"Kinda..."
January, 30, 2012, 02:06 PM Author:Rakmi Shaiza - Program Director & Volunteer Coordinator
Growing up in the small town of Ukhrul in the State of Manipur, northeast India, I could play outside with friends freely after school once my chores (such as homework, cooking, hauling water from the well, and cleaning house) were done. I remember we played a lot of group games like marbles, hide and seek, soccer and blocks. We played mostly in our neighborhood streets, and we loved it. Those carefree times were the moments when I felt the happiest and at the same time felt connected with my friends and neighbors and to the many possibilities that life offered to me without worries. When I came to the United States more than ten years ago, I was bit surprised to find out that many children didn't play outside. I found myself wondering how children feel about not being able to get out much and play outside without being worried that something bad will happen to them.
This wondering led me to begin working with children and youth at Bethel Neighborhood Center 10 years ago. One of the things that I always look forward to doing is driving the kids home after our after-school program. During those times, I come to learn a bit of their world, the types of music they listen to, their dreams and values, and their joys and sorrows. One particular evening, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with one of the 4th graders. During that conversation, we shared about the music we liked and our favorite books and teachers. I asked him whether he liked his neighborhood, and he replied to me bluntly: “Kinda.” I asked him to help me understand what he meant by that. He said, “Well, Miss, you know I have seen and heard many crazy and scary things happening in this neighborhood. The other day, I saw a guy speeding down the wrong side of the lane in our street. I also heard gunshots last week. I love being in this neighborhood because I have my school, my Bethel friends, and my cousins, but at the same I am a bit scared.” I was surprised to find out how mature this 4th-grader was and how much he knew about the condition of his neighborhood. I was glad that he could come to Bethel's after-school program where he feels safe and continues to learn to seek a different path. I also came away from our conversation with a commitment, which is to ask myself every day, will my work today help at least one child in need and empower at least one child who is seeking love and support?
And it came to pass... (Part 2)
January, 25, 2012, 12:22 PM Author:Otillie Pechous
The following is another excerpt from the article written by Otillie A. Pechous (Director,1923-1940)
A new missionary had come to the field. Among the duties that were assigned to her was calling in the homes, with the definite purpose of interesting women in the study of English. After three weeks of such effort it seemed like an almost hopeless task. The only response which she had received was a shrug of the shoulders, a shake of the head, and on one or two occasions the door had been shut in her face. Late in the day of that third week the worker decided to knock upon one more door. She had climbed a rickety flight of stairs to reach this door in the rear of the building. To her great surprise the door was flung wide open, and there stood a bright-faced Polish woman inviting her to come in. The missionary was so startled by this reception that she scarcely knew what to say, but was soon in the room, chatting with the woman. When asked if she was interested in studying English, the Polish woman replied, “Yes,” immediately and enthusiastically. Almost in the same breath she asked, “When you come?” The worker promised to come the following day.
The next morning, the Polish woman came to the Center and when she found he visitor of the day before, she said rather reproachfully, “ I wait and wait and you no come.” The worker assured her that she would come to see her in the afternoon. Arriving at the home the missionary found the Polish woman and her neighbor, a Greek woman, waiting for her. They had pencils and tablets in the readiness for their lesson. After what seemed a long English less for this occasion, the teacher rose to go, but the Polish woman said, “You wait.” She went into another room and returned with an arithmetic. In her broken English she explained that Rosie [her daughter] was studying fractions, that every day she came home needing help, but the mother said, “I so shamed. Rosie know more than I do.” A lesson in fraction followed the English lesson, and the Polish mother proved to be an apt pupil. O her own accord she added a speller, grammar, geography, and history to her list of books, and one day she asked, “ My husband think physiology good. You think physiology good?” And another subject was added.
Through the interest and enthusiasm of this pupil other women were enlisted and met for study at the Center. Needless to say, the Polish woman was the first of the group of men or women to receive naturalization papers and to her they were a priceless possession.
Her interest in spiritual things came about through the sickness and death of the baby in the home. Many times after that experience when the worker called she would find this mother pacing the floor, clutching either a piece of paper, the “holy picture” which was taken from the casket, or a bit of wax, the candle that had been thrust in to the dying baby’s fingers. From the piece of paper and bit of wax this Polish mother was trying to get comfort. It was then worker’s opportunity to speak to the woman about Christ and the heavenly home, for the mother grieved deeply for “the little, dead baby under the ground.” As eager as the woman had been for reading, writing, and arithmetic, just so eager was she now for the things that really count. She was given a New Testament in her own language, and hat she read it the worker well knew, because of the question the woman asked and the comments she made. After a time she announced of her own accord, “I must accept Jesus as my personal Savior.” Later she said, “I must follow him in baptism.”
