Beyond an Experience

Written by Jill Berghaus

In January, when I was struck with the desire to serve the Lord and speak Spanish this summer, I had no idea that the Lord was planning on changing my entire life for His sake. My name is Jill Berghaus and I am one of the three interns working at Mission Adelante this summer.

I started off this internship without any knowledge of or experience with Mission Adelante. I have lived in Lenexa, Kansas my entire life and the thought of heading north to the urban core of Kansas City was practically a joke (but not a funny one) to me. To be completely honest, I was terrified of the unknown and the thought of “change” did not seem appealing to me. I couldn’t imagine a place outside beautiful, sheltered “Suburbia”. But, as I have experienced, the Lord does not call me to be comfortable but to be confident in Him. So packed up my bags and headed north.

My heart fell in love with this community within hours of my arrival. From the moment I interacted with the members of the community, I felt loved and welcomed with open, multi-cultural arms. I have always been a people person and loved social interaction but I had no idea that slowly but surely this community would become my family, mi familia. I was able to visit many people at home this summer and every single time the families would drop everything to talk with me. They wanted so badly to help me with my Spanish and would put off their evening plans to make sure I got enough practice. These visits became essential to my ability to get through this internship spiritually and emotionally. The Lord provided me support from people that wanted a friend just as much as I needed one.

I have been able to celebrate, grieve, struggle, and pray with mi familia here. The biggest lesson that I have learned this summer is that in missions, you cannot leave your job. Mission is a lifestyle that can dig into your soul so deeply that the only way to handle it is by crying out to our Lord for His strength and comfort. My relationship with our Creator has deepened more than I could have ever asked for; he captured my heart this summer and opened up my eyes to a world that is so real that it hurts…in a powerful and strengthening way. I have seen first hand the lives of immigrants here and how difficult life can be. Their situation has changed from something that I had only heard about to something that affects me personally, and they've become people that I have grown to love deeply. I have learned that life is all about perseverance; that I need to continue to fight the world for my time with the Lord and I need to fight for mi familia and their well being here. Life is never going to be easy and there will always be struggle, but the amazing promise of the Lord is that He will fight along side us and take weight off of our load.

In other news:

• The Mission Adelante summer internship is winding down this week and next. We've been very blessed by Andrew, Jill, and Rachel, the three young adults that have spent the past couple of months with us.
• Congratulations Holly Stetler on graduating and passing medical boards! Holly is now a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Prayer needs:

• Praise God! A Latino married couple that hadn't come to church in months appear to have been won back by our faithfulness to their kids, and have been back in church the past couple of Sundays. Pray that God would fuel a hunger in them to know Him.
• The Latino teen girls and teen guys have their final summer Bible studies this week. Please pray that the lessons they've learned will remain with them and guide their choices.
• Please continue to pray for God's mercy upon 4 families dear to our community. Each of these families is presently separated from one another due to a variety of situations. Please pray for them to be reunited.

Current needs:

• Weekly meals for Leaders In Training students and tutors (22 people) on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning September 7. In past years, groups of friends have made a joint effort to provide the meal on a particular weekday. Please contact Megan at meganm@missionadelante.org if you can fill this need.
• Leaders In Training volunteers also beginning September 7 for Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:00 - 6:30, and Wednesdays from 3:00 - 6:30. Please contact Megan at meganm@missionadelante.org.
• Volunteers to work with Bhutanese kids on Tuesday evenings beginning September 14. Please e-mail David at davids@missionadelante.org for more information.

Important upcoming dates:

• Saturday, August 14, 5:00: Bhutanese End of Trimester Party @ Bethany Community Center
• Sunday, August 15, 5:00: Latino End of Trimester Party @ Wyandotte County Lake Park
• Saturday, September 25: Mission Adelante Five Year Anniversary Celebration @ Mission Adelante Headquarters

Stop! What does the Bible say?

Written by Jason Schoff

Stop! Too many times we fail to study the Bible before we consider how to address the issues of our day. One issue very dear to our heart here at Mission Adelante is the question of immigrants and how the church should respond to them. What does the bible say about immigration? This must be the starting point. How many sermons have you heard preached on immigrants? I can honestly say I had never considered the issue prior to joining with Jarrett Meek in 2005, much less listened to a sermon on the topic. Did you know the answers to our questions about the immigrant are spread throughout the Old Testament as well as the New Testament?

We invited Dr. Daniel (Danny) Carroll, distinguished professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary, to address our volunteers and friends this past weekend. He wrote the book, "Christians at the Border" and his 2.5 hour morning session led us to look at the lives of Abraham, Joseph, Ruth, Daniel, Nehemiah, and others who were all immigrants on the move. We also examined the OT law and its provisions for the foreigner as well as the teachings from the New Testament. Compassion, provision and justice all address the ways God provides for the immigrant, and he chooses to use us in the process. Danny emphasized reading the complete canon of the bible in context to answer the question of the immigrant and immigration and letting this change the way we shape the laws and our views of immigrants.

"It's okay to try and change the law because we do it all the time." This is the reality of the democracy we live in. Why wouldn't we change the laws to reflect God's values? Our laws have been discriminatory toward the Chinese in the late 1800's, the Irish and Italians in the early 1900's, and the Mexican migrants during the Depression. Perhaps we should consider our current laws and see if they are prejudiced in any way. The last major comprehensive legislation passed in 1965 and was signed into law by President Johnson. There are many pieces of legislation being considered today. One is the Dream Act, which provides a path to legal status for kids who complete high school, have lived in the US five years, and enter the military or complete two years of college. Otherwise these kids would be left with no option but to flip burgers all their lives or return to a country that they hardly know. What would God say about this? I would encourage all of us to read Danny's book and also to look even deeper into scripture and pray for God to guide us. Stop! Consider this for more than just a day because an immigrant considers it daily. Putting real life stories to this debate changes the lenses through which we see immigrants amongst us.

Investigating alongside you,
Jason Schoff

In other news:

• A group of more than 20 volunteers visiting our area from Colorado was loaned to us by Marcia Merrick, whom they were serving alongside, to join many from our community and help a Latino family move last week. We were so grateful for the unexpected help, which made fast work of the move.
• Friday evening, about 75 people belonging to our Latino church community gathered for pot-luck dinner and fellowship at the Meeks' home and to get acquainted with Danny Carroll. This type of social gathering does so much to energize our body of faith.

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for God's mercy upon 4 families dear to our community. Each of these families is presently separated from one another due to a variety of situations. Please pray for them to be reunited.
• We're approaching the busy end of another trimester here at Mission Adelante. Please pray for God's hand to be over us, the staff, as we complete the tasks He's set before us.

Current needs:

• A twin bed.

Upcoming dates:

• Saturday, August 14, 5:00: Bhutanese End of Trimester Party @ Bethany Community Center
  
• Sunday, August 15, 5:00: Latino End of Trimester Party @ Wyandotte County Lake Park
• Saturday, September 25: Mission Adelante Five Year Anniversary Celebration @ Mission Adelante Headquarters

Step Into the Water

Written by David Stetler

When the Israelites came to the riverbank of the Jordan, the Lord commanded them to first step into the water. As soon as their feet touched the water, the river began to dry up and the people could cross on dry land.

Often times the Lord asks us to take a step of faith, to step into the water first and then to wait and see the faithfulness of God. This year we have taken a step of faith in the launch of the Bhutanese Outreach Pilot project. We stepped into the water and waited to see the faithfulness of God unfold right before our eyes.

This project was a pilot ministry. An experiment, so to speak. An experiment to see if Mission Adelante's ministry model was reproducible to a new immigrant population and to see if God was calling us to expand the ministry to this new growing refugee population right here in our midst. After 6 months of watching his incredible faithfulness, we believe it is safe to answer that question with a big "YES!" in true confidence in the Lord. The Board of Directors has approved ending the pilot season early and continuing this new ministry as a permanent part of what Mission Adelante does. We believe this is truly where God is leading us.

