David Stetler Promoted to Associate Director of Mission Adelante

by Jarrett Meek, Pastor/Executive Director/Founder

Faithfulness and excellent leadership are always in high demand.  David Stetler has demonstrated both of these qualities during his five-year tenure at Mission Adelante.  David and his wife Holly moved to our neighborhood in the fall of 2009 to serve the Bhutanese community in  Kansas City, KS.  A common sense of calling to missions led them to say, "yes" to what they thought was a small step forward; driving a group of Bhutanese refugees to an Alpha Bible Study course in early 2009.  That was the beginning of a new adventure for the Stetler family, and the first step in what would become a new ministry to the Bhutanese through Mission Adelante.

After five faithful years of service as the Director of our Bhutanese Ministries, I'm pleased to share that David has accepted a new role:  Associate Director of Mission Adelante.  David, along with his team, have built a solid ministry with the Bhutanese that includes an ESL program, children and youth ministries, and a house church for the Bhutanese.  I've seen over this time that David has risen to every challenge placed before him, and has demonstrated a broad leadership capacity.  His innovative spirit looks beyond what is to what God could do.  He has made a significant impact on organizational priorities that have a greater scope than his own areas of responsibility, including major projects like our thrift store, our business coaching ministry, as well as overhauls of our vision page, our logo, and our website.   David led our staff team for four months during my sabbatical in 2013.  And his ability to represent Mission Adelante with partners across the city is outstanding.  His talent in leading worship and relating with people cross-culturally mean he often gets called on to lead multicultural ministry events such as our Christmas Eve Service, which includes English, Nepali, and Spanish speakers.   

As Mission Adelante continues to grow into new opportunities that the Lord puts before us, it will be important for our leadership to continue to grow as well.  The Mission Adelante board is excited about David's new role and the impact he will have on developing new opportunities and initiatives.  His strength as a vision caster will be important as we continue to work hard to include partners from across the city in the vision to "make disciples with people from other places."  I am thankful to have such a competent and gifted partner in ministry whose character sharpens and whose gifts complement my own. 

IN OTHER NEWS:

Last week on the bus, a middle-school girl was looking at an ABC book with her little sister. The almost 2-year-old was obviously familiar with books and even knew a few of the letters by heart. It’s a joy to see difference book donations make in the everyday life of families!

CURRENT NEEDS:

Leaders in Training, Mission Adelante, Inc.'s after-school leadership development and tutoring program is serving 30 kids this year! We go through around 60 individually wrapped snacks each week! We are currently running low on snacks. Would you or your small group consider picking up healthy pre-packaged snacks for a week?  If you are able to supply some snacks, message email Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.

Celebrating Friends Across Culture

Written by Jenny Dunn, Bhutanese ESL Coordinator

The Asian culture is organized by events rather than by chronological time.  Therefore, when our foreign-born Bhutanese-Nepali friends are asked when their birthdays are, they have no idea.  Upon arriving in America, most of the adults began to write January 1st on paperwork requiring a date of birth.  In Bhutanese-Nepali culture, after reaching a certain age, birthdays are typically no longer celebrated.

Some of our faithful volunteers, Roger and Sheri, have been friends with a Bhutanese-Nepali family for five years, almost as long as that family has been in the United States. They first met in our Bhutanese English Class and immediately formed a bond. Their friendship has ranged from eating one another’s food and drinking tea together, to births and deaths in their families.

This year, Roger and Sheri decided to host a birthday dinner on New Year’s Day for the matriarch of the family, Hasta.  They also wanted to share their Christmas traditions and beliefs with their dear friends.  Hasta is one of the most joyful ladies that I have ever met. She is also incredibly smart and is studying hard to pass her citizenship test in March, which I have no doubt she will do.  Roger and Sheri simply wanted to celebrate her, and even though January 1st is not her God-given birthday, and that’s what they did.  They celebrated their special friend by singing “Happy Birthday” and eating food together as a family.

In other news:

Want to volunteer at Adelante Thrift? We are recruiting volunteers for on-going opportunities to serve once the store opens. You can see the full list of volunteer opportunities at www.adelantethrift.com/volunteer and fill out an interest form to get started. Our next Adelante Thrift volunteer training is Saturday, March 7 from 9am-10am. We look forward to seeing you soon!

TOCA FC: Kicking Youth Soccer and Discipleship to the Next Level

Written by Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Logistics Coordinator

At Mission Adelante, we believe that the opportunities and challenges in our community are God-sized, and that meeting them requires partnerships that begin with relationships and trust and move toward collaboration. One of our most beloved community partnerships is with TOCA FC.

Toca’s philosophy of youth soccer is similar to our vision for developing our community: “to develop players that are masters of the ball individually, who understand the total team concept.”  At Mission Adelante, we see that developing leaders to reach their full potential as disciples is how we can begin to develop our neighborhood and community.

Our favorite aspect of our partnership with Toca is how we see the students growing and developing through soccer. In our neighborhood, our students are surrounded by negative influences. Those influences can be things like gangs or drugs, but also include the message our students hear over and over, that their future is limited and their options are few. Toca, on the contrary, gives our students healthy goals and dreams. Instead of being on the streets becoming involved with gang activity, our students can be on the soccer field being coached and discipled by Christian leaders. Instead of dwelling only on their struggles, they can experience great accomplishments with their soccer team.

Not only does Toca excel at developing and discipling these youth, they also excel on the field. The Toca FC U-14 team came in second place in the city-wide tournament they competed in over the weekend! While it can be a frustrating to finish in second place after competing hard through a weekend long tournament, Toca FC is first in our book.

In other news:

  • We have open volunteer opportunities for Adelante Thrift! Saturday, January 31st,  we need assistance painting the processing area of the store. There are numerous other weekday and weekend opportunities for all skill levels. Check out our Upcoming Events at www.adelantethrift.com to learn more and sign-up.
  • Last Tuesday the Bhutanese teens ministry volunteers kicked-off the new trimester by visiting students. Several volunteers and students went to the RG Asian store owned by House church leader Ram Rai  to enjoy some Chhapati ( a spicy nepali snack food) together. It was a great time of relationship-building and fellowship among students and volunteers.
  • We will take a group of about twenty teens to the annual Winter Jam concert this Sunday. It has been a great time of fellowship and worship in the past and we are excited to worship God together!

Prayer needs:

  • Please pray for us as we begin planning for the Summer. It's naturally a season of extra events and programs outside of the normal routine. Pray that we would plan wisely.

Current needs:

  • Construction on Adelante Thrift has begun! Are you interested in supporting this project by donating material goods? We are looking for 12” x 12” vinyl composite tiles, 2’ x 4’ ceiling tiles, and fluorescent light fixtures. Please contact Matt Totsch at mattt@missionadelante.org for more information or if you are able to provide for these building needs.
  • Bhutanese LIT is in need of 1 more Monday afternoon volunteer.  If you are interested in learning more, contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org

Adelante Thrift to Accept Donations On-Site Beginning March 7, 2015!

Have you been saving up "treasures" in your basement or garage to donate to Adelante Thrift?  If so, you're a part of an exciting ground-swell of support for this new sustainable ministry project in KCK!  Soon, you and many others will have a few options for dropping off your donations and seeing your "treasures" become community transformation!

donation-box.jpg

On January 15th we took possession of the thrift store space so we could begin transforming what has been a vacant and deteriorating commercial space into a thriving neighborhood business.  With permit in hand, our construction process has begun with demo work and is projected to be complete by February 20th; a pretty tight timeline, but within reach according to our physical space team!

Demo began on the Adelante Thrift site on January 15th.  We're on track for a March 14th opening day! 

Demo began on the Adelante Thrift site on January 15th.  We're on track for a March 14th opening day! 

As we prepare the store for a March 14th opening day, there are a few earlier options for those who are anxious to clear their basements of accumulating "treasures" and help provide the initial inventory for Adelante Thrift.

Church Donation Drives: A few partner churches are hosting donation drives at their churches before the store opens.  They have agreed to receive donations, during specific hours, on specific dates, for Adelante Thrift.  If you attend or live near one of these churches, you may contact the point person for those donation drives to find out more about dropping off donations at their sites. 

  • Westbrooke Church- Friday, February 20 from 5pm-9pm AND Saturday, February 21 from 8am to Noon.  Contact the church office for more details: 913.888.4750.
  • Mill Creek Community Church- Saturdays, February 21 and 28 from 10am-4pm.  Contact Carrol Moore: kevcarrolmoore@yahoo.com
  • Heartland Community Church- Sunday, February 22nd.  Contact Ben Morrill: bmorrill@gmail.com.

Adelante Thrift Drop-Off: Beginning Saturday, March 7th, Adelante Thrift will be set up to receive donations at the store (3720 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS  66102).  Contact Matt Totsch for more information at store@adelantethrift.com.  We will be able to receive donations during the following hours:

  • Saturdays (beginning March 7)- 10am-4pm
  • Monday-Friday- 10am-4pm

No Home Pick-ups Yet: We have not yet set a date to begin doing home pick-ups.    

Our Newest House Church

Written by Edgar Soriano, Latino Ministry Apprentice

This Sunday will be an exciting one: it will be the first time our brand-new Latino youth house church will meet!  The teenage years can be difficult so we want the teens to have a place to go deeper in their study of God’s word, and to grow into a family.  We’ve had this dream for some time, and now we feel that God is saying this is the time!  We want the newest house church to glorify God as the teens spend time in the Word, in worship, and in prayer.  Would you please pray for God to bless us in these ways as we spend time sharing life and sharing Jesus in this new setting?

