Q & A with House parents (#2)
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 it like to be in a new church for a year?
Joe & Carol Fretz: Our family has been involved in helping support the churches in Maine for many years. We felt at ease with the Lewiston church because we knew many of the folks there.
Monika Nolt: It took some time to become comfortable with a new church. I didn’t know many people, but as time went along I built deep friendships that have left a lasting impact on my life.
Zach and Monika Nolt, Units, 2014-15 and 2015-2016
What was it like to adjust to city life?
Emily Rogers: "This was among the larger adjustments for me. It is a transition to live surrounded by trees and open land, to being surrounded by buildings. It was challenging when neighbor kids would pick all our flowers and dogs would “use” our lawn. Suddenly, everything was everyones.
I was blessed by our neighbors who would take the time to chat and chill on their porches. Too often we tend to organize our time tightly with "ALL" that "MUST" be done. The city taught me valuable lessons. It brought me face to face with how tightly I hold property, possessions and time."
Describe the adjustment into full-time ministry.
Tim and Emily Rogers,
Unit 2017-2018
Tim Rogers: When I left my regular job and moved to Maine to begin full time ministry there were a number of adjustments that came with the transition. What is expected of me was the first difficult question to ponder and there was much time spent trying to answer that question. In the end putting aside my own pride and saying “God please direct me where you want to bring light”, was helpful in combating the never ending question “am I doing enough?”
One of the greatest joys in beginning full time ministry was to step into an established ministry and continue the work of others. Catching the vision and joining the work, side by side with other believers is a treasured memory.
Getting the privilege to serve in Lewiston was a true gift and I am grateful to each one that made it possible.
What was most challenging in your year?
Emily Rogers: Deciding if we were going to move back to PA or stay in Lewiston. How could we leave this community? What might we miss out on if we moved back. It became so challenging, so we just stayed. =)
How did you see God answer prayer?
Joe Fretz: We were at BBI and were praying for house parents. I was employed by Ephrata Rehab Services. I had asked for more driving hours. Friday noon, when I called for my dispatch for Monday, I was told there was no additional hours available - I might want to look for another job. We prayed about it and decided that if someone who came for Brethren Alive weekend, would suggest that we be house parents, that would be our answer that we should volunteer. After the Friday evening service, James Patches said to me that he thought Carol and I should be house parents. That was our answer. So, we talked with Walter Heisey at the ice cream social. We had 3 weeks to pack up, lock up the house and go to orientation and then to Maine.
Carol Fretz: At BBI, in 2012, the entire student body was praying each evening for house parents. There were 4 volunteers, but no house parents. That Thursday evening our daughter Cheryl called and to our surprise she said, "I think you should pray about being house parents!" We prayed about the decision as we headed into Brethren Alive weekend. We decided that if anyone would suggest to us that we should be house parents, that would be God's direction/answer. After the Friday evening service, James Patches said, "You should be house parents." That was all the confirmation we needed.
Monika Nolt: With one of our volunteer groups, we kept a prayer journal to track how God was answering prayer. It was neat to see our 'small' prayers answered. Whether it was for safety on a trip, God providing the opportunity to speak hope into a neighbor’s life, or well behaved children on Root Cellar field trips.
Zach Nolt: God answered prayers about financial needs, safety, opportunity and wisdom. One that really stands out to me was our prayer for building solid friendships within the community. To this day there are deep and lasting friendships with community members that I met on my first week in September of 2014!
