Fashion Show

beaded necklace

hair styling

LHSS Students Host First Fashion Show at the Peace Center

fun photos

Lutheran High School South students hosted a fantastic celebration on Sunday, May 7th. That afternoon of boundless energy, dazzling smiles, much laughter, and many surprises began with singing and dancing as refugee girls from 4 to 18 years old gradually arrived at the Peace Center. Once everyone had gathered, Riley Schelp and her team of 19 gals divided the girls into groups for manicuring nails, doing make-up, hair styling, creating fun photos with lots of props, weaving beaded bracelets, gobbling home-made treats, and choosing a dress for the show.

All gathered for more singing and dancing and an interactive devotion emphasizing the fact that God has made each of us beautiful. Then came the Fashion Show. Each girl walked down the chapel aisle on the arm of LHSS football player, Cody Schrader or KeShon Spraggins. As the announcer told her name, her dreams, her favorite activity, she twirled and smiled and struck a pose. The encouraging applause was deafening.

aisle walk

The girls went home with the dress they had chosen for the Fashion Show, lipstick, nail polish, the promise of photos in a few days, happy memories, and more appreciation for the fact that they are created in God’s image and loved by God and by their friends at CFNA. Lutheran High School students went home saying that they had so much fun doing the event with their 33 new friends.

Carol Buckman Concordia, Kirkwood     

International Day at Word of Life Lutheran School

vietnam exhibit

“Can you say, ‘Christ is risen’ in another language?” asked Mr. Paul Terral during Word of Life’s all-school chapel following Easter Sunday. So began a celebration of the many nations represented by the school’s students and their families. Throughout the day, children and adults enjoyed learning about one another’s cultures through stories, parent speakers, and sharing foods from around the world.

Guest speakers included, from Bhutan by way of Nepal, Giri and Bhim Basnet, parents of sixth-grader Sujan; Shiva Gurung, mother of kindergartener Samuel; and family member Amrita Gurung. Representing Vietnam were Chin and Van-Ha Nguyen, parents of Adrian from fifth grade.

Reverend Theodros Workeneh from Ethiopia, father of Kibur, grade six, spoke about East Africa. With Reverend Workeneh, Ezekiel Samking, father of sixth grader Ezekiel, shared with students the difficulties that exist for families created by war and disease in West Africa.

Children returned to their classrooms to enjoy delicious dishes prepared by New American families. The students tasted traditional foods such as banh loc nhan thit, rice and shrimp-stuffed banana leaves from Vietnam; injera with doro wat, pita bread and sauce from Ethiopia; fried plantain from Sierra Leone; and samosa, potato and bean dumplings from Nepal.

This year marks the sixth International Day hosted by the school, with the sole purpose of celebrating who we are, where we come from, and that each of us is a child of God. Approximately 40 Word of Life students have come from other nations, almost all of whom receive support from facilitators provided by Christian Friends of New Americans.

No matter the language spoken, we praise and rejoice. Christ is risen! Cristo ha resucitado (Spanish)! Helisituosi fuhuoloe (Chinese)! Kristos tenestwal (Amharic)!

By Janey Menner

Some of the more than 130 WOL students

International day participants from bhutan, nepal, vietnam, sierra leone and more.

Christ Has Risen! He has risen indeed, Alleluia!

What does it mean for us that Christ is risen? We were not there when Jesus grew up and lived among the people, teaching, healing, and ministering to them. He assured them, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). He suffered under Pontius Pilate and was crucified. As He died He cried out, “It is finished”—a  Victory Cry! His work of saving all people was now finished. Our sins were all washed away at Calvary. “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).Three days later Jesus rose from the dead. Christ is Risen, He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Jesus had earlier explained to Martha that His resurrection has a wonderful meaning for us, “I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25, 26).

What a comfort to know that Christ has done it all for us! He loved us so much that He died in our place and rose again. We now have the promise of eternal life with Him when we die. Jesus loved us and He faithfully loves and care for us today! Such love for us is summed up in this verse, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life.”

Let’s share that message with our family, friends, and neighbors.

Karen Wendt St. Louis, MO

View in Arabic!