In other news:

  • We love hearing how volunteers are building relationships with students outside of English class. One couple invited a family over for a New Year’s Day meal to honor their friend’s birthday. Another has spent several days working to help her conversation partner find relief from major tooth pain. Jesus’ love is represented so well in these relationships.
  • We are excited to announce our first volunteer opportunities for Adelante Thrift! We have numerous weekday and weekend opportunities for all skill levels starting this weekend! Check out our Upcoming Events at www.adelantethrift.com to learn more and sign-up.
  • Our Leaders in Training program started this week and we are so excited to have our little family back together to continue pursuing Jesús in an intentional way.

current needs:

  • Construction on Adelante Thrift will begin soon. Are you interested in supporting this project by donating material goods? We are looking for 12” x 12” vinyl composite tiles, 2’ x 4’ ceiling tiles, and fluorescent light fixtures. Please contact Matt Totsch at mattt@missionadelante.org for more information or if you are able to provide for these building needs.

Volunteer Opportunities for Spring Trimester 2015

We are excited to announce the launch of our 2015 Spring Trimester! This year is an exciting year with many new volunteer opportunities through the launch of Adelante Thrift. If you are interested in jumping on board with us this year, it's not too late!

Here are the current volunteer needs with the Latino Outreach, the Bhutanese Outreach and the Thrift Store. Please follow the link to learn more about each opportunity and to sign up online. 

LATINO OUTREACH

BHUTANESE OUTREACH

  • Kids Club - 2 Kindergarten Volunteers and 1 Nursery Volunteer for Tuesday evening
  • Teens Club - 2 Volunteers for Tuesday evening
  • Transportation - 2 Volunteers to drive shuttles for Tuesday evening (email drew at drewh@missionadelante.org for more information)

THRIFT STORE

Please visit adelantethrift.com for more information on volunteering. The following is a list of potential opportunities to serve:

  • Construction Team
  • Dept Team Coordinator
  • Hospitality  Team
  • Driving/Loading Trucks
  • Sorting, Stocking
  • Tagging
  • Floor Design Specialist
  • Web Design

Volunteer Orientation & Training This Saturday

  • What: Volunteer Orientation & Training
  • When: January 10th, 9am - 1:00pm
  • Where: Mission Adelante 

Training for Mission Adelante volunteers in all ministry areas will be held Saturday, January 10, 2015. We’ll begin with a continental breakfast at 9:00 a.m. and wrap-up at 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be served from a local Mexican restaurant (a $5 contribution is suggested, to help us cover the expense).

The purpose of this training is to familiarize and orient volunteers to our whole ministry as well as the area in which they’ll serve. We ask that each volunteer attend this training once, preferably at the beginning of his or her first term serving.  We are looking for volunteers to serve in our Bhutanese ministries, our Latino ministries, and our new Thrift Store, too!  If you have friends who may be interested in learning about our ministry and possibly volunteering, please share this message with them as well!

The training will be at the Mission Adelante facility, located at 22 S. 18th Street in Kansas City, KS 66102. It's a tan brick building on the west side of the street a half block before Central Avenue.

Please visit www.missionadelante.org/serve to read about the different opportunities to serve. 

7 Reasons to Hope that 2015 Will Be Our Best Year Ever!

written by Jarrett Meek, Executive Director

written by Jarrett Meek, Executive Director

I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.

As we stand on the shores of a new year, looking back on the mountains, valleys and deserts we traversed in 2014, and forward over the horizon to 2015, I'm filled with thanksgiving and hope.  Nine years of ministry in urban Kansas City have brought with them heartaches, disappointments, and discouragements, along with victories, celebrations, joy and much growth.  Thankfulness springs forth out of having seen the hand of God in each circumstance and knowing that He has been at work in sometimes miraculous ways.  Hopefulness is born out of having experienced God's goodness in the past and believing that He will indeed continue to work for His glory and our joy in the future.  As I look forward to the next year, I am aware of His mighty works and I trust in His faithfulness.  I have a sense that it may be the best year of my life, the best year my family has ever experienced, and the best year in Mission Adelante's ministry history in our neighborhood.  Do I dare to hope like this?  Will you hope with me?

Seven Highlights from 2014

  • After more than four years of waiting, Janoy's family was finally able to come from Cuba to join him in the United States.  We prayed and wept with Janoy over the years, and this year we celebrated the reunification of his family together!  
  • Narbu and Anju were married at Mission Adelante this year.
  • Our summer internship included two youth from our Bhutanese community and four from our Latino community.  
  • Our Leaders-in Training program for kids continued to innovate by incorporating a robotics club for participants.
  • Edgar Soriano became the first leader from our community to complete a one-year internship in youth ministry.
  • Five members of the RAICES ministry team from Cuba spent two weeks with us this summer.
  • Adelante Thrift found a location, signed a lease, and is now moving forward in preparation for a March grand opening!

