT).  These caring groups of volunteers from businesses, churches, the community and small groups come alongside our families for 6-12 months and forge beautiful friendships.

While our existing Good Neighbor Teams consist of those mentioned above, I recently sat down in a classroom at Mission Adelante, across from three of our refugee friends and a co-worker, who want to take their experience and give back to other refugees who are coming after them!  These amazing friends want to form their own GNT! 

As we poured over our coffee these three women told us about their experiences the last several months. We shared laughter of things they didn’t know upon their arrival, but now completely understand.  They cried over the things they have experienced and the family and friends they had to leave behind.  They marveled over the things they are grateful for like clean running water that they can access more than once a month, beds to sleep on, Good Neighbor Teams, even an amazing landlord who has become family and taught them so many things and all of the staff of Mission Adelante.   They shared some of their amazing ideas that I have no doubt we will be implementing very soon.   When I asked them what they miss most about their home countries, they responded that it is their family.   But, each of them reflected that their Good Neighbor Teams, their landlord, other refugee families and Mission Adelante have become their family.  I am humbled watching these friends wanting to use what they have gone through and turn their trial into a triumph and give back in such a relational way.

When I took this job in March of this year, I prayed that our newly arriving friends would feel welcomed and cared for and I looked forward to opening my heart to new relationships.  I never imagined how quickly these amazing leaders would emerge from within our refugee community.  I have seen many things like this over the last 6 months.  One man donated a bicycle to Mission Adelante, which he had used for months to commute to work, now that he has a car.  3 other men reached out to let me know when they get off work and if we need them to go welcome people from their countries at the airport or move furniture or set up apartments, they would be there!  

At Mission Adelante we have several core values.  Four that stand out to me this week are Prayer, Developing Leaders, Love for Neighbor, Interdependent relationships.  I am so grateful for these emerging leaders who want to love their newly arriving refugee neighbors the way they were loved and cared for when they arrived in KC.  

If you would like to join a Good Neighbor Team, contact randpdirector@missionadelante.org or sign up this week for our training session on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:30.   https://missionadelante.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/134/responses/new.  

A Good Neighbor Team who completed an apartment set up

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - SEPTEMBER 7TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 7th, 2024 and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

Finding a Home

Finding a home

By Caleb Miller, Refugee Empowerment Director

The summer before I turned 16, I found out that my family would be moving to Minnesota. Any move is a big deal in one way or another, but I’d never lived in the Midwest before. In fact, my family had been living outside the US for the past 8 years, where my dad had been teaching at an international university in Prague, Czech Republic. Soon, the implications of switching schools halfway through high school, leaving my childhood community, and starting over in a country that felt foreign and strange began to sink in. There would be culture shock as I’d have to go from a class of 4 kids with 4 passport countries to a class of 400. Though, to be fair, there would end up being about the same amount of countries represented. We didn’t have any friends or family in Minnesota. I had been able to take public transportation wherever I wanted for years, but now I would have to go to driving school and get hours and borrow the car anytime I wanted to go anywhere else. It was daunting. When we arrived, people began to ask where I was from and if I said the Czech Republic, they’d ask why my English was so good. But it didn’t feel like I was from the US - I’d lived in Dallas until I was 8 and barely remembered any of it. I started having to figure out what home was and realized I might not have one, at least in the sense that most of my classmates in Minnesota did.

^ First family picture in our new home in Prague

Let’s fast forward a bit.

I’m Caleb, and I started working at Mission Adelante four months ago. My position has shifted a bit since then, but currently I’m on the Ongoing Services side of our Refugee Resettlement team. One of my main priorities is helping our refugees find employment, but our Ongoing Services team also oversees programs such as ESL, Cultural Orientation, and Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance. I help our refugee clients set goals, make resumes, apply for jobs, and learn about work life and expectations here. It’s been a joy to work with refugees from 4 continents, but I can’t help but think about how they’ll also have to figure out how to answer questions about where they are from and where home is. Unlike me, however, they were forced to leave their homes. 

I don’t know about you, but for something to be home, it had to be safe, comfortable, and familiar. After Dallas, Prague, Minnesota, Michigan for college, and now Kansas City, I don’t feel like I can say I have one place I consider home. Many of my friends have moved around, my parents are now in Idaho, and my brother is almost off to Switzerland for the rest of the year, so all of the pieces that comprise home (family, places, friends, memories, sights, smells) are scattered. Instead, I have pockets of home that meet the criteria of safe, comfortable, and familiar. For a while, making sense of my identity was tough because it felt scattered and hard to define until eventually I realized that it’s actually wide-reaching and diverse. 

