A World Link Host Family Experience
Written by Lisa Warteman; Host Mom to Nia Lomsadze (16-17; Georgia/CO)
While my husband [Howard] and I are in our 50’s, we are very active and extremely young at heart. We love to travel, hike, ski and just enjoy life to the fullest. We have been married for 27 years, but were never blessed with children of our own. Over the years, we have been volunteers for church high school youth groups, and I spent a couple of years as the Family Life Director at our church where I worked with high school students. It was not only fun, but rewarding.
With the exception of the 3 years that my Father lived with us, and an occasional guest twice a year, we never have had shared our home with humans. We have, however, always shared it with our animal companions.
I have been a caregiver for several years now working out of our home. My husband works full time as a Sales Manager. We started considering hosting a couple of years ago, but were not sure if it was something we wanted to do. This year when I received a last minute email requesting placement of 2 more students, we just felt a very strong calling to answer this request.
We were given the bios for a few students and chose a smart, beautiful young lady from Georgia named Nia. She is 17 years old and is a senior here. She has already completed her high school in Georgia except for her final tests for graduation when she returns.
Because we were the last ones to the party, Nia was not able to enroll in the school that provides bus service to our home. We agreed in advance to take and pick her up every day. This has probably been one of the best things that could have happened. The conversations we get to share in the car rides to and from school are priceless. My husband takes her on his way to work and I pick her up in the afternoons. We have taken her to many beautiful and amazing places that we enjoy here in Colorado. She has shared with us her customs and traditions that she shares with her first family back home. Together we laugh, sing, eat, dance, hike, take road trips; which create memories that will last us all a life time.
I know we will be sad when she leaves, but we are looking forward to visiting her next year to meet her family and make some new memories. We hope that she comes to visit us again in the near future for she is truly and joy and a blessing.
