An Emphasis on Literacy

Written by Lauren Timberlake, Bhutanese ESL Director

Many Americans are unaware of the lack of access to education some people have in other parts of the world. A number of the refugees we work with in the Bhutanese English classes know how to read and write in their native language, but many more of them do not. Political unrest, poverty, a lack of schools for girls, and needs at home are some of the factors that kept most adult refugees from graduating high school. Many did not finish or even attend primary school at all. As a result, literacy is a huge obstacle to information, employment, and citizenship for many.

We are taking steps to improve literacy in our English classes this term. Dry erase boards with letters and numbers to trace have become very popular with students. Some are learning letter sounds and sounding out words. Others are using early readers to gain more confidence. Our advanced students are reading citizenship textbooks to learn about American history and civics. It’s been a great challenge, and the students are so proud of what they are accomplishing. This will prepare them to tackle the reading and writing components of the citizenship exam.

One of my first memories working here was with a grandmother who had no idea how to hold a pencil. Now, she can write her name and address. She works every week on writing letters more clearly. Another student, a mother of 4, is learning to read and working towards citizenship. She was happy last week to be able to differentiate the words “amendment” and “America.”

Volunteer conversation partners are our greatest resource. One-on-one listening, speaking, reading and writing practice is a huge help for a non-native English speakers. Our volunteers do a great job of identifying student abilities and choosing appropriate reading and writing exercises from the options available in class.

Knowing the Bhutanese community has taught our staff and volunteers much about life across the globe. We have been blessed by their optimism, resilience, and willingness to learn new things at all stages of life. We are grateful to be coaches and cheerleaders as many learn to read for the first time.

In other news:

• We took the Leaders in Training to Sky Zone indoor trampoline park last Monday as a reward for all of their hard work.  We love helping the kids discover that in life, hard work pays off!
• This trimester there are 234 volunteers serving with Mission Adelante. Eighty three of them are immigrant members of our community!  We get really excited about this kind of fruit!

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for Mission Adelante community members who will be sharing their testimonies in the English classes over the next few weeks.
• Please pray for the Adelante Thrift Board as they continue to review leases and negotiate to determine the best space between two potential thrift locations. Our fundraising efforts will begin soon and we are seeking God’s guidance as we continue down the path of sustainable community development.

Current needs:

• Our LIT students earn "Mission Adelante Money" for exemplary behavior and doing extra academic work, which they can spend at a Reward Store once each trimester.  We're in need of items by March 31 to stock that store!  Ideas include sports equipment, craft supplies, bedroom decorations, or any small item that would appeal to 8-14 year old students.  If you would like to contribute, please contact Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org or Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.
• Operations Teams are Forming!  If you are interested in joining our facilities team (handy man projects) or IT Team (Think “Geek Squad”), please contact Sarah Winston at sarahw@missionadelante.org.  These roles are on an as-needed basis, and don’t require a weekly commitment.

Important dates:

• Observation Days: Tuesdays, March 4 & 11 (Bhutanese)/Thursdays, March 6 & 13 (Latino) 6:30-8:30  Have you wondered what all goes on around here on a typical evening of programming?  Here's your opportunity to come and see for yourself!  Come on up to 22 S. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102.
• Spring Break: March 17-22 No programs.  The Mission Adelante office will be closed March 19-22.
• Optional Bhutanese ESL Training: March 30th at 2:00 at Jenny Dunn’s house.  Email Jenny for details: jennyd@missionadelante.org.

Reigniting The Spark of Exploration in Our Children

Written by Megan McDermott, Latino Children's Ministry Director

Throughout my education, one of the things I treasured most was the freedom to explore the topics that interested me.  If I wanted to learn more about the Egyptians, I was encouraged to research and understand the culture.  When I expressed my fascination with Native American dress, my teachers encouraged my creative exploration of that clothing.  However, when I look at the children in our after-school tutoring and character development program, Leaders in Training, I see that the spark of exploration has faded.  In an effort to reignite that spark, one of our main focuses this year in LIT has been learning about the past, and in particular, World War I.  

The children were so intrigued by the events of WWI, the soldiers, the battles, how animals were utilized, and more than anything,  how Mexico was involved in the war.  At Mission Adelante, we believe in the importance of celebrating culture and developing leaders.  Therefore, it was so exciting to see their eyes light up when they made the connection between the familiarity of Mexico and the role that it had played in WWI. 

