Q & A with Houseparents (#1)
What’s it like to be houseparents?
Good question. We asked former and current houseparents a few questions, and they have given us some deep perspective.
Check it out!
Joe and Carol Fretz, Unit 2012-2013
What fears did you have as you considered serving as houseparents?
Carol Fretz: My biggest and only fear was how would I be able to relate and keep up with 4 teens, after having an empty nest for 22 years. However, when I considered the fact that there had been previous house mothers, who were my age (68) or older, that calmed my fear. God had given them the strength and grace they needed, so I knew He would do the same for me...and He did!
What was it like to blend multiple family backgrounds together for a year of service?
Elaine Horning: Each new unit brings together individuals with different tastes, backgrounds, traditions, likes, and dislikes. As the new unit begins their year together there is a time of adjustment and getting to know one another on an ever deeper level. As a housemother this may mean learning to try new recipes to make a volunteer’s favorite meals. The blending of individuals is a time of give and take as everyone learns to work together as a unit.
How did God provide for your financial needs as you prepared to move to Lewiston?
Monika Nolt: Our family and volunteer unit was blessed in many different ways. One family blessed our Unit by donating different types of meat throughout the year. Other times people would bless us with gift cards or monetary gifts.
Zach Nolt: My expectation was that our year of volunteer service would be a big financial hit for our family. While the volunteer program provided the vehicles, housing and funds for daily expenses, I was blown away at how family, friends and people we didn’t even know rallied around us and gave above and beyond what we needed.
Is Lewiston safe?
Glenn & Elaine: I would consider it safe to live here. There are places in town I would not feel totally comfortable walking after dark. However, at no time have I ever been in fear of bodily harm or worse. The important thing to remember is that God is Sovereign and he will never lead you to a place where he can not keep you.
Sheldon and Jolene Shank along with their 8 children. Houseparents 2018-2019
How did your children handle the move?
Jolene Shank: Overall, the children adjusted well to the move. Our youngest (age 2) seemed a little "needy" for a week or two while he adjusted to our new home, and one of our older children really minded the transition from a rural farm setting to an inner-city setting. Since we were already home schooling, we did not need to make any major schooling changes which was helpful. We really were amazed at the resilience God gave each child.
Sheldon Shank: Although we were concerned about how our children might adjust, those concerns were never realized! Our older children made a lot of new friends in Maine and talk about visiting often. Lewiston is a community with a lot of children, so our children fit right in pretty naturally.
Elaine Horning: We had 2 boys, ages 5 and 7, the first year we served as houseparents. The boys thought moving to Maine was a great adventure and really enjoyed having older “siblings”. The volunteers enjoyed having the boys around because it helped ease the homesickness of missing younger siblings. Our second term of house parenting our two youngest were 13 and 16 years old. They adjusted well and made close friends with the volunteers. Seven years later those friendships are still strong.