Witness Through Service

The Tang Family

Rev. Theodors (Teddy) Workeneh serves with CFNA as a Facilitator responsible for reaching out to recently arrived refugees from East Africa. An ordained pastor of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, a large and growing Lutheran denomination in East Africa with more than 8 million members, Rev. Workeneh is now completing requirements to be accepted onto the clergy roster of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Here he welcomes a recently arrived family from southern Sudan to the Lutheran community in St. Louis.

The Tang family was driven out of their country more than fifteen years ago by the civil war raging throughout the southern part of Sudan. After spending several years as refugees living in camps located in Ethiopia and Kenya, this seven-member family was cleared for admission into the United States as refugees, arriving in St. Louis three months ago.

Upon arrival, they were provided with assistance by the International Institute. More recently, the family also reached out to CFNA in search of a few home furnishings, as well as assistance with employment and school enrollment. Due to the kindness of generous donors, CFNA was able to help out. ­­­­In the photo, we see daughters Magdalene and Nyajouk receiving a welcome package from pastor Teddy in their recently furnished apartment.

Information provided by Rev. Teddy Workeneh, who also serves as the leader for the Ethiopian/Eritrean Bible Fellowship in St. Louis.

New Americans Celebrate Easter

nhs students prepare snacks; clockwise from left to right-Odessa campbell, audrey ladage, kritika basnet

party time

molloe shultz with two friends

Riley SChelp leads leads a game during devotions

The National Honor Society (NHS) members of Lutheran High South have formed a strong partnership with CFNA for work among New American young people. In addition to a series of swim lessons and a servant event, three special event parties have also been part of this effort. Here NHS leader Riley Schelp shares her observations of the recent Easter party and other events.

On Thursday, April 20th, the National Honor Society from Lutheran South returned to the CFNA Peace Center to throw an Easter party. More than 50 New American children participated in games, decorated hard-boiled eggs, did crafts, and enjoyed a snack provided by the students of Lutheran South. We hid candy-filled Easter eggs throughout the Peace Center; then the New American kids went on an Easter egg hunt. Thereafter NHS led the children in songs and a devotion about Easter. It was a great way to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection in an uplifting way with children of the refugee community.

"I loved being able to come to CFNA. The kids are so sweet, and it is so much fun. I have never seen so many smiling faces before," says Lutheran South Junior, Peyton Anderson. "The amount of support from members of the NHS is overwhelming. Even if they were unable to participate in the service projects, members still contributed by donating supplies, organizing activities, and praying that God would continue His work in our community."

The NHS at Lutheran South has worked with CFNA several times throughout the year. Previously, we did a "housekeeping service project" at the Peace Center. The group also provided an adopt-a-family Christmas service project in which they purchased Christmas presents for several refugee families. They arranged a Valentine's Day party as well. "We decided to make CFNA our primary focus for service projects this school year. It is a great way for members of the NHS to serve the community, and I think it really broadens their perspective of what it means to be a servant of Christ. It is incredible to see high school students interacting with the New American kids at CFNA and sharing God's love," said Lutheran South Junior, Mariah Spaid.

success!

The National Honor Society plans to continue working with CFNA in future. We are excited to see God work through these high school students as they continue to volunteer their service with CFNA.

By Riley Schelp National Honor Society Member Concordia, Kirkwood Member

New American Folk Dancers

diana and the folk dancers

Diana Wolf is a professional dancer, dance instructor and the owner of a dance studio. Of Lebanese origins and a member of Webster Gardens Lutheran Church, Diana became active in CFNA two years ago when her pastor asked her to attend a CFNA Walkathon meeting. She quickly learned about the CFNA program and then offered to teach a New American dance class at the Peace Center. Here she shares her observations, including the comments of several of her students.

The purpose of this class is to attract young New American ladies to the Peace Center’s After School Program. The program is based on folk dances from North Africa and the Middle East at this time, but will be influenced as students from other cultures share their dances from their homelands as well.

ready to dance

Dance requires energy, discipline and patience with one’s self. My hope is to share with these young ladies the power and fun that comes with dancing. During our time together the past two years, they have shared with me their beautiful voices and we have now added a new song to our program.

