Thanks LWML!

On Sunday, February 3, Christian Friends of New Americans became the beneficiary of a substantial amount of children’s winter clothing together with numerous personal items such as flashlights, calculators, electronic pronunciation dictionaries, batteries, children’s games (Uno, for example), as well as a large set of lego blocks. All of these and more are to be seen in the accompanying photo which also features Dr. Allan and Carol Buckman, who were pleased to receive all of this on behalf of CFNA.

The LWML Board of Directors met in St. Louis from February 1 to 3, during which time all of these items were collected. These gifts could not have arrived at a better time, as the St. Louis winter weather was just setting in. Within just a few seeks, a substantial amount of the clothing in particular, had been distributed to New Americans families, many of them recent arrivals from Nepal and Burma.

On behalf of these New Americans, CFNA extends their heart-felt thanks to the fine members of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League!

Volunteer Of The Month - Sandy Gerber

It all began in the spring of 2010. Pastor Gary Dehnke invited Sandra Gerber to visit the Peace Center and observe the After-School Tutoring program for New American children. Sandy began working as a tutor the following fall, and she’s been a part of the Tuesday tutoring team ever since! In addition to tutoring, Sandy keeps track of student registration and attendance data for the After-School Tutoring program. She also serves as a member of the Peace Center Reference Committee.

A life-long member of St. Johns – St. Louis, Sandy is a retired classroom teacher who had limited experience working with immigrant and refugee children prior to coming to the Peace Center. She’s learned a great deal in the past three years. She finds it exciting to see the Holy Spirit working in the lives of the children who come each week to the tutoring program and enjoys watching the children learn. She is grateful for the dedicated volunteers who come each week to share Jesus with the New Americans at the Peace Center. While this ministry presents some interesting challenges, it also brings great joy to those who serve.

Have YOU thought about serving as a tutor in our After-School Tutoring program? Take your inspiration from the words of hymn writer David March who wrote, “You can lead the little children to the Savior’s waiting arms.”

Student Of The Month - Cyrille Mbah

My name is Cyrille Mbah. I was born in Yaoundé Cameroon, West Africa. I lived in Cameroon until I was seven years old. My dad was persecuted out of the country by the government. My mom and I had to escape in the middle of the night to Nigeria, hoping not to be arrested by the police who were looking for my dad. We met my dad at the Nigerian border where he had been waiting for us for a week. It was sad to leave all my friends behind all of a sudden. I was confused; I really did not know what was going on. The first day we got to Nigeria my parents were robbed. That was one of the scariest moments of my life; I had never seen gunmen threatening to kill for money. We later joined my dad’s brothers who were at the refugee camp anxiously waiting for us to arrive. My dad was resettled to the United States, leaving my mom and me behind for two years before we could join him.

When I came to Saint Louis I was nine years old. I was enrolled at King of Glory Lutheran School. I loved that school—the teachers were so kind to me. It was the first time in a long time that I felt safe without being around my parents. I wasn’t scared that someone would be looking for me to take me and my parents away. I quickly adapted to the new school and the new students although the first few months I would get upset when kids teased me about where I came from. Nevertheless, after a while, it never bothered me anymore because I was proud of where I came from and I always prayed to God that I would have the opportunity to go back and visit family members. After setting at King of Glory for a couple of years, I had the news that King of Glory was going to shut down. I was worried about where I would go to school next, but thanks to God he took care of that situation for me. I was enrolled in Word of Life Lutheran School where I met old classmates from King of Glory; it was nice to have people I knew in a new environment.

My first year at Word of Life was great. I excelled in my education and athletics. For the first time I made it to state and placed in all my track and field events. I am currently in eighth grade and looking forward to attending Lutheran High School South. Sometimes I help out in the after-school program for the younger New American children at Word of Life. I thank God for my life and that I am here today living a happy life and expecting a little sister.