Many friend and neighbors of this Polish woman came to the church to witness her baptism; but a much larger group, among them her husband and other relatives, stood on the outside and jeered at her as she entered the church. Standing on the top step, just before entering she looked down upon that taunting mob and said, “ I care not if the whole world laugh; I have Jesus.”
Weeks and months of persecution followed. She was almost ostracized from the group with whom she had associated. Her immediate family made life miserable for her, but the woman’s faith persisted. The time came when her husband, son, and daughter followed in her footsteps. “We can only submit to the Christ who has made such a changed woman of my mother,” was the son’s testimony.
Thus it has come to pass that the pass that the purpose of a Christian center as set forth by our two Home Mission societies is being realized. That purpose is “so to interpret the gospel by teaching and service as to make for Jesus Christ a commanding place in the life of the individual, the family, and the community; in other words, the regeneration of every life and all life.”
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Otillie A. Pechous made a tremendous impact during her 17 years as Director. Her writings show us the amazing spirit and attitude that she had while serving this broken community. We have only a few photographs of her but in the photo on the left you will see that she was a lovely woman that loved the work that she did. We thank God for Bethel’s “great cloud of witnesses.”
A new missionary had come to the field. Among the duties that were assigned to her was calling in the homes, with the definite purpose of interesting women in the study of English. After three weeks of such effort it seemed like an almost hopeless task. The only response which she had received was a shrug of the shoulders, a shake of the head, and on one or two occasions the door had been shut in her face. Late in the day of that third week the worker decided to knock upon one more door. She had climbed a rickety flight of stairs to reach this door in the rear of the building. To her great surprise the door was flung wide open, and there stood a bright-faced Polish woman inviting her to come in. The missionary was so startled by this reception that she scarcely knew what to say, but was soon in the room, chatting with the woman. When asked if she was interested in studying English, the Polish woman replied, “Yes,” immediately and enthusiastically. Almost in the same breath she asked, “When you come?” The worker promised to come the following day.
The next morning, the Polish woman came to the Center and when she found he visitor of the day before, she said rather reproachfully, “ I wait and wait and you no come.” The worker assured her that she would come to see her in the afternoon. Arriving at the home the missionary found the Polish woman and her neighbor, a Greek woman, waiting for her. They had pencils and tablets in the readiness for their lesson. After what seemed a long English less for this occasion, the teacher rose to go, but the Polish woman said, “You wait.” She went into another room and returned with an arithmetic. In her broken English she explained that Rosie [her daughter] was studying fractions, that every day she came home needing help, but the mother said, “I so shamed. Rosie know more than I do.” A lesson in fraction followed the English lesson, and the Polish mother proved to be an apt pupil. O her own accord she added a speller, grammar, geography, and history to her list of books, and one day she asked, “ My husband think physiology good. You think physiology good?” And another subject was added.
Her interest in spiritual things came about through the sickness and death of the baby in the home. Many times after that experience when the worker called she would find this mother pacing the floor, clutching either a piece of paper, the “holy picture” which was taken from the casket, or a bit of wax, the candle that had been thrust in to the dying baby’s fingers. From the piece of paper and bit of wax this Polish mother was trying to get comfort. It was then worker’s opportunity to speak to the woman about Christ and the heavenly home, for the mother grieved deeply for “the little, dead baby under the ground.” As eager as the woman had been for reading, writing, and arithmetic, just so eager was she now for the things that really count. She was given a New Testament in her own language, and hat she read it the worker well knew, because of the question the woman asked and the comments she made. After a time she announced of her own accord, “I must accept Jesus as my personal Savior.” Later she said, “I must follow him in baptism.”
Weeks and months of persecution followed. She was almost ostracized from the group with whom she had associated. Her immediate family made life miserable for her, but the woman’s faith persisted. The time came when her husband, son, and daughter followed in her footsteps. “We can only submit to the Christ who has made such a changed woman of my mother,” was the son’s testimony.