This season is our fourth semester of dance. Comments from some of the young ladies who have been with me from the beginning include the following:

Bariam age 13 – “I learn lots of new, cool dance moves. Dance helps when I am angry, it helps make the anger go away.”

Matuda age 16 - “Dancing means a lot for me as it helps to work out frustrations and struggles in life. It is fun and spiritually reminds me of my wonderful body that God has given me. Because I know that dancing helps me a lot, I always make time to dance, it makes me feel free and whole.”

Senite age 12 – “I like to come here and dance, it helps me let go of all my anger and brings me joy.”

diana wolf

Amri age 12 – “I improve my self-confidence and it makes me more faithful to God because He made my body. It also makes me want to help people more.”

Aluda age 9 – “I like to dance with Diana, it makes me feel happy and proud.”

CFNA Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley offers the following: “During my four years at the Peace Center I have noticed some of those now in the dance class struggling with behavioral issues, often resulting in explosions of anger. Over the past several months however, many of our dancing friends have mellowed and matured to become influential ambassadors for Christ among their peers.

“Moreover, many have themselves become volunteers, offering to baby-sit children when their mothers come to the Peace Center for Bible study. Without a doubt, the dance program has instilled not only a sense of comradery, but also a spirit of service which I believe is what CFNA should represent to the refugee community in St. Louis and beyond.

”It is my hope more people with skills in the arts will find time to share their gifts with our New American neighbors. We thank God for the gift of dance, and look forward to more sharing, dancing and singing in the future.

Diana Wolf Webster Gardens Lutheran Church

The Poison of Resentment

Matthew 6:9-15[Jesus said to his disciples:] Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.A Sunday school teacher once said: “Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other one to die.” Think about it. Resentment hurts more the one who holds it. Think about all the poison we take just because we don’t want to forgive.Did you notice that there are seven petitions in the Lord’s Prayer, and that after Jesus finished teaching it, he explained only one of them? Do you know which one? The one on forgiveness.Forgiveness is the key that opens heaven. To withhold forgiveness is to close the access to Holy Communion and the access to heaven. Not to forgive is to poison our lives to the point that we become bitter and sour people.Forgiveness on the other side, frees us, because forgiveness is not resentful. Forgiveness throws poison to the trash, where it belongs. Forgiveness does not keep account of wrongdoings and is not offered in a limited way.By Rev. Hector Hoppe

Free Swim Lessons For Refugee Children

Lutheran South initiative began following the drowning of immigrant Henry Manu

Lutheran South High School student Riley schelp teaches basic life-saving skills to refugee children in st. louis. The four-week program is held at affton hign school.

The Lutheran South High School girls swim team has partnered with Christian Friends of New Americans to provide free swim lessons to refugee children in St. Louis.The initiative was inspired after the death of Lutheran South student Henry Manu. Manu was 18 when he and his friend, Samuel Neal, 17, drowned in the Meramec River at Castlewood State Park in June of last year. Neal attended Roosevelt High School in south St. Louis.Manu, an immigrant from Africa who lived with his grandmother and aunt, was supported by Christian Friends of New Americans when he arrived in the United States.The student body and faculty at Lutheran South were devastated by the tragedy. Manu had survived and fled war-torn Liberia 10 years earlier, only to drown in the Meramec River while attempting to have some summer fun.While attending Lutheran South, Manu played football and was part of the wrestling club. Following his death, Lutheran South Principal Brian Ryherd described Henry Manu as "a young man who possessed great faith.""Following Henry's death, the people at Christian Friends of New Americans wanted to find a way to teach refugee children water safety skills to prevent drowning episodes in the future," said junior swim team member Riley Schelp.The goal of the program is to teach basic life-saving skills, such as how to float and how to tread water."For those with no to little experience, we are just trying to get them comfortable with the water, so in the case of an emergency they don't have to panic and they'll know what to do," said Schelp. "For the more advanced kids, we introduce them to the different types of strokes and drills."The four-week program takes place on Saturdays at 2 p.m. at Affton High School. The first session, held on Saturday, Feb. 18, had 35 kids in attendance."Refugee children ranging in age from 5 to 15 participated in the first lessons. They learned to blow bubbles, float and tread water. By the second lesson some were jumping into the shallow end, and a few even managed to swim across the pool," said Schelp.In addition to swim team members, more than a dozen other students from Lutheran South are helping with the project under the direction of faculty member and lifeguard Cathy Wietfeldt.Pool rental costs are being offset by a memorial donation from the family of Stacie Belew (Lutheran High School South Class of 1998), who was a member of the swim team during her years at Lutheran South.Organizers hope to continue the program to the next school years, but whether that happens depends on whether funding will be available.(Information for this story provided by Lutheran South Communications Coordinator Amanda Schoedel)(This article is provided by www.timesnewspapers.com) 

