The latest updates of CFNA and friends helping Immigrants and Refugees in St. Louis with Christ-Like Care
As a little girl, I would hear my mother sing, “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am his own.” Looking back to the days she chose to sing those words, it seems those were often the days when she looked sad. Her face was strained, but firm.
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Nabin Samal
The “Nepali Anugrah (Grace) Church”, consisting of almost 50 members, has been worshipping at St. Johns Lutheran Church in urban St. Louis, for almost five years. It is led by Nabin Samal, and here is his story.
Nabin was born in the Bhutanese village of Kafley Tar in 1986. A few years later, at the age of five, Nabin and his family, together with 150,000 other Nepali ethnic Bhutanese, were forced to leave the country over personal freedom issues. They fled to Nepal where they were placed into seven refugee camps. Nabin and his family were sent to Beldangi 3 (Camp 3), where they remained for the next 18 years.
Though safety was no longer an issue, life in the camp was difficult. The refugees could not be employed outside the camp, so money was scarce as was food, along with all the basic necessities of life. Though there were only a few schools, education was free through grade 10, which is as much as any of the refugees could ever hope to receive.
Approximately a year after their arrival, Nabin’s mother became very ill, and the local shaman informed the family she would probably not live more than a week. As the family was grieving over this a pastor happened to stop by and inquired why they were crying. Immediately he began to pray, explaining God could heal her, and invited them to church. God listened to their prayers and Nabin’s mother lived. Believing this to be a miracle, Nabin’s entire extended family (approximately 35 people) accepted Jesus as the Son of God and their Savior, and were baptized.
Though the refugees were Nepali by ethnicity, they were never well received in Nepal. During the early part of this century the Nepali government became actively engaged in the resettlement of these refugees to other countries. Nabin and his family arrived in St. Louis on October 12, 2009. The story of their acculturation to life in St. Louis, as well as their association with St. Johns Lutheran Church, will appear in the May issue of CFNA E-News.
TO BE CONTINUED…
By Rev. Al Buckman with Rev. Michael Tanney.
Nepalese Lenten Service Participants
Birthday Party for 6 Year Old Rian
Blessing a Young Couple’s New Clothing Business
Confirmation Class in a Nepali Home
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippian 1:3–5
Partnership was the word Paul used with the church at Philippi. With prayer and thanksgiving he could say with joy, his work is not done alone but in partnership.
St. Johns Lutheran Church has had that vision as it has partnered with many organizations, schools, and worshiping communities while reaching out to those the Lord has placed in our midst. Partnership is in our vision statement. At first, it was with CFNA (Christian Friends of New Americans), later with Eagle College Prep Charter School, and now with Grace Nepali Church. Partnership began with renting the school cafeteria on Sundays for a Nepali worship service. Then two of their pastors wanted to become members, which began confirmation. Now, they worship in our sanctuary while we have Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall.
Because of God’s favor and the relationship that has been built up in the last few years, the Nepali church has asked that the whole congregation be confirmed. So, Saturday mornings with a translator and the Small Catechism in Nepalese, I stand before twenty people in a crowded living room and teach. At the same time, their pastors have been taking pre-seminary training with me on Sunday afternoons (doctrine, Old Testament, and New Testament). We have now partnered with CFNA, and they are continuing their studies with other Nepalese leaders.
One of the interesting moments of partnership is participating together. It begins with worship: our closing song and their opening song are sung together. We have also invited them to our Wednesday Advent and Lenten Services, which include Nepali prayers and readings. We have also invited their community to St. Johns for a member’s funeral. We have International Sunday School, rotating Nepalese teachers with our teachers. We have had many opportunities: preaching at their services, invitations to Nepali birthday parties, eating Nepali food, and blessing businesses. We will have our first joint service on April 7.
Rev. Michael Tanney Pastor, St. Johns Lutheran Church
Samantha Hoyt
Having a car is something many people born in America take for granted. But for a New American, a car can open a world of opportunities. It can mean access to better paying jobs, housing in safer neighborhoods, and more choice in education for their children. In the last several months, generous donors made all of these things possible for two CFNA women by making gifts of their old cars.
