Reflecting God’s Heart for our Immigrant and Refugee Friends

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written by Lauren Timberlake, Bhutanese ESL Director

At Mission Adelante, we believe that God’s heart is for immigrants to feel welcome in our city, be valued in our communities, be encouraged as they learn new language and culture, and be enjoyed for who they are. We are thankful that so many volunteers partner with us to do just that. It wouldn’t happen without them. Mission Adelante has more than one hundred volunteers from all over the Kansas City area. They come from different neighborhoods, different churches, different life stages, different skill sets. But they all come to serve, share life, and ultimately share Jesus with immigrants and refugees.

On any given night at English class, you will see evidence of that. Volunteers welcome students warmly, creatively teach material, encourage progress, and spark laughter. Students gain confidence with these positive interactions. They talk more, try more, laugh more. They invite volunteers into their home for tea, for birthdays, for weddings. True friendships begin. These budding relationships change people. They bring value and belonging to an immigrant family. They also bring understanding and clarity. People won’t understand traditions like Thanksgiving until someone explains it to them. But these relationships change our volunteers, too. Someone recently shared that spending time with Nepali families had given her a deeper understanding of her own culture and heritage. Inviting someone into her life brings learning and richness in many ways.

By entering into these relationships, volunteers reflect God’s heart for immigrants. Leviticus 19:33-34 says, “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”

Important Dates:

  • The Bhutanese End of the Trimester Party will be held on the last day of programs, Tuesday December 8th, 6:30-8:30 pm during regular program time.

  • The Latino End of the Trimester Party will be held on Saturday December 12, 2015.  The Latino Party will be held at the Bethany Community Center, 1120 Central Ave. Kansas City, Kansas 66102.  Festivities will be begin at 4 pm with Dinner, followed by a Mexican Folklore Dance at 5 pm and ending with Awards and Recognition at 6 pm.  

 

A Message from the Heart of Our Executive Director on the Syrian Refugee Crisis

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The following is message from Jarrett Meek to a brother in Christ who respectfully and thoughtfully voiced his concerns about Jarrett’s sharp response to our state's decision not to accept Syrian refugees in Kansas. This message is shared with the permission of this brother in Christ.

Dear friend,

I appreciate your thoughtful email. Your concern for my reputation and that of Mission Adelante is also something I appreciate.  I'm not sure how to respond here, because, first, I'm tired.  I'm tired from loving and fighting.  It's not fun or in any way enjoyable.  And I am very aware of the impact that my advocacy may have on my own reputation and that of Mission Adelante, and it concerns me too.  That is the water I have been swimming in since the Lord called me to serve and share life and share Jesus with people who a lot of Americans hate.  

I see these issues from a very different angle than most of my Christian friends who live in other parts of our city.  The issues are personal and impact real people who I actually know: Muslim refugees who I know personally who are being referred to in a broad generalization as "ass wipes" by friends of friends on Facebook, another friend, whose father was a Muslim and fled Tajikstan during their civil war because of ethnic cleansing, and the general hateful rhetoric that comes from some Christians and politicians regarding undocumented immigrants, of whom I know many personally, and with whom I have wept, worshiped, prayed, and served our neighborhood and our Lord together.  In a real sense, woe is me if I don't speak strongly.  

Sometimes my words may be sharp, but they come from a place of passion and personal experience with things that really matter.  It is hard to have a strong opinion about political issues that go against what many of my suburban Christian friends hold.  My voice is small in the midst of a sea of conservative Christian voices that shout a message that I don't believe represents the heart of Christ.  I'm aware, and sad, that a challenging and strong voice of opposition on certain political issues means that my fellow conservative, Evangelical friends may write me off as divisive.    

Going with the flow and keeping the peace doesn't change the currents at all.  There are times in our nation's history and in the world's history when followers of Jesus (especially comfortable, safe, white Christians... and I don't mean any disrespect here, because I'm one also) have been silent when we should have been very vocal.  Those are not times any of us are proud of.  So, I wrestle with how to speak strongly according to my deep convictions against American cultural currents that are almost overwhelming.  How can I do this without risking my reputation?  How can I use my reputation to influence Christians to go in a different direction than the cultural current takes them?  How can this work NOT be divisive?  Is avoiding being divisive more important than speaking out on behalf victims of some of the most brutal persecution we’ve seen in the last 50 years?  If I'm quiet, gentle, and uncontroversial, will anyone even hear and be challenged?  There is a time for risking reputations for something that really matters, and I believe that this really matters to God.  

Was expressing my shame too strong a form of communication?  Maybe so...  I'm thankful for you telling me that you considered it to be too reckless.  It will help shape me.  As far as your analogy and your concern that I am forcing my willingness to engage in risky compassion on others, maybe others are willing also?  Maybe a majority of Americans or Kansans would be willing to take that kind of risk?  The President of France affirmed yesterday that France would still take 30,000 Syrian refugees, standing in stark moral contrast to the governors of more than half of our states, and all of our Republican presidential candidates.  This is a morally strong position and one that our nation and our states could follow as well.  I am in favor of it, and I feel that it is important enough to advocate for.  Maybe my small voice will influence others to think differently.  That is the way our democracy works.  I know I'm risking a lot in doing so, but what else is my life for if it's not to spend in on things that really matter.  I guess to close, I'm going to share this message with you that I received from a friend who has seen my Facebook posts recently and has been wrestling with these issues too.  It is copied here below.  Please keep praying for me.  I need it a lot.

In His Grace,

Jarrett

A message from a sister in Christ who has wrestled with these same issues...

