Carmel Lutheran Church Visits

We had a great time in St. Louis!

7th, 8th and 9th grade students from Carmel Lutheran Church (Carmel, IN) served at the Peace Center in St. Louis – all morning preparing for the afternoon carnival, organizing and cleaning (projects ranged from planting/gardening, cleaning, painting, upgrading the computer lab and organizing materials/storage spaces).

We welcomed 40 community children (children who have come from refugee camps and are new to America) who came and had a great time at the puppet show, games outside, face painting, crafts – and most importantly, they heard the sweet story of Jesus! For some of these children, this was the first time someone has sat down with them to tell them how much God loves them – an amazing opportunity that God provided! In the picture below, you can see all the children who came to the carnival (some we recognized from last year too). Community members made us a cultural dinner of Pilipino stir fry and Nepalese soup and donuts (tastes like funnel cake!) – topped off with macaroni and cheese of course.

We managed to have some unique, St. Louis city fun too – making sure to eat at Fitz’s root beer, visit the Arch, the City Museum and of course Ted Drewes (famous custard).  Praise God for providing us with a mission and leading us to tell others about the Good News!

Kaitlin Quote: “This was a great opportunity for our students to meet people they might not ever meet/know, to help them in understanding that God’s people are different races, ages, communities – and he has called us to serve them. Our students got the opportunity to share the Gospel with children who have never heard it before, God certainly provided opportunities at CFNA and I can tell the impact that this center is making in this community and among God’s Kingdom. It even reminded the adults in our group how important it is to share Jesus with everyone we meet.”

New American Of The Month - Gerald Francis Bargie Brewah, Facilitator, CFNA

My name Is Gerald Francis Bargie Brewah and I have been the CFNA Facilitator for West African families since 2007. The year 2007 seemed not too long ago but a lot has happened in the lives of our CFNA families since. Some have moved out of state or to other parts of the city, while a lot of new ones have joined us. Therefore it is always a blessing to have the opportunity to reintroduce oneself to our CFNA and Christian families and friends. To keep abreast of the fast growing CFNA family, especially new arrivals in St. Louis, there must be a time to regularly tell our story about who we are and what we stand for.

My life story starts from a humble but lucky beginning. Born in the small village of Kommende in Bonthe District, Southern Province of Sierra Leone, I regard myself lucky in the sense that both of my parents were Christians and on top of that I grew up in a village that had the only church and school among some other villages in the chiefdom. My village was and is still predominantly Muslim, but the introduction of church-and-school ministry by missionaries in many parts of Sierra Leone gave some of us a new lease on life. The name of my first primary school was Evangelical United Brethren School (EUB) Kommende, which later became known as the United Methodist Church (UMC) School. I had to leave the UMC Church School and completed my primary education in Sierra Leone Church School (previously know as Church of England School in Blama, Eastern Province) because UMC School ended in class three only. My secondary school education was at Centennial Secondary School Mattru Jong, the first co-educational boarding home school founded by United Brethren in Christ (UBC) missionaries marking a hundred years of missionary work in Sierra Leone. I then went to read for my Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education that qualified me as a secondary school Agricultural Science teacher. I taught in Sierra Leone for about a decade and then, at the height of the civil war in 1994, I moved to Bostwana, Southern Africa where I also taught in secondary schools.

I arrived in the US on December 24, 2003 to study social work at Washington University and my wife, Yeawa and son David (now in Sierra Leone) followed in February of 2004. As an F1 visa holder and wife and kid on F2 visas, life was tough not only because I was not allowed to work off campus but my wife was not eligible to work at all. Through the grace of God and social networking  we were able make it. I completed my MSW in 2006 and gained fulltime employment at ALM Hopewell Center, a community mental health agency. During this same period I joined the CFNA family as a Facilitator when Pastor John Loum introduced us to the Lutheran Church. The role of facilitator was key to the success of the CFNA scholarship program that had just been designed. Working with kids and in the helping profession has always been my passion so for me to have had the opportunity to work with the CFNA kids and their families seemed to be a nice fit.

As a facilitator I have had a number of challenges. One of the challenges has been how to positively change the mindset of our people and align it with the mainstream American values in regard to effectively managing a balance between time, family roles, work, unemployment  and religious beliefs. The most satisfying and rewarding aspect of my work with CFNA has been the inner satisfaction derived from making a difference in the lives of the people and being a part of their holistic development. For most immigrant and refugee families, the  parents have very few choices to make in the US whereas for  the kids the sky is the limit. It is paramount therefore for us to continue helping these kids in their quest to achieve quality Christian education not only for their own uplifting but as our tradition says, when you help a child you have helped the whole family.

Four New American Graduates

Four young women graduated recently from Lutheran High School South. They were supported by scholarships funded by the Lutheran Foundation and individual donors and congregations who provided contributions to CFNA. One of the students, Mary Passawe, wrote the following about herself and her experiences:

I was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa. During the civil war in Sierra Leone my family and I escaped by coming to the United States without my father. On August 25, 2005 we finally arrived in St.Louis, Missouri. Two to three months later I started going to Scruggs Middle School. Although it was a public school, I had a hard time fitting in because the kids there would make fun of me, calling me names, calling me Stinky Mary just because I'm African.

That same year I transferred to Word Of Life Lutheran School and got a scholarship. I liked it there; the kids treated me as an equal and I didn't feel different among them. After two years I went to Lutheran High School South because I wanted to learn more about Jesus and find out “who is this man?” My mother is a Muslim and doesn't believe that God has a son.

In August I will be attending Missouri Baptist University, studying to become an OB/GYN Nurse. I love to read, play volleyball and help others, Also I love the Miami Heat.

Goka Member-Meneh, from Nigeria, will be studying at Concordia University Chicago, where she also hopes to run track. Petra Oresecanin, originally from Croatia, will be attending Saint Louis University and studying accounting; SLU offered her a substantial scholarship. Eve Okine, born in Ghana, received a CFNA scholarship her senior year; she has been accepted into the pre-med program at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

These four young women are making a difference, both in the St. Louis New American community, at the Lutheran schools they have attended, and now at the colleges they will attend in the fall.

Thank You Vianney!

On the morning of Tuesday, May 14 three counselors and 17 young men from Vianney High School came to the Peace Center to provide three hours of community service. During that time they completed 10 specific tasks; everything from mulching the playground area to cleaning the bathrooms. All the floors were mopped and/or vacuumed, the pantry cleaned and reorganized, the basement area vacuumed – and more.

They provided a great spring cleaning, and the Peace Center is the better for it. We extend our heart-felt thanks!

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 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.

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.

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.