CFNA’s Health and Wellness Screening

By Robert Lampros

On Saturday, January 12th, CFNA’s Peace Center for New Americans provided free health screenings for thirty-seven people. Our volunteer RN’s, audiolologist, nurse practitioner, and MD administered vision, hearing, blood pressure, height and weight tests, as well as ear, nose, and throat exams to many who have limited access to this medical attention. Some significant maladies were detected, and every effort is being made to help these individuals receive the appropriate treatment. Thank you to everyone who made this project possible: the drivers, the registration assistants, the coordinators, the translators, the pastors, the doctors, the nurses, the patients, and all who give their time and energy to the good work of Christian Friends of New Americans.

The Peace Center is a wonderful place. Shining faces adorn the walls, beaming brilliantly from collages and group photos. Radiant illustrations of Gospel scenes line the upstairs hallway, warming the hearts of those passing by. On Monday and Tuesday nights the whole building sings with children’s laughter, joyful dialogue, and beautifully belted songs of worship.  Jesus tells us that “The Kingdom of Heaven is among you.”  Nowhere is this more apparent than here, where people are taught, loved, cared for, and redeemed. Thank you all for your contributions, and thank you, Jesus Christ, for saving our souls, and for letting us participate in your Heavenly Kingdom.

Volunteer of the Month

Hank Saeger

Hank leading a Home Bible Study

Hank devotes a huge amount of his time in volunteer service with CFNA, and has been doing so for the past five years! He is well known, not only within the CFNA volunteer community but even more importantly, among the more than 600 New Americans now connected to the CFNA network through its various ministries. Held in high regard by these new arrivals to the St. Louis community, his commitment to them and services among them are much appreciated.

A member of Concordia, Kirkwood since 1949, with breaks for service in other emerging LCMS congregations at the time (example: Our Savior, Fenton), Hank first learned of opportunities for mission involvement among New Americans from Bob Schliesser during Concordia’s Tuesday morning Men’s Bible Class. Having made a decision to give it a try, he never looked back.

Hank’s weekly mission involvement includes assisting with the After School tutoring program at the Peace Center, the delivery of home furnishings (once or twice a week, sometimes more) to New American families, picking up items (mostly food) from Orphan Grain Train for distribution to 12 to 15 families as well as the Peace Center and assisting with three Home Bible Studies. Yes, all of this every week.

His trust level among New Americans was demonstrated early on when an entire extended, 12 member Nepali family was baptized at the Peace Center three years ago.  Hank played a significant role in their faith journey to this decision. Previously, they had been adherents of the Hindu tradition.

An excellent keyboarder, Hank provides music for the hymns sung during chapel worship at the Peace Center. He knows many of them by heart, and seldom needs a sheet of music.

Hank, we celebrate your commitment, and thank you for your role model involvement in mission outreach among New Americans!

Interested in exploring the possibility of serving as a CFNA volunteer for ministry among New Americans? Look at our Volunteer page for options or better still, visit with Hank.

Bhutanese Baptisms at Messiah

By Rev. Will Miller, Messiah Lutheran Church

Left to Right: Rev. Will Miller, Rev. Sam Thompson, •Aiti, Ash, Pukar, Tara Rai, plus a friend

Ash and Aiti Rai were baptized at Messiah Lutheran Church in December of 2012. They are related to one of the Gurung families that now call Saint Louis home. They were first exposed to the gospel through their daughter, Mina, as she related to her mother and father all that she was learning in a home Bible study conducted by Revs. Sam Thompson and Will Miller from Messiah. When the Rai’s initially arrived in the United States one of the first things they wanted to do was to attend the home Bible study for themselves to hear more about the things that their daughter had been telling them about this Jesus.

The couple continued to attend Bible study regularly but remained committed to their former Hindu religion until Aiti confided in the Messiah pastors that she was plagued by visions of unclean spirits that tormented her at night. Sam and Will counseled her to call on the name of Jesus the next time she felt threatened. The very next week she returned to Bible study and declared to the other Bhutanese that when she had been threatened by unclean spirits she had called out the name of Jesus believing that he was able to save her. She reported that the spirits had left her alone and had not returned. She then asked to be taught more about baptism.

After a few weeks of intense study with this elderly couple on the subject of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the two were ready for baptism. As Pastor Will conducted their final examination before baptism Ash could hardly contain himself as he confessed his new faith in Christ: “I’m ready to be baptized. I don’t want anything to do with those old gods (of Hinduism) anymore and I don’t want anything to do with the devil!” For her part, Aiti had her focus firmly fixed to the Sacrament of the Altar, asking: “To make sure… after I am baptized I get the blood of Jesus in communion, right?”