Seven things that make us hopeful for 2015

  • As 2015 begins, Edgar Soriano and Yuri Alonso will become the first two Mission Adelante community members to begin our three-year ministry apprenticeship.  They will serve and gain training for ministry through a combination of theological study, mentoring, and practical ministry experience.  Developing leaders from our own community for ministry is one of our highest priorities as it represents real and reproducible fruit from making disciples.
  • Adelante Thrift is gearing up to begin accepting donated items in mid-February and then open on March 14th.  Gather up your stuff and get ready to serve, shop, and donate!
  • We long to see our house churches multiply in 2015 and a movement of disciple-making begin to flourish.
  • Renovations on our new ministry house, right next door to our main building, are projected to be completed and the house ready to use in February!
  • We hope to take our first concrete steps toward launching Adelante Family Care, a family practice clinic that will bring affordable, quality, and accessible healthcare to our community.
  • On October 1, 2015 Mission Adelante will celebrate 10 years of ministry!  Ten years is a huge milestone, and we'll celebrate with a big banquet event at the Jack Reardon Convention Center in downtown KCK.  Save the date, because you won't want to miss it!
  • We're hopeful that recent changes in the U.S. relationship with Cuba will improve conditions for our ministry partners there and open doors for the gospel to spread and more disciples to be made on the island.

As we remember "the deeds of the Lord", hope with us for this new year, 2015, to be our best year ever!

Yurielvys Alonso Shares His Story

Yuri sharing his testimony before being baptized this summer.

Yuri sharing his testimony before being baptized this summer.

A Letter from Yurielvys Alonso (translated from Spanish)

I’m excited to introduce myself and share with you a little bit of my story and the opportunity God has placed before me to learn more about Him and be equipped for ministry through an apprenticeship at Mission Adelante.   I am a young Cuban, who like every other immigrant, came to this country seeking opportunities and better economic possibilities.  My wife, Natalhy, and I left our families, our friends, and our neighbors and we miss our customs and culture very much.  

When we arrived in Kansas City we had many challenges, including the cold weather, the different cultural traditions, and the English language.  By God’s grace, my wife reconnected with a friend from Cuba who told us about Mission Adelante's English classes, and we decided to attend.  It’s incredible how God has a plan for our lives!  We went looking for English, but we found something much bigger!  We found the greatest thing; The King of Kings!  

In my home country I had not had the privilege of knowing Jesus personally, and as I reflect back on God’s plan, it is incredible to see how He brought us to this city, how He used our Cuban friend to take us to church, and how He touched our hearts.  I have come to know Jesus the redeemer, the savior, and the teacher, and He has taught me how to enjoy each step I take with His presence in my life. Mission Adelante has offered me the opportunity to grow spiritually to the point that I have felt a strong desire to become a pastor and share with everyone the work of God in my life.  As I write to you, I am preparing to begin a three-year apprenticeship that will equip me with tools to grow more in my relationship with Christ and to take the Gospel to everyone.  I am excited to begin in January.  

The apprenticeship at Mission Adelante is a training program that includes academic study, individual mentoring, practical ministry experience, and a place on the Mission Adelante staff.  I will receive a full-time salary and benefits as a part of the program so that I can dedicate my full attention to my ministry training and responsibilities.  Thank you for your friendship and for allowing me to share my story with you.

Sincerely,

Yurielvys Alonso

If you would like to support Mission Adelante's Community Leader Fund, please visit missionadelante.org/give and choose the "Community Leader Fund" option.  

Kids Lead the Way in Giving To Launch Adelante Thrift!

We invite you to join with our community in making this dream a reality!

We invite you to join with our community in making this dream a reality!

written by Jarrett Meek, Executive Director

Maybe you’ve heard the news; Mission Adelante is opening a thrift store in our neighborhood! Adelante Thrift represents individual transformation becoming community transformation, doing with rather than doing for, and a sustainable funding model for community development.  Guess who's thrown their hats in the ring to support this effort first; kids from our Bhutanese and Latino ministries!  

Shortly after we had signed a lease on the thrift store space, and the announcement had been made that the project was a go, our kids ministries mobilized to lead the way in giving to help reach our goal of $250,000 by December 31st.  Kids raided their piggy banks (and their parents' piggy banks), collected spare change from between cushions in their couches, and gave generously to be part of realizing this dream of starting a business-as-ministry project that can belong to our entire community.  Over $200 was given by kids from our own community.  Though $200 may not sound like a lot of money in light of the goal, for our kids it represents a sacrifice and a tangible investment as stakeholders in this new initiative.  They will be co-owners of a thrift store!

As we round the corner into Christmas week, the kids from our community are being joined by participants in our house churches, members of the Mission Adelante board and the Adelante Thrift board, Mission Adelante staff members, partner churches, volunteers, and donors from across the city.  As of December 22, we have commitments totaling about $220,000 and are trusting in the Lord to provide the rest of the funds needed to meet our start-up budget of $250,000.  We invite you to join together with the kids of Mission Adelante and our entire community in supporting the launch of Adelante Thrift.  Please visit missionadelante.org/give and choose "Adelante Thrift."