English as a Second Language

two syrian esl kids

The CFNA English ministry has been growing during the past several months. We have added class topics in multiple levels, welcomed many new students and thankfully, many new volunteers as well. Last year our Saturday classes averaged 5-10 students. This year it has been 15-20 students from Syria, Congo, Afghanistan, Sudan, Nepal and Bosnia. Their English skills range from beginner level to those ready to apply for college.

Additionally, we have organized multiple small groups, the curriculum for each tailored to that group’s needs. Students come one week, and bring friends the next! Along with this growth we have started a Saturday Kids ESL Program for Syrian mothers who otherwise could not attend classes like this because most programs do not offer child-care.

After trying a variety of topics, we’ve found several that are very popular. Our Driving Class is an incredibly helpful service, and in high demand. We offer three “tracks” depending on needs and levels of English. Track 1 focuses on learning driving-related English words, along with basic road rules and safety. Track 2 offers dedicated study for students trying to pass their written permit test. Track 3 is for students with a valid permit, their own car, and proper insurance. We pair them with volunteers for some real practice in their own car, and have more students on our waiting list than we can handle. We are at near capacity in our other classes as well, and could accept more students if we had more tutors.

teaching an esl class

One of the great challenges is anticipating who will show up each week, and having available enough material for them (and their friends, and now, kids!). Presently, we are in great need of a LEAD volunteer to coordinate the Kids ESL Program. This person will ideally be confident, experienced with teaching a variety of ages and able to take charge of a sometimes chaotic situation. This person will also need to be flexible, able to adapt lesson plans to accommodate the number and ages of those who come. It’s a plus if this person has experience teaching ESL, is willing and able to plan lessons/curriculum, and coordinate volunteers. We are able to offer support and training for these tasks as needed.

Interested in serving as a driving instructor, or as Lead Coordinator for the Kids ESL Program? Contact me at 303-502-0067.

Christa Wilson Earl Chai V’Shalom Lutheran Church

Ageena Hass - Volunteer Of The Month

CFNA Volunteer of the Month

For most of the past four years, Ageena has served as a CFNA volunteer, assisting with ESL classes, and with the Health and Wellness Screening program. Here she shares her observations and reflections.

In July of 2013, my son, John, and I were visiting friends at the LCMS synodical convention and met Pastor Teddy Workeneh and his wife at the CFNA exhibit booth. I had been looking for places to volunteer; as a stay-at-home mom, I wished to find somewhere to help here in St. Louis city. When I realized the Peace Center was only seven blocks from our home, I spoke with Carol Buckman, asking if I could volunteer.

At first, I helped with the ESL classes and was amazed to be meeting people from all over the world. The classes were the highlight of our week, as John would often come with me. I had learned sign language, as John is deaf, but the new languages at the Peace Center were so much harder. One afternoon, I was leading the class, and a few ladies from Bhutan were teaching me how to say vegetable names in their language while I was teaching them to say those names in English. They were way more successful than I was, and my attempts at vocalizing Nepali words had us all in stitches.

In August of 2014, I started back to school to finish my education and pursue the dream of medicine. Carol invited me to help with the Health and Wellness Screenings, and I have been checking blood sugars there ever since. I help with other things too, but mostly check glucose levels and talk to those who have abnormal numbers to help them understand how to care for themselves. While the language barrier does pose a challenge, I find the transient nature of the care provided to be most challenging. There are some who come back time and again, and I get to see them make progress; their hard work to care for themselves is inspiring and beautiful to watch. But others I only see once, and then they don’t return. Though I pray they are having good outcomes, I never really know.