Hilai has not seen her home country of Afghanistan in 19 years. She spent most of her adult life in refugee camps before finally settling in St. Louis. As a single woman who does not speak English fluently, travelling to and from her job at night could be difficult or even dangerous. Receiving a car from Dawn Martin (a member of Reliant Church) offered her a measure of safety because she doesn’t have to navigate the bus system or walk alone.
Fayza, a married mother of three from Syria, went through the harrowing experience of having her car stolen last fall. Not only did this make it difficult for her to run everyday errands, such as shopping for groceries, but it also closed doors for her to attend English classes and job interviews, which could help improve her quality of life. But this winter, Fayza was blessed by an Ascension Lutheran member who wishes to remain anonymous. This is especially helpful because the family recently moved to a better neighborhood in South County, where stores and services are more spread out. Having a car gives her access to everything her family needs without being a burden on friends and neighbors.
We thank God so much for these donors and the impact of their gifts!
By Samantha Hoyt Lutheran Young Adult Corps, Intern
Sharon AGne
Volunteer of the Month
Sharon has served as a volunteer with the CFNA health and wellness screenings ministry for the past ten years. Born and raised in St. Louis, she holds both RN and BSN degrees and has worked in hospital settings, including administration, as well as home health and hospice care for more than thirty years.
Her CFNA experience began with an invitation to the Lutheran Prayer Breakfast, where she met Carol Buckman, who encouraged her to get involved with the CFNA health and wellness screenings. Within a week, Sharon attended her first health screening and has been a mainstay ever since. Additionally, she recruited fellow Ascension Lutheran Church member and nurse Barb Hartung to participate in these screenings, which are held on Saturday mornings, ten times a year, at the Peace Center.
Sharon noted that while serving others, the practitioners are blessed to experience the cultures and personalities of those they serve. Additionally, she observed, “we are blessed with volunteers who are not only willing to identify the medical needs of each New American client but to befriend them as well. Those we serve are welcomed with a smile and are introduced to each volunteer. These introductions, however, are often met with smiles and apprehensions, which are relieved as we talk with them about their health issues. As the clients leave, they frequently offer a smile as well as a sincere thank you.”
For Sharon, the most challenging part of volunteering at the health and wellness screenings has to do with the many language barriers. So she is thankful for the interpreters, who “play a very important part in the communication process.” These challenges, however, do not prevent her from visiting some of the clients in their homes for follow-up blood pressure readings. She also assists in driving refugees to their medical appointments.
Working with other volunteer nurses and practitioners has been one of her most enjoyable volunteer experiences. She also appreciates the opening devotions, as it reminds the volunteers they are making connections with people with whom they can share Jesus.
CFNA is blessed to have the faithful servant participation of volunteers such as Sharon!
By Laura Brink Ascension Lutheran Church
Naomi & Selumn
Naomi & Sara
Abby, Anna & Naomi
People who say you have to be an adult to make a difference have never met the Irwin girls. Anna (13), Naomi (12), and Abby (11) have been in ministry most of their lives. Growing up in Dutchtown, they have had plenty of opportunities to reach out to the underserved in their community. They volunteer at Kids Klub, a program run by their parents that reaches out to South City kids. Anna also worked at Rise Together Resale, which focuses on getting jobs for homeless people and other individuals who have a hard time finding employment. When they walked by the Peace Center two and a half years ago, they decided to check it out. There, they met the Janssen family. They have been an integral part of the After School Tutoring program ever since.
All three of the girls agree that the hardest part of tutoring is trying to figure out how best to help the kids. The challenges include having to reteach material so that the students can do their homework, trying to keep them engaged while still expanding their horizons, and working to understand the way that they think, especially since they have such different backgrounds. But the friendships the girls have formed and the growth they have seen in the students they tutor make everything worth it.
Anna and Naomi say that CFNA matters to them because they have fun ministering to the kids and they can see the impact it has on them. “All the kids that come need Jesus,” Abby adds. “So, if by going to CFNA I am helping the boys I tutor or anyone else come to Jesus, then I would do it every day.”
