Thank You Volunteer Tutors!

During the past nine months over 30 volunteer tutors – including eight seminarians – served in the After School Tutoring classes offered twice weekly at the Peace Center. Classes began at 5:00 p.m. every Monday and Tuesday, concluding at 7:30. Tutors often arrived early and stayed late. Some assisted even further by providing transportation to and from the Peace Center for several of these New Americans.

One of the After School Tutoring ground rules stipulates that students bring their homework. Many did, seeking help with their English, reading, mathematics, computer literacy and chemistry assignments. Thanks tutors, for sharing your gifts in each of these subject areas – and more.

Those having no homework were given assignments. Usually involving elementary students, coloring, word search, word puzzle, arithmetic and sentence completion work sheets were routinely provided.

In addition to study time, every After School session included devotions. We extend our thanks to the 16 LCMS and LCMS Partner Church pastors who participated in the Peace Center chapel rotation schedule. All of us, especially the New Americans students, were blessed by their Gospel centered, Scripture focused messages.

The annual, end-of-year Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was held at CRAVE Coffee House. They provide an excellent dinner in a very special setting which added a nice touch to this special event. Thanks to Rev. Ted Wuerffel for the special Gospel-centered music.

Interested in possibly serving as a tutor during the coming academic year? If so, please contact Carol Buckman at 314-517-8513.

After School Tutoring

Tuesday, May 21 marked the last day of class for the 2012-13 After School Tutoring program. During the past nine months 218 students (22 more than last year) between grades K and 11 participated at least once in the twice weekly classes. Six students were in attendance more than 50 times each.

These students were from 17 birth nations, with Nepal claiming the highest number (81). Other countries with larger numbers include Liberia (18) Eritrea (17) and Ethiopia (10).

The overwhelming majority - more than 80% - arrived in St. Louis (and the USA) within the past five years. Of equal interest to the mission minded, of the 97 students who declared their religion, 52 identified themselves as Christian (28 Lutheran, very few of whom arrived St. Louis as members of the Lutheran community), 34 Hindu and 11 Muslim.  The remaining number (121) did not identify their religion.

The high point of the last day of class, and perhaps the entire year, was a walk to Ted Drewes located just four blocks away for some delicious frozen custard. Eighty seven – 65 students and 22 tutors – made the trip. (See group photo.)

We wish all of the students, and the more than 30 volunteer teachers who participated in this ministry, the very best and look forward to seeing them again in September at the beginning of the next academic year.

Pukar & Sujana Basnet

By Dr. Judith Meyer

Pukar and Sujana Basnet were born in Nepal, and lived in Timicamp (pronounced Ti-my’-camp).  Although we think of Nepal as mountainous, they lived in the plains, where it was hot and rainy. They enjoyed living there, in part because there were lots of children in their neighborhood, so they could always play soccer, running games, kickball, baseball and go swimming in the lake; Sujana also liked to wrestle and fly kites. They went to school, studying reading (in Nepalese), math and science.

They moved to St. Louis two years ago, joining an uncle who already lived in St. Louis. They live with two aunts, one of whom has been very sick, their grandfather, their father and mother, and another uncle. Their first year in St. Louis, both of them attended the International Welcome School, where they began learning English. Lots of children from Nepal were in their classes there.  They still play with many of these former classmates and both are on Nepalese soccer teams.

They have made real progress this year, helped in part by the after-school program that Word of Life’s teachers have run for New American children, with some modest funding from the Lutheran Foundation. Eager to learn, Pukar and Sujana are also participants in the After School Tutoring program offered at the Peace Center. Interestingly, their home serves as the location for one of seven CFNA sponsored Home Bible Studies.At Word of Life, where they are in 5th and 2nd grades, they are the only Nepalese, so they have improved their English substantially.  Pukar says that Word of Life has good teachers, particularly Ms. Lipke, who teaches English and gym. Sujana likes the field trips. On a recent field trip to Purina Farms, he got to milk a cow. Unlike his classmates, he knew how to do that, since he had helped milk his family’s cows in Nepal.