Last Saturday, we took the children to the WWI museum and spent the day exploring together.  We poured over the vast collection of artifacts, did some hands-on activities, and got a glimpse into our country's history.  It is said that “Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.”   I believe that by arming the future leaders of our community with the knowledge of their past, they will approach the future with greater wisdom. 

In other news:

• On Sunday the Bhutanese community welcomed baby Sarup Gurung into the world at his cultural baby naming ceremony, which takes place when a baby is 10 days old! He is a healthy little boy, and the first boy after 3 girls, making dad very happy! Many volunteers and Mission Adelante staff were able to go and see the baby and congratulate the family.
• We love to celebrate the cultures of people from other places living in our neighborhood! Several of those involved in Mission Adelante attended Chin National Day this weekend to celebrate the unity of Chin people, a collection of various tribes from Chin State in Burma. Through our community development efforts we continue to strengthen partnerships with various Chin groups in our community as two Mission Adelante volunteers develop friendships and help Chin churches organize citizenship classes for their members.
• As we continue to study citizenship with our Bhutanese friends, it has been gratifying to see their confidence increase .  Citizenship means a great deal to them, and they are succeeding! Thank you, Jesus, for small successes.

Prayer needs:

• Adelante Thrift is currently reviewing leases for two potential retail locations. Please pray for guidance and wisdom as we move another step closer to launch.

Current needs:

• Operations Teams are Forming!  If you are interested in joining our facilities team (handy man projects) or IT Team (Think “Geek Squad”), please contact Sarah Winston at sarahw@missionadelante.org.  These roles are on an as-needed basis, and don’t require a weekly commitment.
• Our LIT students earn "Mission Adelante Money" for exemplary behavior and doing extra academic work, which they can spend at a Reward Store once each trimester. We're in need of items by March 31 to stock that store! Ideas include sports equipment, craft supplies, bedroom decorations, or any small item that would appeal to 8-14 year old students. If you would like to contribute, please contact Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org or Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.

Important dates:

• Child Protection Meeting--Saturday, February 22 at 9:00 a.m. All volunteers that serve the kids and youth of Mission Adelante should attend.
• Observation Days: Tuesdays, March 4 & 11 (Bhutanese)/Thursdays, March 6 & 13 (Latino) 6:30-8:30  Have you wondered what all goes on around here on a typical evening of programming?  Here's your opportunity to come and see for yourself!  Come on up to 22 S. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102.

Bhutanese Got Talent

Written by David Stetler, Bhutanese Outreach Director

Last night, five Bhutanese teen leaders organized and executed their new plan for the Bhutanese Teens Club. This was the first time these growing leaders had exercised their leadership on this scale. They had worked very hard together to formulate a new plan over the past few months. This new plan was not just any plan; it was a plan that they could call their own. The leaders did an incredible job and their peers respected and followed their lead and their plan.

the judges

The night resembled a small yet creative version of America’s Got Talent. There were judges, performances of singing and dancing and a live crowd that was, of course, very lively. The leaders divided the 50 plus teens into four groups. Each group had one opportunity to perform for the judges. The performances were judged on various categories determined by the Teen Club leaders. The four performances were unique, delightful and full of flavor and flare with a strong taste of Bhutanese-Nepali culture.

the champion, Ganesh Senchuri singing "Bistarai Bistarai"

The winner of this entertaining competition was Ganesh Senchuri who sang a beautiful melody called “Bistarai Bistaria” which means “Slowly Slowly”. Each month there will be new judges and a new performer representing each group.  At the end of the year the group with the most points will be awarded a Secret Special Surprise Prize!

Leadership development is a core value here at Mission Adelante and when it comes to youth being raised up as leaders, we get super excited. Community Youth Development creates environments, events, and activities that cultivate leadership and support positive choices. By giving these teens an environment such as this where they can use their talents and passions, they grow as individuals, leaders and as a community.

Current needs:

• Our LIT students earn "Mission Adelante Money" for exemplary behavior and doing extra academic work, which they can spend at a Reward Store once each trimester. We're in need of items by March 31 to stock that store! Ideas include sports equipment, craft supplies, bedroom decorations, or any small item that would appeal to 8-14 year old students. If you would like to contribute, please contact Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org or Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.