As we finish up our second trimester we are thrilled to report that we have over 40 students in our 3 levels of English classes and over 35 kids at our Kids' Club. In addition to the growth of the Tuesday night outreach we continue to see friendships deepening with our Bhutanese friends, Bibles studies starting, meals being shared, community forming and Jesus being shared through both word and deed.

We love them so much that we are delighted to share with them not only the gospel of God but our very lives as well, because they have become so dear to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

We continue to seek the Lord's guidance and blessing in this amazing adventure.

In other news:

• The Mission Adelante Missionary Team met on Sunday for one of the first times since the Bhutanese and Latino outreach teams have been combined. The team is comprised of volunteers and staff people who are deeply committed to developing the mission and the church sides of the ministry, and many of whom have relocated to the neighborhood.
• Volunteers Rachel Schwagerman and Kristen Maxwell, along with staffer Molly Merrick have just leased a house very near Mission Adelante. In addition, volunteers David & Brooke Coon have a contract on a neighborhood house and are lined up to move in at the end of August!
• Over 45 people are registered to come to the seminar featuring Dr. Danny Carroll this Saturday, and there's still space available. This training opportunity is one of the best things Mission Adelante can offer our volunteers and friends! To get all the details about this seminar covering a Biblical overview of issues related to immigration and to register, follow this link.

Prayer needs:

• Violence in Mexico has claimed the life of the husband/father of one of Mission Adelante's families. Please pray for that family as they try to work through the loss, and for our church to support them in just the right way.
• Alberto, a leader in our church community, received notice of an appointment to take his citizenship exam sooner than anticipated! Please pray for his preparation for this final stage of the immigration process.

Current needs:

• A rocking chair for our new church nursery

Upcoming dates:

• Saturday, August 14--Bhutanese Trimester-end Party at Bethany Community Center
• Sunday, August 15, 4:30 p.m.--Latino Trimester-end Party at Wyandotte County Lake Park

All Star Volunteers: The Holland Family

written by Jason Schoff

"Lord send me." This simple statement reveals a willingness to go anywhere and take risks. Individuals who speak these words are always welcome members to any team. Jacob and Michelle Holland exemplify this type of individual.

I met the Hollands two years ago as they began to investigate Mission Adelante. They were looking for more than just a place to volunteer; they were looking for a place to invest their lives and make a kingdom impact. What the Hollands had done two years prior to meeting anyone from Mission Adelante was to take a risk for what they believed God wanted for their lives: they moved into our neighborhood without really knowing anyone! This was a huge jump, from being students at K-State and having never lived in Kansas City to a multicultural urban core filled with Hispanics.

Once we met the Hollands, it was an immediate connection. They were looking for a place to make a greater impact and we were moved by their bold convictions to serve. Jacob began volunteering with our ESL programs and Michelle jumped right into the mix of Kid's Adelante. Their involvement has only grown since that initial encounter and our community only continues to grow fonder of them and the part they play in our church, our mission, and our missionary community. When God added to their family during the past two years, they did not look for a reason to step away from serving but have found creative ways to serve as a family. Please join us in thanking God for the Hollands and their impact on Hispanics and our lives.

In other news:

• Coming up on Saturday, July 24, Dr. Danny Carroll will present a Biblical overview of issues related to immigration, especially relevant for all Christians who have a heart for serving the stranger in our midst.
  The event will be held at Grandview Park Presbyterian Church, 1613 Wilson Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66102, located just a couple of blocks from Mission Adelante. Please note that a fee of $20 per person will be collected at the door and child care will not be provided. The schedule for the day is as follows:
  
  
  8:30 Doors open
  9:00-12:00 Seminar by Dr. Daniel Carroll
  12:00-1:00 Lunch, provided at the church
  1:00-2:30 Policy discussion by Jenny Hwang

Space is limited! You can register by filling out the form at this link: Register Now.

• Our Bhutanese and Latino ESL classes and kids programs saw great attendance last week following our break week. Praise God for bringing everyone back!
• Jarrett and Jason enjoyed the opportunity to give a seminar at Westside Family Church on Saturday about creating a great volunteer culture.

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for the July 24 seminar with Danny Carroll to draw many attendees, as the discussion has the potential to affect change that can impact our church community.
• Join us in praying for our friends in Cuba who are experiencing discouragement in their ministry.

Current needs:

• A baby changing table and pad for our new church nursery
• A twin bed for a family in our worship community

Adelante Missions Institute Presents: A Seminar on Immigration

I am extremely excited to announce a special training opportunity to take place on Saturday, July 24 on the timely and important topic of immigration, sponsored by Mission Adelante, and co-sponsored by the National Association of Evangelicals and Grandview Park Presbyterian Church. We have invited Dr. Danny Carroll, author of Christians at the Border and distinguished professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary, to present a Biblical overview of issues related to immigration, especially relevant for all Christians who have a heart for serving the stranger in our midst.

Leith Anderson of the National Association of Evangelicals writes, "Immigration issues grip American politics and opinions. But what does the Bible say? What is at the heart of the Christian view on immigration? Danny Carroll's voice on this issue is like no other."

If you are interested in seeing a snapshot of Dr. Carroll's presentation, follow this link to see his talk at Willow Creek's Compassion and Justice seminar. Dr. Carroll was also a speaker at the annual Christian Community Development Association conference in 2009.

In addition to Dr. Carroll, we will also hear from Jenny Hwang, Director for Advocacy and Policy for World Relief's Refugee and Immigration Program and co-author of Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the Immigration Debate. Ms. Hwang will present a policy discussion on Immigration.

The event will be held on Saturday, July 24 at Grandview Park Presbyterian Church, 1613 Wilson Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66102, located just a couple of blocks from Mission Adelante. Please note that a fee of $20 per person will be collected at the door and child care will not be provided. The schedule for the day is as follows:

8:30 Doors open

9:00-12:00 Seminar by Dr. Daniel Carroll

12:00-1:00 Lunch, provided at the church

1:00-2:30 Policy discussion by Jenny Hwang

Space is limited, so please don't delay to register and to spread the word to anyone whom this event may interest. Because of limited space, we may not be able to accommodate walk-ins on the day of the seminar. You can register by filling out the form at this link: Register Now. This is the only way registration will be accepted.

Again, we are extremely excited about this event and feel that God has provided us with a unique opportunity to explore a Biblical perspective on a challenging issue that is especially relevant for our ministry. We would love for you to join us!

In His Grace,

Jarrett Meek

Executive Director, Mission Adelante

In other news:

• Our Latino church community celebrated Independence Day together after the service with a cookout and fireworks in the parking lot on Sunday evening. We were encouraged to have our typical turnout for church in spite of the many options families had for entertainment that evening.
• David Stetler invited a bunch of Bhutanese kids to his house to watch the fireworks. Having arrived in the United States during the past few months, it was the first time the kids had viewed fireworks, so it was an exciting experience for David to be able to share with them.

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for a woman in our church community that is seeking discernment about whether to keep her job. She has been facing pressure in her workplace and wants more time with her family.
• Please pray for participants in our outreach programs to return enthusiastically this week following the break last week.
• Five teenage girls came to the first summer Bible study last week and had meaningful discussion. Please pray for their study tonight as they learn about the lies of the deceiver.

Current needs:

• A TV and a DVD player for use in our kids program
• Christian books and DVDs such as Veggie Tales that are suitable for small children
• Fans to help cool our classrooms and offices (We're trying to save money on electricity!)

Light in the Dark

Written by Andrew Pollock and Rachel Schwagerman, Mission Adelante summer interns

The Prescott neighborhood is across the street from Mission Adelante. The historic neighborhood is tight-knit with cute old houses, but over the years has become run down and is now home to many immigrants and aliens living below the poverty line. All of the problems that parallel poverty, such as drug abuse, drunkenness and gang activity have made it a less-than-desirable neighborhood. This is where many of the Mission Adelante families live. Last week we had the great privilege to host one of our kids camps in the neighborhood park and had the great help of the youth group from Emmanuel Baptist Church (EBC). For three evenings, we took over the park, which included playing, dancing, singing, running, and laughing with around 40 children, transforming it from darkness to light for a couple of hours these evenings. To be able to provide that experience for those kids is such a great feeling, because certainly no one else is. We sang fun Bible songs, and neighbors drove by, some gawking and some smiling through their windows. These summer events are our outreach time and having the youth of EBC to help was a great blessing. As a result, several new kids came to Kids Adelante on Thursday night and hopefully they will keep coming throughout the year.

One of my (Rachel) favorite things about living in this immigrant neighborhood and serving as an intern for the summer is the availability that I have for the kids and families who live right in my own back yard. Getting to surprise-visit kids who have been sitting all day in their homes dying of boredom really excites me when I knock on their door and they see my face. One little girl who I spent a lot of time with this week by taking her to the kids camp was my sweet friend, seven year old Galilea. Previously that week, I promised her a visit and she grew in excitement. When I showed up at her door, she was ready to go in less than 30 seconds. We first took a trip to the Paleteria, a famous ice cream shop that is right behind Prescott Park where we had planted our kids camp. I got her a cool treat before we spent the next few hours playing games outside. The joy that she had on her face and the excitement that it brought me when seeing her participate in fellowship with her friends and singing songs, encouraged me for the rest of the week. I see the work of the Lord everywhere, even in places where you least expect it.

I (Andrew) have been playing around like a kid with several of the Adelante boys this summer, and I believe it is the most valuable work I do. There are so many heart-wrenching stories of lost dads, older brothers in jail and all kinds of traumatic events that fill our kids' lives. So when I can spend an afternoon riding bikes, or an hour kicking a soccer ball with one of these guys, I know my time is well spent because of the smile stuck on their face and the joy in their eyes. In a world that constantly crushes these families, having hope is a struggle. That’s why God blesses us by giving us hope and faith. The freedom that Christ brings us can be made real, here and now! Therefore, the Gospel is of tremendous worth to these young souls, and mine too, and even more so now that I have joined them in a small way in their experience of living as outsiders.

In other news:

• Immigration seminar on July 24: We're very excited to announce the next Adelante Missions Institute Saturday Seminar on Saturday, July 24. Dr. Danny Carroll and Jenny Hwang will speak on the timely and important topic of immigration. Please follow this link for all the details and to register!
• Two of the summer interns are celebrating birthdays this week. On their own initiative, they used the occasions to host a birthday party here in the neighborhood last Saturday and invited our whole Latino community to celebrate with them! We are so proud of the way they're fully engaged in Mission Adelante's vision.
• Last weekend the Board of Directors approved the Bhutanese outreach pilot as a permanent component of Mission Adelante's ministry! This came sooner than expected because of the obvious viability and relevance of the outreach. The approval opens the opportunity to begin to hire staff to fill key roles.

Prayer needs:

• Praise God with us! A Latino family that we've been pursuing for four years through our English classes and Kids Adelante outreaches took the step to come to our worship celebration for the first time on Sunday. Please pray that they would be moved to worship with us again.
• Please continue to pray for deep discussion and for the young people's understanding of spiritual things to be nurtured as Latino pre-teen girls, teen girls, and teen guys meet in separate Bible studies throughout the summer.
• Pray for refreshment for staff and volunteers during this break week, and that our outreach programs will not have suffered any loss of momentum when they meet again next week.

Current needs:

• We're looking for a couch to help furnish the home of a Bhutanese family. We can pick it up anytime during the day this Monday, July 5. If you have one that you would like to donate, please e-mail David Stetler, and attach a photo of the couch if possible.

Important dates:

• Today, June 29: Mid-Trimester Break. No Bhutanese outreach programs.
• Thursday, July 1: Mid-Trimester Break. No Latino outreach programs.

Partnering to Bless Neighborhood Kids

It's no surprise that Latino children love soccer, but it was obvious last week that Bhutanese kids also share this passion! Goran Hunjak with Victory through Soccer ministry teamed up with Christ Community Church and Mission Adelante to offer a three-day soccer camp to the kids of our community. Despite some challenging logistics because of rain, the camp was amazing.

On Tuesday night around 130 kids from our neighborhood converged on Regan Field near Mission Adelante, and participated in what to me was a community spectacle. Youth from Christ Community Church served as volunteer coaches, Bhutanese and Latino children moved from station to station practicing drills, and parents sat in the stands and marveled that their children were being loved by this group of young strangers who might just as easily have rejected them as different if not for Jesus.

One of the stations brought about more excitement than the others; it was the station where each child received a new pair of soccer cleats and a backpack with Mission Adelante's logo embroidered on it! As I watched the event unfold I was filled with thanksgiving for what God is doing among our immigrant friends, for the amazing staff and volunteers that He has brought to serve with us, and for the generosity of so many people who give so that we can serve and bless the Mission Field in our Own Backyard!

In other news:

• We want to give a big "Thanks!" to the Alexander family for spearheading the cleat collection that allowed each child at the soccer camp last week to receive a pair!
• We also want to thank Matt Totsch for answering our call for computer networking support! Thanks to Matt, things are running more smoothly around here.
• This has been the month of summer VBS activities for our kids! The youth group from Emmanuel Baptist Church kicked off this week's evening activities Sunday with supper and a movie on our soccer field.

Prayer needs:

• Mayra and her family have been a faithful part of our community for a couple of years. Last week her brother was killed in Mexico. The tragedy was compounded for Mayra by her inability to return to Mexico for the funeral and to be with the whole family. We held a memorial service for Mayra's brother on Saturday, and the family was comforted to be surrounded by so many supportive friends. Please pray for continuing comfort for Mayra and her family, and that they'll find God faithful and their faith will be strengthened during this difficult time.
• Please pray for safety to cover everyone present at the evening kids' activities this week. For the sake of outreach, the activities are held in a local park, but it is known for gang activity.
• The Latino teen guys and gals will be in separate Bible Studies for the course of the summer, which begin this weekend. Please pray for them to go deep in discussion and in seeking God.
• Pray for the Mission Adelante Board Meeting this Sunday, for wisdom to make decisions pertaining to the Mission's future direction.

Current needs:

• A 13" or larger T.V. with a built-in DVD player or a separate DVD player for use in our children's ministry.
• Books and DVDs with Christian content suitable for small children, such as Veggie Tales.
• Fans to cool our offices and classrooms (we're trying to save money on electricity!)

Upcoming dates:

• June 29: Summer break. No Bhutanese outreach activities.
• July 1: Summer break. No Latino outreach activities.

He Saved the Best for Last!

Written by Megan McDermott

The summer is an exciting time at Mission Adelante, particularly for the children of Leaders in Training. LIT is an after-school leadership development program for select kids who have demonstrated faithfulness in the Outreach Bible study and a have a hunger to learn more about God. The kids attend the program three days a week during the school year and as a reward for their hard work, we take a trip to Great Wolf Lodge in December and a lake trip in June.
We loaded up and set off Friday afternoon for the lake trip with a group of twenty-five kids, volunteers, and families. For many of the kids, this was their first time camping and really experiencing nature outside the city. After we arrived and set up camp, the kids were anxious to get in the water. We spent that first night playing, laughing, swimming, eating amazing tacos and s'mores, and enjoying the beauty that surrounded us.
As we sat around the campfire and enjoyed the stillness of dusk, I asked the group to close their eyes and really listen to the sounds of the forest. We talked about the story of Creation and how God intentionally created so many glorious things for us to care for and enjoy. I asked the kids why they thought God waited until the sixth day to create man. They realized that God loved us so much that He, "...wanted to save the best for last."
Our trip was cut a little short due to inclement weather but I believe that God's desire was for them to experience His creation in a new and tangible way. I am so thankful for the time that we got to spend together and I pray that next year's trip will be even better!

In other news:

• Mission Adelante acquired a twelve passenger shuttle bus from Heartland Community Church. It is going to facilitate transportation considerably!
• The Christ Community Church youth group is on a Missions Trip to Mission Adelante this week. They're completing work projects in the morning and engaging with Latino and Bhutanese kids at a 3-day Soccer Camp during the evenings. Yesterday, more than 70 kids came for the first evening!

Prayer needs:

• Pray for security and peace of mind for Bhutanese refugee families that have been the victims of recent break-ins. Also pray that those living in unsafe locations will have the opportunity to move to a better location.
• Please pray for the Bhutanese Outreach Ministry Team that has just formed to have unity of vision and to develop deep relationships.
• Please pray for David & Brooke Coon as they try to find a home in our neighborhood and begin the process of fundraising and preparing to come on staff as apprentices.

Current needs:

• We have great need for a volunteer computer technician to help us with some wireless networking. Please call Jarrett Meek at 913-909-0627 or e-mail him at jarrettm@missionadelante.org if you can help us!
• Fans to cool our offices (we're trying to save money on electricity!)
• Paper towels for use in our facility
• A window air conditioner, which was requested in the Resource Center
• Volunteers for L.I.T.-our after-school tutoring program-which will begin again in September. If you would like to find out more, please call Megan McDermott at 816-210-2187.

Upcoming dates:

• June 29: Summer break. No Bhutanese outreach programs.
• July 1: Summer break. No Latino outreach programs.

Maybe We're Not So Different After All...

Written by Megan McDermott

Remember when you were a kid and the freedom of those first few days of summer vacation loomed in front of you? At Mission Adelante, the summer is always an invitation and an exciting opportunity for our community to invest deeply in the children. This past week, a group of about twenty volunteers from Shoal Creek Community Church came to help launch the Bhutanese and Hispanic children's ministries. We were excited to begin our summer with our very first joint VBS with both the Hispanic and Bhutanese children. Between games, Bible study, crafts, and some yummy ice cream, an incredible change began to happen.

Many of the kids attend the same local schools and know each other. However, cultural differences can sometimes make friendship difficult. Both groups of kids are often torn between finding their niche between their native cultures and the American culture. The first night of the camp, amongst eighty-five exuberant children, we noticed that the kids were shy around each other. They didn't know what to make of each other and were hesitant to interact.

As the camp proceeded, though, we noticed that through passionate soccer games, dance parties, and incredible teaching from the Shoal Creek group, the kids began to play and laugh together. The shyness evaporated as the kids began to see that they weren't so different from each other and that maybe, just maybe, this new friend that they had made might be able to understand them in a really deep way.

As the summer goes on and the kids continue to engage in various activities, we are excited to see how God moves. His heart for these children is amplified when they are in a mixed context because, though these kids seem to be so different, they are all children of the Most High God.

In other news:

• Our three summer interns are here! Jill Berghaus, Andrew Pollock, and Rachel Schwagerman are well into their second week and have hit the ground running. The three of them are excited to be living in our neighborhood and immersed in our community.
• The Bhutanese ESL outreach has grown from one class in the winter to three classes this summer. It has been challenging to coordinate, but the Bhutanese people are grateful and undemanding.
• Brennan Nicholas Schoff was born to Jason, Megan, and big brother Declan on Wednesday, June 2. He had a safe delivery and according to dad, "he's phenomenal!"
• Mission Adelante is continuing to explore ways to support indigenous ministry efforts in Q-ba.

Prayer needs:

• The eight preteen Leaders In Training students that completed the program year are going camping at Hillsdale Lake this weekend as a reward. Among a few of their families, volunteers, and staff, 25 people will be on the trip. Please pray for safety throughout the weekend and good fellowship.
• Please pray for God to iron out the remaining logistics for our youth soccer camp next week, and that the camp would run smoothly, attracting new kids from the neighborhood to God.
• Pray for our interns as they get deeply involved in our community this summer. Pray for abundant opportunities for them to connect with people relationally and for learning.

Current needs:

• We have great need of a volunteer computer technician to help us set up computer systems and some wireless networking. It would all amount to about a day's work. Please call Jarrett Meek at 913-909-0627 or e-mail him at jarrettm@missionadelante.org if you can help us!
• Fans to cool our offices (we're trying to save money on electricity!)
• Paper towels for use in our facility
• A window air conditioner, which was requested in the Resource Center

Upcoming dates:

• June 29: Summer break. No Bhutanese outreach programs.
• July 1: Summer break. No Latino outreach programs.

Life Transformation through a Short-Term Mission

When dreaming about how to effectively equip volunteers for cross-cultural ministry in our own city, the idea of a short-term missions training trip emerged. Combining serving with cultural exploration and language learning proved to be a winning combination! Eight Mission Adelante "missionaries" traveled to Costa Rica for Adelante Missions Institute's first ever missions training trip the second week of May. As these volunteers were equipped through new experiences, we found that Mission Adelante is surprisingly prepared to make a significant impact on short-term trips like these. The brief story below, written by trip participant, Mark Barber gives a glimpse into this life-changing experience.

Written by Mark Barber
His name is Marvin. This is his last chance for redemption. He has let the Costa Rican government know that he is a drug addict and that he needs help. This final opportunity is granted to him and he shares his testimony. Pain, suffering, abuse, neglect, and broken dreams litter his words. This short vignette is one of a hundred connections that the Mission Adelante Costa Rican cross-cultural team has made.

For eight days, members of this team were touched, moved, transformed by the experiences and the openness of the Costa Rican people and the strength and misericordia (mercy) that God bestows upon his people. God has sent troops on the ground to relay his Word to the people at MANA and to give blessed hope and fulfillment through Jesus Christ. Alejandro is one beacon light of hope that teaches work skills, business acumen, and life skills to these men who need guidance. Members of the team fellowshipped and testified God’s presence and work in their own lives in order to show the great change that can happen by surrendering yourself to Him. Surrender engenders rebirth and a new narrow path of guidance and leadership. At MANA, Marvin can begin a new life and take advantage of the benefits of this safe and loving environment. Only time will tell, if he continues to grow and make positive adjustments in his life.

Marvin’s life and words will forever have an impact on my own personality and perspective. The ability to identify a problem, realize that it needs to be changed, and take the drastic steps necessary to rectify the problem shows true character and understanding. This trip has made me realize that I allow little problems to sidetrack and knock me off course, and this trip has instilled in me a greater appreciation and love for God’s work and God’s Omnipotent power and grace. Marvin may never know the true impact on my life he had that one day in May but I am forever grateful for his words and testimony concerning his struggle and desire for redemption. This one little picture of our Costa Rican experience shows that God can take seemingly small innocuous moments and transform your life.

In other news:

• Our request for a vehicle for a community member that needed one has been fulfilled!
• David Stetler's sinus surgery went really well, and he received daily visits from caring Bhutanese friends during his recovery.
• We're ramping up for our summer trimester, and more excited than ever as our outreach programs keep expanding.
• Save the Date! Dr. Daniel Caroll, author, distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary and expert on immigration will present the Adelante Missions Institute Saturday Seminar on July 24 at 9:00 a.m. Look for more details soon.

Prayer needs:

• Pray for our four summer interns as they finish up fundraising and preparation to move to our neighborhood this Saturday.
• Pray for our staff as we try to embrace a variety of challenges: returning from surgery, returning from a missions trip, and increased responsibility, all in the midst of a very busy few weeks on our ministry calendar. Pray for God to multiply our time and sharpen our focus!
• There are three three-day summer VBS-style camps planned for neighborhood kids during the month of June. Please pray for new kids to be attracted to our ministry through these special activities.
• Jason & Megan Schoff's son is due to arrive in about a week. Please pray for a safe delivery, and a healthy baby boy.

Current needs:

• Toothpaste, for distribution to immigrant families through our Resource Center.

All-Star Volunteer: Pam Morton

Written by Megan McDermott

"I love the hearts of the kids. I can see that Leaders in Training is a need and I see God's love in them." -Pam Morton

One of my favorite things about serving at Mission Adelante is the amazing ways that God brings new volunteers across our path. Last year, while having a support appointment at Panera, Pam Morton walked by our table. The person I was meeting with knew Pam and introduced us. Pam has this very gentle way about her and as she talked, I realized she had a passion for Hispanic kids. As I heard her share her story, I started thinking how perfect she would be for our after school Leaders in Training program! I invited her, she accepted, and we laugh together about how God orchestrated our meeting.
Pam is the type of volunteer that anticipates a need and acts on it. Every Monday during this school year, Pam tutored the LIT kids in math. Pam anticipated that the kids might need the answer packets filled out. She took the packet home, worked through all the problems, and brought them back for all of the other tutors to utilize. Pam was so helpful in taking care of that before I even realized it needed to be done.
Pam is someone that the kids love playing with as well. The picture above was one of our recreation times. Pam is always one of the first to jump up and be silly with the kids. I appreciate volunteers like Pam because after teaching all day, she still finds the energy to come share Christ's love with the children of Mission Adelante. Volunteers that give their time, hearts, and love to the children allow Mission Adelante to reach into the KCK community to show God's heart.

In other news:

• The short-term mission team from Mission Adelante arrived in Costa Rica last Friday. They are spending the week giving ESL classes, working with teens, and receiving Spanish tutoring. They'll return to Kansas City this Saturday. Please pray for their sense of team unity to be strong, and that they'll optimize the cultural and linguistic opportunities of the week.
• David Coon, an ESL volunteer that has also been highly involved in our church, led worship for the first time last Sunday evening and did great! We hope he'll continue to be involved in leading worship for our congregation!
• Volunteers and core ministry team members Jacob and Michelle Holland welcomed their second daughter, Keziah Jane, into their family on Friday, April 30. They're all healthy and doing well.

Prayer needs:

• David Stetler is having surgery today to remove a cyst from his nasal cavity. Please pray for the success of the procedure, and for headaches to be alleviated.
• Pray for the upcoming delivery of Jason and Megan Schoff's second son, Brennan. Pray for God's perfect timing for his arrival to prevail, as his June 1st due date falls on a very busy week on Mission Adelante's schedule.

Current needs:

• Toilet paper and kids summer clothes for distribution through the Resource Center.

Important upcoming dates:

• Volunteer Orientation & Training: Saturday, May 22, 9:00-12:15. All volunteers should attend a Saturday-morning Orientation once in order to become familiar with the ministry of Mission Adelante. To RSVP or for more information, please e-mail Morgan Ham.
• Volunteer Team Meeting: Monday, May 24, 6:30-8:00. All summer volunteers should attend the Team Meeting to prepare for Summer Program launch the first week of June.

Come Serve in a Mission Field in Your Own Backyard!

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? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When 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.

• English Classes for adults (Latino or Bhutanese)
• Kids Outreach Bible Study (Latino or Bhutanese)
• Teen Bible Study (Latino)

Come to our Volunteer Training Seminar on Saturday, May 22 from 9:00 a.m to 12:15 p.m. to get started! For more information email Morgan Ham at morganh@missionadelante.org. And now, if you have a few 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:

• We at Mission Adelante are extremely grateful for the 50 or so volunteers from three local churches that spent last Saturday here as part of the "What If the Church Served Together?" event. They assembled cubicles and moved staff offices to the second floor, built a stage in our chapel, insulated our attic, tuck-pointed our chimney, started building a storage room, repaired gutters, put up trim, cut our grass, and landscaped a nearby park! Whew! Thanks to each and every one that labored for our benefit!

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for the 12-member short-term missions team that will fly to Costa Rica this Friday and return Saturday, May 15. Pray for logistical ease, for the team to learn a lot about the culture and improve their Spanish skills, to have a sense of team unity, and to make a lasting impression on those they meet.
• Help us pray for separate teen girls and teen guys Bible Studies this summer that will focus on the topic of purity as Megan M. works on choosing curriculum.
• We're looking forward to having five interns spend the summer here at Mission Adelante! Please help us ask God to provide the necessary funds that they're in the process of raising.

Current needs:

• A blender, a crock-pot, and cooking pans have been requested by families that have visited our resource center recently. If you have extras of these items, or would consider purchasing one, it will be given to a family that needs it.

Important dates:

• Monday, May 24 @ 6:30 p.m.: Volunteer Team Meeting Summer Volunteers in all outreach programs should plan to attend.

The Adventure of the Bhutanese Outreach

Written by David Stetler

The Bhutanese Outreach Pilot Project's first trimester culminated on Saturday with the Spring Party as we celebrated the last 12 weeks. We shared a meal, sang and danced Nepali style, honored the community and lastly, we shared the transforming reality of the life and teachings of Jesus through the parable of the Good Samaritan.

In January the project was launched and since then, it has been such an adventure. Our Kids' Club has proven to be a place of belonging for the Bhutanese 5 to 12 year-olds. They have grown in their respect for others and their knowledge of God. The students in our adult English class have deepened their sense of confidence in their ability to speak and understand English. And lastly, the friendships that have developed through the outreach go beyond our programs and into the lives and homes of the Bhutanese where we get to share the love of Jesus in relationship through both word and deed.

We look forward to the Summer session as we continue to serve, share life and encourage the Bhutanese community here in KCK. Check out the video below...
In other news:

• We're looking for more volunteers for adults and kids programs in both the Hispanic and Bhutanese outreaches. There are opportunities on weekday mornings, afternoons, and evenings, and you can come on board in early June or mid September. If you want to find out how you could make an eternal impact through Mission Adelante, please e-mail Morgan and let her know your area of interest and availability!

Prayer needs:

• Many of you know Seth & Andrea Sears and family, who've just completed their first year of missionary life in Costa Rica. Andrea is traveling back to Kansas City today for about a week and a half, following the passing of her grandmother. Please pray for Andrea, for safe travels, and her time with her family, that she'd be comforted and a comfort to her family. Also, pray for Seth and the children during the absence of their wife/mother.
• The team of twelve will depart a week from Friday for the short-term Missions Trip to Costa Rica. Please pray for the logistics of their travels, for their safety and health, and for their effectiveness in ministry while there.

Current needs:

• Dining room chairs to help furnish the homes of newly-arrived Bhutanese families. Any quantities of chairs, matching or not, would be appreciated.
• Toothpaste, dishes, and cooking pans for distribution through the Resource Center.

In Search of Hidden Treasure

written by Jarrett Meek

Almost universally immigrants come to the United States in search of better opportunities for their families. Sometimes they seek greater freedoms. Sometimes they are looking for a better education for themselves or for their children. And most often they hope to find opportunities for economic growth and employment. It's the "American Dream". However, Mission Adelante hopes they find something utterly unexpected; as they explore this new field of opportunity, we hope they stumble onto a hidden treasure.

As around 200 people from the Mission Adelante community came together last Saturday afternoon to celebrate the completion of another exciting trimester, Jesus' parable of the Hidden Treasure was on the top of my mind. A captive audience of immigrants and North American volunteers pondered this critical question, "Have I settled for the American Dream, or have I stumbled onto the Treasure hidden in the field?" For many who were there, Jesus is no more than a tradition, a custom, or a religion. Many heard for the first time that to really know Jesus is to delight in Him as an infinitely valuable treasure.

