Turkey Weekend!

In college I was blessed with a wonderful group of girlfriends.  One weekend during college we were at a friend's hunting cabin and saw a group of wild turkeys running around together and someone made the observation that they looked like us (a group of 9 girls running all over together.) From that weekend on the "Turkeys" were born.  We made a deal that we would get together over MLK weekend every year. The first year our trip took us to Chicago, last year they came to visit me here in KC. This year we went to Hot Springs, Arkansas. I will be the first to say that there is really nothing to do in Hot Springs, like really nothing, but the  best part of the trip was getting to spend time together and relax away from everything. 

I am so blessed by their friendships!

girls night

Last night Molly and I had some of the girls from both the Latino and Bhutanese communities over for make your own pizza night at our house.  I think they had a pretty good time, it was great to get the chance to have a bunch of girls together and hang out. 

 

 

 

If anyone knows of a girls group from a church that would like to come down and host a girls night for the girls of Mission Adelante, let me know, I know they would love it!

it's that time of the trimester...

It's that time of the trimester, it's the beginning, a new start for a new year.  It's the time where we get to sit down and plan for the upcoming year, where we get to dream about the exciting things God has in store, where we get to pick out fun new memory verse songs.  I'm not gonna lie, I love this part of the trimester.  This is the part of the trimester where we also need new volunteers.  New friends to come down to KCK once a week (or more if you like) and hang out with the Kids' Club kids.  These friends play an important role in Kids' Club every week.  They hang out with and love on the kids during our beginning of the night free time, they set an example and help lead the kids during big group time, and the teach the kids a story from the Bible during group time every week.  Most importantly they love and pray for the kids of Kids' Club each week.  If you, or anyone you know would like to join us or has questions email me at Kristenm@missionadelante.org for more information.  We would love to have you there (and really, we would love you, your kids, your spouse, your roommate, anyone with a heart for Jesus and a love for kids.)  And if you need proof of how much fun Kids' Club can be....

break...

The way the calendar at Mission Adelante is set up is very intentional.  The year is broken up into trimesters.  In the middle of each 12 week trimester there is a one week break in programing, and a 3 day office closure break. In between each trimester we have a couple weeks of break where we get the chance to just slow down and recharge.  Kids Club has been on break since the second week in December, and we start back the 3rd Tuesday in January.  I miss kids club but the breaks give us a great chance to go into homes and hangout with people, and plan for the upcoming trimester.  

Some highlights of my break....

Ty and his puppy.

Funny faces!

 



Tired Ty at the end of Christmas.



  

I may have taken them home with a few bumps and bruises.



They got better as the afternoon went on.

 

Ice Cream afterwards made everything better!

To end the break I got to take engagement pictures for my roommate and her fiance.

Westside!

Westside Family Church has been a big supporter of Mission Adelante.  They asked us this year to bring some of our kids out to sing with their kids for their Impact 2011 service.  Our kids had the chance to sing with 2 groups of Westside kids, as well as listen to the an international children's choir that had 4 participants from Nepal.  It was a great opportunity for the Hispanic and Nepali kids that are a part of Mission Adelante to hangout together. 

House Warming!

God really blessed me this past August with two wonderful roomates who are in a similar life phase, and have hearts for the community we live in. We have been trying to have a house warming party since we moved in, and it just so happened that we couldn't get a weekend with all of us here until December 17th. So, we invited our friends down to KCK to check out our house and have some holiday fun!

PARTY!

At the end of each trimester we have a party to celebrate the accomplishments of the kids and the ESL students.  It is a lot of fun to get everyone together.  During the party we have a potluck, give awards and the kids go up stairs to play games and the adults stay downstairs to hear a message from the Bible.  It is always a great time. 

If you know of any youth groups or church groups that are looking for a service oppertunity we are looking for a group to help with our spring party in March 2011!

Kids Club!

Every Tuesday night about 40-50 Bhutanese kids, and 10 wonderful volunteers gather for KIDS' CLUB! A fun time where we sing songs, play games, have fun, and learn about the BIBLE! (that's how the kids say it) Tonight is our last Kids' Club of the trimester before we take about a month long break to give the staff, volunteers and participants a chance to recharge their batteries.  If you are ever in KCK on a Tuesday night you should come check it out!

Knitting

Many of the Bhutanese are very good at knitting and weaving.  The women have been getting together for the past couple of months to work on different projects with the hopes of selling them for supplemental income and maybe eventually making a living out of it.  This Monday and Tuesday of this week they got their first chance to sell their goods at a Fair Trade Fair at a local high school, where they made about $250, a great first chance.  We are always looking for yarn and knitting needles for the women to use and venues for them to sell their products.

Thanksgiving Break

So, I know I am behind on this... But, over Thanksgiving Break my roommate Molly (she helps with the kids on the Hispanic side of Mission Adelante's ministry), myself and Michael (a volunteer from the Hispanic side) took some of our kids down to Crown Center to spend the afternoon at Kaleidoscope.  For those not from KC Kaleidoscope is a great place that is funded by Hallmark Cards.  Kids can spend time at Kaleidoscope creating art projects and what not, and it is totally free!  I like free.  We all had a great time and it was fun to give the Bhutanese kids and the Hispanic kids a chance to hang out. Most of the pictures came from after we did our art projects.

the best room in all of Kaleidoscope....melted crayons and black lights..