"I woke up this morning wrestling in my mind over the subject of refugees.  I have been following <a certain candidate> closely as a presidential candidate and he is calling for American’s to sign a petition against allowing them in.  I respect you and your ministry and you are calling Christians to welcome them. I spent two very agitated hours this morning trying to educate myself, trying to see this issue from every angle. And finally a bedrock of my faith was where I landed, oh am I so thankful for solid foundations in my faith!  We serve a God of unity.  There is one God, and one Holy Spirit and disunity is against His nature.  My opinion doesn’t matter on this issue, my God’s does.

I went to prayer and in that place I knew that we are to be open to refugees.  The argument about safety is absolutely valid, but God doesn’t call us to be safe.  God may want our nation to be unsafe, that may be His will.  That decision made I was able to be at peace.  What happened next after the peace is why I am compelled to write this down.  The bigger lie of this whole issue just slapped me in the face and moved me to weeping for our country.  Satan has convinced many Christians in this country that we are safer out of God’s will than in it.   Lord have mercy.  
Jarrett  - thank you for taking a stand that cause me to go seek God’s counsel this morning.  I feel like my eyes have been opened.  Better is one day in His courts than thousands elsewhere."

Lament and Compassion for Our Most Vulnerable Neighbors

written by David Stetler, Associate Director

Last week the global refugee crisis reached a tragic peak with over four million people fleeing across borders with no other option but to risk their lives over and over again in search of peace. Mothers carry their babies to the boats because the ocean is more safe than the land they once called home. Families leave their memories of peace and walk dangerous journeys through foreign lands with no hope of their lives ever being the same.

Our hearts are in anguish during this time of world crisis and we lament the pain and suffering that so many innocent people bear upon their shoulders. The weight is too heavy, the pain is too great and the journey too difficult. With the most peaceful of refugees at the greatest risk of vulnerability, we cry out for them in their suffering. Their freedom stripped away, their voice stolen and sadly, for too many, their lives taken. And so, we cry out for the least of these...

“How long oh Lord...how long?

We don’t know how long, but as we continue lamenting we also place our hope in a different reality.  The reality that The One who holds it all together is making all things new and that someday He will make beauty from ashes, and swords will be turned into plows and captives will be set free.

Despite the horrific injustice, we see that God is still in control. From the beginning of time He has used the displacement of people all over this world to draw them to Himself and He will continue to do this until all who mourn will be comforted. Until then, we will open our hearts, our lives and our homes to welcome the stranger and proclaim freedom for the oppressed.  

At Mission Adelante we understand the complexity that our nation faces in such a crisis as this. We also know that it would not be right to ignore the plight of 4 million refugees who are fleeing persecution.

We recognize that compassion is often risky and that danger is real. As followers of Jesus, He calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and He even calls us to love our enemies. We love because He first loved us, and this love that He has given us, casts out all fear. We have been given faith and hope instead of fear. We have been given love instead of hatred. Will you stand with us as we stand for those who can’t? Will you speak up for the voiceless? Will you take a compassionate stand to welcome the least of these, our most vulnerable neighbors? Will you advocate for the safe screening and resettlement of Syrian Refugees?

And Jesus said to him, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Developing Leaders at Mission Adelante to be Champions

Written by Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Ministry Apprentice

This year something truly inspirational happened in our country, the Kansas City Royals won the 2015 World Series. The way that they won their games reminds me of the way that we think about leadership development at Mission Adelante.  One of our Core Values at Mission Adelante is, Developing Leaders. This Core Value states: “We believe that developing individuals to reach their potential as disciples and leaders is how ministry bears fruit. We will emphasize equipping and empowering emerging leaders from our community.”

Our programs and ministries are structured around new leaders growing and developing their skills. Often times this strategy can feel almost contradictory because we have the staff and resources to run our programs very well. Why take the time to invest in people? Why take the risk on someone who will surely make a mistake, when we know we have the potential to do it ourselves? In a recent New York Times article, Kansas City Royals manager, Ned Yost discussed why he would “allow untested pitchers” to finish games in which the Royals had the lead. He said: “I wanted to put those young players in a position to gain experience, so that when we could compete for a championship, they would know how.”

The Royals were an inspiration in how they used young, less experienced players to win the championship but our ultimate inspiration in leadership development is Jesus.  Jesus selected inexperienced men to be his disciples, He invested three years of his life training them and then went to be with God. He left most of the ground work to his new leaders, it was from these leaders that the Gospel spread to the farthest corners of the earth, developing leaders was Jesus’ strategy. We know that the participants of our programs are people of championship potential. We want to see them reach this potential, and work with them to rise to that challenge.

Other News:

  • Many staff and community members attended the parade celebrating the World Series Champions, the Kansas City Royals. Several of the staff brought Bhutanese friends with them to the parade. Baseball isn’t a well known sport in either Bhutan or Nepal but our friends had fun learning about baseball and feeling more a part of their new Kansas City home by participating in all of the celebration.

Current Needs:

  • Our after school leadership development and tutoring program Leaders in Training goes through around 75 individually wrapped snack items a week.  Our current supply is beginning to run low.  Some student favorites are Rice Krispie treats, trail-mix, granola bars, cereal bars, pretzels and snack crackers.  If you are able to help out, or are interested in learning more, contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org

  • The resource Center is in need of some items to help it stay organized.  Milk Crates to organize the books and Rubbermaid Tubs to keep the food sacks dry. If you can help please contact Molly Merrick at mollym@missionadelante.org

Important Dates:

  • There will be no programs November 23-28.  The Mission Adelante office will be closed November 25-28.  Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Becoming a Leader in Latino Teen’s Ministry

Written By Edgar Soriano, Latino Ministry Apprentice

I started attending Mission Adelante as a participant in the Kid’s Adelante program, I was very active in the Latino Teen’s Ministry at Mission Adelante. At the end of high school I went through the Summer Internship Program at Mission Adelante and continued on as an intern through the next year, currently I am going through the Apprentice Program at Mission Adelante. God has provided a life changing opportunity for me through my involvement and  leadership roles in the Latino Kid’s and Teen’s Ministries at Mission Adelante.

When I received the challenge to become the coordinator of the Latino Teen’s Ministry at Mission Adelante it was a difficult decision to make because it was a new and unfamiliar experience.  I had been a part of the Latino Teen’s Ministry, I had even been in a leadership role in the ministry.  The thought of taking on the role of coordinator of the Teen’s Ministry that I had been a part of was daunting.  Through prayer, Bible reading, and wise counsel with trusted friends and leaders in my life I decided to take a step of faith and become the Coordinator of the Latino Teen’s Ministry at Mission Adelante.

Recently, I began journeying with three of the awesome teen guys from our community who are a part of the Latino Teens ministry at Mission Adelante.  While spending time with them; I have learned more about them, shared Jesus with them, and journeyed through life with them. It has been a great opportunity for me to see them grow up and take on leadership roles in our community. It is my desire to help them and the other Latino teen’s in our ministry to know more of who Jesus is and to know the life changing experience of becoming leaders in our community.

Prayer Needs:

  • Festival Season is here for our Bhutanese friends. This time of year presents great opportunities for staff and volunteers to engage in fun relational ways that celebrate culture with our friends. However, it's also a reminder of the dark spiritual powers that are working here in Kansas City, Kansas. Please pray for meaningful opportunities to share the light of Jesus into dark places as we celebrate with friends.

Current Needs:

  • The resource center is in need of some items to help organize. Milk Crates to organize the book and Rubbermaid Tubs to keep the food sacks from getting wet. If you can help please contact Molly Merrick: mollym@missionadelante.org.


With Faith Like a Child

written by, Dani Hammond, Bhutanese Kid's Club Coordinator

In Luke 18:17 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, will never enter it.” Sometimes children can be our best example of love and faith. Their young hearts come to know Jesus in a natural way.  They believe that Jesus loves them and wants the best for them.  The nine students in our Bhutanese Elementary Leaders in Training program have become an example of child-like belief to me. I have been working closely at building deeper relationships with the Bhutanese Elementary Leaders in Training students during this trimester. Every week I have the opportunity to sit with each of them individually to ask them how they are doing, and to pray for them. Some of them already know and love Jesus, and some are still learning who He is and how He relates to them. I am grateful to walk through this journey with them.

Through their conversations and requests, I am able to pray for families and children whom I will probably never meet. One student shared that while he was riding his bike he met his neighborhood police officer. The neighborhood police officer who had built a relationship with this child, shared that he & his wife would be having another child. He wanted me to pray with him for the police officer and his family. Another student shared how a girl at school was being teased because of her asthma.  Other students shared about problems at recess with a fellow classmate who wouldn’t share, and a friend that was in the hospital after being in a car accident.  Along with being able to pray with the Bhutanese Elementary Leaders in Training students, I also get to hear the follow up stories.  The little girl who was being teased, now has a friend.  The classmate who wouldn’t share at recess is now sharing because his friend talked to him about Jesus, and the friend who was in the car accident miraculously walked into school a few days later.   

Spending time each week praying and talking with the Bhutanese Leaders in Training students, I am able to be a part of what God is doing with their child-like faith and love for others.

Other News:

  • Last week during Nepali festival time, many of the Bhutanese staff members were able to celebrate with some of our program participants. They enjoyed celebrating the Nepali holiday and traditions in the homes of many Nepali friends.

Prayer Need:

  • Pray for our high school seniors, many of them have a lot of school work and are feeling anxious about post high school plans. Pray that they would feel supported by the staff and volunteers at Mission Adelante, that they would learn to prioritize their lives well, and feel peace.

Current Needs:

  • Our Bhutanese Outreach has had a sudden influx of kids under 2 years old!  Our nursery needs more hands.  If you are interested in serving our smallest kids, please contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@Missionadelante.org

    Our teens have been working diligently to learn  how to be safe drivers.  We would like to reward them. We are looking for people who would be willing to donate gift cards in the amounts $10, $20 or $30 from one or two of these places: Cinemark movie theaters, legends shopping center, VIVA fashion mart, ITunes.  These will be given away as prizes for hard work. If you are interested in donating a gift card please contact Hannnah Johnson at hannahj@missionadelante.org

 




Mission Adelante’s Ministry Apprenticeship: A Simple Pattern that Leads to Life Transformation

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written by: Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Ministry Apprentice

The book of Acts begins by showing us the first believers’ simple pattern of life, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42). The ministry apprenticeship at Mission Adelante, of which I’m a part, operates in much the same way. This first semester of the three-year apprenticeship has been an amazing experience with a great group of devoted participants. Led by Jarrett Meek and comprised of three apprentices and their three supervisors, we meet together for several hours each week to read passages of scripture, study a seminary-level training course, share meals and pray. Our desire is to see Gospel transformation occur in each others’ lives and to be challenged to listen for God’s voice. We have sacrificed other things in our schedules because of the intensity of the training, but we believe that being together frequently and intentionally will be worth the investment.

In the room where we meet there is list of people we are praying for, praying with, and inviting into relationship with Jesus.  Each one of us is asked this simple question: “Who are the people around you and how can you welcome them into a relationship with Jesus this week?” The people on our list are in our lives naturally: many of them are participants in the programs we lead, some of them are not, but all of them are people who respond favorably to us and to the message of the Gospel. Prayer is the main focus of our time together; we pray for one another and the people in whom we are investing. While our ‘breaking of the bread’ usually consists of coffee and candy, we do also share frequent meals. The fellowship that is fostered allows us to call out each other's shortcomings and celebrate each other's victories.

The ministry apprenticeship is reinforcing the firm foundation in each of our own lives as we seek to influence the lives of those around us for the Kingdom. The pattern is simple: we believe that our devotion to teaching and to one another, to the breaking of bread and to prayer for and with others will lead to transformation of individuals, and to continued breakthrough of the Kingdom of Heaven in Kansas City.

Other News:

  • The Leaders in Training kids have been working hard to earn their reward day. We went to Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline park, to celebrate their consistency in being organized, having great behavior, and being helpful.

Prayer Needs:

  • Please pray for staff as we delve into planning for 2016. Pray that we would clearly hear the Lord and make plans in accordance with his will.




Helping Immigrant Teens Learn to Drive

Written by Hannah Johnson, Bhutanese High School Coordinator

Serving and sharing life with the people in our community is central to our mission. This fall, we are applying this in a practical way by offering a new driver's education class for teenagers in our community. There are many reasons that our teenagers need this skill.  They need to drive themselves to sports practice and extracurricular activities.  Many teens need to drive to work so that they can pay for college or help with family expenses.  Others need to drive older family members or younger siblings to medical appointments.

The process to become a licensed driver is a big one to take on, especially if English isn’t your first language. Kansas no longer offers a pictorial test to get your driver’s permit; you now need to be able to read and write English with enough fluency to pass a written test.  Often, the vocabulary needed for the test is unfamiliar to people from other countries. Our class has an emphasis on learning the vocabulary needed for the permit test, memorizing driving facts, and recognizing road signs. Also, statistics show that auto accidents are the leading cause of death among U.S. teenagers, so we emphasize safe driving habits such as using proper safety restraints for adults and children, attentive driving, and the dangers of driving while intoxicated.

For 12 class periods this fall, students will sit across the table from conversation partners and discuss these important topics. It is our hope that as students participate in our class their overall English and reading will improve, that they will be able to pass their permit tests, and that they will become safe drivers. Join us in praying that our class this trimester would be successful and that a new world of independence would open to our students as they learn how to drive.

Prayer needs:

  • Pray for the high school seniors in our community. Many of them are swimming in homework and the stress of decisions about post-secondary plans. Pray that they would have peace, feel supported by us and be able to prioritize their lives well.

Current needs:

  • Our Bhutanese Outreach has had a sudden influx of kids under 2 years old!  Our nursery needs more caring hands.  If you are interested in serving our smallest kids, please contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@Missionadelante.org.

Important dates:

  • October 15 & 22 (Latino outreach), October 20 (Bhutanese outreach): Bring A Friend/Observation nights.  If you or someone you know wonders what goes on around here on a typical night of programming, come on up/bring him or her up to find out!  Come to 22 S. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102 at 6:30 on any of the dates listed.

Training Young Leaders in Servanthood

Written By Megan McDermott, Latino Children and Youth Director

When I think about powerful examples of servanthood in the Bible, my mind reflects back to the occasion when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet.  When Peter rose and protested, “No, you will never wash my feet,”  Jesus replied both gently and with truth.  Jesus said, “I have given you an example. You should do as I have done for you. What I’m about to tell you is true. A servant is not more important than his master. And a messenger is not more important than the one who sends him.”

We believe that developing children to reach their potential as disciples and leaders is one of the ways ministry bears fruit.  God has called us to develop the young leaders of our community, which includes giving them opportunities to serve as Jesus did, with humility.   

Recently, our Leaders in Training kids served for the first time in a fun, new way.  In an effort to give these young leaders a practical opportunity to serve others, we will volunteer together each month in production at Adelante Thrift, preparing donations for the sales floor.  Serving in their own backyard gives the kids a sense of ownership and investment in their community.  When the kids feel that pride and love for their own neighborhood, there is no limit to what God can do through their hearts of service.

Current Needs:

  • The number of babies coming with their grandmas, moms, or big sisters to our Bhutanese English class has increased!  We are in need of 1 or 2 more people to love the babies on a regular basis.  If you would like to learn more about serving on Tuesday nights from 6:30-8:30pm contact Dani Hammond at danih@missionadelante.org.

Important Dates:

  • October 13 & 20 (Bhutanese outreach), October 15 & 22 (Latino outreach): Bring A Friend/Observation nights.  If you or someone you know wonders what goes on around here on a typical night of programming, come on up/bring him or her up to find out!  Come to 22 S. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102 at 6:30 on any of the dates listed.

God Uses People

Written by Kristen Maxwell, Bhutanese Youth & Kids Ministry Director

I have recently been reading “Creating a Lead Small Culture”  from the Orange Group.  I encountered in the first chapter a quote that struck me as particularly descriptive of the work the Lord is doing at Mission Adelante.

“God uses people.  That’s the point.  He always has.  Sometimes we forget that the God of the Bible is the God of the people of the Bible.  God has always used people to demonstrate His story of redemption.”

So many times I think we forget that God tends to use the most ordinary--sometimes even the most dysfunctional--people to expand His Kingdom; to share about His marvelous story of redemption. The people He uses often don’t have any special skills or special training, but they do just two simple things: they say yes and they show up.   

Any given trimester, we have over one-hundred volunteers that say yes and show up to share with our program participants who this God of the Bible is and how He loves them through love and friendships.  The programs at Mission Adelante wouldn't be possible without normal, ordinary people, whom we are grateful have said "yes." As we are getting our new trimester underway, join us in praying that the God of the Bible shows up through His people.

CURRENT NEEDS:

  • The Bhutanese teens ministry is hosting our first English class this fall and is looking for donated gift cards to use as rewards for students who demonstrate hard work in class. If you would be willing to donate a gift card please contact Hannah Johnson at hannahj@missionadelante.org.
  • We are in need of a volunteer driver to take Bhutanese ministry participants home from programming on Tuesday nights in our shuttle bus (no CDL required.) This is a great opportunity to pray over our neighborhood and have personal interactions with our participants, who love our bus drivers!  This volunteer role is from 7:45 pm to 9:15 pm weekly on Tuesday nights starting immediately. If you or anyone you know is interested in serving in this role, please contact Drew Hammond at drewh@missionadelante.org or 913-710-9953.

