Habitat of Humanity

Central team: Pr Ron M, me and Dave H.

For members of Central who actually read the church newsletter (God bless you), you already heard about my recent day at a Habitat for Humanity build. As I mentioned in the newsletter, I spent a week one summer working on a Habitat house in East Waterloo. I was a summer camp counselor, leading a group of high school kids on the week of work, play and reflection.

I needed the reflection, too. We were working in a part of Waterloo (population 75,000) that I'd seen only while driving through quickly with my doors locked. I grew up about an hour's drive from Waterloo and spent time there in malls and theaters. But I'd never dared or thought to stop by the neighborhoods where I worked on that Habitat house.

At the end of the week, we shared worship at a local Baptist church. The warm welcome we received was overwhelming for us Scandinavian types. There were hugs and handshakes and hallelujahs. We were put in the front row and the preacher went on for quite some time about how we had served the Lord through Habitat of Humanity. We giggled at his error but in the end, we were touched by the experience of being thanked so much for doing what seemed like so little.

Fast-forward a few years to this past week. I spent a day working on a Habitat build in Mountain View, here in Anchorage, at 4th and Oklahoma. I worked on the Thrivent Build house, sponsored by Lutherans and, coincidentally, promised to a Lutheran family from St. Mark's. I was there last Friday with a couple of folks from Central; Pastor Glenn was there this past Wednesday with others from our parish.

As a pastor, I get a lot of these "do good" opportunities. Sometimes I look forward to them, sometimes I'm just tired and want some time to myself. I might have felt a little weary when I showed up last week at 4th and Oklahoma and put on my belt and hard hat.

But, you know how it is, you pick up a hammer, climb some scaffolding, learn how to put some snow and ice shield on the roof, and everything feels a little better. You see how you are a part of something bigger than yourself. You see how the little bit that you are doing is contributing to a greater whole. You see how one person really can make a difference. You see how we are all connected in this city and this planet and how much we really need each other.

It really is a Habitat of Humanity.

Want to volunteer? People are still needed to get this house done by Thanksgiving (or maybe Christmas!) Indoor work available. Check out the Anchorage Habitat website to volunteer.