Our Trimester Parties are always meaningful events. Awards for kids, recognition for volunteers and ESL students, food, games, and music are all part of the festive environment. Seeing our whole community there with friends and family is also extremely satisfying. But, this time I especially enjoyed reflecting on the infinitely valuable Treasure waiting to be found somewhere in the field, covered, and sometimes even hidden by the American Dream many of them came to seek. I pray, and ask you to pray with me that the Lord would guide many of them past what lured them here to something much more permanent and satisfying than a dream.

In other news:

• The pilot trimester of Bhutanese outreach programs has just wrapped up, with the first party coming up this Saturday. At this important point in the development of a new avenue of ministry, the many North American volunteers are enthusiastic and looking forward to the continuation of building relationships, and the Bhutanese population is excited about calling Mission Adelante home!
• New carpet was installed in the whole second floor of our facility this week, which will soon serve as our new office space.

Prayer needs:

• Please join us in praying for Megan McDermott and her parents, Chuck and Maureen. Maureen had a biopsy yesterday of a tumor in her spine. Please pray for them to be filled with peace as they wait for a diagnosis.
• God seems to be working in the hearts of a family with volatile lives that we've requested prayer for several times before. Please pray for them to follow Him despite the obstacles.
• Pray for God to prepare the hearts of the 12 individuals that will be traveling to Costa Rica on Mission Adelante's first Mission Training Trip in May. Also, ask God to bring together the remaining logistics for the trip.

Current needs:

• Do you or someone you know own a printing company? We're looking for the donation of a printing service to print a relatively low volume of newsletters throughout the year. Please contact Morgan with any possibilities.
• Pasta, kids summer clothing, and a washer and dryer to be given to needy families through our Resource Center.

Upcoming dates:

• Saturday, April 24 at 5:00: Bhutanese Outreach Spring Party at Mission Adelante.
• First week of June: Summer trimester begins. Bhutanese and Hispanic outreach programs resume.

Teens Adelante Serves Together...And Plays

Written by David Coon

Teens Adelante had its first team effort towards serving together this past Saturday. I have to say that my expectations were not quite how it turned out to be, which is how I find being a part of God's plan typically goes. The objective was to help Marcia Merrick move the stored items for her ministry to a new storage location, and in the meantime bond with the kids while establishing authority: pretty simple. When asked to, "help move stuff," many of the kids immediately committed to going, which was shocking in itself. And Rachel and Andrew, two wonderful volunteers, were thrilled to spend their Saturday with the teens, along with my wife and I. Everything seemed to be falling perfectly into place. I figured we'd spend all Saturday afternoon moving the items, but I was wrong. I also figured getting the kids to help and be productive would be a lot like herding cats. Again, I was wrong. I was certainly underestimating God's plans in my estimation of the value of this activity.

So, Saturday after lunch I showed up to the loading point with a large borrowed box truck, teeth gritted and ready to go. I pulled up to the warehouse to see one of the girls whizzing by on a random office chair. Apparently, my arrival was just a few minutes too late to establish any sort of real authority. But, I saw something wonderful in the kids. They were having fun, and they were joyful in it! We proceeded to load what turned out to be only eight or ten large items that needed to be moved, and were off to the drop off locations in less than 30 minutes. Each of the stops proved to be a great opportunity for us to do just enough work together and then do something like throw snowballs at each other. Our final stop was the Coon house, so we decided it would be good to spend some time eating pizza and hanging out in the backyard together, as it was a gorgeous day. As we started to spend quality time together, playing soccer in the mud and making s'mores on an open fire, my wife Brooke whispered "hey they're being really good." And I noticed that they were getting along and respecting us, and that they had been all day! We were amazed at how our expectation to have to work at spending time with the kids was completely blown out of the water! It was a joy to simply be with them.

I'm sure we have no idea how much they really watch everything we do, but I do know that simply inviting them to come into our home and be our friends changed their attitudes toward us. The truly beautiful thing, however, was the breath of fresh air (literally) that our time together was. Daniel G. said multiple times that he "liked being there" and didn't want to go home. The truth is, they felt safe and cared for. This is the power of the Kingdom of God and the Holy Spirit living in us. Just one afternoon away from the bondage of gangs and the many other pressures of their age was like a starving family receiving Thanksgiving dinner. The victory of this day was that God planted a seed of hope in their hearts, that they are sons and daughters and the heirs of His Kingdom. The day was supposed to be a group exercise, and I wanted them to feel useful. God's desire was for them to feel loved and to feel welcomed by His Son for who they are. Brooke said " I've never seen Nayeli smile so big. It was joy." All four of us leaders were undoubtedly thinking the same thing as we spent that beautiful Saturday afternoon like a family with nothing to do. I love these kids!

In other news:

• The kids are studying Creation every Thursday this trimester in the Kids Adelante Outreach Bible Study, while the teens are exploring Jesus' different characteristics in the Teen Bible Study.
• About 30 people from Westside Family Church's Engage Community visited our KCK neighborhood on Saturday to prayer walk.
• Jarrett, Juan, and Antoine met again this week for their Trio meeting, as did several other Trios, for spiritual encouragement and study of the Proverbs. Two and a half months into this new discipleship strategy there are nine active Trios.

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for continued bonding among the teen girls and female Teen Bible Study leaders this Friday at a sleepover.
• Pray for David Stetler as he gets acquainted with four Bhutanese families that have just arrived in Kansas City. Pray for him to be received by them as a trustworthy new friend.
• Continue to pray for a strong finish to the year for our Leaders In Training, some of whom are presently enticed by outside activities and considering leaving the program early.

Current needs:

• Rice and summer clothes, both for distribution to families in need through the Resource Center.
• Gas grills in good condition. Four of ours were recently stolen, and we routinely use them for Trimester-end Parties and other community building events.

Upcoming dates:

• Monday, March 15 - Thursday March 18: Spring break. No regularly scheduled Hispanic or Bhutanese ministry programs, with the exception of Spanish Class on Monday evening, which will meet at it's normal time.
• Saturday, March 27: Adelante Missions Institute presents Officer Jeff Brownlee of the KCKPD for a Saturday Seminar on Gang Awareness and Prevention. For those of you who are involved in working with Kids Adelante or the Bhutanese kids club, we highly recommend this seminar to help you better understand the pressures our kids are surrounded by each day. A continental breakfast will be served, and there will be a $15 fee for participation collected at the door. Please invite whomever you know that would be interested, and RSVP by sending an e-mail to morganh@missionadelante.org.
• Monday, April 12, 6:30: Volunteer Team Meeting. All current volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend this final meeting of the trimester.

All-Star Volunteer: Brad Gregory

Written by Jarrett Meek and Megan McDermott

Mission Adelante would not be the same without the amazing volunteers who have locked arms with us and answered the call to reach out to a mission field in their own backyard. Because we hold relationships as a core value in our ministry, ongoing, consistent involvement by volunteers is critical to our mission. A couple of statistics will give you a picture of the integral role volunteers play at Mission Adelante. This trimester 113 volunteers are serving in ongoing roles that range from bookkeeper to math tutor to ESL conversation partner. This is a huge increase over last year's average, which was right around 70. And, their relational impact is made greater by the fact that they are serving an average of 3.5 trimesters each, which is just over a year!

Brad Gregory is one all-star volunteer whose passion and commitment are contagious. Brad began serving in the Spring of 2007, just as the Kids Adelante program was beginning to take shape. When you first meet him, you will notice his infectious joy and love for the Lord; and right along with that, his passion and commitment to the kids.

Brad says, "My ultimate hope is that at some point in their life, when they most need it, they're going to reach back and dig down to something they learned at Kids Adelante. And that's going to affect their lives."

Brad works with the oldest kids of the Outreach Bible study with ages ranging from 10-12. This can often times be the most challenging age group because the kids are constantly testing their limits and boundaries. The kids in this group often encounter the harsh reality of life a bit more than the younger ones, because they are old enough to understand what's going on around them. This is why Brad's consistent commitment to the Outreach Bible Study has made such an incredible impact. The kids trust a volunteer more when they see his level of commitment to them. This commitment might be in consistent attendance, supporting the kids when they need advice, teaching about the grace of God, and even conveying the hard truth about sin. Brad Gregory has done all this and much more.