Thus it has come to pass that the pass that the purpose of a Christian center as set forth by our two Home Mission societies is being realized. That purpose is “so to interpret the gospel by teaching and service as to make for Jesus Christ a commanding place in the life of the individual, the family, and the community; in other words, the regeneration of every life and all life.”
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And it came to pass...
January, 24, 2012, 01:44 PM Author:Otillie Pechous
The following is an excerpt of an article written by Otillie A. Pechous (Director,1923-1940)
Near the muddy Kaw where the fogs come up, and near the railroad yards where the noisy engines belch forth their black smoke and cinders, where the packing houses rise menacingly rather than protectingly above the tumble-down, unpainted, little houses – into this area of human desolation, made up of some fifteen different nationalities, there went a kindly, great-souled woman. Miss Nathana L. Clyde was going where she felt Christ would gladly have gone. Her desire to serve as a foreign missionary had been thwarted by home conditions. But the travail of her soul was to be satisfied in an outgoing love to the dirty, neglected, foreign children of “the bottom.” Here in April, 1911, the Baptists began a mission work in a building known as “the Bethel” and owned by the Congregationalists.
The work opened with just a small Sunday school, followed in the summer by a vacation Bible school. These schools were attended mostly by small children. By the next fall industrial classes were add, so that almost from the first the work has been characterized by settlement house features.
A few years later, when many of the families were moving out of “the bottoms” in another residence section adjacent to the packing houses, factories, and railroad yards, a branch work was opened in this district. The outlook was so promising that one of the present buildings was remodeled to meet more nearly the demands of the programs. In May, 1920, the mission in “the bottoms” was discontinues, and all the efforts were centered on the new field. In the summer of 1928 an addition two-story building and cottage were purchased to more adequately provide for the growing works. Soon afterward a “dumping ground” was secured for a nominal sum, with the hope that a much needed playground would be made possible someday. Thus it came to pass that Christian center known as the Bethel Neighborhood Center was established in Kansas City, Kansas.
Near the muddy Kaw where the fogs come up, and near the railroad yards where the noisy engines belch forth their black smoke and cinders, where the packing houses rise menacingly rather than protectingly above the tumble-down, unpainted, little houses – into this area of human desolation, made up of some fifteen different nationalities, there went a kindly, great-souled woman. Miss Nathana L. Clyde was going where she felt Christ would gladly have gone. Her desire to serve as a foreign missionary had been thwarted by home conditions. But the travail of her soul was to be satisfied in an outgoing love to the dirty, neglected, foreign children of “the bottom.” Here in April, 1911, the Baptists began a mission work in a building known as “the Bethel” and owned by the Congregationalists.
The work opened with just a small Sunday school, followed in the summer by a vacation Bible school. These schools were attended mostly by small children. By the next fall industrial classes were add, so that almost from the first the work has been characterized by settlement house features.
A Smaller Plate Is A Healthier Plate
January, 18, 2012, 09:26 AM Author:Melinda Krautmann MS BSN RN
Last week, Bethel offered dishes to anyone who needed them, because of the generous donation of dishes to us from Emmanuel Baptist Church of Kansas City, KS several weeks ago.
After last Wednesday's Arthritis Exercise class, one of the seniors remarked how small the plates were in comparison to the plates we use nowadays. Another person mentioned how great it was that the plates all matched, and none of them had even a chip. Someone added that these were heavy duty china dishes used by cafeterias, restaurants, and churches, and they probably dated back to the 1960's or maybe earlier!
Interestingly, the Bethel seniors are also on a quest to keep their weight in a healthy range, engage in more physical activity each day, and choose healthier portions sizes. As part of our Tuesday morning Healthy Community discussions, I asked them to remember how people were thinner back in the days when people ate on smaller plates. I also asked them to think about how a meal appears to you when it's served on a smaller plate vs. a larger plate. We had discussed the "Healthy Plate Method" in several previous health presentations, and now the group members were being offered the chance to update their kitchen with dishes to fit their new healthier lifestyle.
One group participant mentioned today that in her diabetes class, she learned it was advisable not just for people with diabetes. She explained that the portion size of food would appear to be plenty rather than not enough. 'That way, you're not tempted to eat more than your recommended portion, " she offered. And then someone else mentioned, she would feel embarrassed to go for 'seconds' if it already appeared that she'd eaten enough by the looks of her own plate filled with food.