By Samantha Hoyt Lutheran Young Adult Corps - Intern
rev. clark and class with cfna associate richard leigh
If you come to the Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) Peace Center on a Saturday morning, you will find a group of seven Nepali men who are eager to become better equipped to lead and teach in their community. The students are members of one of three Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations in St. Louis City: Ascension, Messiah, or St. Johns Lutheran. Already leaders among Nepali Christians, these students, who are refugees, are participating in a “Leadership Class” to gain a better understanding of the Old Testament, New Testament, and Christian Lutheran Doctrine.
Another goal of the Leadership Class is to become a “pre-seminary” class for those who have the desire to continue their formal education through Concordia Seminary’s Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT). The EIIT is a specialized program for those who aspire to serve immigrant and refugee communities as Lutheran pastors.
The materials utilized for this class include Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation—2017 Visual Edition. It presents the catechism in an easy-to-navigate format with engaging illustrations. This valuable resource was generously made possible by Concordia Publishing House’s Concordia Gospel Outreach (CGO). Christian Friends of New Americans is grateful for this partnership with CGO in connecting ethnic leaders with the Gospel.
Speaking of partnerships, the instruction for this Leadership Class would not be possible without the partnership of four LCMS pastors working together. These pastors include Al Buckman of CFNA, Stanish Stanley of CFNA, Matt Clark of Ascension, and Michael Tanney of St. Johns. Please pray that the Lord would continue to equip current and future leaders in ethnic communities through the work of CFNA!
By Rev. Matt Clark Ascension Lutheran Church
good times
friends
beauticians
water colors
This Valentine’s Day, the National Honor Society (NHS) students at Lutheran High School South (LHSS) decided, after much discussion, to host a party for the children of CFNA. The event consisted of four fun activity stations, a devotion, songs, and snack. The four stations included water coloring, heart-shaped cookie decorating, making Valentine’s Day cards, and a bingo station complete with candy hearts for game pieces. Our devotion for the tutors and the New American students was about how God gives us all valentines every day in many different ways.
The night was a blast with smiles and laughter everywhere, whether from the LHSS students or the New American kids. The decorated cookies and homemade valentines were fun to make and were enjoyed by everyone. We, at LHSS, would love to thank the Thursday night tutors and volunteers for helping make our night run smoothly and for helping out at each of the activity stations.
We love coming to CFNA multiple times every year and seeing new and familiar faces. Visiting and forming relationships with all the volunteer staff people and especially the New American kids is something special for all of us.
In the words of LHSS student Abby Mitchell, “It was the best party of my life! I'll never forget the excitement on all the kids’ faces.” We love coming to the Peace Center and being with these kids.
LHSS student Sophie Vandeloecht put it this way, “Volunteering at CFNA is a lot of fun and a great experience. Personally, I helped the kids make Valentine’s Day cards, and they were really fun to be around. I loved volunteering and helping out at CFNA, and I would definitely do so again.”
Everyone came together at the end of the evening to sing songs old and new. Indeed, we enjoyed coming to the Peace Center, and again thank all of the volunteers and tutors who helped make this event possible.
By Avery Starnes President, National Honor Society - LHSS Member, Concordia Lutheran Church - Kirkwood
Have you experienced trouble, a time of need or a challenge that seemed beyond your ability to solve or overcome? Have you received a blessing of deliverance through a stranger who was willing to take the time to help?
I enjoy reflecting on life’s greatest challenges and circumstances. In retrospect, I often laugh out loud as I see how God, time and time again, provided a safe passage through my troubles, difficulties, or sadness. He is a God that delivers His people and provides safe passage (Exodus 14). At the time of crisis, things seem beyond my ability to overcome. I have often received God’s rescuing grace and mercy through others who lent a helping hand.
We live in a fallen world that has been broken by sin. The Bible says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that the wages of sin is death and eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). We are unable to save ourselves from the wrath of God. We desperately need the love of Jesus. Praise be to God, even though we are sinners, in Christ we have the free gift of a safe passage home to heaven, redeemed and reconciled to God (Romans 5:6-8).
