It’s not always about a new house, is it? This fall, Calvary partnered with Habitat for Humanity and with Luis Ortolaza and his wife, Evette Rios to rehab a Habitat House formerly occupied by someone who was able to ‘upgrade’ to a larger home! What a wonderful way to be a part of the Habitat plan. Louis and Evette are thrilled that they get to be homeowners and are going to be living on Fuller Court in Bloomington. They are also very appreciative of the people who came from Calvary to help make their dream come true.
Calvary’s Habitat Team worked on 8 Saturdays in August, September and October, putting in 185 volunteer hours between 20 people. There were 15 people who worked on the house and another 5 who provided refreshments for our hard-working house flippers.
Habitat For Humanity’s Mission is: “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” Those who apply for, qualify, and are chosen for a Habitat House must work alongside the Habitat onsite staff as well as volunteers in order to fulfill their end of the contract. The family receives an affordable mortgage that they can manage and the community gains wonderful neighbors in these new homeowners!
What’s next? The United Methodist Churches in Bloomington/Normal are coming together to do a ‘United Methodist’ Habitat Build in 2018. While all of the UM churches in town participate in their own outreach ministries, the pastors thought it would be wonderful to unite in doing something very important. The idea blossomed into a Habitat Build. We look forward to working alongside our new and old friends at the other United Methodist Churches in town in 2018 as we help to make a difference for another family in Bloomington/Normal.
About the Author
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC