A Family Commitment to Community

Written by Kristen Allen, Community Development Director

Recently I’ve heard some awesome stories from our volunteers that highlight how God is moving in the Mission Adelante community to draw individuals deeper into relationship with Him and people from other places. A few weeks ago a Bhutanese ESL volunteer shared with me how a stop to buy Gatorade for her sick mother led to meeting new people and an opportunity to learn Nepali from someone in her Olathe neighborhood all because she made the effort to greet a stranger with a simple “Namaste”. God wants us to be in relationship with others and when we start to follow His call, the doors start to open.

My friends and neighbors, Rachel and Jeremiah Pierce, are examples of how following God’s calling for their family has led to incredible opportunity to partner with people from other places. Four years ago the Pierces were part of Westside Family Church's JOSEPH Campaign and learned about openings to serve here in Kansas City and around the globe. Rachel’s heart was drawn to children’s issues and anti-trafficking efforts, but she clearly remembers not marking the box for refugees because she wasn’t interested. Around the same time Westside was hosting a short-term missions trip to Thailand to visit their ministry partners and the Pierces decided to go for their 10th wedding anniversary. There Rachel and Jeremiah met Karen refugees from Burma and by the time they returned to KC, God had put a love for refugees deep in Rachel’s heart and the family decided to get involved with mentoring a family from Burma.

As the Pierces started to get to know the newly arrived refugee family they were matched with, they started to learn more about themselves and how their lives might be used through cross cultural friendships. They prayed and moved to Kansas City, Kansas, they started volunteering at Mission Adelante, and they kept listening to God and loving people from other places.

Over the past year, their lives have intersected with more refugees and led to helping people prepare for the citizenship test, teaching about home maintenance, assisting with doctors appointments, befriending refugee mothers at McKinley PTA meetings, and working with the Kansas Chin Christian Church to prepare a home for a newly arrived refugee family. And that is really just a snapshot of their lives; Rachel and Jeremiah have too many stories to share of the opportunities God has given them to partner with others because they kept following His heart.

We celebrate all of our volunteers who step out in faith to follow God’s command to welcome the stranger and how those initial meetings turn into meaningful, interdependent relationships. Next week a new trimester starts and so do new stories of volunteers experiencing challenge and growth. Please pray for the life change that happens as children, ESL students, and volunteers come together to build community.

In other news:

• There were 14 high school graduates from the Bhutanese community this week. These kids arrived in the US as teenagers and have overcome great obstacles to finish high school in America. We are proud to celebrate with them!

Current needs:

• We’ve received lots of board books for our Mommy & Me ESL class--Thank you! If you still have books to donate, please contact Lauren at laurent@missionadelante.org. We can use them year round. 

• Recent storms have prompted us to want to make our outdoor activities a little safer.  So, we are putting together an outdoor safety kit.  Please contact Sarah at sarahw@missionadelante.org if you or your community group would like to donate a lightning meter, a portable weather radio, a first aid kit, or crank-powered flashlights.  

• We are in need of a high-quality vacuum that can keep up with our heavy foot traffic.  Please contact Molly at mollym@missionadelante.org if you can help.

Important dates:

• Summer trimester programs launch: Week of May 26

A Camping We Will Go

Written by Kristen Maxwell, Bhutanese Children's Ministry Director

When looking back on childhood summers many of us have fond memories of time spent at summer camp.  Making art projects, exploring the wilderness, playing games, and growing closer to friends were always highlights.  

Last Friday through Sunday, 16 Bhutanese Leaders in Training students (and eight adult mentors) got to take part in the tradition of summer camp at Camp New Hope, about 45 minutes north of Kansas City.  We learned about God’s creation, played games, used a compass for the first time, tie-dyed, took a ride on a wagon, and got to pie mentors in the face for learning the two memory verses of the weekend!

Experiences like these are so very important to the education of our kids.  They not only get to have fun and learn life skills, but they also have their world view expanded.  Enjoy some pictures of our fun time this past weekend!

 

 

In other news:

• The Latino Equipos (Spanish for "Teams")  group met on Monday to discuss how our community can welcome our new volunteers this summer through food, friendship, and worship.  We are really excited and blessed to have such an awesome team of leaders with hearts to serve!

Prayer needs:

• Leaders in Training is our tutoring and character development program during the school year for a select group of kids, and is by invitation, only. We're wrapping up our application process for the 2014-2015 school year.   Please pray for discernment and wisdom for those involved in the decision of which students to invite.

