ALMOST HEAVEN Last October, a group of people from the Marienville and Sigel Presbyterian churches traveled to Pendelton County, West Virginia and spent the weekend working at the Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, Circleville Chapter. Now for those who don't know what Habitat is, many people affectionately describe it as that "Jimmy Carter thing." Actually, Habitat for Humanity was started by Millard Fuller in Americus, Georgia in response to the poverty and lack of adequate housing that he experienced in some of the depressed areas below the Mason-Dixon Line. Habitat for Humanity is an international ecumenical Christian ministry that is dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing. Many people of the world know about the problem, but few do anything about it Fuller contended. The fact that millions of people, all made in the image and likeness of God, live in wretched conditions upset him. He believed it was not right that these people do not have a decent place to live. This is "bad news," he said. Fuller believed the "Good News" is that we can do something about it. With God, Fuller maintained, all things are possible, even the elimination of poverty housing. He established the first Habitat project as a way for God to work through people. Since its inception in the 1970's, Habitat for Humanity has grown rapidly and in 1993, it is projected to be the leading builder of homes in America. Habitat is not federally or state funded. It is a private, non-profit organization which is dedicated to the specific mission of eliminating poverty housing in the world. Individuals, organizations, churches, whole communities organize and share their material and physical wealth by contacting Habitat chapters and volunteering to build or repair dwellings of all kinds all over the nation and the world. Now you may ask, isn't this just another form of charity work? Yes, the charity is the gift of the volunteer's labor. Yes, individuals or groups can donate money as well for building products. But no, people who receive Habitat's services are required to sign a contract and pay for the repairs or the home that Habitat builds for them. What makes it all work, however, is the no-interest loans given to the prospective new homeowner. Habitat contracts with an individual to build a home for him or her. The Habitat director and the prospective owner decide on what amount the owner can pay based upon his or her current income. Once the contract is signed, the Habitat director then begins to procure materials to build the home. Most of the materials are donated or purchased with money contributed by individuals, churches, civic organizations, and others who are committed to making a difference. Habitat for Humanity International assists new chapters in raising capital to build its first home. This seed money is provided until the chapter becomes self-sustaining. After a home is completed, the new homeowner and his or her family take ownership of the home, move into it, and begin to make payments on it. Ten percent of the house payment is reinvested in new building projects. Now, when a Habitat chapter really becomes productive is after seven homes are built and the 10% from all the completed homes can be reinvested in an eighth structure. Not only is the concept unique, it works, and without all the bureaucratic "red tape" that government projects create. In Pendelton County, West Virginia, the median income is about $10,000 per year. Fifty percent of the family dwellings in the county do not have indoor plumbing. Though the county is a scenic wonderland containing Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob, the highest mountain in West Virginia, the residents are well below the poverty income level established by the Federal government. Our group stayed at the Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Center. It is a large, functional dwelling serving as the focal point for all Pendelton County activities. It, too, was built by volunteer labor. Reverend Kirk Lynam Barner and his wife, Cory Lynam Barner, coordinate all the activities at the center, raise funds for the chapter, oversee new construction, keep records, participate in the life of the community, and live on next to nothing - just like the people they serve. About 35 people were present on that October Saturday morning for "roll call." Barner read off a list of jobs which needed to be done, and volunteers raised their hands indicating their desire to take on a particular task. Reverend Tom Barner, Marienville Presbyterian Church's minister and Kirk's father, Cheryl Nemcik, Ann Packett, Sigel Presbyterian Church, and I volunteered to build a new chimney. Now, I never laid a block in my life, but I watched my father lay 2000 cement blocks and 17,000 bricks while building his home. He never let me lay any of them. He was faster than any person I ever saw when it came to laying bricks or blocks. It was easier for him to lay them than to watch me fumble along, so I really got good at carrying "mud" for him. I was up to the challenge. Tom, Cheryl, Ann, and I traveled up to Spruce Knob to a new home under construction. The cement pad was already poured for the chimney's foundation. We decided, since I had the most experience "watching" someone lay block, I would handle the trowel. I scraped the pad clean. I spread the mortar that Tom, Ann, and Cheryl mixed, and then laid my first block on the bed of mortar. Our chimney began to take shape. Using my level and block hammer, I coaxed every block until the each course was plumb and square. Eight hours later, the fifteenth course was laid. We were out of scaffolding so I couldn't go any higher. The sun was setting majestically behind Spruce Knob. I felt a profound sense of elation at having constructed my first chimney. As we cleaned our tools and covered the building materials, the new home's owner came up to visit. Joe and his family lived a hundred yards away in an old trailer. They had no running water in their home. For seventeen years, his wife carried water from a spigot about 100 feet from their door. The new home would have running water piped in from a spring located 2000 feet above the home. Joe told us that his family lived on this "piece of earth" since before the Civil War. He pointed out to what appeared to be a dilapidated barn-like dwelling was the "original family homestead." He was a proud man, but did not seem to mind that we were working on his home on his land. When the home was done, he would assume mortgage payments for it. He was not receiving charity. True, no-interest payments would attract most individuals. Yet, the mortgage payment itself was a commitment on Joe's part that his family would no longer live in poverty housing. As Cheryl and I drove back to the volunteer center, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. My only regret was that I was not able to finish the chimney. Seeing smoke rise up from it would have made the day magnificently perfect. We spent a few hours at the end of the day relaxing in the volunteer center. My son and I played basketball on the indoor court. Eventually, we collapsed in the barracks-like bedroom. We mimicked the Walton Family as we said goodnight to one another. What a day! On Sunday, we celebrated communion at the center. Reverend Tom, his wife, Ann, who is also a minister, and Kirk, collaborated on the service. We all gave thanks for the bounty in our lives. As I drove home, the memories of the work done in Pendelton County ebbed and flowed. They would remain with me forever. On Sunday, August 15, 1993, a second excursion is being planned. The mission this time is to stay from Sunday through Friday, August 20th, and complete as much work as possible. If any person is interested in participating in this unique mission work, please contact me at 927-6615 until 4 pm, and at 927-8303 or 927-5640 after 7 pm for details. For those who want to contact Habitat directly, the address is: Habitat for Humanity International's address is 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498. Phone: (912) 924-6935. In the words of Habitat founder, Millard Fuller, "Let us pray and act together to do more about this worldwide problem, and let us do it all to the glory of God." Hope to see you in August....