Habitat trip to El Salvador builds more than homes

From Central New York-

"Anybody can volunteer. The first trip I went on had people from the age of 18 to 75. Male or female, no construction experience is necessary. (I'm looking for) someone who is eager to learn about another country and to be involved, and willing to get their hands dirty," he said.

The experience will involve working to construct a three-room 450 square-foot house, with the future homeowner working alongside the volunteers. But the mission trip won't be all work. The week includes experiences to foster cultural learning of the nation's different aspects, such as a day at a beach resort and a potential trip to a coffee plantation.

A bilingual host assists the team to remove the language barrier.

Coerper serves as a worksite coordinator in Syracuse, and trained as a global village trip leader. He joined similar trips to Dominican Republic before moving to Skaneateles nearly three years ago, and had hoped to set up a similar mission. That didn't pan out, so he took advantage of strong connections between the community and El Salvador to establish one in the densely populated nation.

The Episcopal Diocese of Central New York supported the concept and worked with the other diocese to make it happen.

More here-

http://auburnpub.com/news/local/habitat-trip-to-el-salvador-builds-more-than-homes/article_f3472666-cc6c-59c0-90eb-dc091c884f7f.html

Grace Mission Episcopal members dig deep to help others (with video)

From Florida-

So often it is said, those with should give to those without. But at Grace Mission Episcopal Church, that saying is reversed when it comes to empowering the lives of their congregants.

Through pocket change donations, Grace Mission raised $2,000 over a year for the Big Bend Habitat for Humanity. The donation seems more selfless when considering the fact that the attendance at a Grace Mission service is full of those suffering from homelessness, unemployment and addiction.

The $2,000 donation will go to a new house on Harris Street beginning construction later this month. Grace Mission already has 13 church members ready to volunteer labor for the project.

More here-

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20130121/TLHLOCAL08/301200005/Grace-Mission-Episcopal-members-dig-deep-help-others-video-

Good Stuf in TEC: Florida

Volunteers from four area churches gathered once again at the 35th Habitat for Humanity of Hall County building site to celebrate the ground breaking of a home for a Gainesville mother of three.

Lakisha Thomas hopes to move into the 1,150-square-foot home with her young children by October.

Dennis Machida, construction supervisor for Habitat for Humanity of Hall County, said the two-story house on West Avenue will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. He said volunteers have already laid the foundation for the site, but community members are invited to construct the rest of the house.

“Every Saturday we need 20 to 25 people and we plan to complete this in 16 weeks,” he said.

Four churches pitching in on Habitat home

Grace Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church and Gainesville First United Methodist Church are sponsoring Thomas’ house and are providing many volunteers.

Doug Dailey, rector of Grace Episcopal, said this house is the sixth Habitat home since 2003 his church has helped to build. He said the “theology of the hammer” drives his congregation to pitch in.

“As Christians, we are called to increase justice, compassion and love and Habitat is a real tangible way to do that,” he said.

Robb Owens, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Hall County, said this house marks the 35th Habitat home Hall Countians have built since the mid 1990s. He estimates about 85 percent of those homes have been built since 2001.

More here-

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/20068/