Current needs:

• We're still looking for volunteers to serve in the following programs for our summer trimester:
• Bhutanese Kids Club (Tuesday evenings): 5 volunteers.  Contact Kristen at kristenm@missionadelante.org.
• Latino Kids Adelante (Thursday evenings): 2 volunteers.  Contact Megan at meganm@missionadelante.org.
• Latino ESL for adults (Thursday evenings): 8 volunteers.  Contact Morgan at morganh@missionadelante.org.
• Shuttle drivers (various times): No CDL Required!  Contact Drew at drewh@missionadelante.org.

• Recent storms have prompted us to want to make our outdoor activities a little safer.  So, we are putting together an outdoor safety kit.  Please contact Sarah at sarahw@missionadelante.org if you or your community group would like to donate a lightning meter, a portable weather radio, a first aid kit, or crank-powered flashlights.

• We are in need of a high-quality vacuum that can keep up with our heavy foot traffic.  Please contact Molly at mollym@missionadelante.org if you can help.

• The Bhutanese ESL program could use reading glasses of all strengths. We also need more toddler/preschool board books (gently used) to give away during our Mommy & Me class in June. Please contact laurent@missionadelante.org if you can donate any of these items.

Important dates:

• Volunteer Orientation & Training: Saturday, May 17, 9:00-12:30 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'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, May 19, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our summer trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch. 
• Summer trimester programs launch: Week of May 26

Come and Serve on the Mission Field in Your Own Backyard!

Written by Jarrett Meek, Pastor/Executive Director

Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God's heart for the lost and broken is evident. His love for all people is beyond imagination, but His heart of mercy for "the least of these" is displayed time and time again in unique and special ways.

In Matthew 25 Jesus says these words;

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

At Mission Adelante, we have found ourselves in the middle of a mission field right here in our own backyard. And in this mission field we are surrounded by the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and families of people in prison. Who would have thought that the cross-cultural mission field would come to us, and that we would have the opportunity to demonstrate the kind of compassion that Jesus exhorted us toward right here in our own city!?

We invite you to join us in this mission by serving in practical ways and connecting relationally with people from another culture. Instead of viewing missions as something only a few "super-Christians" can do, why not make it a normal part of your life?

Whether your heart is for adult immigrants or kids, Latinos or refugees from Bhutan, there is a place for you to make an impact with Mission Adelante.  We specifically need volunteers in the following areas for the summer:

• Six mentors for Bhutanese Kids Club each Tuesday evening. Contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@Missionadelante.org.
• A shuttle driver for various times (No CDL required). Contact Drew Hammond at drewh@missionadelante.org.
• Conversation Partners for Latino English Class each Thursday evening. Contact Morgan Ham at morganh@missionadelante.org.

Please click here for all the info related to volunteering with Mission Adelante! And now, if you have a couple of minutes, watch a quick video to get a better feel for what it looks like to be involved in our ministries!

Mission Adelante's Volunteer Opportunities from Mission Adelante on Vimeo.

In other news:

• Jarrett, Megan, Brian, and Sandy arrived back safely from Q-ba on Tuesday.  They all taught at a three-day purity retreat for more than 85 youth and young adults in the church. God protected the team and allowed them to go deep with the youth.

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for the health of two of our Bhutanese grandmothers. They are both struggling to recover from some previous health challenges.  Pray for healing, renewed strength and a sense of the presence of Lord Jesus.

Important dates:

• Volunteer Orientation & Training: Saturday, May 17, 9:00-12:30 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'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, May 19, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our summer trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch. 
• Summer trimester programs launch: Week of May 26

Reaching the World's Largest People Group

Written by Kristen Maxwell, Bhutanese Children's Ministry Director

Who it is that comprises the largest people group to be reached with the gospel?  Is it some group of people in a foreign land, perhaps people in crowded cities somewhere in Asia or Africa?  As it turns out, some missiologists assert that the largest people group resides everywhere, including right here in Kansas City.  Presently, the largest group with whom to share the Gospel is people under the age of 20.  As worldwide birth rates peak in 2015, children and teens currently make up half of the world’s population!

 Children are worth our attention!  A 2010 study by the Billy Graham School of Missions found that people are most likely to make a decision for Christ between the ages of 4 and 14, and that 71% of Christians make a decision for Christ before the age of 15!

At Mission Adelante we love kids!  As we have observed a number of times, faith is often brought into an immigrant family for the first time by some of the youngest members.  Each week of our Outreach Bible Studies gives us another chance to love kids, build relationships with them, and point them to Jesus. 