Heading home after completing this interview, they both talked about having tea as a treat. The tea their family drinks is specially imported from Nepal, and served with sugar and milk. Sounded delicious!

New Dimensions Leadership Formation

Organized during the early part of this year, a CFNA-sponsored Leadership Formation class met for the first time Friday, April 5. Indeed, this turned out to be the first of what are now weekly meetings at the Peace Center. Classes are taught by Reverends Ron Rall and Allan Buckman.

Eighteen New Americans, men and women between the ages of 25 and 50 from seven birth nations, are presently registered for the class. Attendance has been averaging approximately 10 students per week.

The purpose of the class is to provide an in-depth understanding of key Scripture passages, with the intent of delivering skills required to lead a Home Bible Study and/or an ethnic community fellowship. To accomplish this, the class studies, from a Law and Gospel perspective, the Scripture readings (pericopes) scheduled for the following Sunday.

It is foreseen that leadership skills delivered via these classes may perhaps transfer to other areas of life as well. This is deemed to be entirely possible insofar as those in attendance are perceived to be the emerging leaders of their various communities.

The largest number attend nearby LCMS congregations. Others claim Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterian, Evangelical, and Pentecostal congregations or fellowships as their church home. With but one exception, all students were born in Asia and Africa, most of them having arrived in St. Louis within the past two to four years.

We pray our Lord will add His blessings to the efforts of these emerging leaders.

Leketor Member-Meneh

My name is Leketor Member-Meneh. I was born in St. Louis, Missouri. I have six brothers and sisters named: Sylvanus, Bridget, Joy, Nadum, Goka, and Lezoghia. They were born in Nigeria. Goka and Lezoghia attend Lutheran High South.

I went to King of Glory until it closed in 2011. King of Glory was like a family. King of Glory was a very strict school. Christ Community Lutheran School, where I am an eighth grader this year, is different from King of Glory because it’s definitely bigger. CCLS has iPads which King of Glory did not.

Here at CCLS I played volleyball and we were back-to-back state champions. I also played basketball and our boys’ teams were also back-to-back state champions. I also ran track. I was in the musical twice.

I am involved with the youth at Messiah Lutheran Church. It’s a lot of fun with Bethesda and the National Youth Gathering coming up, our trivia night and just hanging out.

I plan on playing volleyball and basketball and running track next year at Lutheran High School South. I plan on taking choir and doing the musical and just participating as much as I can.

New American Of The Month - Rev. Eddie Mekasha

New American of the Month - May 2013

Born and raised in Ethiopia, and baptized as a member of the Coptic Church of Ethiopia, Pastor Mekasha became a member of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekana Yesus (the Lutheran Church in Ethiopia) as the result of the Lutheran Hour sponsored Radio Voice of the Gospel (RVOG) broadcasts beamed throughout Africa from a powerful transmitter located in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

During his early adult years, Eddie did some undergraduate study at the Mekane Yesus seminary, and also helped organize the first Christian Bookstore in Ethiopia. His first degree was received from a Commercial College located in Addis Ababa, after which he became employed locally.

In 2002 Eddie left for the USA to share information regarding mission outreach in Ethiopia with supporters here, and while doing so appealed for asylum which was granted by the US government. He subsequently became a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Louisville, KY and shortly thereafter, enrolled as a student at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. During his time at the seminary Eddie was supported prayerfully and financially by the members of Concordia, Louisville.

While in Louisville, Eddie helped organize a fellowship of East African believers, and also translated Luther’s Small Catechism into Amharic. It is interesting to note that Amharic serves as the official language of Ethiopia and is spoken by approximately 25 million people in Ethiopia and elsewhere.

Eddie graduated from Concordia Seminary and in August, 2007 and was ordained in the Holy Ministry at Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Louis (now closed). While at Redeemer, Pastor Eddie also served part time with CFNA, switching to full time service as Chaplain and Scholarship Assistance Facilitator in 2010. It should be noted that within the past three years 85 New Americans from nine birth nations in Asia and Africa have been baptized and/or confirmed either at the Peace Center or in five LCMS congregations located in the south St. Louis city area as the result of CFNA efforts. Pastor Mekasha played a large role in this ministry effort, and continues to do so.