We've attached a fact sheet on Adelante Thrift and a summary of our start-up budget for those who are interested.  Thank you for your support!


Using Legos to Build the Dreams of Science and Technology in Young Leaders

written by Kristen Maxwell, Bhutanese Kids Director

On Saturday December 13th our Bhutanese Leaders in Training program sent a team to compete in the FIRST Lego League regional tournament held at Wyandotte High School.  The vision of the FIRST program is:  

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."

Participating in FIRST Lego League seemed like a natural connection for our Leaders in Training Program.   

From August until the day of the tournament, the Lego League students had many things to accomplish.  They were presented with two real world questions and were required to develop solutions:

  1. How do you better teach someone to learn something?
  2. How do you better teach someone to tie their shoes?

They also had to design, build and program a robot made of Legos to complete various tasks during the Robot Games.  On day of the tournament they presented their project, robot and what they had learned during their participation in FIRST Lego League to a panel of judges without any coaches in the room. Throughout the day of the competition, adults/coaches were not allowed to even touch the robot or assist in troubleshooting any programming issues. The entire day was kid-driven and the adults were along for the ride!

Our expectations for this day were to have fun and learn more about what it meant to be a Lego League team. This experience exceeded these expectations and the whole process was so rewarding!  When the day was finished, our Robot Game score put us right in the middle of the pack at 21 out of 40 teams. The judges’ review of our team’s presentations and projects were very positive, with over half being judged as “Accomplished” or “Exemplary”!  

By far my favorite part of the day was seeing our kids and coaches represent Jesus in a context where they didn’t necessarily have to. They were encouraging to each other and to other teams - it was beautiful!  The judge who focused on core values (team identity, spirit and student character) said, “these kids are very proud of Mission Adelante and very passionate about it.”  

I am so grateful for the Kingdom leaders these kids are becoming as they face real world situations and problems that they will certainly see in their future!

PRAYER NEEDS:

  • Several Nepali families have purchased homes this year. There’s a week-long party in our neighborhood to celebrate this and to bless the homes. Let’s thank God together that some families are thriving here and continue to lift up families that still struggle with unstable jobs and poor housing.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Office Closed: Thursday, December 25-Thursday, January 1: Mission Adelante office closed. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

When "Us-Them" Becomes a New "We"

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written by Jarrett Meek, Executive Director 

What happens when the "us and them" mentality of service gives way to a new "we" where friendship is genuine and serving is done side by side?  Amazing things!  On Saturday night the Lord put an exclamation point on the last 18 months of hard work that Mission Adelante's Latino ministry has done toward developing a new multicultural leadership team.  This leadership team, called EQUIPOS, is made up of several sub-teams and is an integrated mix of leaders who are emerging from within our own community.  This shift from "us serving them", to "we're all serving together" has created a beautiful sense of community and a new "we"!

On Saturday evening, the events team spread their wings as they hosted our annual Christmas party for the first time.  Cynthia Acosta, from Mexico, led the team, and the party took on a uniquely Latino feel.  Community members, English students, and volunteers brought food, and the buffet line was filled with delicious dishes.  The Mexican folkloric dance group, "Fiesta Mexicana" performed for an hour, showing off spectacularly colored dresses and beautifully choreographed dances from different regions in Mexico.  The evening continued with awards for our Kids Adelante and ESL participants.  And, just when everybody thought things were winding down, Jaime Soriano, our very own DJ, put on the Latin dance music, and a dance party emerged that included Cuban Salsa music and even a line dance done to the Spanish version of Achy Breaky Heart. 

Besides being the funnest party our Latino ministry has ever hosted, it embodied many of our core values.  We celebrated culture, relationships were interdependent, community leaders were empowered, and we did it together in the name of Jesus!

Developing Leaders in the Way of Jesus

written by Kristen Maxwell, Director of Bhutanese Kids Ministries

Jesus was the greatest leader of all time, and most times his leadership was not in front of a crowd, but in service to others.  At Mission Adelante, we value developing leaders in the way of Jesus.  One way we are doing that is through our Leaders in Training (LIT) after-school leadership development and tutoring program.  As a part of LIT, a select group of students are invested in deeply, hear the Gospel proclaimed, and are challenged to put feet on it and live it out in their lives.  Recently, we challenged our Bhutanese Leaders in Training group to do just that. 

We presented the kids with two needs we saw in our community:

  1. St.Paul’s Food Pantry, located just down 18th street, where we serve on a monthly basis, was running low on food.
  2. Mission Adelante set the God sized goal of raising $250,000 for the launch of Adelante Thrift.

How could they as members of our community respond to this need? 

