We Welcome Gary!

Editor’s Note: CFNA recently established a badly needed Operations Associate position to help deal with a greatly expanded workload as services are offered to growing numbers of refugees. Gary Schaefer was selected to fill this position and here he tells us about himself.  

Gary Schaefer

I recently joined CFNA as the new Operations Associate. For the past 33 years I have been teaching elementary and middle school students in Lutheran schools in Minnesota, Illinois, and Missouri, and am a graduate of Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska. Since my retirement from full-time teaching a couple of years ago, I have kept myself busy working as a substitute teacher, handyman and volunteer worker at my home congregation.   

During this interim I earnestly prayed that God would lead me to an opportunity to serve people in a different way. My good friends Ron and Deb introduced me to CFNA and encouraged me to apply for this new position. CFNA seemed like a good fit for me and so I applied, interviewed, and was offered the position. I accepted and soon realized how crucial this ministry is in providing assistance to our new friends who have fled to the U.S. from all parts of the world.   

New Americans face many challenges as they make the adjustment to a new culture: Learning English, finding a home and jobs, obtaining citizenship, food, clothing, education, and healthcare, and learning to drive are some of the basic needs that must be accommodated. I very much look forward to forming new friendships with many of these people, as well as working alongside the CFNA staff members plus the many volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and talents to helping our new American friends feel welcome in this country.   

In His Peace!
Gary