After School Tutoring 2015-16

At Ted Drews

“Pastor Stanish, can I come to the Peace Center today?… I promise to be really good and well-behaved for the rest of the year” said Marbati Tuka, a 10 year old New American kid from Eritrea, as I picked up the phone. Marbati’s words were just a sample of the many such conversations I had during the 2015-16 school year with the 94 students registered for the After School Tutoring program at the Peace Center. Meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays, refugee kids found tutors willing to help with homework, play academic skill related games, and teach Christian life values through dance and art. Interestingly, for many of them the Bible time with visiting LCMS pastors served as their program highlight!

With few exceptions, the New American children found the Peace Center an inviting place where they could interact with friends and learn from American tutors. And it was not only the students, but also the tutors who experienced a genuine sense of fulfillment. Rich Schaefer, just completing his 7th year as a volunteer tutor, summed up the hope and joy of Christian witness by stating that “when one sees the children mature over the course of the year in behavior that displays the love and teaching of Christ, it is truly worth rejoicing and participating in this program.”

This joy and hope was in full display on the 24th of May 2016 when the tutoring program at CFNA closed for the year with a short worship program followed by an ice cream social at nearby Ted Drewes. For all the students, representing 11 birth nations, the year offered not only learning opportunities but also provided for the development of life skills. None of this would have been possible had it not been for the almost 40 volunteer tutors who crossed cultural boundaries in their attempts to provide Christian service and witness.

To see this in action, view the video below, and please join us in offering thanks to our gracious Lord for another successful After School Tutoring program at the Peace Center.

By Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church