Messiah is very glad to have two new members of the body of Christ added to their number through the waters of baptism. After the service, both long time members and new Americans gathered together in the fellowship hall for a time of fellowship complete with a baptismal cake for everyone to share together in celebration of what Jesus has done for Ash and Aiti.

CFNA Students of the Month

Betty and David Mulat

by Dr. Judith Meyer

If you are talking to Betty and David Mulat, it is hard to believe that they just moved to the United States two years ago; they speak quietly and somewhat reluctantly but with no hint of an accent. According to Betty, that’s because they studied English while they lived in Israel and also at the International Welcome School here in St. Louis. Originally from Ethiopia, they also spent time in the Sudan before moving to St. Louis.Betty and David do not recall having ever lived in Ethopia. They consider Sudan their “native country”. Mr. Mulat worked as a chef in Sudan and later found work in Israel at a Sheraton Hotel. The family, including Mahlet who was two at the time, later joined him. They remained there for two years before departing for the U.S. They do not recall the reason for coming to the United States.

David, whose full name is Dawit Kasala Mulat, spent third grade at St. Louis’ International Welcome School and then came to Word of Life Lutheran School as a fourth grader. Betty, whose parents gave her that nickname (her given name is Bethlehem), attended 6th grade at the International Welcome School before starting at Word of Life. Both children started attending Word of Life in the same year (2011-12) that a number of other CFNA scholarship students transferred to Word of Life from King of Glory Lutheran School, which made the transition a little easier for them. They heard about Word of Life through the Peace Center and the Mekasha family.

Betty loves to sing, and sings in the choir at Word of Life; she plans to try out for the choral program at Lutheran South next year. She has played volleyball, but currently is not active in any sports. Her favorite subject is math, and she is taking pre-algebra at Word of Life. Most of Betty’s friends live near her, so they “hang out” in each other’s homes, talking and watching movies.

David’s friends don’t live near his home, so he gets together with them mostly at school and church activities.  Although he has played “football” here in the United States, he is not currently active in sports.  He likes science, particularly studying about animals. This spring he is part of an Oratorical Group at Word of Life, preparing to participate in a speech competition. He will give a 4-5 minute speech on “Why My Voice is Important.” Right now he is researching other speeches to get ideas.

Betty and David have a younger sister who is in first grade at Word of Life; she is supported with a scholarship through the Today and Tomorrow Fund.  Generous donors to the CFNA Adopt a Student Ministry have made it possible for Betty and David to attend Word of Life.

Home Bible Studies - A Key Ministry

By God’s grace, over the past two years nine Home Bible studies have been established among New American families living within a three mile radius of the Peace Center. In almost every case, these families have arrived St. Louis within the past three years.

Interestingly of the nine, eight have been established in the homes of Nepalese families. The ninth has been meeting in the home of Kessela and Aynalem Mulat from Ethiopia. This family arrived St. Louis two years ago as refugees.

Their three children, Betty, David and Mahlet are all beneficiaries of the Adopt A Student scholarship program and attend Word of Life Lutheran School. They together their father, are receiving catechetical instruction at Timothy Lutheran Church where they have been attending regularly – and where they anticipate becoming members in the very near future.

Rev. Eddie Mekasha provides leadership of the Home Bible Study ministry, and together with wife Fantaye, has been leading this particular gathering which began just a year ago. The weekly meetings focus on the Gospel and/or Epistle ready for the church year.

The photo shows members of the Mulat family, together with Rev. Allan Buckman, who was welcomed as a guest teacher earlier this year.

Information provided by Rev. Eddie Mekasha 

Open Bowls

Fifteen kids bounced out of the cars as we rolled up to the Washington University Ceramics studio on a beautiful Saturday morning in early December. We were there to make bowls, to learn about pottery, to work with our hands, to have fun, but above all to serve those in need. Wash-U students paired up with CFNA kids and we spent all morning kneading and forming and smoothing, and covered in sloppy wet clay under our fingernails, in our hair and all over our clothes. The children learned how to make pinch pots, build slab mold bowls and (everyone’s favorite), throwing on the wheel. We enjoyed sandwiches outside, and talked about how everyone could make one bowl for themselves, and then one (or more) to give away to a charity meal to help feed the homeless in St. Louis. The idea of giving away their precious creations was a bit difficult, but slowly grew on the group. After lunch, with energy hardly ceasing, we refined our creations, painted colored slip designs on our bowls and attempted to clean-up. With a bit of embarrassment we took the kids home in a completely clay covered state of dress, nevertheless reflecting that we learned and worked and gave and thoroughly enjoyed!

This workshop was part of broader programing being initiated at the Peace Center that focuses on using Art as a catalyst to connect students and mentors, to help develop a medium of expression and self-reflection, as well as offer the opportunity for students to make valuable and visible contributions to the broader St. Louis community.

Developing skills of visual communication is a crucial part of navigating American culture as well as a unique way to understand identity and integration. In January (date TBA) Sarah Bernhardt will be hosting an Empty Bowls charity event at Washington University—at which the ceramic bowls made by our CFNA students will be sold with a simple soup supper to raise money for St. Louis food organizations. Art programing at the Peace Center will continue on a monthly basis, including drawing, painting, and photography workshops to come.Thank you for the support and involvement!

Blessings, Sarah Bernhardt 

CFNA's Christmas Celebration

IT WOULDN’T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT JESUS! That message was shared with sixty New American children in our after school tutoring program, along with approximately 35 parents, siblings, and volunteers on Monday, December 17, at our annual Christmas Celebration held at St. Johns Lutheran Church in St. Louis.

All of the attendees made handprint “leaves” for a Christmas tree that will be on display at St. Johns for the remainder of the Christmas season. The children’s voices rang out as they sang Christmas carols. Pastor Tanney had a beautiful Christmas message that told about the roles played by the shepherds, the angels, Mary and Joseph in the Christmas story. Most importantly, they heard about God’s greatest gift to us – His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thanks to the generosity of a number of friends from Glendale Lutheran, Village Lutheran and Orphan Grain Train, each child received a Christmas gift to take home. We pray that our New American friends will remember that the gift of Jesus in our hearts is the very best gift of all!

Trivia Night

CFNA held its fifth annual Trivia Night on Saturday, November 10th, at Webster Gardens Lutheran Church. Pastor Joel Christensen welcomed the attendees who enjoyed a light supper of chili and a variety of ethnic foods. Following the meal, trivia competition and bingo games began. Vern Koelinger prepared this year’s trivia questions. Jerry and Joyce Birk served as bingo callers. Throughout the evening, a silent auction offering baskets, gift certificates, and a wonderful assortment of other items was held.

Many helping hands contributed to the success of the evening. Volunteers sought and picked up donations, prepared food, organized auction items, set up tables and chairs, and served in countless other ways during the Trivia Night itself. Approximately 175 people participated, including a significant number of New Americans. The amount raised for the ministry is still being counted, pending the arrival of some pledged matching funds.

CFNA is especially grateful to the congregation of Webster Gardens Lutheran Church for the use of their facilities, and for their helpful support. Appreciation is also expressed to Thrivent and to the Christ for Youth Foundation for their gifts of matching funds. Thanks to all who gave, all who came, and all who served!

Petra Orescanin: CFNA Student of the Month

Petra, born in Croatia during the time of the Bosnian civil war, arrived in St. Louis with her mother Sladjana as refugees approximately eight years ago. Shortly thereafter, through a friendship that developed between this family and Jerry and Joyce Birk, Petra was enrolled in Green Park Lutheran School as one of the first of the CFNA scholarship students. The Birks, life-long LCMS members, have for years been members of Peace Lutheran Church in South County.

Having completed her elementary school studies in St. Louis, Petra sought enrollment at Lutheran High South, and was accepted as a member of the 2009 freshman class as a CFNA scholarship student. Now a senior, Petra looks forward to graduating from South this coming spring.

