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

Celebrating

written by David Stetler, Director of Bhutanese Ministries

At Mission Adelante we love to celebrate culture and leadership development, and we especially love to celebrate when our friends from other places “adelantan" (move forward). Last weekend the community of Mission Adelante celebrated the completion of our 2014 Spring trimester, the raising up of young leaders as they took on new responsibilities, the friendships that have grown during the last 12 weeks and the beauty of the unique cultures represented in our growing multi-cultural community! The adult students in our English classes received certificates, the teens and kids received awards and everyone received a little more joy.


We believe that developing individuals to reach their potential as disciples and leaders is how ministry bears fruit. This was so evident in the way that our community leaders came around each part of the events. The Equipos (the teams) led the way at the Latino party and the Bhutanese LTP (Leadership Training Project) teens led the way at the Bhutanese party. It was such an exciting time to see new and growing leaders stepping up to lead in new ways.

As our community keeps growing, we long to continue to create more opportunities for leaders to be developed, disciples to be made and for people from all places to thrive as we use our gifts together to transform our neighborhood.

In other news:

• The Latino party last weekend was a blast! We were so proud of the kids as they performed “God’s Not Dead,” and of our Kid’s Equipo (Team) that led really fun and creative activities to engage the kids during the adult portion of the program.
• Immigrant business owners continue to transform our community. Two refugee business owners have submitted plans to the city to open restaurants. We’ll share when the restaurants open so you can support the community and enjoy some delicious food!

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for a ministry team from Mission Adelante who will be traveling to Q- ba over the next couple of weeks to work together with RAICES at a ministry retreat.
• Please pray for our gap between trimesters to be a time that our staff can rest as well as prepare and plan for the summer trimester.
• Please pray for the Adelante Thrift board as they continue to work through challenges to open the thrift store.

Current needs:

• We’re looking for a source for custom embroidered garments. If you know the owner of a local promotional product business, please email Morgan at morganh@missionadelante.org.
• Our Kids Club board games are beginning to wear out.  We are looking for new or gently used board games and toys for kids in the Kindergarten to 4th grade age range.  Some popular items include Trouble, Connect4, Jenga, Tinker-toys and Lincoln-Logs.  For more information contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.

This Week at Mission Adelante

News:

• Bhutanese LTP (Leadership Training Project) students have begun reading through the book of Mark together. This is the first time a majority of the students have opening a bible and read it for themselves. We are excited to see what God will teach us as we read His Word together.
• Janoy, a Cuban member of our Latino church community, preached on Sunday night at our celebration service for the second time.  It is a real privilege to walk with people as they develop their ministry gifts.
• We are in week four of a five-week pilot English class at Laminate Works, Inc, a local business partner.  Laminate Works has provided employment for several members of the Mission Adelante community.  Thank you, Laminate Works, Inc.!
• We are thankful to those that have given to make the LIT reward store a success! The kids received awesome rewards for working hard to improve their organizational skills, to memorize their verses, and to grow in their leadership!

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for the Lord to give us vision and insight as we begin dreaming and planning for the fall season of programs.
• Please pray for wisdom as we work out details of Adelante Thrift, a new thrift store in the neighborhood we are hoping to launch this summer/fall.
• Please pray for Latino teens as they begin the application process this Monday for LTP (Leadership Training Project). We are super excited for this, the newest version of our summer internship, which will invest in the development of teens from our own neighborhood!

Current needs:

• A family has requested a twin bed (mattress, box springs, and frame) through our resource center. If you have one to donate, please contact Molly at mollym@missionadelante.org.

Important dates:

• Bhutanese Spring Party: Saturday, April 12, 5:00-8:00 at First Baptist Church, 2900 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102. Please come and help us celebrate the accomplishments of our ESL, Teens, Kids Adelante, and L.I.T. students this trimester and honor volunteers with sustained service.
• Latino Spring Party: Saturday, April 13, 5:00-8:00 at Bethany Community Center. Please come and help us celebrate the accomplishments of our ESL, Teens, Kids Adelante, and L.I.T. students this trimester and honor volunteers with sustained service. Bethany Community Center is located on Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas (66102) between 11th and 12th Streets, behind the fire station.