Each Thursday night, Brad dons his fishing cap to transform into, "Uncle Don," the friendly guide who shares a skit with the kids about God's great love for them. Brad has also given much of his free time to work on the Mission Adelante building, he attends the Monday night Spanish class, and he will be joining us for our first ever missions training trip to Costa Rica this May. On top of all this, Brad's great attitude and kind words are an encouragement to everyone on the Mission Adelante team. We are very blessed to have a volunteer like Brad Gregory!

In other news:

• Our first Adelante Missions Institute Seminar went really well last Saturday with 28 people in attendance. One person reflected that guest speaker Kirk Ogden "guided us through an experience, rather than giving a presentation."
• A healthy baby girl named Emily was born to a family in our worship community on Sunday afternoon. Please pray for continued good health for her, and a quick recovery for her mom.
• Mission Adelante staff enjoyed visiting Emmanuel Baptist Church on Sunday morning. The congregation donated stamps and paper goods for us. We're so thankful for EBC's partnership and generosity!

Prayer needs:

• Pray for Teens Adelante volunteers to have favor with the teens as they begin to spend more intentional time together building trusting relationships.
• Following a sermon on marriage and divorce last Sunday, please pray for our worship community to rally around one another in support of our marriages.
• Pray for a strong finish to the year for our Leaders In Training, some of whom are presently enticed by outside activities and considering leaving the program early.

Current needs:

• A furniture dolly for moving our offices upstairs.
• Brown paper bags for resource distribution in the Resource Center

Upcoming dates:

• Monday, March 15 - Thursday March 18: Spring break. No regularly scheduled Hispanic or Bhutanese ministry programs, with the exception of Spanish Class on Monday evening, which will meet at it's normal time.

Character and Cross-cultural Ministry

Saul was a head taller than his peers, but his downfall as a leader was his lack of character. As Israel's first king, Saul seemed to have a promising beginning. His powerful display of leadership in defending the people of Jabesh Gilead against the Ammonties won the support of all of Israel, putting to rest the doubts that some had expressed about his kingship.

However, it wasn't long before Saul's lack of faith, the foundation of true character, was revealed. As pressure mounted and the Philistine forces assembled with superior numbers to fight the Israelites at Gilgal, Saul disobeyed God's command by taking matters into his own hands. "You acted foolishly", Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people..." (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

In ministry, our faith, our character, and our obedience to Christ are the foundation of our service. In other words, our service to Christ begins to crumble quickly if our hearts are not in submission to our Lord. It is easy to appear strong or spiritual on the outside, but blessing in ministry comes over time with genuine character and faith. Saul learned this the hard way. Relying on his own strength, he felt that he had a better way to do things than the way the Lord had prescribed. Instead, his lack of character brought about the eventual collapse of his reign over Israel. In his place God chose "a man after his own heart."

This weekend Adelante Missions Institute will hold its first Saturday Seminar on the topic of Character and Cross-cultural ministry. Kirk Ogden, Executive Director of South America Mission, will be leading this interactive seminar to challenge and equip Mission Adelante volunteers, supporters and anyone who wishes to come to build their ministry on a solid foundation of faith and character. All are welcome to attend. The Seminar will be held from 9:00-11:30 on Saturday at Mission Adelante. The cost is $15 at the door, and a continental breakfast will be served. Please let us know if you are planning to attend by e-mailing morganh@missionadelante.org.

In other news:

• A group of twenty-five or so teens and parents from Christ Community Church spent several hours doing projects at our facility on Saturday morning. We're so grateful for groups like theirs that are willing to pitch in to help us keep the building in good condition!
• Megan McDermott has nailed down the dates for a three-day soccer clinic for neighborhood kids this summer presented by a former professional soccer player and Christian.
• Megan M. and volunteer Brooke Coon attended a gang awareness and prevention seminar presented by the KCK police department last week. They found it very informative and relevant to the neighborhood in which we minister, and are eager to share their knowledge with our community.

Prayer needs:

• Praise God with us! Jarrett Meek's neurosurgeon is not recommending surgery following the improvement of Jarrett's symptoms. They will wait and see if the cervical disc extrusion will heal on it's own.
• Please pray for the preparation and God's provision of funding for our first missions training trip to Costa Rica in May.
• Pray for immigrant individuals that have recently shared spiritual conversations with Mission Adelante staff. Pray that God would continue to reveal Himself to them.
• Continue to help us ask God to bring candidates to Mission Adelante for the summer internship.

Current needs:

• Two vacuums to keep our facility clean.
• Dishes, silverware, glasses, mugs, serving plates and platters, pitchers, and a colander, now that we have a kitchen in our facility!
• Brown paper grocery bags for resource distribution. If you're a routine volunteer, would you request "paper" the next time you're at the grocery store, and then bring those bags with you when you come here?

Important dates:

• Monday, March 15 - Thursday March 18: Spring break. No regularly scheduled Hispanic or Bhutanese ministry programs, with the exception of Spanish Class on Monday evening, which will meet at it's normal time.

Reflections on Friendship with a Bhutanese Refugee

Written by David Stetler

I met Ram about a year ago during a Bhutanese community gathering and since then have become dear friends with him. Ram has helped me understand their culture better, the trials they face and what life as a refugee is like. He has played a major role in helping me organize many of the ministry programs and has been a key leader in the development, growth and unity of his community. Most importantly, he has taught me about friendship, loyalty and trust. I consider Ram a very close friend and I would trust him with anything.

One evening when we were visiting him and his family, his mother, Krishna said to me "Medo chorah", which means "my son". It was such an honor to hear those words from her. She is such a dear lady and she not only calls me her son, but treats me like her son, too. Every time I step foot in their house she serves me cheeya, ahlu and bhaht (tea, potatoes and rice).

Recently Ram wrote the following comments about his experience with Mission Adelante:

"We the newly resettled Bhutanese in KCKS would like to give hearty thankful to ministry since the minitry and volunteers are helping our illitrate community.With the involvement of David and his family member as well as volunteers the hope of our old people to stay in America show the possitive attitude towards life. I am very very happy to see “the smile face” of people who are learning in ESL class."

What an honor and privilege it is to serve these wonderful people, do life with them and build meaningful friendships with them. May they know the love of Jesus as we share our lives with them.

In other news:

• A family that belongs to our faith community has been without a vehicle for a couple of months, and has therefore been unable to attend worship for that period of time. However, having obtained a working vehicle last week, they were greeted with applause and cheering upon arriving at worship on Sunday! We're so encouraged to see our congregation's sense of community growing.
• A man that has occasionally come to Bible study and worship over the past couple of years approached Jarrett two weeks ago wondering how to begin a relationship with God! His wife accepted Christ through Mission Adelante about two years ago and has faithfully prayed for him to do the same since that time. On Sunday night he publicly professed his new faith to our worship community!
• ESL volunteer Jenny Pauley visited her Bhutanese conversation student at home and introduced the family to Jell-o jigglers! Imagine experiencing this unusual food for the very first time as an older child, teenager, or adult!
  

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for a couple in our community that has sought us out for marital counseling. It's culturally unusual for a Hispanic couple to seek outside advise, so pray for openness to the council they'll receive.
• Jarrett Meek has an appointment with a neurosurgeon tomorrow to investigate treatment options for the cervical disc extrusion in his neck. Please continue to pray for healing without surgery.
• Pray for God to provide job opportunities for Bhutanese refugees.
• Help us ask God to bring candidates to Mission Adelante for the summer internship.

Current needs:

• Two vacuums to keep our facility clean.

