A Special Messenger

Written by Jason Schoff


Who is the best suited to deliver a message? Is it a friend, a neighbor, a countryman or just anyone? We often times listen most closely to those who are most like us and understand our lives best. It made perfect sense to invite our Latino friend, Edwin, to share the gospel message at our Latino Christmas party this past Saturday. Edwin loves Jesus like few others you will ever meet and he and his wife, Zeidy, know what it means to care for the foreigner living in their midst.

We sometimes think of Edwin and his family as the grandfathers of Mission Adelante because they showed incredible friendship to the Meek family, Mission Adelante's founders. In 2001, the Meeks arrived in Costa Rica as outsiders and Edwin's family befriended them, watched out for them, and patiently tried to help them learn Spanish through conversational practice. A real life model was presented for how to love your neighbor--your immigrant neighbor, and a seed was planted for Mission Adelante. Since 2001, Edwin and Zeidy have continued to host several Mission Adelante staff families, including my own, in their Costa Rican home.

Earlier this week Edwin, Zeidy and their daughter, Monica, boarded a plane back to Costa Rica after sharing a week full of wonderful moments with the Mission Adelante family. Edwin's message at the Latino Christmas party hit the bulls-eye with our community and despite being foreigners here, they reached out to immigrants and Americans with the same conviction to love their neighbor--the one standing next right next to them wherever they are! Thank you, Lord, for Edwin, Zeidy, and Monica.


In other news:

• Thank you to the volunteers from Shoal Creek Community Church and Hillcrest Covenant Church who helped us set up for the Latino Christmas Party last Saturday, and who engaged all of the kids in special and very fun activities!
• Thank you to the volunteers from Christ Community Anglican Church who hosted the Bhutanese Christmas Party last Sunday!  Our Bhutanese friends were very lovingly served in many thoughtful ways.  It was the most well-attended Bhutanese party yet, and one Bhutanese man and few "assistants" were dignified  by being hired to prepare the food for the 320 people who attended the party!
• Thank you, Christ Community Evangelical Free Church for proving the Tuesday meal for our Leaders In Training this whole school year!
• We were honored to have Glenn Kahler from The Gathering Network and Matt Adams from Young Life visit our staff this week.  Glenn described the ways that he and the other Gathering Network leaders are encouraging people to go beyond church attendance and take on ministry as a lifestyle.
• The Latino teens shared a special experience the weekend before last on a retreat at which they practiced team-problem-solving skills to conquer an indoor challenge course.  Later that evening, they began to offer one another verbal encouragement that continued to go on and on.  Teens Adelante Coordinator Brooke Coon could sense the Holy Spirit moving the kids to support one another, and it created an atmosphere of fellowship with the quality of purity.  Brooke was very surprised by the respect and maturity that each and every one of them displayed, and said that upon returning from the retreat, the group feels like a big family!

Prayer needs:

• The weekend before last, 12 Leaders In Training students had a great time on an overnight reward trip to Great Wolf Lodge.  On Saturday, the group discussed forgiveness.  That whole day, one of the student's tutors, who was not on the trip, felt prompted in her spirit to pray for that student's heart to change.  The 13 year old girl had been displaying a negative attitude for some time, but responded to God's conviction by apologizing to her mother after returning home.  In return, her mom apologized to her, and her younger siblings to one another!  Praise God for being in the business of restored relationships, and help us pray for continued healing in this particular family!
• Please continue to help us petition the Lord to provide for our ministry through generous year-end gifts.

Current needs:

• Walmart gift cards, to purchase ministry supplies
• A gas stove, which has been requested through our resource center.  If you can donate one, please contact Molly at 913-281-6274 x5 to arrange dropping it off.
• Men's, women's and children's winter clothing, outerwear, and shoes, to offer in our resource center.  Please contact Molly at 913-281-6274 x5 to arrange a donation.

Important dates:

• The Mission Adelante office will be closed December 25 - January 1.
• Saturday, January 14, 9:00-12:00: Volunteer Orientation & Training  All volunteers should attend this training once at the beginning of serving with Mission Adelante.  It's also a great way for someone to become familiar with Mission Adelante.  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 attend this informative training.