Jesus, the Light of Life

Written by Jenny Dunn, Bhutanese ESL Coordinator

Sunday afternoon our Bhutanese ESL team was privileged to meet with a number of volunteers to discuss and consider our Bhutanese friends’ religion and culture. We seek to understand their context in order to relate to, and love, them better. As we looked at the information, we asked ourselves, "How can we reflect some of our friends' innate values, so they can see Jesus more clearly in us?"  Ideas included humility, generosity, hospitality, renunciation, and reverence for God and men. We got a taste of the reverent and sensory aspects of our Bhutanese friends' culture by lighting a candle and incense while we prayed.  Much like some religion offer up incense, we offered up our prayers to God that Jesus would become the Light of life to our friends.

At Mission Adelante, we place a high value on interdependent relationships and are so encouraged by our dedicated volunteers, who value it as well.  They asked many questions and shared many experiences.  Pray with us that as we continue to learn together, God will use our attempt to understand culture as a way to display Jesus’ love to our friends.







In other news:

• The Latino LIT kids had a blast last weekend on their overnight trip to the Omaha Zoo, including fun adventures with bats and a gorilla! It was a great reward trip for the hard-working students!
• The Latino Teens Outreach is planning a cookout to end the trimester.  We are looking forward to good food and family fun!
• The entire volunteer team for our Latino Kid’s Outreach is getting together to celebrate an awesome trimester with some fun and fellowship at Megan’s house this weekend.

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for the the Bhutanese and Latino Outreaches as we are planning our trimester parties during the next two weeks.

Current needs:

• A family has requested a twin bed (mattress, box springs, and frame) through our resource center. If you have one to donate, please contact Molly at mollym@missionadelante.org.

Important dates:

• Bhutanese Spring Party: Saturday, April 12, 5:00-8:00 at First Baptist Church, 2900 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102. Please come and help us celebrate the accomplishments of our ESL, Teens, Kids Adelante, and L.I.T. students this trimester and honor volunteers with sustained service.
• Latino Spring Party: Saturday, April 13, 5:00-8:00 at Bethany Community Center. Please come and help us celebrate the accomplishments of our ESL, Teens, Kids Adelante, and L.I.T. students this trimester and honor volunteers with sustained service. Bethany Community Center is located on Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas (66102) between 11th and 12th Streets, behind the fire station.

A Journey of Firsts

Written by Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Ministry Logistics Coordinator

Spring break for many people is a time to go to the beach, take a cruise, try surfing, or do anything else that involves bright sunshine and escaping the tyranny of winter clothes. However, a group of five Bhutanese-Nepali student leaders from Mission Adelante chose to spend their spring break in the bone chilling air of “the windy city,” Chicago, Illinois.

The trip was the first official activity of the Leadership Training Project, (LTP), for the Bhutanese Teens Ministry. The Leadership Training Project is a year-long leadership development program for emerging youth leaders. The program has two components: mentoring and learning through leading. Students will be mentored by an adult in leadership skills and taught about how to follow Jesus, the ultimate leader of men, as Nepalis and in a way that honors and celebrates their Nepali culture and family. Students will also participate in opportunities to serve and lead in the Bhutanese Community, and in our Kansas City neighborhood. The leadership skills they develop during this program will help them to grow spiritually and build their character, as well as to teach them necessary skills for school, future jobs, and how to be good and productive members of their families and communities.

The objective of the trip was to transform us from a group of individual students working to organize the Bhutanese Teens Ministry into a team of leaders equipped and empowered to lead the Bhutanese Teen community at Mission Adelante. One great way to make a group of people into a unified team is to share new experiences. Our journey to Chicago was full of new experiences. For example, none of us had ever navigated the subway and bus system of Chicago before. It proved very complicated for a group of people from Kansas City without experience with such a massive public transportation system. Many times during our trip we relied upon help from local people from Chicago at times when we got off the bus at the wrong stop or rushed from one train to another, hoping not to be late to our next destination. We returned from our journey knowing the Lord had used our transportation challenges, as well as others, to draw and bind us together as a team.

Will you pray for the LTP team? Pray that we will be bound together as we embark on our journey to love and follow Jesus as our Lord.

In other news:

• It has  been an exciting time for the Latino Outreach as more and more of our teens step up to mentor kids during our Thursday night Outreach Bible Study.  We praise God for teens that are using their gifts to transform our neighborhood and the world for the glory of Jesus Christ!

• The Latino LIT kids are very excited for a trip to the Omaha Zoo this weekend! The trip is a reward for all of their hard work this year.