• Foosball is one of the most popular games at our kids events any given week.  After multiple years of service our foosball tables have begun to show their age.  We are looking for a foosball table in good condition (all players and table legs in working order) to be used in our kids room every week.  If you have one you would be willing to donate please contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.

Important Dates:

• Child Protection Meeting--Saturday, February 22 at 9:00 a.m. All volunteers that serve the kids and youth of Mission Adelante should attend.

Mission Adelante programs a GO for Thursday, February 6!!

Mission Adelante programs ARE in session today, Thursday, February 6! Our parking lot has been plowed and we're ready for action!! (Our policy is to follow KCKCC cancellations).

Business, Ministry, and a Burmese Grocery Store!

Written by Kristen Allen, Director of Community Development

One of the most exciting things about living in the community is seeing how God is using different people to accomplish His purpose. I love hearing stories from our Bhutanese and Latino ministries and also learning from my friends first hand what it means to follow God and trust in His provision.

I’ve been blessed by a friendship with a local Burmese shop owner. I originally connected with her when I visited the Falam Chin church down the street from my house where another friend serves as the pastor. Our friendship blossomed over the next few months as we shared about our lives and dreams.

My friend had lived in the United States for several years before following God’s call to move her family to Kansas City and open an Asian grocery store. She and her husband borrowed a few thousand dollars from a relative, opened their store in July of 2012, and prayed into the vision God had for them.

There is something special when you visit the store. If you are like me and don’t speak Burmese or Falam Chin, you would still perceive the high level of customer service. Everyone is greeted, everyone receives a smile, and everyone is valued when they are shopping in the store. My friend and her husband see their store as an opportunity to reach the community for Jesus and as business grew, they knew that God was calling them to further expand their ministry.

My friend prayed, she fasted, and she asked God for a store just down the street that had parking, retail space, and the ability to expand to include a children’s outreach program so she could hire teachers to help children in the community improve in school and retain their native language. And God said no to that space. Undeterred, she continued to believe and pray for the dream that God gave their family.

One day I received a text from my friend asking me to come to the store. “Please hurry” it said and I wondered what was going on. When I arrived, I learned she had received a lease for an even better space. We both celebrated and thanked God for moving in amazing ways to make the expansion  of their business possible.

At the end of January 2014, their community pitched in and helped move their grocery store to the new location God provided them. This is where their dreams continue. Later this year they will open a restaurant to serve delicious Burmese dishes. Profit from grocery store and restaurant will help fund outreach programs to children in their community. The journey of following God continues and I can’t wait to see where it will take them next.

In other news:

• A group of teens, kids, and volunteers braved the cold last Friday to attend Winter Jam! We had a blast and an amazing time worshiping God together!

• The Bhutanese teens are really stepping up their leadership and have planned an "American Idol" formatted teens club this trimester. It’s going to be very fun, but also a lot for them to pull off. It’s fun to see them learning as they go, and growing in their creativity and vision for their own community.

Prayer requests:

• Please pray for Bhutanese teenagers as they navigate how to honor their Hindu families while discovering their own personal faith in Jesus.
• Please continue to pray for stable employment for our refugee friends.

Current needs:

• The LIT (Leaders in Training) kids come straight from school each day so we try to have a healthy snack for them. We are looking for a few individuals or a small group to purchase (in bulk) some granola bars, goldfish, nutri-grain bars, or any other healthy snacks to bless the kids.  Please contact Megan if interested:  meganm@missionadelante.org.

Important dates:

• Child Protection Meeting--Saturday, February 22 at 9:00 a.m. All volunteers that serve the kids and youth of Mission Adelante should attend.

All Mission Adelante Programs Cancelled Wednesday, February 5

All Mission Adelante programs on Wednesday, February 5 have been cancelled due to the snow. As a reminder, we abide by Kansas City Kansas Community College cancellations.
Stay warm and stay safe!

Mission Adelante Programs Cancelled on Tuesday, February 4

All Mission Adelante programs on Tuesday, February 4 have been cancelled due to the forecasted snowstorm. As a reminder, we abide by Kansas City Kansas Community College cancellations.
Stay warm and stay safe!