This past December, I graduated from University of Missouri - St Louis with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Summa Cum Laude, and started working at an urgent care center here in the city. My plan is to apply to medical school in May of this year, and God willing, to begin studies in the fall of 2018. Until then, I will be at the Peace Center for the health screenings, checking glucose, talking to those with high numbers about eating less carbs and getting some exercise, and assuring those with good numbers that they are doing well.

To be sure, I have been blessed with this opportunity to travel the world through these beautiful people that God has brought to St. Louis.

Ageena Hass Holy Cross Lutheran Church for the Deaf

Reliant Church at CFNA

Michael Knippa, Emily Knippa, Maria Spilker, Natalie McLaury

“We are loved in Christ Jesus, and therefore sent into the world” is a key teaching instilled into church members by the pastors at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church. In keeping with this emphasis, the city campus of Christ Memorial, – Reliant Church – reached out to CFNA to identify avenues of involvement and service.

Reliant members, Mrs. Bethany Pittman and Mrs. Natalie McLaury, recruited a sizeable group to serve with CFNA’s After School Tutoring program (AST). For the past several weeks this dynamic group has been consistently sending between 2-4 volunteers every Thursday to the Peace Center to help with tutoring.

This wonderful support from Reliant members has been most appreciated by CFNA and its client kids. This academic year the AST program was facing a severe shortage of tutors during the Thursday sessions, which has now been nearly alleviated. Also, the fact that all these volunteers are young adults has not gone unnoticed by the young students. “We had so much fun during play time today…,” “Is that young guy coming?…,” and “Is she married?…” are some of the questions that intrigue our kids. This is in part, because our Reliant friends provide a mentor model that relates closely to the youthful children.

Moreover, by building relationships with children who are different from them and by taking time from their busy work schedules, our Reliant friends have exhibited a desire for learning, sharing their faith and bringing this experience into their life journeys. More importantly, the Reliant volunteers show how a small community can enhance the work of a Christian mission organization by smartly rotating its willing members for volunteer service on a weekly basis. In doing so, they demonstrate a true “loved in Christ” reality.

Thank you, Reliant, for your partnership in reaching out to New Americans through love, commitment, and service.

Prepared by Rev. Stanish Stanley

Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5:43-48

[Jesus said:] You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven… For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?… Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus explains the law in a much different way than it was interpreted and taught by the religious leaders of his time. In other words Jesus was saying: Do not pay attention to popular religiosity. Pay attention to the clear message of Scripture, because one thing is what you hear, and another thing is what God says.

By loving those who do not like us, or hate us, we are showing who we are: children of God. If there is one visible way we show that we have received God’s forgiveness, it is by loving those who need extra grace. Reconciliation is now required, not only among brothers and sisters and friends, but among you and those who are –in everyday terms– “impossible.”

This action will require an extra measure of humility and maturity on our side. We are called to be perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect. We are not called to be perfect without sin, but perfect in the sense of maturity. We are called to be mature, and patient, and understanding, and loving towards those who dislike us.

We are not to be like the unbelievers, so, before we address any issue with our brothers or our enemies, we look up, and learn how our heavenly Father would do it. What would he do to those who hate him and persecute him? The same thing he did in the past, when people hated him and persecuted him killing his dear and only Son: he forgave them. He will treat his enemies the same way he treated us when we were still enemies. Saint Paul reminds us, “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10).

We are reconciled children of God. Now, in our relationship with others God gives us daily opportunities to show that we are his beloved children.

Rev. Hector Hoppe

Dr. Nhung Tran - Volunteer Of The Month

Volunteer of the Month

Editor’s Note: Dr. Nhung Tran, together with her husband and two children, fled Vietnam as refugees in 1975. Two and a half years ago she relocated to St. Louis to be near one of her adult children. Here is her story.

I am a retired physician. In 1975 I came to the USA from Vietnam as a refugee with an MD degree. Nevertheless, I had to work really hard to pass the USA medical board exams before I was able to practice here. This included three years of residency, which took us to Chicago from our first home in Opalika, Alabama.

During the early years, our family was sponsored by a Christian family who provided us with much encouragement and assistance, and with whom I remain in touch. After completing my residency and becoming an MD in pediatrics, I moved with my husband (also an MD, but now deceased) and our children to Pittsburg, where my husband and I practiced medicine for 20 years. From there we moved to Orlando, FL, where we practiced for another 20 years. After the death of my husband, our children – two of whom are MDs and the other an entrepreneur - insisted that I come to live near one of them.