Prayer needs:

• The lease negotiations continue as we try to secure a space for Adelante Thrift. Please continue to pray for this process and for the next steps that need to happen to make the thrift store a reality.

• As we wait for the House of Representatives to legislate immigration reform, please pray against actions that will polarize the discussion and pray for a willingness to cooperate in ways that are productive.

Current needs:

• Is your church planning a VBS program this summer? Once your VBS camp is over, please consider giving your program materials to a Burmese Chin woman who is starting a children’s outreach program for Chin children in the community. Please contact Kristen Allen at kristena@missionadelante.org to learn more.

• We are looking for people who have knowledge and skills with literacy intervention for teenagers. Many of the Bhutanese teens are in need of reading and English help outside of school. Mission Adelante would especially like to offer this help to our five teenage interns this Summer. If you or someone you know has helpful resources or suggestions on this topic or would be interested in volunteering your skills this summer, please contact Hannah Hume at hannahh@missionadelante.org.

• 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.
• Every August we have the chance to bless the almost 200 students who are a part of the ministries at Mission Adelante with backpacks for Back-to-School!  We are currently looking for churches and organizations to host Backpack drives for the back-to-school season!  Would you consider hosting a backpack drive as a summer service project, or as a part of your Vacation Bible School? If you would like more information on packing backpacks for us, and meeting this tangible need for our community contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@Missionadelante.org.

Important dates:

• Optional Bhutanese ESL Training: March 30th at 2:00 on the topic of Hinduism at Jenny Dunn’s house.  Email Jenny for details: jennyd@missionadelante.org.
• Bhutanese Spring Party: Saturday, April 12, 5:00-8:00 at First Baptist Church, 2900 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102. Please come and help us celebrate the accomplishments of our ESL, Teens, Kids Adelante, and L.I.T. students this trimester and honor volunteers with sustained service.
• Latino Spring Party: Saturday, April 13, 5:00-8:00 at Bethany Community Center.  Please come and help us celebrate the accomplishments of our ESL, Teens, Kids Adelante, and L.I.T. students this trimester and honor volunteers with sustained service. Bethany Community Center is located on Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas (66102) between 11th and 12th Streets, behind the fire station.

A New Director of Latino Ministries for Mission Adelante!

by Jarrett Meek, Mission Adelante
and Jeff Stokes, Mill Creek Community Church

We are excited to announce that Gary Pauley will be joining Mission Adelante's staff as our new Director of Latino Ministries. As I write, I am struck by the absolutely surprising ways that God often chooses to answer our prayers. Indeed, it never would have occurred to me to approach Gary Pauley, the teaching pastor at Mill Creek Community Church, to fill a role at Mission Adelante. But, in the strangest way, God orchestrated seemingly chance meetings at critical moments, which provided space for casual and unexpected conversations, that led to Gary filling the role of Latino Ministries Director at Mission Adelante. And now, we are eager to welcome Gary and Jan into our neighborhood and ministry and to see how God will continue to deepen our partnership with Mill Creek through this transition.

The Pauleys are a gifted couple with years of pastoral ministry experience and a proven heart for cross-cultural ministry and for our neighborhood. In addition to having planted and then pastored Mill Creek Community Church for 19 years, Gary and Jan have been involved in the Mission Adelante community in formal and informal ways for the last five years. Jan has volunteered with our Latino ESL program and then helped launch our Bhutanese teens club, while Gary has found himself serving, sharing life, and sharing Jesus with Bhutanese youth in our neighborhood. Their love for people from all places and their missions heart has been evident in the ways they have engaged with our ministry over several years, and in the ways they have led their own church by example. Gary is bilingual, having learned Spanish in informal cross-cultural settings, and has spent time teaching in missions contexts in Argentina, Mexico, Russia, China, and the Philippines. And Mill Creek, along with the Pauleys, has developed a deep commitment and passion to be a "sending" church.