During her years at South, Petra distinguished herself as a very good student, and athlete.  Indeed, the Mehlville Optimist Club recently honored Petra as its Student of the Month. (See photo.)  In its citation, the Optimists noted, “Petra’s continued involvement in academic and social functions describes her character. She is a mentor to new students, active in the Christian Fellowship program (through LHSS), and a member of the cross country and track teams.” (Oakville Call. Call Publishing.11.22.12)

In addition to being a very good student and athlete, Petra has also shown herself to be uncommonly considerate of others, as is evident in this following provided by Jerry.

“Peace (Lutheran) Church had a 7th grade girls basketball team which I helped coach. Petra played and was by far our best player. We were in the CYC league and with three games to go, we had a one game lead. Petra was always telling me she felt very bad that she was playing more than some of the other girls. So we asked the team to vote if we should try to win the championship or play all the girls equally.  The girls voted to try to win the championship. There was however, still a specified amount of time each girl had to play.

“We did win the championship. I can only remember how much Petra cared about the other girls and constantly asked me to play others in her place. This is really a caring person. I admire her very much.”

We wish Petra and her mother Sladjana our Lord’s richest blessings in the days to come, and may they continue to be a blessing to others.

Food Assistance for New Americans

For the past three or four years Christian Friends of New Americans  and Orphan Grain Train have successfully partnered in outreach to New Americans through the delivery of food and household items. To be sure, this partnership has been most beneficial for all involved, especially the New Americans.

Hank Saeger picks up available items from Orphan Grain Train weekly, and then delivers what’s available to approximately 15 New Americans families. The focus is on those who have arrived most recently – presently mostly are from Nepal - and are continued for three to six months; just long enough to allow these New Americans to become somewhat acclimated. As one family leaves the program another is found.

Hank is often assisted by Rev. Eddie Mekasha and in this photo we see Pastor Mekasha sharing some items with a family from Nepal – who now regularly attend the Sunday morning Nepali Fellowship at Ascension Lutheran Church.

Items very much in demand and often available free of charge through Orphan Grain Train include fresh produce, meat, bakery items, blankets and some types of warm clothing, as well as personal hygiene products and occasionally, even small appliances such as coffee makers - and more!

Our thanks to Orphan Grain Train for their great ministry and beneficial partnership, and our thanks to Hank for his leadership in this effort.

The Next Bicycle

Mr. Feseha Tekle is the most recent recipient of yet another bicycle (the 3rd) provided by Mr. Chris Shearman, owner of Gelateria del Leone located on 3197 S. Grand Blvd. In the photo Rev. Ron Rall, Sr. Pastor of Timothy Lutheran Church, presents the bicycle to Feseha on behalf of the CFNA and the Gelateria. Aside from public transportation or assistance from friends, this is Feseha’s only reliable means of transportation just now.

Over the past few years Timothy Lutheran, assisted by Rev. Eddie Mekasha of CFNA, has established a growing ministry among this expanding Eritrean ethnic community. The ministry includes weekly Kunama (an Eritrean people group) fellowships at the Peace Center, led by Revs. Rall and Wilson of Timothy. For this we praise the Lord!

Feseha arrived in St. Louis as a resettled refugee from Eritrea just a month ago.  He is hopeful his wife and two children, also refugees in Eritrea, will soon be joining him. We wish him and his family our very best!

CNFA-Send Me St. Louis

On Saturday, October 27, Send Me St. Louis sponsored another of its semi-annual city wide servant events, this one including – once again – Christian Friends of New Americans. Almost 30 people turned out to assist with carpentry tasks, painting, extensive cleaning, sorting and organizing the extensive amount of supplies kept at the Peace Center, especially those used for the After School Tutoring program.

Participants included not only members of several LCMS partner congregations, but also a significant number of New Americans from Asia and Africa, as well as a half dozen students from St. Louis University.

Not only do events such as these help facilitate ministry at the Peace Center, they also provide a great opportunity to get to know new people, as several were first time CFNA participants. We extend our sincere thanks to all who took part in this special event, and especially to Send Me St. Louis for their sponsorship.  