But these last four months of working with refugees has challenged my definition of home. Unsurprisingly, they overwhelmingly still consider their native countries to be home. However, the reason they had to leave was because it had become unsafe, uncomfortable, and had often changed in some way that made it unfamiliar compared to what it used to be. What is home, then? The people and places and memories in my life still feel like home, and mine just happen to feel safe, comfortable, and familiar. So what else is it? I suppose home is really just a combination of the things we feel we belong to and the things that belong to us. 

Our refugees have a long road ahead of them in search of belonging here in the US. Some things we can help with and many are outside of our control. We can throw a man in his late 30s his first birthday party, give a kid their first toy, or celebrate a first car. We can’t erase the trauma that ironically allowed them the opportunity to come here, learn the language for them, or ensure those they meet outside of our team treat them with respect and patience as they figure things out. 

Despite having to move to several new and unfamiliar places, I’ve been able to make each of the spots feel a bit like home, and I’m excited for Mission Adelante to become a place where I can find belonging as I enter its community. Thanks for having me!

We each have our own unique relationship with the concept of home, but our refugees’ are distinct and sometimes it’s hard to know how to help. There are a few ways you can get involved that would be particularly helpful: 

Employment: We are always in search of companies that may have good opportunities available for our clients. Often these are entry level positions, and if there is any assistance with transportation, that’s a major plus. You can contact me at rssdirector@missionadelante.org if you have any leads in mind.

English Classes: We offer English classes on Monday nights for our refugees and are always looking for more volunteers. We will also be starting an additional class on Thursday mornings and would love to have volunteers assist with this as well. If you’re interested, you can email veronicag@missionadelante.org.

Good Neighbor Teams: One of the best ways to help our new families is to start a Good Neighbor Team. These teams are groups of around 8 who want to come alongside a new family in any number of ways. Often times, GNT’s will help take clients to appointments, study for the driving test, or set up their apartments. But it may also look like taking the family to the park, showing them around Kansas City, or having them over for dinner. If you want to learn more or would like to start a team, shoot an email to randpdirector@missionadelante.org

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - SEPTEMBER 7TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 7th, 2024 and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

Expecting the Unexpected: Welcoming Refugees with Mission Adelante

Expecting the Unexpected: Welcoming Refugees with Mission Adelante

by Kristen Maxwell, Refugee Resettlement Director

When Jarrett reached out to me about 18 months ago with the idea of opening a resettlement agency at Mission Adelante in partnership with World Relief, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  When we got our first assurances in November of 2023,  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  And when our first arrivals made it to Kansas City in January of 2024, I still wasn’t sure what to expect. We have now welcomed 51 individuals from 23 cases to Kansas City, and I’ve learned to expect the unexpected.  

We have seen many unexpected hard things, from difficulties securing apartments, and first jobs.  Influxes of many cases at the same time, to having a hard time finding interpreters for minority languages.  We’ve had folks who have health problems and clients displaced by an apartment fire.  We’ve walked with folks as they’ve learned that America isn’t always like what they’ve seen in the movies, as they’ve been shaken by cultural changes and had to face past traumas head-on. 

But with the unexpected hard has been the unexpected good. With the addition of KSOR grants came the addition of many new team members.  We have seen relationships and friendships formed with volunteers and community members.  We’ve met some great landlords who want to see new Americans thrive. We’ve seen job placements with a starting wage of around $17 an hour!  We’ve seen hugs and smiles as clients settle in and move on from having intensive needs but come back to pay us a visit or bring us some empanadas. We’ve met new people and extended a warm welcome to 51 people from all OVER the world!  

If I had to summarize my time so far back with Mission Adelante, it would be to expect the unexpected. It’s a wild ride, but it is beautiful. The great news is, that we’ve got plenty of room on this wild ride!  We are looking to add volunteers to our Good Neighbor Teams and English classes.  We are also looking for landlords and employers to grow our networks with. If you would like to come along with us, please reach out! 

Help Our Refugee Families

Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:

  • Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3

  • Hygiene kits

  • Vacuums

You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.

For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

An Opportunity for Reciprocal Relationships

Good Neighbor Teams…an Opportunity for Reciprocal Relationships

By Amy Herman, Reception and Placement Director



I joined the Mission Adelante staff just three short months ago and have already had the amazing privilege of meeting many new friends from at least 11 different countries!  Everyday I find myself wondering what it must be like to be a stranger in a strange land?  To be forced to leave everything and everyone you know, to start over, sometimes at a moment’s notice?  

I have enjoyed welcoming our new friends to K.C., and helping them learn about American culture. It has been a mutual learning experience of learning about their culture, learning words in new languages, drinking some delicious tea from Afghanistan and even some Injera bread, a staple in Eritrea.  