I became acquainted with CFNA through my son, who met Dr. Buckman one day as he was carrying out trash at the Peace Center. Our donation of home furnishings (we were then in the process of moving) was the link that put me in touch with this organization.

Since I knew from experience the hardship of settling in a new environment, and after coming to know the mission and purpose of CFNA, I offered my services as a volunteer. Mostly, I assist with the Health and Wellness Screenings offered regularly at the Peace Center, but I also assist with the weekly After School Tutoring program and the Trivia auction, as well as participate in Heart to Heart Sisters.

I very much enjoy the work, as well as serving with the friendly CFNA volunteers. Seeing these children mastering English and growing up in a safer environment than what they had experienced in their home countries is my reward. For me, this provides a true sense of fulfillment. 

Valentine's Day Party

Leading chapel

decorating cookies

coloring, tutoring and relationships

Editor’s Note: In December the National Honor Society students at Lutheran High School South provided gifts for several recently arrived Syrian refugee families. Here, Riley Schelp shares how they reached out once again, this time to provide a Valentine’s Day party for the after school tutoring participants at the Peace Center.

Thursday, February 9, the Lutheran High School South National Honor Society came to the Peace Center for a Valentine's Day party. The CFNA kids decorated heart-shaped cookies, made valentines, sang songs, and played games. The high school students also helped the kids with their homework as they tutored them upstairs. At the end of the night the NHS students performed a skit about Valentine's Day.

After the skit, there was a devotion about the love that Jesus shows us and the love we show each other. It was incredible to see the high schoolers interact with the kids and build relationships. As Peyton Anderson put it, “I love how excited everyone got: the kids and the students from Lutheran South and the workers at CFNA. I also loved how everyone sang really loudly and got into the worship.”

It was a great opportunity for the students of Lutheran South to show the love of Jesus this Valentine's Day. The NHS students at Lutheran South look forward to continuing to work with CFNA in the future. Meghan Acheson spoke for all of us when she shared, “I had a great time at CFNA! I loved decorating the cookies with the kids, and I can’t wait to go back in the future.”

Thank you so much! Everyone in the NHS group keeps talking about the Valentine's party because it was such a great experience.

By Riley Schelp National Honor Society Member Concordia, Kirkwood Member

Health and Wellness

Syrian refugee mother and children

Registration

How tall are you?

Ten times a year, CFNA hosts a health and wellness screening for refugees and immigrants. We were blessed to have 42 clients, 9 translators, 10 registrars, 4 practitioners, 3 drivers, and 1 devotion leader at the January 7 screening!

Of course, the health screening serves to introduce people to CFNA. We had 22 clients from Syria; 7 from Nepal/Bhutan; 6 from Iraq; 5 from Congo; and 2 from Sudan. With an influx of Arabic speaking clients, we were fortunate to have 6 Arabic speaking translators. Thankfully, we also had translators to help with Nepali, French, and Swahili. Almost all our translators are former or current clients. Additionally, eight of our registrars were students from Visitation Academy. They were helpful, energetic, and assisted clients with a smile! We very much appreciate all of these great servants.

The screening helps identify clients’ health needs. CFNA refers those with issues to treatment centers, and makes medical, dental, and eye appointments as needed. One client, a little girl who arrived in the United States just two weeks earlier, had run out of epilepsy medicine. The issue was identified and referral was made immediately to the International Institute for treatment.

During the winter months, we have also been able to distribute needed clothing, blankets, and dishes to participating families. Thank you, generous donor congregations and individuals!

In addition to referrals and making appointments, we try to arrange rides, if needed. We can always use volunteers to drive individuals to their appointments, which are usually during the day, Monday through Friday. If interested, please contact Laura Brink at lbrink@cfna-stl.org or 314-249-9219. Or if interested in volunteering as a driver, registrar, practitioner, or translator at the screening, please download the flyer and connect with Laura Brink to express your interest.