Charles Caciano St. Louis, MO
Maryville Grad students and new americans
For the past several months, the Maryville University occupational therapy program has partnered with CFNA to offer graduate students the opportunity to interview CFNA clients and design a short program for these New Americans. Occupational therapists evaluate clients or groups of clients for occupational deficits, considering activities and skills they need or want to participate in, but currently do not. They often work in schools, hospitals, or clinic settings, but they also work with groups in the community, such as CFNA.
Refugee communities around the country often benefit from occupational therapy services, thereby enabling them to transition to a new culture, new language, and new occupations more successfully. At CFNA, we had the opportunity to interview a group of refugees who recently arrived. Through an interpreter, students asked the clients questions about their daily lives, especially including especially the struggles they experience. Following this evaluation of their needs, the students designed three, one-hour programs they hoped would reduce some of the stressors and barriers preventing participation in American life as identified by the refugees.
These included the following:
screening
Learning to sign their name using the English alphabet to better complete documentation,
Learning to speak their name and address in English in order to call 9-1-1 as needed, and
Sharing holiday traditions often celebrated in each person’s culture.
“It was wonderful to see so much laughter and so many smiles among the clients and the students. It was clear that everyone was feeling connected and enjoyed the time together,” said Eliza Prager (Maryville faculty).
fellowship
New American participants reported being pleased they could now recall and speak their address to an English speaker. Many were motivated to continue working on refining their signatures. Throughout the program, it was clear that clients longed to express themselves, who they are, where they came from, and their current frustrations and needs.
“Thank you for listening to us. Even if it’s hard to hear, and we know it’s a sad story, we are just glad to have someone listen,” said a client through a CFNA translator.
For their part, the Maryville graduate students also viewed this as a great learning experience. “Working with CFNA, I was able to see how the skills and knowledge I take for granted every day make such a difference in the safety and success of people’s lives when they are transitioning to this country,” said Trulie (student).
Maryville University is pleased to be of service to New Americans, in partnership with CFNA.
By Professor Eliza Prager Maryville University
pastors andrew dinger (left) and teddy workeneh with ephrathah
For Ephrathah Olana and her parents, Olana and Bethlehem, December 18, 2018, was no ordinary day. It was the day that she became a member of God's covenant community, the Church, through Baptism.
Olana and Bethlehem are believers from Ethiopia and were members of Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Mekane Yesus. After coming to St. Louis, they joined the Ethiopian/Eritrean Bible Fellowship, which now has over 30 members and is established as a satellite of Timothy Lutheran Church. The EEBF meets weekly at the Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) Peace Center for worship and to learn more about God’s Word.
When they brought their child to be baptized, they were acknowledging that this child—like themselves and all of us—was born in sin and is therefore in need of the love and forgiveness that God offers everyone. Like all believers, Ephrathah’s parents take comfort from God’s promise that “whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). It was this promise that convinced them to bring Ephrathah to the church to be baptized.
We wish Olana, Bethlehem, and Ephrathah God’s richest blessings! Please join us in praising God for His promise and this miracle, and for the relationship with Him that He has established for each and every one of us.
By Rev. Teddy Workeneh Missionary, Christian Friends of New Americans
Mani (driving) with rev. stanley
“You really helped me a lot.” These were the grateful words of Aynalem Kebede, an Ethiopian immigrant, when she passed her driver’s license test a few weeks ago. Having failed three prior attempts, she had been put on a 20-hour driver learning requirement. When she learned of CFNA’s Driver’s Ed/ESL program, she registered for the course. After four months of practice and with the assistance of several CFNA volunteers, she finally tasted success and got her license.
Aynalem was not the only one seeking a driver’s license. A few months prior, Nepali refugee Mani Gurung had approached CFNA for similar help. Mani, who also had three failed attempts and had been given the mandatory 20-hour learning requirement, was a much harried man. Unable to get his license and with limited English ability, he was stressed out with transportation challenges.