Most challenging for Pastor Eddie have been the language and cultural hurdles to be crossed while engaged in dynamic multi-cultural ministry. His most enjoyable moments have been the times when those who did not know Christ have, by the power of the Holy Spirit, come to embrace Him as Lord and Savior. Encouraging also, have been the growing numbers New Americans who have enhanced their skill levels through the services offered by CFNA.

 Pastor Eddie was joined by his lovely wife, Fantaye, and their two daughters in May, 2008.  All are actively involved in mission outreach to New Americans.

(From information provided by Rev. Eddie Mekasha)

Volunteer Of The Month - Robyn Moeller

Volunteer of the Month - May 2013

People from all over the world have always been a part of my life. My Aunt Mary was active with a Vietnamese family our church sponsored and included me with visiting and sewing clothes for them. Her family hosted an exchange student from Australia and later, a student from Thailand lived with my family for a year. I came to St. Louis to enter Washington University’s Master of Social Work program, where I made a wonderful friend from Taiwan. After receiving my degree, I spent a year in Australia and New Zealand living with and working for farm families in an agricultural program. I returned to St. Louis, was blessed with marriage and 2 daughters and our family became active with International Student Ministries, St. Louis, sharing in developing international relationships.

At Our Savior Lutheran Church, Fenton, I became involved with their Missions Board. Betty Hea, who has a heart for international people, provided our congregation with opportunities to serve New Americans. We became active with families who’d come from refugee camps, providing household items, teaching about America, and being friends. Betty became familiar with Christian Friends of New Americans and encouraged our congregation’s support.

In November 2011, I was invited to a training event at the Peace Center and was introduced to a family from Africa. Since this first visit to the Peace Center, I began serving as a weekly tutor and developed a lasting friendship with this New American family. It’s a joy to work with the other volunteers and to be a part of building relationships with the students. Romans 12:11-13 comes to mind: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep our spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” I’m inspired by the courage of the New Americans to enter a culture which is so different, including the language. It’s rewarding to try to help ease this transition in a small way through my involvement with CFNA.

Confirmations

On Palm Sunday, March 24, the pastors and members of Timothy Lutheran Church were blessed to receive 12 confirmands into membership. Of the 12, seven were New Americans from the African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Cameroon.

Most of these new arrivals have also been linked to CFNA during the past several years through its Adopt-A-Student scholarship assistance program. Interestingly, the families of most of these new members are themselves either members or frequent participants at Timothy.

Their acceptance into membership followed two years of weekly confirmation instruction provided by the pastors at Timothy. It also followed an examination held the Saturday evening prior to the service; a special event that was heavily attended by family, friends and others from the respective ethnic communities.

Rev. Ron Rall, Sr. Pastor at Timothy commented on how well prepared the students were for the examination, with eight or more raising their hands to answer every question asked.

We wish these new members God’s richest blessings in the days to come.

From information provided by Rev. Dr. Ron Rall

Volunteer of The Month - Rev. Ted Wuerffel

Rev. Wuerffel began his volunteer work with CFNA in the fall of 2009.  He and Abby had moved to St Louis in 2005 when Ted accepted a leadership position with the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces. In the fall of 2008 he left that position to complete a degree in Music at Webster U, and he and Abby began helping with the Monday night tutoring program while he was a student at Webster. At about the same time he met Ron Virus, who was coordinating the reception of donated furniture, and they began working together, along with Hank Saeger, to move all sorts of donated household goods. These donations were usually brought from the outlying counties into the Peace Center neighborhood where most new immigrants and refugees are housed. This neighborhood is near the International Institute where new arrivals are processed and receive ESL instruction and job search training.

In the next two years Ted helped move all sorts of donations: tables, chairs, couches, beds, clothes, entertainment centers, TV’s, microwaves, and even some larger appliances like washing machines, dryers, refrigerators and a few freezers. Some of the classic “challenges” have been moving large items to the upstairs apartments where couch legs and fridge doors have to be removed to get the items up stairs and around corners.