Achieving a Dream Together

Written by Lauren Timberlake, Bhutanese ESL Director

Hasta Rai achieved one of her biggest dreams last month. She is now an American citizen.

Hasta is like hundreds of other Bhutanese refugees in Kansas City. She arrived here without a country, an education, or any American friends. She couldn’t speak English and had no ability to read or write. But Hasta was determined to achieve her goal of U.S. citizenship.

As one of our stand out English students, Hasta participated fully in our classes and practiced citizenship material daily in her home. She also attended other English and civics classes offered in our community, taking advantage of every opportunity she had to sharpen her skills. She plugged away at English letters and words, slowly teaching herself to read.

Her work is paying off. After six years in the United States, Hasta knows the 100 possible citizenship exam questions like the back of her hand. She can understand much of what is said to her and is building confidence in her speaking ability. She can read simple sentences and can write personal information and target sentences. It’s truly amazing.

Hasta has made many friends along the way, too. There were five volunteers from Mission Adelante’s English classes at the courthouse for her naturalization ceremony, and several more that were there in spirit. Supporting students and patiently walking beside them as they chip away at their goals is one things our volunteers care deeply about.

Sheri Willt has worked with Hasta since her early days in the United States. She said, “Hasta is an amazing lady who, from the very beginning, set high goals for herself. Since her citizenship in Bhutan was revoked, she was determined to become a U.S. citizen. She has never been one to sit around and feel sorry for herself.  She is always motivated to keep busy by learning

English, knitting, sewing, and taking any class that will help her grow. She looks at the world like a child wanting to take everything in. I love that lady! Hasta’s naturalization ceremony was a day of celebration--celebrating Hasta and her new life in America.”

We are excited as more students like Hasta approach and achieve their goals of U.S. citizenship. It isn’t an easy road, but it’s a dream we can achieve together.

Prayer needs:

  • Visiting the homes of some of our Hindu friends this week reminded several of our staff members of the very real spiritual battle that we are waging. Please pray for safety and wisdom for staff and volunteers, and that God will open the eyes of our Hindu friends to the amazing life Jesus wants to give them.

Current needs:

  • The Bhutanese teens ministry is hosting our first English class this fall and is looking for donated gift cards to use as rewards for students who demonstrate hard work in class. If you would be willing to donate a gift card please contact Hannah Johnson at hannahj@missionadelante.org.
  • We are in need of a volunteer driver to take Bhutanese ministry participants home from programming on Tuesday nights in our shuttle bus (no CDL required.) This is a great opportunity to pray over our neighborhood and have personal interactions with our participants, who love our bus drivers!  This volunteer role is from 7:45 pm to 9:15 pm weekly on Tuesday nights starting immediately. If you or anyone you know is interested in serving in this role, please contact Drew Hammond at drewh@missionadelante.org or 913-710-9953.

Ten Years Ago Today

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director

A decade ago, on a September day much like today, I was running through our Kansas City, KS neighborhood.  It was part of a systematic little endeavor I had begun a couple months earlier with the goal of running each street and side street in the neighborhood and marking them off on the map I had printer out.  It was a dense urban residential area of about 2.25 square miles with a high population of people from all places, but especially Latin America.  As I ran, I prayed and soaked in my new environment, new smells, new sights, new noises.  The hills in northeast KCK were steep!  And there were a lot of stray dogs trotting along and sometimes lurking behind not-so-sturdy, low, chain-link fences, ready to give me a death scare.  I noticed homes and prayed for the people who lived inside.  I looked at every commercial building, old schools, and abandoned churches, wondering if God might someday provide a space for the ministry dream that was Mission Adelante.  I prayed for so many things I longed to see happen in this place.  That was 10 years ago.

September 15th is my birthday.  It's also the day that many Latin American countries celebrate their Independence Day.  On September 15, 2005 a team of eager volunteers who had covenanted together to launch a new ministry that would serve, share life, and share Jesus with people from other places prayed in our KCK home and waited for our very first ESL students to arrive: a few neighbors from 16th street, a family we had met at an Ice Cream shop, anyone else who might have seen the flyers we had distributed at businesses and restaurants along central avenue.  Much to our surprise, by the time 7:00 rolled around we had ten adult students around our dining room table and Mission Adelante was born!

Last week I was sitting in a coffee shop writing a recommendation letter to the KU School of Nursing for an amazing young lady from our neighborhood.  I held back tears as I reflected on the nine years I've known her, since age 11.  She is a girl of firsts.  Participating in our first Leaders-in-Training program for kids, the first kid from our community to become a volunteer, one of a few student-leaders who helped start our Latino Teens ministry, part of our first-ever summer internship for youth from our community, and the first member of her family to ever attend college.  As a U.S. born child of immigrants, she would pave the way for her younger sisters into a world that her parents had not been able to fully access.  She would break through language barriers, cultural barriers, economic barriers, academic barriers and blaze a trail to college and beyond that every future generation will have a new opportunity to follow.  And, she would begin the kind of personal relationship with Jesus that will not only impact her eternity, but will ripple into the lives of everyone she meets.  Her life represents the immeasurable value and potential that immigrants and their families possess: value that impacts their communities, and value endowed by their Creator.

There's something special that happens when you invest for a long time in one place: you get to see and experience long-term relationships, life-change, community transformation.  As we approach the 10-year mark of Mission Adelante, I praise the Lord for His grace to persevere, and for the great encouragement He has given our community through the lives of so many remarkable people He has brought to our city from all around the world.  And, so that 10 years doesn't go by without the kind of celebration it deserves, we invite you to pencil in the evening of March 10, 2016 as the date of a grand celebration that will be fitting for such a beautiful work of God.

