Blitz Build

More from Grand Rapids

This recap comes from Kathy Forzley or Habitat Habitat for Humanity of Kent County.

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Thank you to Calvary Church, Grand Rapids for supporting Habitat for Humanity of Kent County’s first annual Blitz Build event!  Over 100 Blitz Build participants including volunteers from Calvary Church, Habitat for Humanity homebuyer candidates and other community volunteers worked side-by-side to install vinyl siding on the third Dawes Court condominium building.  The new four-unit structure will become home to four (4) new Habitat homebuyer families and will mark the completion of Habitat for Humanity of Kent County’s third LEED-certified, four-plex condominium unit.

Despite two massive storm fronts that moved through the Midwest on Thursday night and into early Friday morning, the Grand Rapids Blitz Build 2009 was blessed with a (almost) full day of dry weather before the third intense storm moved into the area Friday afternoon.  Little did we know our opening prayer was full of metaphors for what was to come as we asked God to “rain down His blessings upon Blitz Build sites through the waves of volunteers” as Friday evening’s weather brought record rainfall and flooding to the West Michigan area.

Saturday’s Blitz Build offered the promise of clear skies and dry weather as we gathered together on the job site to share in an opening devotion that reminded us of God’s purpose of using His people to bring hope to those who need it.  After the devotion and opening prayer, volunteers and Habitat homebuyers worked together in teams to repair the erosion and damage caused by the previous night’s storms.  While some volunteers dug trenches & installed new silt fencing to prevent run-off, others continued the work of hanging vinyl siding, picking up where the previous day’s volunteers had left off when Friday’s severe weather presented.

What compelled volunteers from Calvary Church to participate in Blitz Build 2009? Clearly, the most frequently cited reasons were to “show compassion for people in need” and “to build community with people.”   As one volunteer expressed, “I enjoyed working on this build and love working with people who choose to do this type of thing- they’re a special breed.”  Others commented that they came to serve as a matter of living out their faith and found building in hands-on ministry to be a rewarding and positive experience.    “I have rediscovered my love for hammering nails! (really)!”,  said one volunteer.  When participants were asked if they would like to volunteer again with Habitat for Humanity of Kent County in future Blitz Builds, it was a resounding 100% “YES”!

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More photos added to the left as well!

Mississippi Update

Why didn't Hurricane Katrina happen in Siberia? 
Today's temperatures soared to 102 with a blazing, relentless sun.  But
Willow managed to have a very productive day. 

The walls went up on both houses. The trusses are all set.
The sheathing went up on the walls and started on the roof of one house. Considering
the unbearable heat, we accomplished our task for the day.  The
hospitality team took care of us bringing us fruit and cold towels.  Between
our two sites we went through 65 gallons of water!!

"Today was an emotional day for me,” said Mary Claps.
“I had tears in my eyes when I met the owner of our home.” 

Tomorrow should see the roofs get decked and felted and
the house get wrapped. The windows and doors should also get in. “It was an
exciting day for me because I learned so much,” said Deb Collins.  “We are
hoping for cooler temperatures tomorrow maybe low 90's.”

If These Walls Could Talk . . .

 Yes, that is a shotgun discovered at the Carpentersville home.

Activities are buzzing at the Carpentersville site today.  A lot of demolition has occurred and still continues, while a new roof is being installed. "Right now we are pretty much on schedule," states Mike Rapach, project manager for the site. "Everybody is a little toasty" given the sunny skies and high humidity, "but we're doing our best to to stay hydrated."

Staying on schedule is remarkable seeing how demolition tends to reveal unsuspected surprises. For instance, when removing rotting stairs leading to the back yard, a hidden rusty shotgun was found. Once the weapon was secured police were called to take the weapon away. The officer confiscating the firearm confirmed that police knew this location having once housed the leader of a violent street gang.

"I think it is an amazing story of redemption," pipes in Ryan Bolt, Willow Creek Area Pastor for the Dundee Crown area.  Indeed it is.  A house once used for any imaginable evil is being restored as a beacon of hope to the community.

Blitz Build Devotional (Day 2)

It is Monday morning, and you are gathered with a group of volunteers ready to help in a project that is going to make a real difference in someone’s life. Why are you here with this group? Where would you normally be at this time? Why did you choose to be here rather than there?

Spending the day, possibly several days, or the entire week on this project, rather than doing what you would normally be doing, may cost you something in several ways. It may cost you something physically. You might end up with some sore muscles or a few aches and pains. It could cost you something financially. You may have had to take time off without pay or use some of your vacation time. You might be away from your family. You may have people in your life who are not supportive of your involvement in this project, and as a result, it might cost you something relationally.

As King Solomon points out in Psalm 127, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Why are you willing to pay the price to be involved in this project right now? What was it that captured your interest and allowed you to pay that price? When you began considering your level of involvement for this week, what were the factors that tipped the balance toward saying yes, signing up, and then showing up today?

Respond:

Ask God right now to use you in every effective way possible during your involvement in this project, to leave behind something that lasts, something beyond the actual structure on which you are working.