By Laura Brink Ascension Lutheran Church

Blankets For Refugees

A Syrian Refugee Family Recipient

“Pastor Stanish, Syrian people need more blankets! … this winter, very cold for Syrians in America,” was what I heard when I answered the phone of CFNA’s Arabic community facilitator. This plea was heard in the last week of November, 2016.

Clearly, our Syrian New American friends were facing an urgent need for something the Christian believers could help provide. Shortly thereafter, an appeal went out to the Lutheran community in the St. Louis area for blankets. The response was both immediate and generous. More than 200 blankets were received from several congregations including Ascension, Concordia-Kirkwood, Trinity-Kirkwood, Webster Gardens, Salem (winter coats), and Timothy, and numerous other individuals.

Gift Packages

Those most desperately in need of blankets and warm clothing received them right away. The remainder were distributed a few days later during a Christmas party for Muslim women, organized by Heart to Heart Sisters, held at the Peace Center and generously supported by Christ Memorial Lutheran Church.

In addition to blankets and warm clothing, the approximately 40 Syrian and Afghan women who participated in this event also received gift packages, compliments of CFNA. All of this was received with expressions of heartfelt thanks. “Blankets very good … now good sleep for children and all,” said one Syrian lady, now able to keep her family of seven warm during these winter months.

CFNA offers its sincere thanks to all the congregations and individuals who shared the love of Christ in this way with our Syrian and Afghan friends in need.

By Rev. Stanish Stanley (Christ Memorial) with Carol Buckman (Concordia, Kirkwood)

Scholarship Students Are Serving

Kritika basnet (Nepal)

Secondo Kaka (Eritrea)

New American students who receive scholarships from CFNA and the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis are serving others with CFNA, with their schools, their churches, and their families. These students recognize that serving others is one way they can thank and repay the people and organizations who have helped support their scholarships.

Beginning last year, CFNA asked its 6th through 12th grade students to provide some service directly to CFNA. For those of you who have participated in the spring Walk-A-Thon or attended the fall Trivia Night, you have seen scholarship students helping or have benefited from their behind-the-scenes work in setting up those events. Nine scholarship students helped out with the 2016 Trivia event.

Two Lutheran High School South students have provided support for CFNA’s Heart to Heart Sisters program, registering participants and taking care of the children so their mothers can participate in the luncheon and Bible study. Two Lutheran North students volunteer regularly for the After-School Tutoring program at the Peace Center.

High school students also do service projects through their churches and youth groups; one LHSS student helps with the nursery and tutoring at her church and several have gone on mission trips with their church youth groups.

Finally, some of the younger students report that they and their families routinely donate clothes or money to help disadvantaged people, help neighbors with chores, and even help their parents lead Bible studies for other New American families.

Thus far, CFNA has not fully funded the scholarship program for 2016-17. We hope that you will consider a gift, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, to assure that these students can continue to benefit from attending Lutheran schools.

By Judith Meyer (Timothy Lutheran Church)

Betty mulat (eritrea)

Marchello Kaka (Eritrea)

Heart to Heart Sisters

beena stanley with gifts from concordia gospel outreach

On Saturday, December 17, Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) in St. Louis, Missouri, hosted their monthly women’s Bible study. Each month, in partnership with LWML’s Heart-to-Heart Sisters, women from around the world gather around the Word to learn more about their Savior, Jesus Christ, and share food from their own cultural backgrounds.

sisters and gift basket

This particular day, however, was a little different. First of all, it was their Christmas celebration. In addition, it was much larger than usual: more than thirty women met, twenty of whom were refugees from Syria. Over the past several months, women from this community began attending the study, and the numbers continue to grow.

The CFNA volunteers wanted these newcomers to feel welcome and cared for, so they prepared gifts for their Christmas party. Many of these volunteers are refugees themselves, sharing the Christian love they experienced upon their arrival with others. These volunteers gathered baskets of goods, blankets donated by local LCMS churches, and—thanks to the generous donors of Concordia Gospel Outreach—Christian books for children.