IN OTHER NEWS:

  • The Latino church community had an awesome day of fellowship grilling, swimming, playing volleyball, and enjoying the beauty at Hillsdale Lake Park the last Sunday in October.

PRAYER NEEDS:

  • Please pray that the Lord would provide the volunteers and resources necessary for our expanding ministry programs to function well this trimester.

CURRENT NEEDS

  • The Bhutanese teens ministry is looking for donations of gift cards for rewarding students for hard work and good behavior. To find out how to donate one please contact Hannah at hannahj@missionadelante.org.
  • The Latino LIT program, in an effort to begin some creative activities with the kids, is looking for 15  new sketch pads from Hobby Lobby by September 14.  Click here to view.  Please contact meganm@missionadelante.org if you would like to provide any of them. 
  • Are you handy with a hammer?  We need someone to help us hang hooks and assemble shelves to get the lighthouse ready for fall programming.  This is a quick one-day project.  If you can help, please contact Sarah at sarahw@missionadelante.org.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Volunteer Training: Saturday, September 12, 9:00-1:00  All volunteers should attend this training once at the beginning of serving with Mission Adelante. It's also a great way for someone who is curious about what we do to become familiar with Mission Adelante's ministry. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about what we do, and about our volunteer opportunities, please plan to attend/encourage him or her to plan on attending this informative training, and to contact Morgan at morganh@missionadelante.org for all the details.

  • All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert: Monday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our Fall trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch!

  • Fall trimester programs launch: Week of September 14

Transform Your Community by Serving with Us!

Our Fall trimester is just around the corner with new opportunities to volunteer. Come and be a part of transforming this multicultural community together by serving at one of our weekly outreach programs.

Signup today for one of the following volunteer opportunities:

  • Conversation Partner for Adult English Classes
    • Latino ESL (Thursday) signup 
    • Bhutanese ESL (Tuesday) signup
  • Youth Mentor for Youth Ministries
    • Latino Teens (Wednesday) signup (2 volunteers needed)
    • Bhutanese Middle School (Tuesday) signup (6 volunteers needed)
    • Bhutanese High School (Tuesday) signup (2 volunteers needed)
  • Small Group Leader for Kids Outreach Bible Study
    • Latino Kids (Thursday) signup (5 volunteers needed)
    • Bhutanese Kids (Tuesday) signup (2 volunteers needed)
  • After-School Mentor/Tutor for Leaders In Training (3rd-8th Grade)
    • Latino LIT (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) signup (2 volunteers needed)
    • Bhutanese Kids LIT (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday) signup
    • Bhutanese Middle School LIT (Tuesday and Thursday) signup (5 volunteers needed)

Training for new volunteers is  Saturday, September 12th from 9:00am to 1:00pm at Mission Adelante. This will include orientation, training, lunch and a neighborhood tour. . 

The Fall trimester is 12 weeks beginning the week of September 14th and ending with parties on December 12th. For more information about serving visit volunteer opportunities.  

Nurturing the Seeds of the Gospel

Written by Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Middle School Ministry Coordinator

Middle School. No other words in the English language draw up more memories for me of uncomfortable feelings and a general state of confusion. That was when I first realized that I could choose who my friends were, and that other people could choose to be my friend. They were also the years when I was first challenged in my faith, and began to convert the stories about Jesus that I had heard my whole life into a relationship with him. The things that people challenged me with in those days still ring through my head; for example, “Being a Christian isn’t practicing a religion, it’s building a relationship with Jesus.”

Middle School is an integral time in a person's life. In fact, it is the latter portion of the time frame during which 71% of Christians commit their lives to Jesus (ages of 4-14.) That's why we're so excited about launching Bhutanese Middle School Club for the first time in September!  Our goal is to create a space where students can gather amidst the opportunities and challenges they are facing, and practice making healthy choices based on their identity as children of God; a space where students can grow into healthy young adults who freely and openly worship Jesus as their Lord.  The majority of the students that will take part have participated in our kids program for the last 6 years, hearing stories about Jesus every week. We're praying that our students will take the stories they’ve heard and build relationships with Jesus as the Lord of their lives, nurturing the seeds that have been sown during the past years and allowing them to sprout into saplings rooted firmly in the gospel.

You can help us nurture these seeds! We are currently in need of 3 male and 3 female mentors to lead small-group Bible study and build relationships with our students! Middle School Club will meet for 12 Tuesdays starting September 13th, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact Drew Hammond at drewh@missionadelante.org.

Important dates:

  • Volunteer Training: Saturday, September 12, 9:00-1:00  All volunteers should attend this training once at the beginning of serving with Mission Adelante. It's also a great way for someone who is curious about what we do to become familiar with Mission Adelante's ministry. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about what we do, and about our volunteer opportunities, please plan to attend/encourage him or her to plan on attending this informative training, and to contact Morgan at morganh@missionadelante.org for all the details.

  • All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert: Monday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our Fall trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch!

  • Fall trimester programs launch: Week of September 14

Voices of Their Own

Written by Megan McDermott, Latino Children's Ministry Director

Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager?  For some, it was an easy time, while for others, it was a tumultuous experience. Regardless of what we went through, the common feeling that we all experienced was that ache to be grown up and seen as important, able to contribute something that others would see as worthwhile.  To put it simply, we wanted to have a voice.

One of the most poignant parts of serving in children’s ministry is watching a child grow before your eyes.  They let you into their struggles, their triumphs, their sorrows, and if you are lucky, their hearts. As we walk with the children of our community, we truly seek to help raise up leaders that will affect real change in their own neighborhoods.  We believe that by investing in the children of today, we will help the youth of our community to become disciples and leaders within the community in the future.  We desire to give these young leaders a place where their voice is heard and honored.