This past year Ted has helped secure an agreement with St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on Taft east of S. Grand, where we now use two former school classrooms as a transfer and repair point for donations. Ron Virus and his wife, Carrol, keep track of the repair work that needs to be done there — gluing shelves, fixing hinges, and refinishing various things, while Ted and Hank Saeger do the bulk of the moving, assisted by Dr. John Lautenschlager and other occasional helpers, including some of the immigrants who have become partners in the CFNA ministry.

 Most rewarding for Ted is the sense that our CFNA help has been a true blessing to New Americans who come with practically nothing but their suitcase. Secondly, in many cases the families receiving donated furniture or other items want to show their appreciation – for example they will offer a bottle of water, some tea, or even injirah, an Ethiopian bread, with bean sauce.  As you sit and eat with people who are sharing from their scarcity, it Is quite humbling.

Interested in possibly helping Ted and his crew from time to time?  Contact him at wuerffta@gmail.com or 314-603-3743.  Rev. Ted Wuerffel and wife Abby are members of Timothy Lutheran Church, St. Louis.

New Americn Of The Month - Rev. Dr. John Samuel Loum

John Samuel Loum was born in The Gambia, West Africa. He did Seminary training both in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, West Africa. He worked for the Danish Sudan mission, and the Project for Christian/Muslim Relations as the regional coordinator for West Africa. Post graduate studies were taken in England and the US, specializing in Islamic studies.

Dr. Loum worked in the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, where he provided leadership required for the establishment of the first African immigrant congregation in the Indiana District. This congregation was composed of members from 14 African nations. He also served as a missionary-at-large and adjunct professor on the Ft. Wayne campus of Concordia University – Mequon, teaching classes in Islam and African History.

Currently Dr. Loum serves as the Director of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology at Concordia Seminary – a specialized, distance education program leading to certification for servants engaged in pastoral and deaconess missionary contexts in ethnic immigrant and urban cultures in North America.

In addition, he has served in various volunteer work and service activities with Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA). He feels blessed and privileged to serve as Vice Chairman of the Board of CFNA. Dr. Loum sees this role as very important as it enables him to join in re-enforcing the church’s goal and missionary character in St. Louis and beyond.

Family Literacy Night

By: Diane Meyr

As part of its participation in Family Literacy Night held on Thursday, January 31st, 2013, Word of Life Lutheran School held a “penny war” and accepted book donations for Christian Friends of New Americans. The $512.00 that was collected was used to buy books from a Scholastic Book Fair that was also held on the 31st. Four large boxes were filled to the brim, all of these books to be donated to CFNA.

Word of Life was very excited to have collected these books and donated them to CFNA for its ministry among New Americans. The purpose, of course, was to help kids new to the USA to learn how to read and then to stay excited about reading.

ENGAGE, Enjoy, Enhance the Experience

The Tutor Training Workshop, February 10, 2013

Many of out students are from Nepal and their families are hindu. Rev. Stanish Stanley, a ph.d student from india and his wife, beena, shared insights regarding the hindu faith and culture

Tutors met to visit, discuss, laugh, learn, and enjoy a supper menu of African and American cuisine. As our After-School Tutoring program grows and expands in a variety of ways, there is a real need to meet together and increase our skills and our procedures in a consistent manner.

Rev. Stanish Stanley, a Ph.D. student from India & his wife, Beena, shared insights regarding the Hindu faith and culture. Hindus believe that there are many paths to Salvation and choice of God depends upon the individual believer. There is also good and evil in the world that needs to be dealt with and worship of Hindu gods is a way of keeping oneself protected from evil and also for rightful ethical conduct and practice (karma).

Salvation is seen as the escape of individual soul (atma/n) from the cycle of birth and rebirth (reincarnation/samsara) to joining with the Supreme Soul - Brahman (Moksha, liberation).

