Home Away from Home
How does one find a sense of home without a family? The Liebenzell Host Family Program provides an answer to that question the German Impact students ask themselves when living so far away from home for 6-12 months. Host families act as welcoming substitutes to students, volunteers and missionaries who come to Liebenzell on Schooley’s Mnt from other countries.
“I started the host family program for the international Impact students who come to campus for 6 months to a year,” says Josephine Angst, Liebenzell USA’s Human Resources and Volunteer Coordinator, “because after serving with them the last two years, I realized the one thing that was missing was the family connection. This was a void they were feeling even if they didn’t even know it themselves.”
The Debora and Simon Rockel family, who live near the Liebenzell Retreat Center, have been the perfect host family, especially for the German students. Debora and Simon both grew up in Germany and have lived in the US for 11 years. They have five children, three of which Debora homeschools. She and Simon both love to invest their time in young people’s lives, especially since they both had so much adult support when they were teens as well.
“It helped us immensely in our growth with Christ, in our just daily life and becoming who we are now,” says Debora. With this empathetic view on needing that support system, the Rockels knew that God was calling them to do the very same for the German Impact students.
The Rockels heard about Liebenzell when growing up in Germany. Their families had been involved in the Liebenzell Missions at the churches in Germany, so when they heard about Liebenzell on Schooley’s Mountain in New Jersey, they were very excited. The family has been involved in many different events at the retreat center, such as the children’s mission fest and fall mission fest.
Being a host family has been a blessing for the Rockels. Their family as a whole enjoys opening their home and their hearts to new people. Their kids have great fun getting to know the Impact students as much as Debora and Simon do. “For our kids it has been especially a blessing to spend time with them.” Most of all, the family loves to see the students grow in a new culture and further their faith in God.
A host family provides a sense of belonging in a place that is very new to the Impact Students. Not only does a host family submerge the students into American culture, but they also become involved in the family’s culture. The Rockel’s make it a priority to spend quality time with the students. They spend time with them doing things such as having dinner together, going on trips, and just making sure they feel that sense of belonging that a host family provides. “We simply try to just have family hangout time with them,” Debora explains.
And the students love it. “I think it’s cool that Simon brings me closer to the American culture. Hunting, fishing and even a little road trip to pick up a car he bought. I’m happy that he takes me with him from time to time and shows me things I didn’t do before,” says Raphael.
In addition, host families become a safe space for students away from the work or study the participants are doing, according to Josephine. “I believe that it is a benefit for them to emotionally and mentally connect with people who are not necessarily part of the Liebenzell work force so that they can also have a place to share things that they need to talk about,” she says.
There are many different beautiful aspects to being a host family. Something that the Rockels enjoy in particular is having a different generation in their household. The Impact students provide a generational diversity that is not present in the Rockel household. “Young adults who come into our home so they can spend time with us and we can learn from them as well,” Debora notes. The shared love of learning from each other helps host families like the Rockels and Impact students bless each other and grow together.
Rosie, who has enjoyed her time with the Rockels shares how this host family has made a difference for her, “It’s so nice to see how happy the children are when we come to visit. I love how much love they show us too. I’ve also had some really good conversations, especially with Debbie. This also helps me to reflect on myself and understand myself better. It’s also very interesting to see how a family works, more from the parents’ point of view. I can learn a lot and take a lot with me.”