So,in closing, let me say that there are so many ways to help yourself stay on track with your health goals for 2012. One way is to plan what you'll eat ahead of mealtimes, when you're not starving hungry and want to devour everything in the cabinet. Use the Healthy Plate Method. Another way is to make changes in your environment. For example, eat on a smaller plate, surround yourself with like-minded people on the same quest as you.
These caring people are here at Bethel Neighborhood Center. We'll support you in your healthy lifestyle! You are not alone when you're part of our community! PLEASE JOIN US, 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And here's a hearty and healthy 'Thank You' to Emmanuel Baptist Church of Kansas City, KS for donating the "Healthy Plates!"
After last Wednesday's Arthritis Exercise class, one of the seniors remarked how small the plates were in comparison to the plates we use nowadays. Another person mentioned how great it was that the plates all matched, and none of them had even a chip. Someone added that these were heavy duty china dishes used by cafeterias, restaurants, and churches, and they probably dated back to the 1960's or maybe earlier!
One group participant mentioned today that in her diabetes class, she learned it was advisable not just for people with diabetes. She explained that the portion size of food would appear to be plenty rather than not enough. 'That way, you're not tempted to eat more than your recommended portion, " she offered. And then someone else mentioned, she would feel embarrassed to go for 'seconds' if it already appeared that she'd eaten enough by the looks of her own plate filled with food.
So,in closing, let me say that there are so many ways to help yourself stay on track with your health goals for 2012. One way is to plan what you'll eat ahead of mealtimes, when you're not starving hungry and want to devour everything in the cabinet. Use the Healthy Plate Method. Another way is to make changes in your environment. For example, eat on a smaller plate, surround yourself with like-minded people on the same quest as you.
These caring people are here at Bethel Neighborhood Center. We'll support you in your healthy lifestyle! You are not alone when you're part of our community! PLEASE JOIN US, 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And here's a hearty and healthy 'Thank You' to Emmanuel Baptist Church of Kansas City, KS for donating the "Healthy Plates!"
Neighbors, Strangers and Bicycles
January, 09, 2012, 11:45 AM Author:Kyle Nelson - Assistant Program Director
I have made it a habit to watch the news in the mornings before I go to Bethel. I do this for two reasons; first, I like to watch the weather and see what the day will bring, second, I like to stay informed about what's going on in the community. However, after watching the news I find myself to be more cynical rather than more informed. The news is full of stories that reveal the hate that is in our world. On a few occasions it highlights something great that is taking place in our neighborhoods but generally that is rare. So, today my blog is an attempt to highlight the good in our community rather than the pain and hate. I want to show that there are still good people in our world and that humankind's first instinct is still to love despite the pressure to ignore others.
Bethel has the privilege to serve many different needs here in our community. One in particular concerns a homeless man that visits us daily for a meal and place to feel at home. He rides a bicycle everywhere he goes and due to the distance that he travels puts a lot of wear on tear on this bike. I've repaired flat tires, tightened the brakes, fixed the chains and provided other maintenance to keep this bike running. Last year we even helped to purchase a new bike for him to have. But, because of fear of his own safety he turned down the gift because a shiny new bike would attract too much attention and put him at risk for being robbed. So, we work to keep his bike functioning.
Last week he came and told me that his bike wasn't working right. The problem was that his bike wouldn't go anywhere when you would pedal. This was far beyond my bike repair abilities so I called an expert. I contacted the Trek Bicycle Store in Shawnee Mission to see if they could help us. I loaded the bike in our van and drove it to the store. Christopher at the bike shop put it on the rack and immediately began to diagnose the problem. The part would cost $20 not including the cost to repair it. I explained the situation and while I was telling him the story of the man that rides the bike Christopher began repairing and tuning up all parts of the bike. He repaired the brakes, fixed the wheels, oiled the gears, cleaned the tires and replaced the broken part. His hands were covered in grease by the time he was finished. He took the bike off the rack and said, that'll be $20. I had not asked for him to do anything beyond helping fix the problem but, he helped anyway.
Christopher showed that the world is not just full of hate and anger as the news channels shows us. He was concerned for a stranger he had never met. Our world needs more neighbors like Christopher and more businesses like the Trek Store that allow their employees the discretion to help those in need. We thank Christopher today for the kindness and love that he showed.
‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink (or have a broken bike and repair it)? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?'
