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June Byshenk, a member of Hope

in Countryside, holds Toni Bledsoe

at Kum Bah Yah House

Sparks Newsletter March 22, 2006

In This Issue

Three stories describe Kum Bah Yah House, a Well Baby Clinic ministry of Ebenezer Lutheran to mothers and babies in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood. "Sharing Christ's Love" provides the overview.
"Clinic Equips Mothers" describes the ministry through the eyes of Earline Hamm, who leads the ministry because her heart was touched by the needs in the community.
"Volunteers are the Lifeblood" describes the support given by many volunteers to make this ministry happen.Photos are also available of this ministry.
Another ministry is highlighted in the story "A Special Lamb." The special lamb is Shelley, who attends a special Bible class at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Chicago, a class supported by the Voice of Care ministry.
Finally, check out "News and Notes" for other items newly added to the People Ablaze! website, including secure online giving.

Sharing Christ's Love in North Lawndale

by Larry Ulrich

When mothers and young children visit Kum Bah Yah House, they are greeted by Jesus Christ pictured on a mural in the first room they enter. But the presence of Jesus Christ goes well beyond His physical depiction in artwork. It shows up in many ways at Kum Bah Yah House, a Well Baby Clinic—and more--in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood as a ministry of Ebenezer Lutheran Church.

On a recent Saturday morning, when Sparks visited Kum Bah Yah House, a Bible study of Hebrews 11 was being led by Earetha Winton, a ministry volunteer and long-time member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Ministry volunteers and client mothers read the verses as Earetha and others willingly shared their personal faith and gave witness to their faith in Jesus Christ.

As the study of Hebrews 11 progressed, Earetha spoke eloquently on the meaning of ‘by Faith’ as she linked the Old Testament faith of Abel, Enoch, Jonah, and Abraham, first to New Testament Christianity and finally to the individual lives of the young mothers served by Kum Bah Yah House. “We are all brothers and sisters in Christ,” Earetha boldly stated to the mothers present for the study.

Click here for the rest of the story

Well Baby Clinic Equips North Lawndale Mothers

by Larry Ulrich

In 1988 Earline Hamn, a member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church, was concerned about news reports regarding the infant mortality rate in Ebenezer’s community, Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. “North Lawndale had the second highest infant mortality rate in the country. It was bordering on infant mortality as high as a third world nation,” Earline told Sparks one recent Saturday morning.

Earline was working that morning at Kum Bah Yah House, a well baby clinic ministry housed in Ebenezer’s former school building. The Ebenezer congregation founded the clinic ministry, which operates the first and third Saturdays of each month except July and August, in response to that news story 18 years ago.

A retired nurse who previously worked at both the University of Illinois Medical Center and Cook County Hospital, Earline now volunteers as manager for this clinic that serves a community where the per capita income is less than 50% of the national average, according to U.S. Census statistics.

During the clinic’s early days, lack of prenatal care, drug and alcohol dependency, and malnutrition were ever present dangers to the economically disadvantaged community. These were “potato chip and Kool Aid” mothers, Earline told Sparks.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Volunteers are the Lifeblood

by Larry Ulrich

Volunteers are the life blood of Kum Bah Yah House, the well baby clinic at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood.

Ebenezer members are active in this outreach ministry, but the clinic also benefits from the volunteers and contributions of a number of northern Illinois Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod congregations.

When Sparks visited Kum Bah Yah House on a recent Saturday, volunteers from four congregations were present: St. Paul in Norwood Park, Hope in Countryside, Our Savior on Neva Avenue in Chicago, and St. Andrew’s in Park Ridge.

Click here for the rest of the story.

A Special Lamb

by Janet Hasler

Shelly Leech regularly attends the Special Lambs Bible class at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chicago. The class is designed for disabled students of all ages and abilities.

Having taught Shelly at the Bible class, I asked her what she likes about the Special Lambs classes. She replied that she likes hearing about Jesus and His forgiveness of our sins. She also understands that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Shelly likes helping the ladies in the kitchen serve refreshments, and she is helpful in assisting the other students.

Talking about the recent passing of her father, Shelly said she knows that he is in heaven. Her face lights up when she talks about her two brothers, one sister, and many aunts and cousins.

Click here for the rest of the story.

News and Notes

Several videos have been added recently to our website regarding People Ablaze! See two messages, an introduction and a summary message, from LCMS Northern Illinois District President William Ameiss. Also available is a video featuring high school senior Philip Klopke and another with Butch Almstedt, chair of the World Missions Board of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
Looking for Ablaze! Mission Outpost grant information? Click here.
If you would enjoy helping support outreach ministry, check out the volunteer positions available with People Ablaze!

Subscribe or unsubscribe here. Question or comment? Contact us.Sparks exists to connect people and ministries in northern Illinois. It is emailed every two weeks by People Ablaze, a movement of Lutheran Christians in northern Illinois who seek to encourage the sharing of the Good News of God's love in Jesus Christ in our area. Read more about us.