Habitat for Humanity Calling the Gifted

by Dave Engh

Do you feel called to use your gift of building? Are you gifted with hospitality to be a Habitat for Humanity site host? The members and friends of St. Andrew's have a great opportunity to put their faith into action again this spring when St. Andrew's will help sponsor and build a Habitat for Humanity home for a low income family. Volunteers who work on Habitat houses will be able to stand back and see that their labor made a visible difference, but when they see the impact it makes on the family it's even more rewarding. Habitat for Humanity is a faith-based organization that is pledged to eliminate poverty, prejudice and oppression. Habitat is in over 100 countries worldwide. They have also been in Jamaica, where St. Andrew's members have built homes each of the past several years. Homeowners must work 300-500 hours of "sweat equity" on Habitat homes then obtain a zero-interest mortgage for the cost of their home.

This year we will work four weeks to help build a 3-unit town home on Dale St. in St. Paul. We will work the weeks of April 28-May 2, May 5-9, May 19-23 and June 9-13.

April 12-13 is Habitat weekend at St. Andrew's, and a special offering will be taken to help raise our $24,000 sponsorship pledge. Prayerfully consider generously supporting this important continuing mission of Christian love. Bring your calendar to sign up to build, bring food or be a site host. A table will be set up outside the sanctuary for volunteers to sign up. A Habitat family from last year's project will be our guest. Please pray for the success of this project and the safety of volunteers.

No experience is necessary, but even those who are experienced usually learn some new things. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old (with a parent). You can also contribute by bringing meals or snacks for the volunteers or contributing to the purchase of materials. Suppliers of construction materials or building trades contractors could donate for in-kind credit.

Contact Dave Engh (651-482-8642) or Lynn Hamblin (651-653-1676 food committee) to volunteer.

“My brothers, what good is it for someone to say that he has faith if his actions do not prove it? Can that faith save him? Suppose there are brothers and sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, 'God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!' if you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead." James 2:14-17.

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