The LIT kids decided on doing a food drive for St.Paul’s and a Coin Drive to raise money for Adelante Thrift.  They put together fliers and collection containers, and presented their goal to the Bhutanese ESL volunteers and Bhutanese Kids Club volunteers to spread the word about the food drive, and shared with their peers at Kids Club to promote the Coin Drive.  Many volunteers complimented the students on their confidence in sharing in front of a group of English speaking adults, when the students aren’t 100% sure of their English skills.

It was amazing to see the results of their service projects.  The kids more than met their goals!  They had hoped to collect 100 items for St.Paul's and $50 for Adelante Thrift. They were able to collect over 200 items for St.Paul’s and $181 for the launch of Adelante Thrift.  At Mission Adelante, we are in the business of developing leaders, and it is exciting to think of a generation of servant leaders serving their community in a mighty way! 

IN OTHER NEWS:

  • All Bhutanese English students and conversation partners went to Crown center together last week. It was a great way to share some of our city and Christmas culture with our friends. (LT)
  • We are excited to be rewarding all of our Leaders in Training with a shopping trip to our Mission Adelante store (set up in our chapel) this week.  The kids have earned money throughout the semester by maintaining good grades, displaying good behavior, and staying organized, that they’re excited to spend! Thank you to all of you that brought items to make the store possible.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Latino Christmas Party: Saturday, December 14.  Please join us at  Bethany Community Center (1120 Central Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102).  We’ll begin with a pot-luck meal at 3:30, enjoy a Mexican dance performance, celebrate participants’ accomplishments from the trimester, and end with a dance. Everyone is invited! Please invite anyone you know who is interested in learning more about Mission Adelante or possibly volunteering in the future!
  • Bhutanese Christmas Party: Saturday, December 14 from 4:00-8:00.  Mission Adelante (22 S. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102).  Everyone is invited! Please invite anyone you know who is interested in learning more about Mission Adelante or possibly volunteering in the future!      
  • Office Closed: Thursday, December 25-Thursday, January 1: Mission Adelante office closed.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Innovators in Training

written by Hannah Hume, Bhutanese Teens Ministry Coordinator 

Innovation is a core value at Mission Adelante. Refugee and immigrant families must innovate in order to succeed. When you come to a new country, you are facing a new culture, new problems, new value systems and structures. The ability to adapt, to problem solve and innovate is necessary for new families to thrive in America.    

Problem solving and innovation is something that we work hard to teach to teenagers in our weekly programs. Once a month at Mission Adelante, Bhutanese teens plan and host an outreach program for their peers. During the month Mission Adelante staff and volunteers work closely with students as they plan the event. We give them space to plan something that is exciting to them and that they feel will meet the felt needs of their peer community.

As they plan they often run into problems. It can be tempting as adults when problems arise or when we see a potential problem looming to want to smooth things over for the students. However, we work hard to step back and allow the students to solve the problem for themselves in an appropriate way. Then, later, we can coach the students through how to avoid that problem in the future or think of ways they can handle it next time. They often learn important lessons from getting the chance to innovate and succeed, to try and fail in controlled and safe environments. Lessons that help them gain confidence, take ownership, grow in leadership and develop skills needed to succeed in school, future jobs, and life.

Last week, at the monthly Teens Club, students self organized themselves to bring food to the event. Someone signed up to bring paper plates, but failed to do so. So, when it came time to eat there were no plates to put the food on. The teens however quickly innovated a solution. They took the pizza boxes and tore them into squares to use as makeshift plates. Simple. Creative. What do teens learn from eating off of torn up pizza boxes you may ask? I talked to several teens afterwards and here were some of the things they said:

“If someone isn’t responsible to do their job, even if its small, it makes it harder for everyone. It’s important to do your job well.”

“We need to plan better, next time and remind people of what their jobs are, so they don’t forget”.

“When we work together we can fix the problems.”

These are lessons I’m betting many employers and school teachers would say are valuable. I’m excited to watch these students learn and grow and innovate! Who knows, maybe they will be the ones to innovate solutions to the bigger, grander problems in our world someday!

Innovate away teens!

 

IN OTHER NEWS:

  • Our Leaders in Training family will be celebrating the hard work of the kids by going to Great Wolf Lodge this weekend.  30 kids and 15 adults will be playing, learning, and having fun to reward the kids for working so hard.

CURRENT NEEDS:

  • We are having a work day to insulate the house rehab this Saturday, December 6th from 9am to 4:00 pm.  Please let Sarah know if you would like to help, even for just part of the day.  We are nearly ready for the professional sheet rockers next week, but we need to get the house insulated this weekend to be able to proceed.  Email sarahw@missionadelante.org to RSVP or for more information.
  • Our Leaders in Training program has a “Mission Adelante Money Store” at the end of each trimester.  In the store students money they have earned doing extra work, and exhibiting behavior above and beyond what is expected of them to buy small prizes.  Our students have done an amazing job this year, and we are in need of more items.  We are in need of small toys and prizes of interest to 8-12 year old students by Tuesday December 9th.  If you are interested in helping please contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org or Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • The Latino Outreach and Bhutanese Outreach Fall Trimester Parties are on Saturday, December 13th at 4pm. 

