Q & A with Houseparents (#3)
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!
What was the greatest blessing during your year?
Glenn and Elaine Horning,
Unit 2013-14, 2020-21, 2021-22
Glenn Horning: Watching the young people grow and mature in their faith, as well as learning about foreign cultures.
Zach Nolt: There is nothing more important than relationships and God blessed me with impactful relationships with the volunteers we served with, neighbors, Root Cellar staff and the community members at The Root Cellar. I learned so much about the Gospel and what it really means to love and serve your neighbors. Lewiston has left more of an impact on me than I could have imagined!
What were the biggest blessings?
Emily Rogers: "One unexpected thing that was really cool was having a year without the distraction of life's big decisions. It was a rich opportunity to focus on people and ministry. Our lives and conversations could fully center around serving others. It was a special year for our family."
How did your view of the Kingdom of God grow as you served in Lewiston?
Sheldon & Jolene Shank: We spent a lot of time around children both at the Root Cellar and with neighborhood children on Horton Street. The true nature of children stood out to me and helped me grow in my view of the Kingdom. They were so trusting. Jesus' words in Matthew 18:3 ``Except ye be converted,and become as little children. ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven" became more real in Lewiston. The children were starving for attention and were trusting. Do I really trust God like these children trusted us?
On the other hand, we saw a lot of undisciplined children who were never taught to respect or to obey. These children reminded me of my own sinfulness and the mercy God had for me. As we worked with children, we repeatedly had to extend mercy and grace to them and offer second chances. Yet no matter how bad the children were at times, God’s kingdom became more clear as they showed me unconditional love by returning the next day with a clean slate.
The plight of the immigrant community in Lewiston left a heavy imprint on my heart. After serving In Maine, the challenges that the immigrant community faces became more evident to me. After seeing some of their struggles and hearing their stories, I left Lewiston with a different perspective on immigration issues in the US. I saw a group of people that were desperate to start a new life in a strange land. These people all had a difficult journey in life, and it was a joy to hear their stories. The perseverance they displayed to come and learn a new language was an inspiration to me. How hard do I "seek a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God"?.
What relationships left a lasting impression on your life
Jolene Shank: Since a majority of my time was spent at the Unit house, those who came in and out of our home and yard left the biggest impact on my life. First of all, the two young adults who lived with us became a very special part of our family and are still important to each of us. Second, would be the relationships made with the numerous neighbor children we saw almost daily throughout the summer. One family in particular made leaving difficult asI grew to love them, and could tell they trusted me with their hurts and problems. It has been difficult to maintain contact with them, but I'll never forget them or stop praying for them.
Sheldon Shank: One relationship that continues to leave a lasting impression from my year in Maine was a man named Jean Louise. Now, two years later, we continue to communicate on a fairly regular basis. I met Jean Louis at the Root Cellar . He had recently arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo where he had fled to escape backlash from a government job he had held . He was no longer safe after he refused to lie about airplane safety reports. I spent a lot of time with him as we worked together in FANN groups, gave him driving lessons, and drove him to various appointments.
After we moved back home, Jean Louis’s niece and her family came to visit us. They only live an hour from our Maryland home and we have really got to know them. Jean Louise hopes to visit us someday and we enjoy getting to see him when we visit Lewiston.
The staff at the Root Cellar also left a lasting impression on me. The dedication of the staff that worked to tirelessly meet the needs of the community was incredible. They were bombarded with questions and needs all day long and were able to show Christ's love in tangible ways. I enjoyed the experience of seeing the rewards and challenges of a small urban ministry.
Why is this opportunity not worth missing?
Monika Nolt: This is a great way to experience different cultures without ever leaving the country. I like the diversity you are surrounded with. When you get to talk with different people, you get to hear their life stories; what life was like in Somalia, what it felt like to live in a refugee camp, or the challenges of being an asylum seeker. You can gain an incredible perspective on life by getting to know your neighbors.
Zach Nolt: Building new friendships, expanding your worldview, seeing God at work in ministry, growing in your relationship with Christ, exploring the beauty of Maine, trying cultural food, experiencing cultural diversity and getting to enjoy a “real” winter in Maine. The list could go on! All that to say, it’s been a life changing experience and we’ve been blessed in so many ways.
