Habitat World Online

By Rebekah Graydon

“Faith” is defined, according to Webster, as the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another. Habitat for Humanity would add to that definition: Faith is what it takes to build a house.

Habitat affiliates will celebrate the faith partnerships that make house building possible during Habitat’s annual Building on Faith observance, held this year Sept. 8-15. Ecumenical services, multifaith builds and church-sponsored blitz builds provide an opportunity for affiliates to demonstrate that no matter what background a homeowner or volunteer represents, all can agree that everyone has the right to a simple, decent place to call home.

HFH of East King County in Redmond, Wash., plans to build at least three houses with a coalition of Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim congregations.
Tacoma/Pierce County HFH in Tacoma, Wash., hopes to involve 100 churches in building five houses.
Lakeland HFH in Lakeland, Fla., expects to build eight houses sponsored by churches of various denominations.
Cabarrus County HFH in Concord, N.C., anticipates bringing church and community sponsors together to blitz-build eight houses.

The International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat concludes the week.

“Mark Your Calendar”

June
3-7:
Jimmy Carter Work Project in Durban, South Africa

ongoing:
Global Village trips to Costa Rica, Kenya, Poland, Romania, United States (Alaska, Montana), Vanuatu, Zambia

July

12: United Nations Int’l Youth Day

11-14: LIFEST house build in Oshkosh, Wis. Call (920) 235-3535 for information.

20: Tacoma/Pierce County HFH begins a three-week Women Build project in Washington.

Ongoing: Global Village teams to Brazil, Guatemala, Hungary, Kenya, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Tanzania, Uganda, United States (Alaska)

August

14-20: Habitat 500 Bike Ride. This year marks the 10th year Habitat supporters have raised funds with a bike ride through Minnesota. Call (877) 804-3466 for more information.

Ongoing: Global Village teams to Armenia, Botswana, Ghana, Guatemala, Hungary, Kenya, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Tanzania, Thailand, United States (Alaska, Michigan, New Mexico)

Send news of upcoming builds, events and projects scheduled for October 2002 through March 2003 to Editor, Habitat World, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709, or e-mail habitatworld@hfhi.org.