Mill Creek has been an important partner for Mission Adelante over the years, and now even more so in this transition. We are extremely grateful for the collaborative spirit they have demonstrated and their desire to use this transition as an opportunity to deepen the relationship and partnership between their church and Mission Adelante.  Even as this transition means some significant changes and a sacrifice for Mill Creek, their elders, staff and congregation are embracing the change as a way to live out yet again the value of "sending and going" as shown in the New Testament. What an inspiration! We are looking forward to the opportunity to walk closely with Mill Creek in the coming season and beyond. Jeff Stokes, Mill Creek's Executive Pastor has shared his thoughts below to further elaborate on this transition and what it means to their congregation.
 -----------------------------


A Note from Jeff Stokes, Executive Pastor, Mill Creek Community Church

At Mill Creek Community Church, we talk often about “every member on mission where they work, live and play”. We celebrate and rejoice when members naturally engage by showing and sharing Christ’s love to those around them. As His disciples, this should be the norm for all of us, including our own pastors. Gary and Jan Pauley are acting on this biblical truth they have taught and modeled for us - walking in faith and obedience to His call,wherever the call may lead. We will miss them greatly, but we fully support the Pauleys in responding to His call to join the team at Mission Adelante and to serve in the Kansas City, KS community.

I can share firsthand that Gary and Jan will bring biblical wisdom, love, and truth to every relationship and endeavor they are involved with. Your staff and your community will be blessed by their presence and testimony.

We so appreciate our partnership with Mission Adelante. We love your passion and vision for the people in your fellowship and community. We look forward to deepening our relationship and serving together for the Kingdom work here in the metro area. We covet your prayers as we search for a new teaching pastor who will fill “big” shoes left by Gary knowing God has just the right person. In turn, we will pray for Mission Adelante as you complete this transition with Gary and Jan. Just promise to send Gary and Jan back to us occasionally for updates and opportunities to support and respond to your work at Mission Adelante. May we all be people willing to be “sent” as He calls us to model and share the good news of Christ to all.

God Makes it Grow

Written by Hannah Hume, Bhutanese Teens Ministry Coordinator

“I planted, Apollos watered, but it is God who has been making it grow” 1 Corinthians 3:6

In life, things rarely go as planned. This can be really frustrating sometimes, especially in a ministry context. We pray, we envision and dream, we set out plans, and we walk in faithfulness in order to see our plans through. We want to see the vision the Lord has given us become a reality. However, along the way things happen that are completely outside of our control.

We can faithfully share the gospel using the best methods man can devise but we have no control over whether our audience receives our message. We can invest in students' lives, only to find out that their family has decided to move to another state. We can plan a great field trip and then find ourselves sick in bed, unable to lead the trip. Things are constantly shifting and changing, and it can be very easy to become discouraged when things don’t seem to be turning out the way we had hoped. This is one of the reasons that prayer is SO important.

Prayer is one of our core values at Mission Adelante. We believe that prayer is the most important work in ministry and that our mission depends upon the power and work of the Holy Spirit in individual lives, in our community, and in all of our circumstances.

This doesn’t mean that when we pray, God suddenly makes everything easy and in accord with our exact preferences (although He may). What it does, is remind us of our place in the world. As Paul so aptly explained to the Corinthians “God makes the seed grow”. He is in control. He is working out His plan--a plan He lets us join Him in. He doesn't ask us to make things happen, he just asks us to faithfully walk according to His leading, and let Him do the rest. This truth can give us freedom from disappointment and energy to do the work He has given us, knowing the results are up to Him!

Would you join us in praying for our KCK neighborhood? Pray that God would carry out His plan for this city, and that we would be faithful to follow his lead.

Important dates:

• Observation Days: Tuesdays, March 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.

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!

A Place to Belong

Written by Jenny Dunn, Bhutanese ESL Coordinator

Citizenship can mean much more than the right to vote or even travel internationally. To our students, citizenship is the chance to belong.  The Bhutanese refugees came from a place where they were neither wanted nor belonged.  Most of our students were born in Bhutan and were forced to leave and go back to their “homeland,” Nepal. However, since their ancestors lived in Bhutan for more than a hundred years, Nepal was no longer their home, either. They lived in refugee camps for nearly 20 years, but were never granted citizenship there. When the Bhutanese-Nepalis come to America, they hope for a brighter future, one in a place where they belong.

        

As our friends near the time when they can pursue citizenship (after 5 years of permanent residency), we have realized how hard it is for them to achieve. The exam requires them to know 100 civics facts and to read, write and speak English. The civics questions are about American history and government, and many natural-born U.S. citizens would not be able to answer them. In response to this need, we are excited to offer a citizenship class as part of our Bhutanese English program!  We focus on the reading, writing and interview portions, while our students practice the civics questions in another class offered through the Kansas Bhutanese Community. Please pray for our students as their exam dates approach. We eagerly anticipate the day when this community finally feels what it means to belong here as Americans!