Important dates:

• Saturday, February 27, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.: Adelante Missions Institute presents South America Mission’s Executive Director, Kirk Ogden from South Carolina to lead an interactive workshop on Character and Cross-Cultural Ministry. Kirk will explore the personal, spiritual, and character qualities that are essential for making a lasting impact in a cross-cultural context, as well as the pitfalls that the enemy commonly uses to sideline God’s people. I am convinced that the foundation of our ministry effectiveness lies more in our character than it does in our skills or abilities. So, let’s come together as a team, invite whomever you’d like, and spend some time diving deeper into this important topic. A continental breakfast will be provided. The cost will be $15 per person at the door. Please let us know if you plan to come by replying to morganh@missionadelante.org.
• Thursday, March 18: Spring break. No morning or evening activities.

Immigrant Kids Pitching in for Haiti

Written by Megan McDermott

I am always amazed at the heart of a child. Children seem to have such a pure heart for those that are less fortunate than themselves. As adults, we often get swept up in the everyday activities of work, family, and many other responsibilities. It often takes something as dramatic and heart breaking as an earthquake to get our attention. The earthquake in Haiti especially affected the children involved in our LIT (Leaders in Training) program. One pre-teen girl, Odalis, approached me right after it happened, asking if we might pray for the families affected by the earthquake. As we prayed, such a purity and love for the people of Haiti rose up out of the kids. It brought tears to the eyes of all the volunteers as children that had so little recognized that the most important thing they could offer was prayer.

Odalis approached me again the next day, expressing that she wanted to really DO something for the victims of the earthquake. We discussed it, and the kids voted in favor of hosting a bake sale and contributing all of the proceeds to World Vision. As last Thursday approached, the LIT kids were anxiously deciding what treats to bring and how much money they might raise. They were hopeful that if many people came, we might raise fifty dollars. The night of the bake sale, there was an excitement in the air during the Outreach Bible Study. The kids were so excited to partake in some cupcakes, chocoflan, cake, cookies, and flan cheesecake! Parents from the community, students from ESL classes, and other children poured through the doors at 8:30. At the end of the night as we counted up the total, we found that due to incredibly generous donations and support from our community, the LIT kids raised $220 dollars! They were extremely excited about the great blessing for the earthquake victims of Haiti that their efforts yielded. I always tell the kids to dream big and that God will provide even more than they can imagine. I am just so proud of their servant-hearts and how they constantly choose to place others before themselves. Thank you to all of the volunteers, parents, and friends that came down to support the bake sale!!

In other news:

• Eight adults from Mission Adelante will be traveling to Costa Rica in May for an eight-day Missions Training Trip. We'll be taking our ESL program on the road, connecting with the Sears family, and further equipping our volunteer team.
• Mission Adelante is blessed to be in partnership with a number of local churches. Last Sunday, Christ Community Church hosted our ministry along with their fourteen other local ministry partners in their commitment to local and global missions. We were grateful for the exposure and networking opportunity.
• Last week was a record week for kids' attendance in both the Hispanic and Bhutanese outreaches. Seventy-one kids came for Teens Adelante and Kids Adelante, combined, and 25 kids came to the Bhutanese kids club, including one boy that had arrived in the United States just three days before!

Prayer needs:

• An immigrant woman belonging to our faith community is expecting the arrival of a new baby any time now. Please join us in praying for a safe and smooth delivery and a very healthy baby girl!
• Please continue to pray for the cervical disc extrusion that Jarrett Meek has suffered in his neck. He is feeling some relief from the pain which he credits to prayer, and has an upcoming appointment to learn about treatment options. Please pray that the condition will be healed without surgery.
• Join us in praising God for several new families that have begun attending our worship services consistently.
• Please continue to pray with us for a good, long term solution to the dilemma of transporting the Bhutanese population to our outreach programs.

Current needs:

• A refrigerator for the newly constructed kitchen on the second floor of our facility.
• Diapers, sizes 3-5, in any size package, for distribution through the Resource Center.

Important dates:

• Saturday, February 27, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.: Adelante Missions Institute presents South America Mission’s Executive Director, Kirk Ogden from South Carolina to lead an interactive workshop on Character and Cross-Cultural Ministry. Kirk will explore the personal, spiritual, and character qualities that are essential for making a lasting impact in a cross-cultural context, as well as the pitfalls that the enemy commonly uses to sideline God’s people. I am convinced that the foundation of our ministry effectiveness lies more in our character than it does in our skills or abilities. So, let’s come together as a team, invite whomever you’d like, and spend some time diving deeper into this important topic. A continental breakfast will be provided. The cost will be $15 per person at the door. Please let us know if you plan to come by replying to morganh@missionadelante.org.
• Thursday, March 18: Spring break. No morning or evening activities.

Teens Adelante Launch

Written by Megan McDermott

Remember when you were a teenager and you struggled with finding a place to belong? Maybe you felt like no one understood you and that you were trapped between being a child and an adult. For many of us, though, if we think back, we realize it was in that vulnerable stage that God reached out to us and loved us right where we were.

Since I began volunteering at Mission Adelante, I have had such a heart for the teens. I’ve watched them struggle through the awkwardness of adolescence and try to find a place where they belong. Although we had a place for them at the Kids Adelante Outreach Bible Study, I could sense that they yearned for something that was all their own. They desired a place where they could form a relationship with God that was driven by their own desire to pursue Him.

This last Wednesday, we launched the Teens Adelante ("Teens Go Forth") Bible Study. It was so incredible to see teens that had outgrown the Outreach Bible Study pursue Teens Adelante with excitement. Eight kids attended the first study and all of them were returners from the Outreach Bible Study. Six volunteers helped lead the teens through worship, recreation, and prayer. I was nervous that the kids might feel shy about sharing their deepest prayer requests. However, my nerves were calmed as I saw them respond to God through the worship and reach out to each other through prayer.

Providing a place for the teens to grow and connect with God has been a dream of mine for over two years. God’s faithfulness, the teens' vulnerability, and the sense of family that was already in place on the first night has allowed me to see that God had planned this place for them to belong before I ever did. Please pray for this new community to grow, be challenged, and flourish as God gives them a place to call their own.

In other news:

• L.I.T. students will hold a Bake Sale at the Mission Adelante facility this Thursday, February 4 at 8:30 p.m. Proceeds will be donated to World Vision for their earthquake relief effort in Haiti. If you'll be in the neighborhood volunteering that evening, please support their effort!
• Resource Center volunteers, Anglo and Hispanic alike, have remained faithful to the ministry during the recent months of cold weather. The Resource Center is open every Saturday morning in an detached unheated garage to provide food, baby supplies, clothing, and household items to needy neighborhood families.
• Three women shared with the worship community Sunday night how meeting in their discipleship Trio is impacting their lives.

Prayer needs:

• Jarrett Meek has been diagnosed with a cervical disc extrusion in his neck and is exploring treatment options. Please pray that the condition will be healed without surgery.
• The dilemma of transporting the Bhutanese population to outreach programs is becoming more difficult as the few Bhutanese individuals with Driver's Licenses are getting jobs and becoming unavailable to provide transportation. Please pray with us for a good, long term solution.
• Please continue to pray for a Hispanic woman in our community who courageously left her job after suffering workplace abuse and sexual harassment over the course of a few years. Pray for God to allow her to find a new job where she'll be respected.

Current needs:

• A refrigerator for the newly constructed kitchen on the second floor of our facility.
• Diapers, sizes 3 and 4, for distribution through the Resource Center.
• Home furnishings and household items for a newlywed Bhutanese couple. They're moving out of their parents' households into a very bare apartment with few of their own belongings. Please contact David Stetler to arrange drop-off.

Upcoming dates:

• Saturday, February 27, 9:00 a.m.: Adelante Missions Institute presents Kirk Ogden, Director of South American Missions for a seminar on cross-cultural ministry.
• Thursday, March 18: Spring break. No morning or evening activities.