We are preparing to launch our summer trimester the week of May 26^th and we're looking for mentors to love and serve the kids of Mission Adelante on Tuesday and Thursday evenings!  For information on how you can help reach the world’s largest people group please contact:

Megan McDermott, Director of Latino Kids Ministries at meganm@missionadelante.org

Kristen Maxwell, Director of Bhutanese Kids Ministries at kristenm@missionadelante.org

Check out some great infographics on the importance of reaching kids with the Gospel: 

http://www.gmi.org/infographics/missiographic-PopulationTrends.jpg

http://www.4to14window.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/4-14_infographic_large_web.png

Prayer needs

• Please pray for the Adelante Thrift Board. They meet next week to discuss location and timing of the store and have some big decisions to make. Please pray for God to continue to guide us in this process as we look to start sustainable community development.

Current needs:

• Spring has sprung, and our grounds could use some TLC.  Please contact Molly at mollym@missionadelante.org if you are interested in weeding and mulching flower beds.

• We are collecting board books for our Bhutanese Mommy & Me early literacy class this summer. Contact Lauren at laurent@missionadelante.org if you can donate new or gently used board books, especially those with counting, colors, first words or ABCs. They will be given to refugee families attending the class.

Important dates:

• Volunteer Orientation & Training: Saturday, May 17, 9:00-12:30 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'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, May 19, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our summer trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch. 
• Summer trimester programs launch: Week of May 26

Introducing the World to Deaf Refugees

Written by Lauren Timberlake, Bhutanese ESL Director

Guman, Josh, and Chandra

When Guman and Chandra Poudel first came to English class two summers ago, I wasn’t sure we could help them. We have many students who have had little-to-no education, but I had never taught anyone who couldn’t hear. Guman and Chandra are deaf, but they wanted to learn and were so happy to be in class. We paired them with Josh Downing, a first-time conversation partner, and he found several resources to help them begin to understand what we were covering in class.

In Nepal, being deaf is a serious handicap. There is often no education offered to deaf individuals, and they are not able to work or fully socialize with society. Most deaf people have no way to learn a sign language. As refugees, The Poudels have even more hurdles to face than the rest of the Bhutanese community because their life experiences have been so limited. We really wanted them to be able to learn American Sign Language and experience more community and opportunity in Kansas City. We prayed for help, and God sent us Rev. Debbie Buchholz from Deaf International in Olathe.

A volunteer from Deaf International teaches
Guman sign language during ESL registration.

Debbie and a team of volunteers from Deaf International have been working with Guman and Chandra for more than a year. They are teaching them American Sign Language and everyday life skills that are new to them--like using silverware, hand soap, and pushing a shopping cart. Debbie said, “They have been put into a culture where being deaf means opportunity to follow God’s plans and prosper in whatever area God has placed them in. They both want to get married, have a family and drive a car. We say they can….they say they can’t. God has placed us in each other’s lives, and now it is our privilege to move forward in introducing the world to them and them to the world. The key is not giving up.”

In addition to expert help from Deaf International, Josh (their conversation partner) has spent the last two years as Guman and Chandra’s best friend. He works with them at English class every week, visits their home, often drives them to church (Deaf International Community Church), and has been there when they needed him most. Josh has been learning American Sign Language along with them, too. It’s amazing to see what God does when intentional relationships are formed. Josh has given so much, but he has also been changed by this unlikely friendship. Josh says, "I love Guman and Chandra and have learned so much from my relationship with them. I have worked to teach them English and ASL, but they have given me a class in getting outside myself and communicating on levels that I'm deficient in. Much like how Christ calls me to hear on a level deeper than words, they have helped me to grow in deep hearing, in hearing things that really matter and communicating in ways that really connect."

Guman and Chandra can now write their names and have simple conversations in ASL. They have greater respect from their Bhutanese community and have many American friends, deaf and hearing, in Kansas City. This has given them much joy. Josh shares, "In the last couple years I've seen Guman and Chandra really come more alive and connected as they have grown in their language abilities. One simple example of this growth is that almost a year ago Guman was lost and needed to be able to communicate his name to some strangers. At the time he had learned enough ASL to be able to fingerspell his name to them. A year later, were he to find himself in the same scenario, he would also be able to write his name in English. There is so much power in knowing and being able to communicate your name in the native language. It's incredibly encouraging to have seen Guman and Chandra work to develop this particular skill."

At Mission Adelante, we love people from other places--regardless of their ability to speak English, read, work, or hear. We desire to welcome newcomers to our city, help them see what’s available to them, and shower them with dignity and respect. We are thankful God sends volunteers like Josh and partners like Debbie, who come alongside us in this mission.

Important dates:

• Volunteer Orientation & Training: Saturday, May 17, 9:00-12:30 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'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, May 19, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our summer trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch. 
• Summer trimester programs launch: Week of May 26