“The Heart to Heart Christmas Party for Syrian and Afghan Refugees began with a welcome and an inspirational devotion that told the Christmas story,” reported Carol Buckman on the CFNA site. “As translators shared in Farsi and Arabic, there were smiles and there were some tears.” Children also attended the event, enjoying a movie with friends and receiving God’s Word through these books.“

I think the event was great!” said Fadia Jenkins (wife of Seminarian Tim Jenkins), who was raised in Lebanon and is fluent in Arabic, and a volunteer who uses her own international experiences to reach out to people from all over the world. “Many of the refugees have children that speak English. The books were given to them in baskets filled with other home items, hoping the kids will read about Jesus and the Bible and be able to share their stories with their parents, as well as use the books to practice their English.”

Christian Friends of New Americans actively seeks out refugees and others who arrive in the St. Louis area, providing them with goods, educational opportunities, and connections to Lutheran church homes. A few of the books donated by CGO were also placed in the classrooms of their building to reach children from all nations.

“First of all,” said Jenkins, “thank you for sending these very nice books! Your contribution helps reach out to families in need to hear the Gospel in more than one way at a time in their life where they may feel lonely, misplaced, confused, and desperate for kindness.”

Those who may have never heard God’s Word before now have the truth of Jesus in their homes. “Though we may never know whose heart is touched,” Jenkins added, “we believe God's Word never returns empty.”

By Lisa Clark, Ascension Lutheran Church

Forgiveness

Matthew 5:23-24

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

It doesn’t matter here how the whole thing started. We must go even if we didn’t start it, even if we may not be guilty, and even if we don’t feel like it.

One time, a colleague, and my pastor at that time, counseled me to go and make peace with a brother that, according to him [that brother], I offended. My colleague said that by me going, I was going to be able to provide a space for reconciliation between me and my brother, and that I would give myself a great opportunity to exercise humility. The good part of this advice was that my pastor saw in me some type of humility… that obviously needed to be exercised and worked towards improvement!

Every day I am given an opportunity to exercise humility as I come to realize that all my excuses are futile. I actually need to drop all my excuses for not making peace or for not working toward reconciliation. It doesn’t matter if I started the fight or the disagreement or not.

God didn’t start this whole business of sin and brokenness. We did. He did not push us into sin, he did not persuade us to disobey, and yet he made the first move to reconcile ourselves with him. Not only that, he didn’t only talk about reconciliation and forgiveness, he actually did the most costly thing somebody can do for reconciliation. Jesus went to the cross to accomplish and to announce to us God’s forgiveness.

How do we work on reconciliation? How do we announce forgiveness? No need for us to go to the cross, although it might require some sacrifice on our side. To work on reconciliation we stop everything we are doing, and before we go to church next Sunday and before we go to the altar to feast at the table of the sacrificed Lamb, we practice humility and go and make peace with our brother. The Holy Spirit will assist us to do so. There is nothing more important than to be at peace with God and with those around us.

By Rev. Hector Hoppe

Angels! What Blessings!

God's gifts to us of forgiveness and salvation, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, are certainly His ultimate and most important gifts. However, another important undeserved gift of God's love is His creation of the angels. There are numerous references to angels in the Old and New Testaments. Their role was often that of messengers and protectors.

What a fantastic message the shepherds near Bethlehem heard when an angel appeared and spoke to them concerning the birth of Jesus. Then, "Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.'" Luke 2:8-14.

It is not unusual for many of us to give the angels credit for personal protection from storms and automobile accidents, etc., even though we may not actually see the angels at work. However, I can verify through a personal experience, and in conversations with others, that, at times, the helping angel is visible and speaks with the person experiencing the protection. Such experiences of obvious protection call to mind the words of Luke 4:10-11, "He will command His angels concerning you, and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone."

Are the angels only involved in our physical well being, or do they also play a role in our spiritual life? In Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Weeds to His disciples, Matthew 13: 39-40, He states that the harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels... “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil... Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

Luther recognized this spiritual-protecting role of the angels. He provides a model prayer request in his Morning and Evening Prayers, "Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me." Thus as we pray to God for the help of the angels, we should also ask Him to send His angels to ward off the temptations of the devil, to shield us from all temptation and the committing of sin.

We pray, "Dear God, thank you for creating Your angels to protect me from physical harm and misfortune, and also for sending them to help me fight off the temptations of Satan himself. Amen." Angels — What Blessings!

By Dr. Al Senske St. Louis, MO