Johann Butikofer will be arriving at FB on November 8 and is planning to spend a year with us as a maintenance volunteer. He is a brother to TAP student Joel Butikofer and currently lives in Richland Center, Wisconsin. Johann will be a “maintenance apprentice” until Lynford leaves in December and will then fill Lynford’s role. Johann brings with him experience and skills in both mechanics and building construction. We are eagerly looking forward to making him part of the team.

Welcome to Rebecca Yoder of Ronks, PA, our new volunteer receptionist. Our current receptionist, Brenda Wenger, is training her this week, and Rebecca plans to take full responsibility for receptionist duties next week.

Welcome to Lisa Miller (Guys Mills, PA), teaching Grade 2 in Faith Builders Christian School. Lisa is the wife of Tim Miller, a second-year MAP student.

We’re delighted to welcome new and returning students this fall. We’re also excited to have some great volunteers to work with us. Amy Gingerich (Leon, IA), will be working in domestics with Rose Mary Nisly (Oswego, KS). Emily Byler (Windsor, OH), April Stoltzfus (Lewisburg, PA), and Lisa Petersheim (Oakland, MD) will be working together in the kitchen.

If you are interested in working at Faith Builders as a volunteer, contact us!

We’re delighted to welcome Sheldon, Joann, and their family to the FB staff! Sheldon will serve as Administrator of Operations, overseeing many aspects of the physical plant such as kitchen, renovation, maintenance, and information technology.

Do you have interest in serving at Faith Builders in voluntary service? Do you know someone who would fit one of these positions? We would love to hear from you. We encourage you to consider suggesting someone in your community who may be interested in serving at Faith Builders.

We have needs for volunteers in the following capacities:

• Kitchen: three ladies by August 11, 2008
• Domestics: two ladies by June 23, 2008
• Maintenance: One married couple by July 1, 2008; one single man by December, 2008
• House parents: one married couple by August 15, 2008

If you would like to suggest someone or inquire about these opportunities for service, please call 814-789-4518 extension 348.

Faith Builders is happy to announce that Sheldon & Joanne Kauffman and family will be joining the Faith Builders team. Sheldon will be serving as Administrator of Operations. They plan to arrive May 1, 2008.

Milo and Mary Sue Zehr began a well-deserved sabbatical from FBEP in August of 2007. They chose to move to the Lancaster area where they enjoyed some rest and Milo took additional pastoral training. As they considered their personal vision and calling in light of Faith Builders’ focus on training teachers and church workers, they decided not to return to Faith Builders at the end of their sabbatical.

We keenly miss their presence and contribution. In spite of the “hole” that their departure has created, we seek to honor and respect the decision they have made.

Milo continues in his role as head pastor of Shalom Mennonite Church. As his journey continues to unfold, appropriate church leadership will be put in place to pave the way for the transitions that will need to happen.

Please pray with us that these changes will be a blessing to Milo and Mary Sue, to FBEP, and to the church at large.

David and Mary King have been serving as FB house-parents since the fall of 2007. Their warm presence has been a blessing to us. Church leadership needs in their home community call them back to Buffalo Valley. They will return home in June. We are in need of an older retired couple with a pastoral nature to replace them. Maintenance and janitorial skills or business experience are not required but are definite assets for this voluntary-service position. Please contact Brandon at 814-789-4518 ext 348 to inquire about this opportunity or to recommend a couple.

Farewell to Lewis and Jenny Martin with their daughters Krystal and Kate as they return to their home in Listowel, Ontario. Visa limitations required them to return to Ontario by early March. Lewis has been an outstanding asset to the maintenance department, and his work has been deeply appreciated.

With Lewis’s departure, we need a volunteer in maintenance immediately. Please contact Melvin at 814-789-4518 ext 304 if you have interest in this position or if you know someone who may be interested.