Hindus draw a clear distinction between the ‘sacred’ and the ‘profane’. This means that there are appropriate behavioral practices that need to be followed in the ‘sacred’ space. E.g., display of reverence towards the idol and holy books, humility, non-consumption of alcohol, etc.

Spiritual cleanliness and bodily cleanliness is a central concern in Hindu custom and practice. E.g., shoes are considered unclean and are left outside the Hindu home. Before daily prayers before the house shrine/idol the house will be swept clean and baths taken by the individuals. Beef eating is considered a taboo and pork considered unclean.

Hindu family is patriarchal by nature. The father is the head of the household but the mother exerts strong influence upon the kids. The girl/mother is seen as dependent in different stages of life (as daughter dependent upon father, as wife on husband, and in old age/widow upon eldest son!)

Respect for elders is important. Kids are supposed to respect elders and especially be obedient to parents, teachers, and elders in the family.

Kids do not call their elders (even brothers and sisters) by name. Other elders are supposed to be called Uncle or Aunty. Also Vidya (knowledge) is considered the most important of all wealth.

Teacher is the ‘Guru’ who is to be trusted and obeyed in everything concerning education. This is conceived as a ‘Top-down’ learning method. Traditionally Hindu teaching method is based on ‘rote-memorization’ rather than critical thinking.

Christianity traditionally is seen as an ‘educating religion’ and more in tune with modern lifestyle. It can witness to the Hindu woman as a way of life where the girl is seen as not a dependent rather as a child of God, loved, created uniquely and just as important as man.

Christian stories and teachings of interest to Hindus: The life of Jesus as that of a ‘teaching Guru’. The parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15- teaches the pitfalls that await kids who disobey parents); parable of lost coin (shows women’s selfless giving- Lk 15); the beatitudes (Mt 5- for its egalitarian concern towards the least). Jesus as one with the Father (Jhn 10: 15ff- realizing that His atman is Brahman!). Some Hindus have also interpreted Jesus to be an Avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu.

Robyn Moeller then presented her workshop on "ENGAGING" BEHAVIOR FOR TUTORS which included the following points:

ATTITUDE

a) Have the mindset that you’re coming to interact with students b) Don’t wait to be asked to do something c) Proactively think about what you could be doing and take initiative

KNOW YOUR COMFORT ZONE WITH CHILDREN prefer one-on-one or a small group

a) Start where most comfortable

social worker and experienced tutor, robyn moeller presented “engaging” behavior for tutors

b) If one-on-one: seek out one or two & go sit by them; ask about what they’re doing or suggest an activity. Or as a student enters the room, ask to sit by you & help them with homework or an activity

c) If prefer a group: start a spelling bee, friendly math competition, etc.

AREAS OF INTEREST

Younger grades or older students? Math, social studies, reading, computers, etc.?

a) Seek out students working on something in your area of interest b) If a student is not doing anything, suggest one of the activities you enjoy c) Become familiar with the resources the Peace Center has (books, worksheets, activity pages) d) Bring things from home that you think would be helpful (ABC puzzle, matching game) e) Start an activity such as a puzzle, game or reading a book & ask students to join you

Encourage Student Participation

Instead of - “Do you want to…?” Say - “Let’s...” or “We’re going to…”

If student refuses an activity, then ask them what they would like to do or suggest another activity. Let students know they’re expected to participate in an activity

It’s fun to engage the kids by being a little silly (contributed by college daughter who worked as a counselor at Camp Wartburg for past two summers & helped with the craft at the CFNA Christmas party)

Learn Names of the Students and about them

What grade are you in? What’s your favorite subject? Do other siblings come with you to tutoring? What country are you from? Do you remember living there? How long have you been in US?

Sit next to/between students in chapel

a) Have the children sit toward the front in chapel b) Talk with the children while waiting for chapel to begin

Recess

a) Think ahead about which activity you prefer b) Get involved (air hockey, ping pong, jump rope, Frisbee, hula hoop) - doing or supervising

Remind of Appropriate Behaviors

NO gum chewing, unkind names, pushing

USE please & thank-you

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