Right here in Kansas City, refugees and other immigrants in the United States are in need of people like you:  local community members who will welcome and help them navigate new challenges as they seek to rebuild their lives in the U.S.  We call these teams, Good Neighbor Teams. GNT’s are matched with refugees and commit to walking alongside newcomers for the first 6-12 months, with the goal that each refugee who arrives to the U.S. will feel the warm welcome of his/her local community.  

When asked why she participates on a GNT, Kristin Cooke says, “ Involving our whole family on a Good Neighbor Team is so special not only because our kids learn about helping others, but the bond children can make instantly is truly a gift from God”.  

Would you and your friends, family, church, or business, be interested in connecting with a refugee family?  We are looking for teams of 6-8 who would like the opportunity to steward long-term reciprocal relationships.  This could look like many different things, but spending time together, learning from one another,  supporting, and empowering the newcomers as they learn to navigate and make a home here is so important to the role Good Neighbor Teams play.  This could include airport pick-up, rides to appointments, housing set up, homework and school navigation, and more.  If you are interested in participating in a Good Neighbor Team, but don’t have a full team to serve with, we will try to connect you with others in a similar situation to form a full GNT.   Contact me at randpdirector@missionadelante.org if you are interested. 

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 8 - 11

Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs. This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.

For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

New Beginnings in 2024

New Beginnings in 2024: Mission Adelante's Journey into Refugee Resettlement

by Kristen Maxwell, Refugee Resettlement Director

The new year is here, and we are celebrating new things and goals.  As many of you have heard by now, Mission Adelante has been on an adventure, getting ready to do a new thing in 2024.  We are welcoming refugees as a resettlement agency affiliate of World Relief!

I rejoined the staff team in August and was immediately thrown into my new role with a meeting with KSOR (Kansas State Office of Refugees). Throughout the meeting, I felt like a student learning a new language. As a former teacher, I thought educators spoke with a lot of jargon and acronyms; it turns out they have nothing on the field of refugee resettlement.  I spent the whole meeting writing down what I didn’t understand and about an hour afterward looking it all up!  

Here is an example the top is unexplained, and the bottom is better explained:

You can see how and why we use acronyms and understand that our whole staff is learning this new language together.  

We did indeed accept our first batch of assurances on December 18th, meaning we could receive information about our first families traveling in the next few weeks.  When they arrive, we will support them through the R&P (Reception and Placement) Program.  We are very excited about this new journey and would love for you to pray with us.  Also, If you want a new way to serve in 2024, jump on board with us. We promise we will teach you this new language, too!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - JANUARY 13TH

Join our team of volunteers for the spring trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on January 13th, 2024 and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

Welcoming Refugees

Welcoming Refugees to a Brighter Future in Kansas City

by Kristen Maxwell, Refugee Resettlement Director


I never thought I would be back writing articles for the Adelante Express, but it is wonderful to share with you today. Since I left Mission Adelante in 2017, I have stayed connected with the refugee and immigrant communities, working with Catholic Charities for about a year and then with the KCK School District for four years as an ESL Teacher. When Jarrett called me with the opportunity to join the work of Mission Adelante again in a new capacity, it didn't take long for me to say yes. I am excited to partner with World Relief as we welcome new Americans to Kansas City. 

A photo from my first trimester with Mission Adelante, March 2010!

The world is facing one of the most significant displacement crises in history. Over 117 million people have been forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, and other catastrophes. And with the current conflict in the Middle East, I imagine that number will keep growing. Among the displaced are nearly 29 million people formally identified as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees. The scale of this crisis is mind-boggling. It would be about the equivalent of 20 people leaving everything behind each minute to escape war, persecution, or terror.

A person identified as a refugee has fled their home and country because of "a well-founded fear of persecution due to his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." The United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention set this criteria. The US has a rich history of resettling refugees, as far back as 1948, when the first law explicitly addressing refugee admissions was implemented due to individuals fleeing the aftermath of World War 2.

But sadly, only a fraction of the 29 million people identified as refugees will have the opportunity to rebuild their lives through resettlement. In 2020, less than 1% of the world's recognized refugees were resettled, leaving many languishing in protracted displacement, vulnerable to exploitation and despair. Refugee resettlement is a lifeline for those who have no other options. It's a chance for children to receive an education, for families to access healthcare, and for individuals to regain their dignity and self-sufficiency.

We are excited to expand resettlement in Kansas City and extend a welcome to refugees.  We will join the organizations already doing great work with refugee resettlement in Kansas City, including our long-time partner, Catholic Charities. And on the Missouri side, Della Lamb and Jewish Vocational Services.  

