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 Habitat
house keys turned over to Atlanta homeowners
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[September 17, 2007]
ATLANTA -- Keys to the 11th
house built by Habitat for Humanity of Logan County were turned over
to the Keith and Nanette Mathews family in Atlanta on Saturday
morning. "This is a proud moment in Logan County Habitat for
Humanity history," said Tonita Reifsteck, vice president of the
organization. This is the first home in Atlanta that the group has
built. Two have been built in Mount Pulaski and eight in Lincoln.
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Habitat and community officials shared the meaning of the project
and recollections of experiences as the home was being built.
Two
churches contributed heavily to this project. Members of Trinity
Episcopal Church in Lincoln assisted in the work and Tom Wachtel
presented a check for over $3,000 that the church raised.
The Atlanta United Methodist Church sponsored the work at this
house. Loda United Methodist Church and former Habitat for Humanity
board member Steve Anderson said that the building is a response to
what God is saying in people's lives. It is the result of "talents,
gifts and skills not used for one's own needs, but to give to other
people." His recall of the muddy beginning last spring, moving mud
from one place to another, brought chuckles from those who were
obviously there for the rough start.
Kent Young wanted to express appreciation not only for those who
labored on the house, but also for "the people that fed us." Along
the way there was some good eating and cookouts provided by church
ladies. The picnic table was left to the family as a memento of
those times.
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Young reflected that everyone worked hard, but things didn't always
go as planned. He chuckled and added, "If it went bad on Saturday,
we could always fix it on Monday," which triggered a round of
knowing laughter.
Atlanta Mayor Bill Martin spoke on behalf of Atlanta. Concerned
not to leave someone out, he said, "I'd like to thank everyone that
had a hand in the project." He thanked Pastor Steve for spearheading
the project and driving it home. It was good to see the "concerted
community effort by good people with good hearts and willingness to
serve their fellow man." The church still has a function in our
country to demonstrate the love of Christ, he said.
The Mathews family was presented a Bible and Habitat book in
addition to the keys to their new home.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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