Recently, at our summer trimester party, our community celebrated a simple rite of passage as three young girls transitioned from our children’s program to our teen’s ministry.  Amid embarrassed giggles and excited smiles, our community recognized these young women as youth rather than as children.  Our hope is that by continuing to love and disciple these young ladies into their teen years, they will have the confidence to share their voice and use that voice to spread the love of Christ.

In Other News:

  • The parties we threw in the park to celebrate the conclusion of the summer programs were a blast!  Thank you to all of you that came out to spend some quality time with our community! At one of the parties, we gave out about 25 copies of the Life of Jesus video to Bhutanese families. Please pray that these families watch the video, and that it bears fruit in our community.
  • Thanks again to everyone who contributed backpacks and school supplies this year!  In addition to distributing around 230 backpacks through our weekly kids and youth programs, we were able to put an additional 30 in the hands of our partner schools for them to assist students that come without supplies.

Needs:

Important Dates:

  • Volunteer Training: Saturday, September 12, 9:00-1:00  All volunteers should attend this training once at the beginning of serving with Mission Adelante. It's also a great way for someone who is curious about what we do to become familiar with Mission Adelante's ministry. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about what we do, and about our volunteer opportunities, please plan to attend/encourage him or her to plan on attending this informative training, and to contact Morgan at morganh@missionadelante.org for all the details.

  • All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert: Monday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our Fall trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch!

  • Fall trimester programs launch: Week of September 14

Back-to-School: Pray with Us Today!

Written by Kristen Maxwell, Bhutanese Children's Ministry Director

This is a big week for many of the youth and kids in our community; they are heading back to school!  Over the past few weeks, Mission Adelante has been able to bless nearly 250 students in our community with backpacks and supplies for the new school year!  We are so very for the grateful for the churches and individuals who provided backpacks for this year’s distribution.  A special thanks to Heartland Community Church, Blue Valley Baptist Church and Christ Church Anglican for their partnership in filling backpacks.    

Join us in praying for our kids as they head back to school with their new backpacks.  Pray that they would do well, that they would stay healthy and study hard.  Pray that they would make good friends, and be a light in their schools.  Pray for endurance for their teachers and a supernatural peace as they begin a new year.  Pray for the administrators to lead well and have the wisdom to serve the community well.


A Home Away from Home

Written by Edgar Soriano, Ministry Apprentice

Where do you go when you need someone to talk to? Most of us have a safe place to go: our home, the home of a family member or friend, or church. We asked some of the teens from our neighborhood, "Where is a place that you feel safe?" While some of them said that they didn't have one, others named Mission Adelante as that place.

For the past three years, many partners and volunteers have poured many hours of labor into the renovation of the "Light House:"  the house located next door to Mission Adelante. The Light House is a brand-new place for our teens to call home.  For a month now, our Wednesday evening teens program has met in the house and the change has been amazing! Many of the teens feel safe enough to share their struggles because the house feels like a home rather than like a facility.  The house provides a feeling of protection from the troubles of the outside world.  When they are relaxed, the teens open up more and don't feel scared to share their feelings. 

One of the most important things that we get to do is share God with the teens every time we see them.  We're so thankful for the amazing home God has given us!  What better way to use it than to bless the youth of our community by giving them a home away from home!

IMPORTANT DATES

Saturday, August 8 at 4:00 p.m.: End-of-Trimester Celebrations at Wyandotte County Lake Park (Park Entrance at 91st Street and Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas. For both parties, enter the park and take a left at the fork in the road.)  Everyone's invited!

  • Bhutanese Celebration in Shelter #6.  We will start to gather at 4:00 and will kick off our program around 5:00.  We will have food, cultural performances and lots of fun.  Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and food to share!  Contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.
  • Latino Celebration in Shelter #10. Bring a dessert or another dish to share, as well as lawn chairs or blankets. Contact Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.

Mission Adelante's Volunteer Opportunities for Fall 2015

Fall is almost here and we're ramping up for a new ministry trimester at Mission Adelante!  There are many meaningful opportunities for people from all places to get involved in a mission field in our own backyard.  Whether you're looking for an ongoing, relational ministry opportunity, or a service activity for your family or group to do together, there is something for you!  Come point your arrows out with Mission Adelante!

Kids Outreach
Looking for a fun and dynamic way to serve kiddos? We are looking for small group leaders to teach our kids about Jesus in our outreach Bible studies on Tuesday or Thursday evenings!

Bhutanese Middle School Club 
Bhutanese Middle School Club is launching this Fall! We are in need of mentors who love middle school students and want to build relationships with students and help them build a relationship with Jesus. 

Latino Leaders in Training
Passionate about reaching out to the next generation of leaders? Our Latino Leaders in Training program is looking for 6 mentors that are available to serve Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday late afternoons into the early evening beginning in September.

Bhutanese Leaders in Training
Our Bhutanese Leaders in Training program is multiplying this year!  We are going to have two separate programs, one to meet the needs of our Elementary school students and one to meet the needs of our Middle school students.  We will need many volunteers for both programs, opportunities to serve are available Monday-Thursday in the afternoon.

Bhutanese Teens Ministry
Are you an adult interested in sharing life and sharing Jesus with Bhutanese teenagers in a dynamic and exciting urban youth ministry?

Adelante Thrift
Adelante Thrift has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for people of all ages, ranging from sorting, pricing and stocking merchandise to assisting customers, arranging department displays, and more!  Choose a time that best suits your schedule and come as often as you want, by yourself or with a group!  There are volunteer opportunities on nearly every day of the week.  

IMPORTANT DATES

Saturday, August 8 at 4:00 p.m.: End-of-Trimester Celebrations at Wyandotte County Lake Park (Park Entrance at 91st Street and Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas. For both parties, enter the park and take a left at the fork in the road.)  Everyone's invited!