Our Bhutanese ESL Citizenship class had a great turnout of interested students!

In other news:

• The Bhutanese teen ministry staff attended the Catalyst workshop last weekend at Heartland Church. They learned new things about making disciples, and enjoyed connecting with other people in ministry in Kansas City. We are grateful to our awesome partner churches for their support of our mission in KCK, as well as for their contribution to the Kingdom of God in their corners of the city.
• The Latino Outreach is excited to launch a kids' worship team. We will begin teaching the kids in our community interested in learning to play an instrument.
• Our Latino LIT (Leaders in Training) program launched our first Spanish class last Wednesday! It was a huge success and the kids loved it!  Although many of our kids have grown up speaking Spanish fluently, we are hoping to encourage improved Spanish literacy as well as the appreciation of their native culture.
• Immigrant entrepreneurs continue to be a catalyst in transforming our neighborhood and we celebrate that one of the local refugee owned businesses signed a lease for a new space to expand their grocery store and add a restaurant.

Prayer needs:

• Family relationships are often the context where our character flaws and sinfulness are most evident. Please pray for the marriages and families in KCK. Pray that Jesus would change and redeem hearts, and that His love would seep out into our most intimate relationships.
• Please pray for Alejandro, who is taking the lead role in one of our Latino house churches.  He is enthusiastic and willing!  Pray for God to give him the humility and courage to lead well and to remember to utilize the other leaders God has placed beside him.
• Pray for our national leaders who will be considering immigration reform this spring to have wisdom and courage with these important decisions.
• One of the Bhutanese families in our neighborhood requested prayer for work opportunities to make ends meet and healing from chronic pain for their mother. Please pray for this family to see Jesus working in their life.
• Please continue to pray for the Adelante Thrift Board as they consider two possible properties for the thrift store.

Current needs:

• Both Leaders in Training (our after-school tutoring program) and Kids Adelante (our Outreach Bible Study) are still looking for some dynamic volunteers to work with the kiddos. There are opportunities to volunteer Monday-Thursday.  Please contact Megan at meganm@missionadelante.org if you are interested.
• 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.

Thankful for Jason and Megan Schoff

by Jarrett Meek, Pastor/Executive Director

After more than eight years of faithful service, first as a volunteer, and then as a staff member, Jason Schoff will be transitioning from his role as Director of Latino Outreach as of January 31st. The Schoffs began their journey with Mission Adelante as a part of our initial launch team in 2005 and have served faithfully from that time until now.  Many times over the past eight years Jason and I have leaned on one another for support and have celebrated personal and ministry victories together.  Jason has been involved in every stage of Mission Adelante’s development as a positive team player and a significant contributor to our mission and vision.  We have experienced the ups and downs of building a ministry together.  It is an understatement to say that I will miss Jason’s steady and reliable hand as a ministry partner.

Mission Adelante as a ministry will also miss Jason’s leadership in many ways.  The direction he provided for the Latino ESL program, his house church, and as a part of the staff leadership team are significant contributions that cannot be overlooked.  His role on our staff as “big brother” to newer staff members is an intangible value he added on a day-to-day basis.  The practical, in-the-trenches support he offered to so many members of our community as they walked through difficult situations has made a real impact in many, many lives. While we will miss Jason's staff-level ministry involvement, we are grateful that Megan and Jason will continue as a part of our community even after his employment with Mission Adelante comes to an end.  It can often be difficult to transition from leader to participant in a ministry context, so we are praying that as a community we will know how to give them the space they need to make this transition effectively and in a way that is healthy for their family.

We are thankful for the critical role Jason and Megan have played in our ministry over the years, and for those of you who supported their ministry with Mission Adelante.  Please join us in praying for, encouraging, and supporting the Schoffs as they take their next steps as a family, and as Jason moves into a new phase vocationally.

In other news:

• We're presently giving special attention to equipping and empowering emerging Bhutanese teen leaders for ministry. On Thursday we had the first Student Leadership Team meeting of the year. We worshiped and prayed together and began planning for this trimester’s teens club program. The teens had lots of ideas to contribute, and are growing in their leadership skills.
• A refugee owned business in our neighborhood is seeking a new location to expand operations. The couple feels a clear calling from God to use their business as a tool for ministry and it is exciting to listen to their dreams for their community. God continues to build friendships in our community that turn into partnerships for Him!

