Community Impact

Just a reminder that all Westside blogs, including all Community Impact posts, are now at http://wfcnews.com/.  You can sign up to receive updates on the subscribe link on there.

Next week this Community Impact blog will be replaced by a new all-Westside blog at http://wfcnews.com/. So, if you are subscribed to this Community Impact blog, go to wfcnews.com and signup to receive that blog so you’ll be sure to keep up with all the information. Another great place to connect with people and get adoption ministry updates is our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/OneLifeAdoption. And our calendar won’t be linked on the side of this blog anymore, so, if you use google calendar, add the ministry calendars with these links (Under “Other calendars” click on “Add” “by URL” and paste in these iCal links):
Adoption Ministry: http://www.google.com/calendar/ical/5gbte6193es26eumfglds3bqi4%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Local Community Impact: http://www.google.com/calendar/ical/su274ohkrov7tjm9vjnv2cddfc%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

Martress is a creative young man who enjoys building things and drawing. He likes building things so much that he aspires to be a builder one day. Martress is very affectionate and bonds well with adults. His favorite class in school is art, and he does very well in his math class. Martress struggles most with physical aggression and maintaining appropriate boundaries. At times he can antagonize his peers and lash out if he does not get his way. He continues to work on these issues at home and in school. Martress will require continued mental health and medication management services. He needs a family that has the experience and the skills to care for children with delays and challenges.

I had the great priviledge recently to hear Bishop John Rutsindintwarane speak of his work in Rwanda. I encourage you to learn more about Rev. John and his work, but briefly I’ll share with you that Rev. John grew up in a refugee camp as a result of the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda. More than 800,000 people werre murdered in Rwanda and today Rev. John is working in Rwanda to build relationships, restore the community and share Jesus.  He is an amazing young man!  Here are some of the bits of wisdom I recorded from his talk:

• The transition between relief and development is hard.
• Any development starts from within
• The way you think will shape or break your opportunity
• no one wants a crisis but sometimes a crisis shapes us
• when we have war all denominations are gone
• Our God has told us to strengthen faith by understanding issues aroundus.

Rev. John is working to bring communities of Rwandan people together to know God and experience His Kingdom. I would invite you to pray for Rev. John today.

When people hear the stories of our IMPACT TEAM work around the world, their hearts are stirred and many are moved to action. You may be one who has decided to go on a visit to India, or to help build a home in Kansas City. Randy “Zack” Zacher is one of those unique individuals who has decided he will re-design his life to make a difference.

For 40 days, beginning August 18, Zack plans to ride his bicycle for 40 miles. By enlisting sponsors, Zack hopes to raise money to continue our work around the world. If you’d like to learn more about Zack or would like to help in his efforts, check out his blog. Zack’s passion will inspire you. Who knows, one day soon you may decide to join him on your bicycle and ride for impact!

Samantha’s hobbies include drawing and working on arts and crafts. She also enjoys playing with her dolls and watching cartoons. Her favorite class in school is reading. Samantha needs a family that is willing to provide her with lots of one-on-one attention. She would probably do best in a home with no other children. Samantha relates better with adults and younger children; she struggles with getting along with peers close to her age. Samantha’s thought processes and behaviors are consistent with that of a six to nine year old girl. She will need a family that will provide her with unconditional love and have realistic expectations of her.

Beginning September 2nd, a support group for international and interracial adoptive families will be meeting the first Thursday of each month, 7pm-8:30pm in room 217. Jen Decker will be facilitating this group for parents. Childcare will not be provided, so please make other arrangements for your children. Registration will be available soon at http://www.westsidefamilychurch.com/Events.aspx.

We’ll be holding another If You Were Mine workshop on Saturday, October 2nd, 8:30am-4:30pm. This workshop is perfect for anyone considering adopting and will be led by Russ and Tiffany Hightower. You will explore God’s heart for the orphan, the processes and challenges of adoption, agency selection and funding options, how to prepare, and what to expect when your child comes home.  You can check out a preview video at http://ifyouweremine.org/Display.asp?Page=ifyouweremine. Read the rest of this entry »

Westside has been actively involved with Hillcrest Transitional Housing in Kansas City, Kansas and is currently partnering with them to create a house for homeless teens. We need volunteers who can clean and caulk bathrubs, install vanities, hook up sinks, install toilets, paint, give apartments a final cleaning, set up beds, and arrange furniture. School is starting soon and we need to kick it in to be ready for the kids. Volunteers can serve weekedays, weeknights, and on Saturdays.

Special work day this Saturday, August 7, 8 am.

If you can help, please contact Jerry Carden at g.carden@yahoo.com or by cell at 913-424-6274

Meet Javell! He can be a very loving and nurturing child. Javell likes to play sports, swim and participate in family activities. Javell will need to be supervised consistently to make sure that he does not act out verbally or physically against others. Javell enjoys attending school but has extensive educational needs that will continue to need to be addressed. He will need a forever family that is willing to advocate for him and his educational needs. Javell has a hard time with relating to both peers and adults. He struggles to make significant and lasting bonds with those around him. Javell will need a family that will allow and encourage continued contact with his two siblings who are going to be adopted into other families. A two parent home with strong boundaries and consistent discipline in place would be a great family for Javell.