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.