 Habitat broke ground in July for the home in the 700 block of North
Madison in Lincoln. During that service, the recipient family was
introduced to those who gathered around, and Amber and her three
children took part in the ceremony, scooping out shovels of dirt on
the empty lot.Sunday afternoon began with remarks from Mike
Irwin, president of the Habitat board. He spoke first about the
season, saying that at Christmastime, many talk about going "home"
for Christmas, so it was especially nice to be able to say that from
this day forward, the Senters family would have a home for
Christmas.
Irwin also drew attention to a list of volunteers. The list was
taped to the refrigerator in the kitchen-family room of the open
floor plan.
"The best part of this is that I get to stand up here and take
credit for what everyone on this list did," Irwin said. "There were
all kinds of people who brought meals, all kinds of people who
helped carry things, clean up things, nail things, paint things,
clean up things, paint some more things, and the list goes on and
on."
Mayor Keith Snyder and Aldermen David Wilmert and Kathy Horn were
in attendance at the house blessing.
Snyder was asked if he would like to say a few words. The Green
Bay Packers fan wasted no time in recognizing that the boys' bedroom
was done in Packer green and gold.
"It is always a special celebration when Habitat has a house
blessing," Snyder said. "It is really meaningful this time of year,
during this season of giving, because this is a celebration of a lot
of different gifts. It is the gift of generosity that made this
house possible, the gift of craftsmanship that put it all together,
the gift of time that everyone gave and the gift of most excellent
bedroom color choices. There is lot to celebrate and just signifies
again that Lincoln has a big heart, and we are grateful for this
gift of a new home in the community."
Snyder also presented the boys a gift: a Packers football
ornament for their Christmas tree.
Horn also congratulated the Senters family on what they have
accomplished. She noted that the home was beautiful and that she
wanted them to enjoy what they have achieved.
Tiffany Worth is the mentor for the Senters family. She was asked
by Irwin to lead the group in the responsive reading of the Litany
of Dedication.
Tom Wachtel and Bob Chamberlain were co-foremen on the build.
They were asked to make a few comments.
Wachtel spoke first by thanking everyone who was involved in this
build. He expressed gratitude to those who came on a regular basis
to help out. He also expressed appreciation for the contractors that
were involved in the build, such as the excavation and foundation
companies.
Chamberlain expressed similar appreciation for all the help
received, and he also said it was a pleasure to sell the home to
Amber Senters.
Habitat for Humanity does not give the homes to the recipients.
Senters was required to assist in Habitat projects and accumulate
hours of community service. In addition, she is signing a 20-year
mortgage with Habitat. She will make monthly payments on her home,
just as any other homeowner has to do. She will also join the ranks
of those who pay property taxes in Logan County.
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The next event to take place at the house blessing was the
presentation of keys. Wachtel presented the keys to Senters.
Immediately following this, Karen Sams-Davis presented the family
with a book, as is a tradition with Habitat. This year the book
presented was a children's book entitled "Grandpa's Hammer." She
said she hoped the book would help serve as a reminder to the family
of the many helping hands that helped build their home.
Next Wilmert was called to step forward and present the family
with a computer. He noted a statistic that the overwhelming majority
of homes in America have a computer.
"Habitat would like you not to start behind the eight ball on
this," he told the family. "We'd like to start you out ahead of the
curve."
Pastor Ron Otto of Lincoln Christian Church presented the Bible
to the family. He said that bringing a Bible into the home was a
very appropriate gift.
He said to Amber: "All these people in here that have served you
so well, I'm sure an appreciation hug and ‘thank you' would go a
long way for them, but when I was asked to present you with the
Bible, it became crystal clear what this is all about. Everyone here
has just one hope: that is that you will stay fully committed to
Jesus Christ for the rest of your life and that the kids will grow
up to know Jesus." He also told the Senters that he had marked one
passage for them in their new Bible: Joshua 1:8.
Amber Senters is a single mom with three young children. She
works a full-time job and has been living in a home and paying
monthly rent.
As it came time for Pastor Otto to deliver a blessing on the
Senters family and their new home, he said he felt it was only
fitting that all the women in the room join Amber, laying their
hands on her, offering her strength and encouragement.
After the blessing, it was Amber's turn to speak to the group. As
she wiped a tear from her eye, she expressed to everyone her great
appreciation for the opportunity that has been given to her and her
children.
The ceremonies came to a close as they always do, with John
Sutton on the guitar leading the group in the song "Bless This
House."
Afterward everyone was invited to take a full tour of the home
and enjoy a large variety of refreshments in the kitchen area.
Habitat for Humanity of Logan County was founded in 1992, and the
groundbreaking for the first Logan County Habitat home took place on
Sept. 19, 1993. To date the group has constructed 18 homes in Logan
County. They strive to do one home a year, and the last two homes
have been turned over to the recipient families at Christmastime.
To be a part of this local organization, pay a visit to their
website:
http://www.habitatlogan.org/About_Us.html
[By NILA SMITH]
Past related article and
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