Another Home Bible Study

During the evening of Thursday, October 25 another (the 7th) CFNA linked Home Bible Study was started; this one in the home of the Ash and Atie Rai family on Chippewa. There were a total of nine people in attendance, including sons and daughters, as well as neighbors from the apartment complex in which the Rai family is living.

The Ria family arrived in St. Louis just two months ago from Nepal, and were referred to CFNA and the services it offers, by relatives already part of the CFNA network (the Basnet family), who are also members of Messiah Lutheran Church.

This Bible Study was started by Pastor Eddie Mekasha, working in partnership with Mr. Hank Saeger, a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood. Interestingly, plans are already in place to quickly hand off this Home Bible Study to Rev. Alex Vieira, a Ph.D. student from Brazil now studying at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

Rev. Vieira received his M. Div. degree from Seminaria Concordia, the major seminary of the LCMS partner church in Brazil. Presently, Alex together with his wife, are members of St. Lucas Lutheran Church in St. Louis, where they assist with various outreach efforts.

May our Lord continue to richly bless this and all the Home Bible Study efforts.

Another Bicycle Gift

Alexander, a New American from Congo, is the second recipient of a new bicycle donation!

Alexander came to the United States in June 2012. He is still waiting to be reunited with his wife and two children, who are waiting in Tanzania until they can join him.

The new bike was given to Alexander by CFNA through the generosity of Chris Shearman, owner of the Gelateria del Leone located at 3197 South Grand Blvd. Chris donates $3.00 from the sale of every bag of the Gelateria’s specially roasted coffee. When a sufficient amount has been accumulated, he purchases a bike, complete with helmet and lock, and makes it available to CFNA. From the many who visit the Peace center, Rev. Adefris Mekasha selects a recently arrived family badly in need of help with transportation, and gives it to them.

Peace Center Refreshed by Abiding Savior SendMe Saturday

A cheerful crew of 28 men, women, and children arrived at the Peace Center on Saturday, October 13, for a very busy day. They were one of 30 teams, involving a total 327 people, who responded to the call for servants for the fifth Abiding Savior Lutheran Church SendMe Saturday. Christian Friends of New Americans leaders and several New Americans who were present were delighted with the way the visiting team worked together and the tremendous amount of work they accomplished in just a day. Half a team worked with the cleaning of every surface in the main floor and second floor and left everything sparkling and smelling so fresh! The other half of the team, continued work to construct usable rooms in the basement of the Peace Center, painting walls, adding a door to set off the supplies room from the recreation rooms, repairing, cleaning, and organizing—what a transformation!

After breaking to eat sack lunches they had packed, they participated in a Bible Study on Acts 9 and also learned more about Christian Friends of New Americans. Then eagerly and happily they were back to the unfinished work. We praise the Lord for all those who answered “Here I am,  Send me!” on this special day. Abiding Savior is in South County at 4355 Butler Hill Rd.

After School Tutoring Resumes

On Monday, September 10, CFNA resumed its After School Tutoring program for the current academic year.  Classes are offered for New American students between Kindergarten and 12th grade.  This year, between 40 and 50 students have been participating each week.

The program runs from 5 to 7:30pm at the Peace Center on 4019 South Grand Blvd every Monday and Tuesday night.  It is effectively led by Carol Buckman and Adam Ellsworth, and aided by a team of more than 20 experienced, loving and enthusiastic tutors.

We begin with an hour of homework assistance, or workbook and coloring exercises for the younger students, followed by snack time and a visit to the chapel to sing and learn about Jesus.  After Chapel we head out to the playground for some fun on the swingset or downstairs for a game of ping pong or air hockey.  At the end of each night we finish up our homework or enjoy some reading time.  Every session is sure to be a positive and productive experience, and a great opportunity to make new friends!

--Robert Lampros

Peace Center Renovation

Rev. Bill Matzat and his coworkers from the Faith Place Bible Study class at Concordia, Kirkwood have returned to the Peace Center to provide yet another renovation.  This time they are replacing the Plexiglas covered window panes in the computer room with a glass block window.  A double benefit is assured – added security and much better light.

Our thanks to Bill, son Todd, Brent Beumer, Matt Bayes, Tom Bickel, Matt Schelp and Gerald Brewah, as well as five additional New Americans who assisted with this project.