Fiesta of Hope

Yesterday evening, Eric and I attended Adelante Mujeres's annual benefit, Fiesta of Hope. Adelante is an amazing organization that provides comprehensive education, leadership development and resources for Latina women and empowers them to pursue their dreams. As part of the program, several participants shared about how participating in the organization has made a difference in their lives. Each woman introduced herself by sharing her name and saying, "I am one of the leaders that we need today." I appreciated this declaration so much, especially from the young women who were up there (two of those in the picture above are high school students). Often, in the church and in others settings, we talk about youth and young adults as being the leaders of tomorrow or the future of the church. Sometimes people seem (to me) to be saying, "We've got to teach these people what to do because some day we will die and they'll need to continue our work so the church doesn't die." But our youth, young adults and immigrant sisters and brothers are also today's leaders and we would do well to look to them to teach us something--in the present! As these amazing women shared about progress they've made in their language skills, commitments to serving their communities, new businesses they are starting, educational achievements and increased confidence, I felt inspired. These really are some of the leaders that we need today!

I believe that Adelante Mujeres is doing exceptional things and am supporting their work by volunteering weekly the organization's youth branch--Adelante Chicas. The fourth graders I spend time with every Tuesday are lovely people and I am excited that they will have this community, network of support and caring adults present as they enter adolescence.

The Fiesta of Hope had amazing hor d'oeuvres, fondue, donated local wine and beer, salsa dancing and lots of good people!

Eric, me, Ron (Director of Hispanic Ministries for the OR-ID Conference), Apolonio (amazing Oaxacan guy who works for Virginia Garcia community health center), Kathy and Dan (pastor of the Forest Grove UMC), and good friends Leah and Mat.

At our table: Dan, Kathy, Rhoda (works with me in Western District Hispanic Ministries), Ron.