  • Bhutanese Celebration in Shelter #6.  We will start to gather at 4:00 and will kick off our program around 5:00.  We will have food, cultural performances and lots of fun.  Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and food to share!  Contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.
  • Latino Celebration in Shelter #10. Bring a dessert or another dish to share, as well as lawn chairs or blankets. Contact Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.

The Value of Partnering with Local Leaders

Bhutanese Community Leader Ram Rai (center) with a CNE presenter (right) and Robert L. Woodson, Sr (left) at the Kansas Community Leadership Enterprise

 

Written by Kristen Allen, Community Development Director

Mission Adelante values partnership. One of my favorite things about leading our community development initiatives is finding ways to work in collaboration with other organizations. I enjoy finding ways to partner together to address the opportunities and challenges in our community, and especially love learning from other leaders who have experiences different than my own.

This spring I was invited to participate in the Kansas Community Leadership Enterprise that brought together over 50 leaders from grassroots organizations to learn, share, and grow together. My cohort consisted of leaders representing health, education, faith, family, welfare and business who came together to learn from the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise. Much to my surprise and happiness, three refugee leaders from the three largest ethnic groups recently resettled in Kansas City were also in attendance. I believe that in order to effectively address issues, we have to invite traditionally marginalized groups to the table and allow them to add their voice and leadership to the conversation. Kansas Community Leadership Enterprise brought people together from various cross-sections of Wyandotte County and would only be representative of our community if we included the voice of the refugee.

Led by Robert L Woodson, Senior, CNE focuses on empowering neighborhood leaders to promote solutions that reduce crime and violence, restore families, revitalize low-income communities, and create economic enterprise. It is clear that Mr. Woodson is skilled at partnership since he is the only person ever to have received both the liberal and conservative world’s most prestigious awards - the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Prize.

My favorite story from Mr. Woodson was his analogy of ship captains and harbor masters. Ship captains know how to steer the boat. They understand the open waters, navigational mapping, etc. But when they get to the harbor, the ship captain’s tools are insufficient. You see, the harbor masters know the local waters like the back of their hand. They are in the same waters everyday and understand the currents, the hidden barriers, and how to effectively navigate the harbor. In other words, they understand the culture of the local harbor in the ways that the outside ship captain may never understand; harbormasters are the expert of their harbor and should be treated as such. Sometimes we are looking to ship captains for advice, when it is really the harbor master’s voice that needs to be heard.

I think the same context is true for our work at Mission Adelante and other organizations working in diverse settings. I can’t fully understand the culture of another group, but I can look to their leadership when working through challenges and encourage others to partner with those who have been overlooked in the past. The refugee leaders who participated in KCLE were heard that day and it is my prayer that the voice of refugees continues to be heard in our community. We need the experience of both the ship captain and the harbormaster, and the wisdom to look to the right one for leadership at the right times.

In Other News:

  • The Bhutanese citizenship class went to Kaw Point last week to learn more about how Kansas City fit into the early expansion of the U.S. Field trips like this one give students a deeper understanding of classroom concepts and build relationships between students and volunteers.

Prayer Needs:

  • Kids Adelante Director Megan McDermott and some key volunteers are delving into the topics of purity and finding our identity in Christ with 10-12 pre-teen girls throughout this week.  We would appreciate your prayers as we navigate these delicate, but important subjects.
  • This Saturday our teens ministries will be attending a collaborative event with teens from around the city. Mission Adelante is excited to partner with our friends from Christ Community Church, The Hope Center, Youth Front in the Argentine and Christian Fellowship Church in such a fun endeavor. Pray that our kids would have a good experience getting to know one another,  learning about each other’s cultures and experiences, and that our participation would point them to Jesus.
  • Please pray that the right students would come to the right events for the rest of this Summer, as we finish up this Bhutanese teens trimester. We often spend a lot of time trying to orchestrate for good attendance. However, we know that God will draw and move hearts wherever he wants them. Join us in praying that we will have a good showing from the students who God has prepared to come.

Important Dates

Saturday, August 8 at 4:00 p.m.: End-of-Trimester Celebrations at Wyandotte County Lake Park (Park Entrance at 91st Street and Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas. For both parties, enter the park and take a left at the fork in the road.)

  • Bhutanese Celebration in Shelter #6.  We will start to gather at 4:00 and will kick off our program around 5:00.  We will have food, cultural performances and lots of fun.  Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and food to share!  Contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.
  • Latino Celebration in Shelter #10. Bring a dessert or another dish to share, as well as lawn chairs or blankets. Contact Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.

Bhutanese Youth Police Academy

written by Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Middle School Apprentice

written by Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Middle School Apprentice

We strive to help our students think creatively about their potential careers; to help them see that there are more jobs than just working in factories and shipping plants. To expose the Bhutanese youth to more careers, we took our Teens Club students to the Kansas City Kansas Police Academy. Our students learned about a new career and they received warm welcome from the team of officers that gave the presentations.

Not only did the officers give fun and dynamic presentations with many of the tools and gadgets they use in the field, they worked hard to connect relationally with our students. I was encouraged by the officers asking our students about their stories, past and future. The officers expressed how they love hearing about other cultures and how they wished they could spend more time with our students.

The officers were clear about the tasks they do. Anything from paperwork to making arrests. We were also given a look into various departments, ranging from Community Policing to the SWAT Team and Bomb Squad. They focused on our greatest tools being our minds. Both in the importance of higher education and the ability to diffuse situations with relational skill before resorting to force.

We received more than we thought we would in our trip to the Kansas City Kansas Police Academy. We knew our students would receive exposure to the career of police work. By the end of the day our students had not only learned what it means to be a police officer, they also came away with a deeper feeling of trust with the officers who strive to protect our homes.