Having come to America three years earlier, he was badly in need of a license so that he might maintain even the modest income he needed to meet the needs of his family. CFNA volunteers Joel Gabbert, Mike Albers, Richard Leigh, Pastor Stanish, and Pastor Ted Wurffel all worked with him to help him get ready for the test. When Mani finally passed it, he was elated! “You gave me a big blessing with your help” was his comment. Worshiping with the Nepali Bible Fellowship that meets at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Mani remains grateful for the believers who helped him overcome a huge challenge.
The Driver’s Ed/ESL ministry was recently blessed with yet another successful client, Ikram Aftab from Afghanistan. Like Mani and Aynalem, Ikram also overcame the challenge of a new language, as well as the bewildering driving and testing system, to get his license. “This is freedom” was a common refrain from all of them. Undoubtedly, the impact of the Driver’s ED/ESL ministry is enormous in that it frees New Americans to work, be mobile, and build up their own capacities. This is a goal toward which this ministry strives.
Our thanks to Natalie Bishop and Samantha Hoyt for serving as instructors and to numerous volunteers as well. Through their efforts, Christ’s love continues to be made apparent to a growing number of New Americans.
By Rev. Stanish Stanley Executive Director, CFNA
ran gurung
The refugee camp was an improvement for Ran Gurung and his family. He and his mother, sister, and wife sought refuge in Nepal from the fighting in their native country of Bhutan in August 2008. In the camp, they had little money, no TV, a hard time getting clothes, and little freedom. They could only leave the compound to work and had to return immediately after, but at least there was good food, clean water, and a radio for entertainment. It was in that camp that Ran's wife gave birth to their son, Sanjay, and daughter, Shresti. In 2013, the growing family was given the opportunity to relocate, this time to St. Louis.
America has had its own difficulties for the Gurungs. The adults in the family are adjusting to the cold, a new language, and necessary parts of life in America, such as doctor’s appointments. But Ran believes that the blessings far outweigh the problems. He was connected to CFNA through the Nepali fellowship, and the ministry has assisted and enriched his family through the community, English assistance, food, furniture, clothes, a dishwasher, and education for Ran and his children.
They were also blessed to be involved in family-to-family ministry with dedicated CFNA volunteers Kristy and Matt Hutchison, their sons Caleb and Jacob, as well as Kristy's parents David and Karen Vaughn, who worked with the family on a weekly basis for over two years. During this time Ran learned of Jesus at the Peace Center. He and his entire family converted from Buddhism and were baptized in 2014.
Ran gurung family
CFNA holds a special place in Ran’s heart. He has learned, made friends, and enjoyed fellowship here. The Peace Center is his space. It has allowed him to work on realizing his dreams of knowing English, becoming an American citizen, and creating a better life for his children. He dreams of having a nice little house in the St. Louis area and watching his children get good jobs: Sanjay as a doctor or engineer and Shresti as an interpreter. Ran loves his new life and is filled with hope for the future, and we are thrilled to watch what God will continue to do for him and his family!
By Samantha Hoyt Lutheran Youth Corps Volunteer, Intern
Perhaps you have experienced unexpected blessings extended by God through others in your times of need. Jesus has placed love in our hearts so we may share the love of Christ with others.
Apart from Christ, we are unable to be obedient to God’s will, to do the things we ought to do. God’s plan includes calling Christians to be brothers and sisters of Christ, God’s Son and our Redeemer. As His redeemed people, God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit at work within us, we are equipped to share the love of Jesus with others. The Bible says, even though we know not what to pray for, the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf to God the Father (Romans 8:26-27). Much more than this, Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:34).
As we grow as Christians, we yield to the will of God more and more in our lives and rely less and less on our own power and talents. Relying on God’s will, we experience a great joy and peace that is beyond our understanding or imagination. That joy is experienced in sharing the love of Jesus with others. That joy is experienced in observing the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing many close to God (Romans 9:22-25).
