Education Multiplied
/Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) is all about education. In the last year and a half, we have been looking at the services and programs provided through the lens of education. Our Executive Director, Dr. Stanish Stanley, has encouraged this effort as he has been working with our staff, reminding us that Lutherans have always valued faith-based education that flows naturally alongside daily life lessons.
This month was especially enlightening for me [Amy] as I worked with volunteer groups from schools and colleges. Lutheran South High School (“LuSo”) supported CFNA’s work at the Peace Center through their Key Club who hosted “Heart Day,” a theme night at After School Tutoring where we focused on matters of the heart. The children worked on their reading, writing and arithmetic skills followed by a time dedicated to crafts and games. The evening ended with a chapel service led by a volunteer who is currently studying at Concordia Seminary.
On March 10th, LuSo extended its hand again by hosting a Kairos Bros Party at Messiah Lutheran Church. The event’s aim was to encourage teamwork and camaraderie between CFNA students and the young men from the Kairos class. To accomplish this, a series of competitions were held, with a yellow and red team battling against each other. The evening ended on a sweet note as the victors enjoyed ice cream complete with a generous amount of toppings.
Truman State’s Lutheran Fellowship also came to volunteer their time and skills during their spring break. Saturday was spent teaching the adult English class about geographical phenomena and animal life found in select national parks. Friends shared about animals and geography from their home countries, and after the presentation, the group broke into pairs to teach English.
Aria Thompspon, a junior at Truman State, said, “It was really awesome to get to talk to people with such different experiences from me. We both got to learn things from each other! I observed the sheer amount of barriers that people face coming here, especially when they don’t have strong English.”
CFNA appreciates Lutheran South and Truman’s dedication to helping break down these barriers. We are encouraged by their time teaching English and sharing Jesus’s love with their neighbors.
by Amy Zeigler
CFNA Community Engagement Facilitator
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Do you have a group or organization that would like to be involved with CFNA? Be it for a few hours or days, we would love to have you join us and make a lasting, eternal impact!
