Newsletter
 May 11, 2016
Missouri is the Show Me State . . .

Last Thursday it showed us what Books for the Border and Beyond looks like in a North Kansas City community. And it looked pretty good.
Literacy Fair Infographic created by Chris Homiak
"An idea came from Texas, was shared with schools and churches in Kansas City North, and people got excited about it," Mark Buhlig, a pastor at Englewood Baptist Church, said. Mark had previously participated in Literacy Connexus projects through CBF Texas border ministries.

Mark shared the family reading fair concept with Northgate Middle School ELL (English Language Learner) teacher Chris Homiak, when contacted about possible church participation in the school's YouthFriends program. YouthFriends involves adults investing in kids' lives by reading to them and being a friend.

Chris got excited and so did others in the community. Nearby Fairview Christian Church had connections with a local Rotary Club, which contributed funds for the bookcase materials. From building to painting to acquiring books, the community came through.  


"We explained the concept to partners and they all found a way to participate," Mark said. "It was very collaborative; no one group had to carry the weight to make it happen."

Individuals like Brooklyn Bradley, a William Jewell College Education Major, also contributed to the effort. "Brooklyn has a creative mind, big heart, and compassion," Mark said. "She put a lot of energy into the project and a lot of herself."
 
All that energy, preparation, and collaboration came together in one poignant moment for Mark on the day of the literacy fair:

You've got these YouthFriends who dedicate time every week to sit with ELL students--refugee and immigrant kids who are learning English and learning to read better. As I'm observing, one of the ELL students is introducing their YouthFriends to their parents. It was just a deeply profound moment when those adults who all cared for this child were all being introduced to each other, by the child.

What a great picture from the Show Me State of literacy missions ministry serving families in a practical way, and at the same time bringing people together. 


Questions?
Interested?

Contact: 
Diann Whisnand
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Field Personnel
Rio Grande Valley of Texas
diannwhisnand@gmail.com 
325-895-1444 
Lester Meriwether, Executive Director 
Offices at Henderson Hall - Agape Baptist Church
3954 Southwest Blvd., Fort Worth, TX  76116
 
Mailing/shipping address:
3020 S. Cherry Lane, #123168
Fort Worth, TX  76121
817-696-9898 www.literacyconnexus.org
Like us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter
 
Pam Moore, Editor     
Donate Now
to
Literacy
Connexus 
Trivia Challenge
1.     The cartoon strip Peanuts has appeared in about 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries, translated into 21 languages. In Denmark, it's called:

a) Sprouts

b) Schatzi (a term of endearment)

c) Small Fry

d) Radishes


2.   In Austria in the 1700s, Mozart challenged (in German) his friend Haydn to play a piece on the harpsichord which he had just composed. The piece required using:

a) two hands and a nose

b) a mirror to read the music

c) every note on the keyboard

d) improvisation to transition from one movement to the next


3.    In Saturday's Kentucky Derby, #14 Mohaymen finished in fourth place. According to the NBC broadcast, the Arabic meaning of Mohaymen is:

a) proud

b) lusty

c) dominant

d) priestly


 
 
Problem accessing  the answers? Reply to this email and we'll shoot them your way.  
These instructional links may help: