Extreme Home Makeover—Church Style

“I now have a vision of what the church in action looks like.  It is a thing of beauty to see the selflessness of a group of virtual strangers manifest to bless the felt needs of a child of God.”    Ivan Garcia

 

 

In Lake Zurich over 300 volunteers worked diligently to provide a home for Rajean, her two young sons and her parents.  After a difficult divorce, Rajean, financially strapped and emotionally drained, didn’t know where to turn. Her parents came to the rescue and spent their life savings on a foreclosed home in Lake Zurich.  Unfortunately, the home had so many unforeseen problems that it had to be torn down. 

 

Looking at possible homelessness, Rajean turned to her church, Willow Creek, for help.  Bryan Kidd, Willow’s Blitz Build leader, teamed with leaders of a parachurch organization called Love, Inc.  With the strength of the two organizations, both skilled and unskilled volunteers rallied for a Blitz Build during the first week of October.  The generosity of the volunteers who donated their time and energy to build her a new home overwhelmed Rajean.

 

October was unseasonably cold and rainy; but weather never damped the spirits of those who served.  Although the Blitz Build has officially ended, the house is not yet complete and volunteers continue to serve. One anonymous volunteer captured the spirit of the week in poetic form.

 

“Mud head to toe, sweat coming through my layers, smiling faces, joking new friends, arms and back sore, willing workers, new faces,  fun.”

 

Student Impact makes an Impact

 

Lake Zurich Student Impact leaders Carlos and Emily Hernandez heard about the project and encouraged their high school-age team to serve.  These dedicated Christ-centered students assisted with purpose and joy.  Geoff said, “I came thinking I knew how to swing a hammer; I left knowing how to swing a hammer.  I learned so much in a short amount of time. Everyone is very friendly and forgiving.”

    Others chimed in saying, “We learned how to put in insulation and we are all very, very itchy but happy to work with friends.”

    “All I cared about was someone was getting a new home,” said Andy, “Not just someone, but a child of God.”

 

For more information on how to become involved in the next Blitz Build, contact Anne Rand at arand@willowcreek.org or Bryan Kidd at BKIDD@searshc.com