A Prayer Walk

Written by Jenny Dunn, Bhutanese ESL Coordinator

Have you ever been prayed over? Wasn’t it just so encouraging to know that someone found you important enough to bring you before their god? Every day, we have the chance to pray for people.  Often times, this is the least offensive way to tell people about our God and how powerful He is.

A couple weekends ago, the Bhutanese ESL volunteers came together and prayed over our neighborhood. We walked the streets and prayed the houses and the people that live in them, the schools and the kids that attend them, sickness, and the barriers that keep people from knowing our God.

As we walked, we saw some of our Bhutanese friends and told them what we were doing. We then prayed over them. They have been suffering from sickness in their house; we prayed that God would heal them.

The other day, I heard an old story that increased my boldness to pray. One of our couple friends had been told back in Nepal that they would be unable to have any children.  This was very disappointing to this woman. One day, one of our friends visited them; she had been sick for a few days with a cold, so our friend prayed that Jesus would heal her cold. Not one month later, she found out that she was pregnant.  That prayer was so memorable to the family that one month later the husband was convinced that God had given them their baby because of it.

I think about the prayers that we pray over our friends and how much more He can do than we can even think, imagine, or dream up.  O Jesus, let us be people of prayer with faith that only You give.

PRAYER NEEDS:

  • Several new Bhutanese refugee families arrived last month and are attending English classes. Please pray they adjust well to life in Kansas City and that they feel welcomed by our community.
  • Pray for our kids to find constructive things to do with their time over school breaks.

CURRENT NEEDS:

  • Leaders in Training, our after school tutoring program, is in need of individually packed snacks. Costco and Sam’s Club are great places to pick some up!  If you can provide some snacks contact Kristen Maxwell at Kristenm@missionadelante.org.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Fall break: Tuesday, November 25-Saturday, November 29 No programs. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Beautiful Chaos

Written by Gary Pauley, Latino Outreach Director

House church is different from a traditional church service with a full nursery, a staffed children's program, and a stage. It can be a bit chaotic, a little loud, and not always punctual. It has been quite an eye opener for me, as someone who has pastored with a full staff and an equipped stage for a long time!

I have been thinking how much this must have been like the early church. No doubt there were kids everywhere. Sunday school didn't come around until the 19th century. Scripture says they were meeting in homes. First century homes in Israel typically also housed animals. The church was growing fast--new believers everywhere. I can really picture the chaos. A kind of beautiful chaos.

At our house church meeting last week, a visiting man shared that he was blessed to be attending and that he had never known people like this who loved one another this way. He wasn't worried about the kids, the noise, or the schedule, but he was impressed about what binds us all together.

I was thinking how so much ministry really takes place in chaotic contexts. Paul's plans were constantly interrupted, altered, or changed altogether...and he kept going. The earliest days of the church were marked by persecution and opposition. Increasing persecution and doctrinal corruption were the backdrop of rapid expansion of the Jesus movement in later years. Chaos and progress. God working in spite of the turmoil.

Sundays are awesome. God is at work in our community. It's wonderful to think how he uses you and us together to accomplish the beautiful things He does.

IN OTHER NEWS:

  • Our Latino Equipos (Team) met this week and we are beginning to plan for our trimester party in December.  We are looking forward to a celebration filled with food, family, dancing, awards, and fellowship. 

PRAYER NEEDS:

  • Please pray for our Latino teens, specifically our girls, as they are facing hard times.

CURRENT NEEDS:

  • There is a Bhutanese family that is in need of 2 twin mattresses, a queen mattress, and a kitchen table with chairs. If you would be interested in donating any of these items, please contact Drew Hammond at drewh@missionadelante.org .
  • Leaders in Training is in need of snacks for after-school!  We are looking for individually wrapped healthy snacks.  If you or your small group would like to help provide these snacks, email Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org
  • There is a need for 4 floor space heaters for two different families in our community. if you would be interested in helping out please contact Molly Merrick at mollym@missionadelante.org
  • Resource center in need of gently-used children's books. Kindergarten through sixth grade reading level range . Trying to get ready for distribution on Dec 2 and 4 as we partner with a kids ministries. If you are able to help please contact Molly Merrick at molllym@missionadelante.org 

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Fall break: Tuesday, November 25-Saturday, November 29 No programs. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Placing Books into the Hands of Kids

Written by Megan McDermott

Can you remember the very first book that you fell in love with? It was that book with the well-worn cover and the dog-eared pages that you read over and over.  For me, it was The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.  I remember being so touched by the love that the tree had for her “boy.”  Over the years, wandering through book stores, I have often stumbled upon this familiar childhood memory.  To this day, I love sitting down and reading that book.  I even had the opportunity to read it to a few of the girls that I disciple, sharing the love of my favorite book with them.