Charlie Caciano Treasurer, CFNA St. Louis, MO
getting ready
dr. hagan assists with registration
pleased recipients
At CFNA, we believe that one of the of the greatest joys in life is bringing the joy of Christ to other people. Through the generosity of 16 volunteers and in-kind donations from the LCMS Missouri District Office, Zion Lutheran Church, St. Charles, the National LWML (Assembly of Readers) and countless other donors, we were blessed to be able to do that this weekend through our annual Christmas Giveaway.
Over two days, we provided 72 New American families (over 350 people) from 12 countries (Afghanistan, Bhutan, Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Liberia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Yemen) with basic necessities such as laundry detergent, blankets, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, bar soap and more. All of these were gratefully received by New Americans with little in the way of income and who are living on very tight budgets.
“I really enjoyed today when I was helping people to get their things,” one recpient stated. “My mom was so happy because she got to help a lot of people and I was happy too. It was a great day.”
We want to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated their time and/or resources to this ministry. You are helping build the Kingdom of God on earth, even as we anticipate His coming this Advent season!
Samantha Hoyt Lutheran Young Adult Corps (Intern)
enjoying dinner
crafts
devotions
When spending time with a large group of children from all over the world, there's no such thing as a dull moment. But this Tuesday night, December 11, was special as over 100 of our After School Tutoring students and tutors gathered at Epiphany Lutheran Church to celebrate a good semester of tutoring and most of all, the birth of our Savior.
"Some things are just better shared with neighbors and friends or in a group, especially during the Christmas season," says Klea Cepele, the Thursday night head tutor of the program. "Tonight was special because in this church we had children from different places around the world. It was unique because different cultures were melded together to share the Christmas love!"
Students represented 11 birth nations, including Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, USA, Vietnam and Yemen. They enjoyed fun crafts, a delicious meal, good company, and gifts provided by members of Christ Memorial and Village Lutheran Churches. A special presentation from the Lutheran Hour Speaker, Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler reminded us that Christmas is more than the gifts and lights. It is about the love of Jesus, which can never be stolen from us.
By Samantha Hoyt Lutheran Young Adult Corps (Intern)
getting ready for assembly
Editor’s Note: For the third time in the past four years, the junior high students at Zion Lutheran School in St. Charles have provided CFNA with a substantial number of welcome kits. This year, the total was 160, each containing bath soap, shampoo, body lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, a small toy, and a welcome message! Here, Jami Murray, project leader and a teacher at Zion Lutheran School, tells the story.
Every year, the junior high students at Zion Lutheran School in Saint Charles completes a large service project. Our goal at Zion is to motivate our students to see the world through different eyes and to inspire students to engage in service, both now and as they grow. We typically choose an organization in the summertime, and this year, we selected Christian Friends of New Americans. We have worked with CFNA in the past and had a wonderful experience. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Saint Louis area and see the service project through from start to finish.
Our service project began in September when our students participated in a walkathon. They walked, ran, snacked, and enjoyed a beautiful day outside with their friends and teachers. They raised money based on how much they walked on that day. Some students ran or walked nearly thirteen miles! Through pledges and donations, our students raised over three thousand dollars. Half of those funds were donated to our Zion missionary in China, and half purchased the supplies needed to make 160 welcome kits for CFNA.
Next, we spent a morning assembling the welcome kits. It took a couple of hours, a massive assembly line, and lots of creative power to write encouraging notes to those who would receive the bags. The last part of our project took several of our sixth-grade students to CFNA to visit and deliver the many boxes to the center. As our new American friends arrive in this great nation, we pray the kits encourage them with our messages of welcome, safety, security, and Christ's love.
We are truly blessed with abundance in our school and community. We hope the act of giving to those struggling with such great changes—such as learning a new language, attending a new school, or trying to find work—makes this service project one students will remember as they serve in the future.
By Jami Murray Zion Lutheran Church, St. Charles
delivery to the peace center
assembly
The Christmas season is stressful. There are presents to buy, parties to plan, and projects to finish before leaving work or school for the Christmas break. With so much going on, it's easy to push aside our faith and our loved ones until we've crossed a few more things off our to-do lists.
It's easy to forget what Christmas is all about—love. Our God loves us so much, He chose to come to this earth to live, to die, and to rise again for us. All this love was given to us to make us His own, so we can live as His children and spend eternity with Him.
Keep that love in mind as you're baking cookies this year. Your gift wrapping can wait while you spend some time sitting peacefully and prayerfully with your heavenly Father. "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). When Christmas shopping stresses you out, remember the most valuable gift you can give your family and friends is your time spent with them. Soon the Christmas things of this world are put away or thrown away, but love lasts forever. Merry Christmas!
Samantha Hoyt, LCMS Lutheran Young Adult Corps Intern St. Louis, MO
friends
On November 1, Lutheran South’s National Honor Society hosted a “Trunk or Treat” event for the children of CFNA. The idea was to provide an opportunity for CFNA students to come and safely trick or treat and have fun with the students of Lutheran South. Trunk or Treat is an event where people decorate the back of their cars and pass candy out to trick or treaters. At the last minute, however, the event had to be moved inside due to weather. No problem! The people who were supposed to decorate cars ended up decorating doorways inside Lutheran South.
After the CFNA students arrived, they were brought into the cafeteria to enjoy pizza and apple slices with caramel. A generous and thoughtful family brought their apple press to the event and made fresh-pressed apple cider for the kids. In addition to the cider, lemonade and water were also served.
After eating, several Lutheran High students shared a devotional skit that focused on how God has a bigger and greater plan for each of us that we need to trust and follow. The children were then given bags and sent on their way to trick or treat at 20 decorated doorways. Additionally, there was a photo booth where the CFNA guests could dress up and use props to pose for photos.
The event was so fun to organize and plan but took a lot of work. President of the Lutheran South National Honor Society, Avery Starnes, noted, “It took a lot of helpers and planning to make it all come together, but it turned out to be a great success. Everyone involved had a smile the whole night!” Because of the many hours of preparation and numerous volunteers, the event turned out to be yet another great opportunity of fellowship between Lutheran South and the children of CFNA.
One of the trunk makers, Odessa Campbell, said, “I love being able to help out and make trunks for these kids. I had so much fun, and it warmed my heart to see all of the younger kids enjoying the night.” The smiles on the kids’ faces said it all, and we are so thankful they were able to enjoy this event.
By Avery Starnes President, National Honor Society Lutheran High School South Member: Concordia, Kirkwood
sanjay & shresti
matuda osman
kibur and joseph welcoming guests at the door
naomi receiving instructions from Mrs. buckman
patricia helped get tables ready for guests
Fifteen elementary students and fourteen secondary students are attending Lutheran schools this year because individuals, congregations, and schools have given generously to CFNA’s scholarship program. Their gifts are being matched by the Lutheran Foundation.
Contributions so far cover the first semester scholarships, but more gifts are needed to provide scholarships for the second semester. Hopefully, you will think about supporting the scholarship program. Contact Judith Meyer (judithwmeyer@gmail.com) for information.
As I visited the students at their schools in early November, I routinely heard from staff at the four elementary schools and two high schools how much they enjoy having these New American students in their schools. Many of them are involved in service projects through their schools, in addition to being involved in a variety of activities. They also support activities of CFNA. Grace, one of the students who is a leader at Lutheran South and volunteers frequently for CFNA, told me, “The CFNA Scholarship has made such a difference for me, allowing me to stay at South and continue to grow.”
The pictures show some of the students who volunteered at CFNA’s Trivia Night.
Judith Meyer Timothy Lutheran Church
aminata helped collect forms from the tables
grace helped with the silent auction
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Walking Together
We are a mission society and a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Learn more about the LCMS at lcms.org.
Our Mission
Christian Friends of New Americans is an outreach ministry to immigrants and refugees in the greater St. Louis area. Our mission is to be involved in relationships with New Americans with whom we can share the Gospel through caring words and actions.
Contact
CFNA Peace Center
4019 South Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
314-351-1740
E-mail: mail@cfna-stl.org
© Copyright 2023 — Christian Friends of New Americans