And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:37-40
Bethel has the privilege to serve many different needs here in our community. One in particular concerns a homeless man that visits us daily for a meal and place to feel at home. He rides a bicycle everywhere he goes and due to the distance that he travels puts a lot of wear on tear on this bike. I've repaired flat tires, tightened the brakes, fixed the chains and provided other maintenance to keep this bike running. Last year we even helped to purchase a new bike for him to have. But, because of fear of his own safety he turned down the gift because a shiny new bike would attract too much attention and put him at risk for being robbed. So, we work to keep his bike functioning.
Last week he came and told me that his bike wasn't working right. The problem was that his bike wouldn't go anywhere when you would pedal. This was far beyond my bike repair abilities so I called an expert. I contacted the Trek Bicycle Store in Shawnee Mission to see if they could help us. I loaded the bike in our van and drove it to the store. Christopher at the bike shop put it on the rack and immediately began to diagnose the problem. The part would cost $20 not including the cost to repair it. I explained the situation and while I was telling him the story of the man that rides the bike Christopher began repairing and tuning up all parts of the bike. He repaired the brakes, fixed the wheels, oiled the gears, cleaned the tires and replaced the broken part. His hands were covered in grease by the time he was finished. He took the bike off the rack and said, that'll be $20. I had not asked for him to do anything beyond helping fix the problem but, he helped anyway.
Christopher showed that the world is not just full of hate and anger as the news channels shows us. He was concerned for a stranger he had never met. Our world needs more neighbors like Christopher and more businesses like the Trek Store that allow their employees the discretion to help those in need. We thank Christopher today for the kindness and love that he showed.
‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink (or have a broken bike and repair it)? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?'
And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:37-40
"My Bethel..."
January, 05, 2012, 02:24 PM Author:Melinda Krautmann MS BSN RN
Today, the daughter of one of our Bethel Seniors stopped by my office to pick up her mother’s prescription medication, which I’d administered to her each month. Her mother, at age 93, recently suffered a debilitating stroke. I’ve been following up with the daughter to support her in her next steps to care for her mom, now that she’s home from the hospital. I’ve given her a list of community resources, coached her on the new role of caregiver for her mother, contacted an elder law specialist to help her set up an appointment for estate planning, and taught her about how to convene a family meeting to plan for her mother’s health care now that she is disabled and living with her.
In the course of today’s conversation, the daughter mentioned how much Bethel meant to her mom and to her too. She explained today that she would drive her mom past Bethel often in the past, and her mom would always remark, “There’s my Bethel! I’ve been going there for over 30 years.”
Her mom would continue to talk about Bethel, expressing how much she had benefitted from all the health information she’s received, and how much she appreciated having me take her blood pressure and give her the Vitamin B-12 shot monthly, how much people at Bethel really cared for her. She would talk about how my diabetes classes helped her to understand how to eat more nutritiously. She would mention that she had less back pain because she did the home exercises, which I taught her to do in our exercise classes.
In closing, the daughter expressed her appreciation for all the phone calls that I’d made in the past to her mom’s physician, advocating for her in regards to side effects from her medications, and explaining her lab test results. To say ‘Thank You’ for all that Bethel had provided to her mom and to her, the daughter said she’d like to donate all the frozen meat from her mom’s home freezer to Bethel, so that we could help feed some of the people who come to Bethel for food assistance. “It’s all I can offer you in return right now,” she said.
In the course of today’s conversation, the daughter mentioned how much Bethel meant to her mom and to her too. She explained today that she would drive her mom past Bethel often in the past, and her mom would always remark, “There’s my Bethel! I’ve been going there for over 30 years.”
Her mom would continue to talk about Bethel, expressing how much she had benefitted from all the health information she’s received, and how much she appreciated having me take her blood pressure and give her the Vitamin B-12 shot monthly, how much people at Bethel really cared for her. She would talk about how my diabetes classes helped her to understand how to eat more nutritiously. She would mention that she had less back pain because she did the home exercises, which I taught her to do in our exercise classes.
In closing, the daughter expressed her appreciation for all the phone calls that I’d made in the past to her mom’s physician, advocating for her in regards to side effects from her medications, and explaining her lab test results. To say ‘Thank You’ for all that Bethel had provided to her mom and to her, the daughter said she’d like to donate all the frozen meat from her mom’s home freezer to Bethel, so that we could help feed some of the people who come to Bethel for food assistance. “It’s all I can offer you in return right now,” she said.