For many of the kids in our community the presence of books in the home is not a reality.   According to Susan Neuman in Changing the Odds for Children at Risk, 2009, "In middle class neighborhoods there are about thirteen book titles for every child. By contrast, in neighborhoods of lower socioeconomic status, there is only one book title for every 300 children."

How do we address the lack of literature in the homes of our children?  At Mission Adelante, we believe that urban, multicultural ministry requires fresh ideas and new approaches.  We promote a culture of innovation that encourages creative solutions for unique circumstances.  A fresh idea took root as we thought about how get books in to the homes of the children.

Last Wednesday we had our first book distribution!  We decided to start small with our Leaders in Training and focus on getting three books into the hands of each of the thirty kids.  It was so much fun to watch the kids dig through the bins of books, choosing titles that spoke to them.  From Diary of a Wimpy Kid to a Jackie Robinson biography, the books that we had collected went directly into the hands of the children.  We are excited about our next book distribution in December to bless all one hundred of the children that attend our Outreach Bible Studies.  Our hope is that, just as The Giving Tree was the first step in my love of literature, the children of our community will develop a passion for reading.  After all, don’t we all deserve to find that one book that touches our heart and instantly transports us back to our childhood?  If you would like to provide gently-used children's books in the Kindergarten through sixth grade reading level range for distribution, please visit http://www.missionadelante.org/serviceprojects/ for more information.

In other news:

  • Some of our staff members participated with our Bhutanese friends recently in a popular Nepali festival during which they go house-to-house caroling. Several Bhutanese friends expressed how special it was for them to see Americans learning about and participating with them in their Nepali traditions.
  • Our level 1 Latino ESL class has a record number of students and volunteers participating this trimester!

Prayer needs:

  • Please pray for two marriages in our Latino community that are currently going through significant struggles.
  • Please pray for many Bhutanese English students who suffer from chronic pain.
  • Pray for the Holy Spirit's leading as we choose goals and plan for 2015.

Current needs:

  • Compact fluorescent light bulbs for use in our facility. Contact sarahw@missionadelante.org
  • A Bhutanese family from our community is in need of a crib for their new son. If you are able to provide a crib, please contact Drew Hammond at drewh@missionadelante.org.
  • Bhutanese LIT is still in need of a few more Thursday mentors.  If you would like more information contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.
  • LIT is in need of individually packed, healthy snacks. Please contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.

Important dates:

  • Fall break: Tuesday, November 25-Saturday, November 29 No programs. Happy Thanksgiving!

Announcing Adelante Thrift!

Adelante Thrift will be located at 3720 State Ave in our KCK neighborhood. And it's really close to I-635!

written by Kristen Allen and Jarrett Meek

After many months of planning and site searching, we are thrilled to introduce you to Adelante Thrift, a sustainable community development project of Mission Adelante.  We're excited to announce that we've signed a lease for an 18,000 sq. ft. space at 3720 State Avenue, and with that key milestone under our belt, we can begin the countdown to opening the doors to this new endeavor in the first quarter of 2015!  

Adelante Thrift is more than a thrift store, it is an opportunity to transform our community in a sustainable way.  Our job readiness program through Adelante Thrift  will  provide job opportunities and equip people with the skills they need to obtain employment and be successful in the workplace. Volunteers from our neighborhood and across the city will have an opportunity to serve in a variety of ways as a part of a dynamic team.  And, proceeds from the store will go to help fund ministry in our neighborhood.  We are excited to see how generosity will help transform a community! 

Now that we have secured a space, there is a lot of work to be done, including raising startup capital, building out the space, securing donated inventory, developing systems, recruiting volunteers, and hiring staff.  Here a three ways you can get involved:

Donate Items:  

Start saving up your clothing, furniture, electronics, and other housewares.  We’ll start accepting donations in early 2015 (not long after Christmas!).  We’ll let you know when we’re ready!

Volunteer:

We will need an army of volunteers to help us get our space ready, and then to help sort, price, and stock items.  There are perfect volunteer opportunities for families, church groups, or businesses!

Contribute Financially:  

Our year-end fundraising campaign this year is focused on raising money to launch Adelante Thrift!  Our launch need is $250,000, and the Lord has already provided commitments for $138,300.  We invite you to be part of this innovative community development initiative!  This is an “invest once” opportunity.  Once this project is up and going, it will be self-sustaining and will provide income for other ministry projects.  That’s return on investment!  Please visit our give page at www.missionadelante.org/give to learn how to contribute.

 

We can’t wait to welcome you into our store, help you find a bargain, and change your treasures into community transformation!.  Learn more about donating items and volunteering at www.adelantethrift.com.