The overarching umbrella of Refugee Resettlement could include many programs as it grows, but we are starting with the Reception and Placement program(R&P). R&P offers newly arrived refugees a structured 90-day period of support as they adapt to life in the United States. This program provides essential services such as securing safe and furnished housing, initial financial assistance for basic needs, access to medical care and vaccinations, cultural orientation, assistance with documentation like Social Security numbers, job placement services, enrollment in English language classes, and connections to community resources. The goal of the R&P program is to empower refugees to rebuild their lives, become self-sufficient, and integrate successfully into their new environment, all within a challenging but crucial 90-day window.

When looking at it through that lens, that is a lot to accomplish in 90 days. I can't imagine arriving in a foreign culture and being expected to work a job by the end of my first 90 days there.  

We have been approved to assist in the resettlement of 75 refugees starting from January to October 2024. 

This is a big undertaking, and we are going to need help in 4 main ways:

  • Pray: We believe that prayer is a significant part of the work that we will be doing. Pray for the families that will be coming, pray for the volunteers that will serve, and pray for the resources that will be needed.

  • Share: Help us to spread the word of the work the Lord is doing. Do you have a church or small group we could share with? Could you share our posts on Social Media? Could you tell a friend? Please help us share about refugee resettlement in Kansas City. 

  • Connect: Welcoming refugees requires a lot of resources: financial, material, and human connections. We are looking for connections in the areas of rental housing, apartment furnishings, and employers who may be interested in hiring clients. If you or someone you know can help in these areas, we would love to hear from you. 

  • Serve:  We will have one-time, ongoing, individual, and group opportunities to serve available.  

If this is something that you are interested in, we invite you to join us.

We will host two events in November to orient potential partners and volunteers to this incredible opportunity. The first event, Tuesday, November 7th, at 9:30 AM, will be geared toward church and community partners. 

The second event, which will take place on Saturday, November 11th at 9:30 AM, will invite people interested in knowing more about what volunteering will look like to come and learn.  

Also, please share this information with your friends, family, and neighbors who may be interested in joining in the work of welcome. 

Click here to RSVP for either of the informational gatherings! 

If you cannot make either of the events and would like additional information, please contact me at KristenM@missionadelante.org

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE: NOVEMBER 6TH -9TH

Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs. This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.

For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

New Refugee Ministry Pilots at Mission Adelante

Our new English Club for people from all places launched on May 30!

Our new English Club for people from all places launched on May 30!

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director

The end of one season often signals the beginning of another.  As Mission Adelante celebrated the winding down of seven beautiful years of ministry specifically with the Bhutanese, new doors were beginning to open for a broader ministry with refugees from all places in our neighborhood.  A meeting with Catholic Charities underlined the ongoing need for complementary refugee services that go beyond the initial three-month resettlement window.  Relationships with key people from several refugee communities including Bhutanese, Chin, Karen, Karenni, Iraqi, and Syrian, confirmed once again the deep desire our new neighbors have for friendship and their need for assistance with practical matters related to integrating in their new context.  An ESL class that we taught for adults, in partnership with refugee and immigrant students at Schlagle High School, highlighted the potential and passion that exists in youth from all places.  In so many ways it seems the Lord is leading us to press into our role and identity as a ministry with immigrants and refugees from ALL PLACES!

This summer we will be pressing further into our purpose to "love people from all places" by experimenting with two new initiatives that are open to all refugees and immigrants; an English Club for adults and a Refugee Kids Club.  These two initiatives launched on Tuesday night with several exciting highlights!

Our English Club Pilot, led by Lena Chan, is an informal, activity-based ESL program.  Participants practice their English and build friendships as they enjoy cooking, playing games, talking about health-related issues, and address practical issues that may arise in their everyday lives.  It is a combination of fun, relationships, and English-learning in a social environment, rather than an academic one.  Our initial group of 15 English Club students came from countries including Thailand, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.

English Club participants practice English as they enjoy a game of Jenga.

English Club participants practice English as they enjoy a game of Jenga.

Our Refugee Kids Club Pilot is led by Laxmi Gurung, a refugee from Nepal and Mission Adelante's newest Staff Apprentice.  It is so beautiful to see the fruit of many years of different people investing in Laxmi's life being reproduced now in her own desire to invest in the lives of others.  In fact, the volunteer team Laxmi leads includes four other youth from Nepal who once participated in our Bhutanese Kids Club, among others. It is a truly multicultural team in which the fruits of long-term disciple-making are being harvested in the multiplication of leaders who are now sharing Christ with others.  

Laxmi Gurung with her amazing team of volunteers for Refugee Kids Club

Laxmi Gurung with her amazing team of volunteers for Refugee Kids Club

It is an exciting new season at Mission Adelante with exciting challenges and big opportunities!  Please pray with us as we take these next steps in exploring ministry with refugees from all places in our neighborhood!