Prayer needs:

• Please pray that God will provide enough work for the Bhutanese families in our community.
• As we finalize Teen leadership program participants, please pray that God will prepare parents' hearts to be willing to allow their children's participation in the program--especially the internship portion--and to see the value in it.
• Adelante Thrift continues to negotiate a possible space for the thrift store. Please continue to pray for the Adelante Thrift board as they seek God's wisdom and guidance during this important step.

Current needs:

• Both Leaders in Training (our after-school tutoring program) and Kids Adelante (our Outreach Bible Study) are still looking for some dynamic volunteers to work with the kiddos.  There are opportunities to volunteer Monday-Thursday.  Please contact Megan at meganm@missionadelante.org if you are interested.
• 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.
• Bhutanese Kids Club could still use a few more helping hands!  We are in need of 3 more volunteers for our spring trimester.  If you are interested in learning more 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.

The Making of a Leader

Written by Edgar Soriano, Latino Ministry Intern

When I was thirteen and I came to Mission Adelante for the first time, I didn't like it because there wasn’t anyone that I knew. As the days went by, I started to gain more comfort and trust in the volunteers. As I got older, I became involved with the teen’s group. I started growing more spiritually and figuring out talents about myself that I didn’t know I had. I grew closer to people and I found myself.

Last summer, I got involved in the Mission Adelante summer internship and it challenged me. It helped me grow in my relationship with God and my leadership role, which helped me help others. The internship gave me an opportunity to discover more of who Jesus had made me to be.  

Starting next week, Mission Adelante will be launching a new leadership training program for teens. This program is a year-long discipleship and training experience to help youth from our community reach their potential as disciples and leaders.  We will begin in January with 6-8 teen leaders and will build up to the summer with ongoing training, ministry together, and discipleship. We want to become a family who grows and does ministry together.  Those who do a good job during the spring will be invited to participate in the summer internship.  After the summer is over, the experience will continue with an emphasis on coaching the teen leaders toward discipling younger teens in our community.

I think this program is important because, like the internship did for me, it will give teens in our community an opportunity to find themselves and discover their identity and value in Christ. It will help them grow spiritually and learn new ways to help others.  It also will help the younger kids in our community to see teens that love Jesus and understand them because they have struggled with the same issues.

In other news:

• We're excited to offer Spanish classes to our Latino Leaders In Training for the first time this trimester to encourage literacy in their first language.
• The Bhutanese ministry is excited to offer a citizenship class this trimester. We will study civics and practice the English reading, writing and speaking skills required for refugees to pass the citizenship exam.

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for this trimester of programs, that the launch would be smooth, and that the Lord would continue to use these programs to bless our community.
• The Adelante Thrift building search has brought us to a potential location that holds many of the qualities we are looking for in our retail and operations site. Please pray for clear direction from God and wisdom for the Adelante Thrift Board during negotiations.
• Pray for the immigrant leaders in our house churches who are taking on new responsibilities to trust God and walk courageously.

Current needs:

• Bhutanese Kids Club could still use a few more helping hands!  We are in need of 3 more volunteers for our spring trimester.  If you are interested in learning more please contact Kristen Maxwell at Kristenm@missionadelante.org
• Both Leaders in Training (our after-school tutoring program) and Kids Adelante (our Outreach Bible Study) are still looking for some dynamic volunteers to love on the kiddos.  Please contact Megan at meganm@missionadelante.org if you are interested.  
• We are looking for a donated or low-cost projector with a protective cage to mount to the ceiling in the kids’ room.  If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Winston at sarahw@missionadelante.org
• We're looking for household furniture for a Bhutanese family that has recently moved to Kansas City, KS. The family needs the following items: 3 queen size mattresses or beds, 2 twin size mattresses or beds, a kitchen table and chairs, 3 dressers for clothes, 2 medium size couches, and a coffee table. If you would like to bless this family by donating any of these items, please contact Drew Hammond by email at drewh@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.
• The Bhutanese ministry is in need of a 55 cup percolator for transporting and serving chia (Nepali tea) at various events. Please contact Jenny at jennyd@missionadelante.org if you know of one that's available.

Important dates:

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