Building on Solid Ground

The house we are building for Betty and her sister is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath model from Habitat for Humanity.  Before their home burned, Betty’s sister, Odessa had been planning to move in with her.  Betty and Odessa dream of a yellow house with a front porch where they can sit with family and friends.  A few weeks ago Betty went to look at some new Habitat homes to find a model that would work for her and Odessa.  She fell in love with this home.  Isn't it adorable?

On August 21, 2012 we had the fifth "Betty Build" meeting and Ann Gibert started us off with  a devotion.  She told us about storytelling to preschoolers at Vacation Bible School a couple of weeks ago. 

"By the last night, we were in a groove. I realized that the thing that most of the stories of the week had in common was that they involved houses as either the focus or the locus of the story. So, on this last night, we pulled out some wooden blocks and my youth helper and I had a “build-off” to see who could make the coolest house. Hers was waaaaay better, but she had built it on a “foundation” of a pillow, while mine was on the ground. Just like the story said, when things got stormy, her house fell down. That's supposed to be the end of the story, because in it's original form it's designed to show the difference between a life built on solid biblical principles and a life that has no such foundation.
      But something happened that surprised me. God gave me a different way to think about that story. As we acted it out, my helper pretended (very effectively) to be very sad because her house had been destroyed. It's not in the story, but I couldn't just end there with a “crying” homeowner. So, I ad-libbed a new ending to the story. I Invited my neighbor to share my house, which made her and the pre-schoolers happy.

      When those of us now involved with Build Betty a House heard her story, we reacted the way the pre-schoolers did. It didn't matter what had happened to her house or how it happened as much as the fact that she no longer has one. She was sad, and as the community of faith in Huntersville, we feel called to make things right. This isn't about whether Betty “deserves” a house, or has “earned” a house, any more than we earn or deserve eternal life. It's about showing compassion, and responding to God's clear call to us to build something much bigger than a house. Yes, Betty will get a house, and it will be a great thing for her and her family, but what we have discovered this is really about is building community."

     The most exciting aspect of this project is the clear presence of God in each and every step of the process.  The group which has formed to build Betty's house includes Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Mormons, Baptists, Episcopalians, and Jews.  There are artists, writers, sign makers, contractors, demolition experts, pastors and many others willing to band together in faith to Build for Betty because we all feel that God is calling. 

     Please share this blog with friends and family.  Demolition of the burned home will be in the next couple of weeks and several fundraisers will be announced soon!  Hang on tight, here we go.

"So the whole world will know that we're not alone"

     Well, Salkehatchie Huntersville is finished, and I feel much like I do about Christ on the cross.  It hurts my heart to see it die, but I know that the best is yet to come.  Now, I don't presume a Christ-like status, but follow me with the metaphor for a moment.      Salkehatchie, like Christ, brought together a rag-tag bunch of misfits who feared appearing foolish, sometimes failed to live up to the example of Christ and doubted everything. It was often hard, hot and sometimes thankless work.  But through it all, the Salkehatchie family, like the early Christians, persevered, grew in faith and love, and formed the foundation of something new and radical in the world. Christ's work, while in his earthly body; was wondrous, miraculous and defied explanation, but it is his death and resurrection that changed mankind.  I pray that the Salkehatchie Huntersville story is just beginning a new chapter.  I believe it is and I believe that Ms. Betty's house plays an important role in that chapter.

     As a part of the closing of camp, an announcement was made that a collection of funds had been donated to the fund for Betty's home in honor of the work Jerry and I have done for Salkehatchie.  That still brings tears to my eyes.  There is no greater gift than to know that you made a difference, you mattered in someone's life and to know that has manifested into a tangible gift to improve someone else's life is...well, AWESOME!  Thank you, all of you, for reminding us that we're not alone.

     The Matt Maher song, "Hold Us Together" is not new, but it was new to me.  It sounds so "Salkehatchie" to me and I found myself ruminating on it and waking up humming it.  When we were talking to Perry Brittian about helping us with the music for camp, I asked him if it was a song he knew.  His response?  "No, but I have been thinking about it a lot lately and I want to learn it."  To me, this was a God thing.  The song touches me so deeply and reminded me again and again that,

     "This is the first day of the rest of your life

     'Cause even in the dark, you can still see the light It's gonna be alright, it's gonna be alright"

Hold Us Together

Matt Maher 
(Hit Play Button to Hear Song)

It don't have a job,

don't pay your bills

Won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills

Won't fix your life

in five easy steps

Ain't the law of the land or the government
But it's all you need

And love will hold us together

Make us a shelter to weather the storm

And I'll be my brother's keeper

So the whole world will know that we're not alone

It's waiting for you knocking at your door

In the moment of truth when your heart hits the floor
And you're on your knees

And love will hold us together

Make us a shelter to weather the storm

And I'll be my brother's keeper

So the whole world will know that we're not alone

This is the first day of the rest of your life

This is the first day of the rest of your life

'Cause even in the dark, you can still see the light It's gonna be alright, it's gonna be alright
This is the first day of the rest of your life

This is the first day of the rest of your life

'Cause even in the dark, you can still see the light It's gonna be alright, it's gonna be alright

Love will hold us together

Make us a shelter to weather the storm

And I'll be my brother's keeper

So the whole world will know that we're not alone

     On Tuesday the steering committee for Betty's house meets again and I am so excited to see the house that Love will build.  God Bless you all!