Habitat outing reminder of Christ’s call to serve others

I recently volunteered to work on a house in the Galliano area as part of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter work crew that came to our “bayou area.” They worked with the local Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity organization, which is dedicated to building good houses for people in need.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita helped to put our area and the Gulf Coast on the national map. Thousands of people lost their homes in the storms.

People from around the country realized the tremendous devastation that took place as a result of these hurricanes and wanted to “do something.” Many people donated food, clothing, money and other household items to help people get back on their feet.

Our own Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity worked with various national groups to obtain money and volunteers to build houses, primarily in the Bayou Blue area.

Since the storms, Habitat has built more than 80 houses for storms victims. This could not have been done without the support of Habitat’s national office and the many companies, groups, and individuals who have come forward to donate their time and financial resources. We are deeply indebted to these people, as well as our local board and staff.

Habitat is not a “giveaway” program. Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent houses with the help of the future homeowners’ families. When I worked on the house in Galliano, I had the privilege of working with the future homeowner and her son.

When the houses are finished, Habitat then sells the houses at no profit and with no interest added to the mortgage. The homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments go into building future houses. Homeowners must also invest a minimal of 350 hours of their own labor into building their own houses and the houses of others.

When I went on the job-site in Galliano, the person in charge of overseeing the building the house was from Virginia. He didn’t realize I was the chairperson of the Board of Habitat or that I was a retired Catholic priest. I didn’t want to tell anyone about my background so they would not treat me any differently from anyone else. I told them my first name and went about my assigned work.

The outer walls were already in place; we had to construct all the inner walls. Our basic work was cutting and hammering. It was a blessing working with people from all over the country.

Several young people who give a year of their lives to various service organizations were part of the building project. I enjoyed seeing so many young people making a positive difference. When the day was over, I had a good feeling that I had contributed to the building of this house. All the inner walls were up. Great progress!

Not everyone can drive nails or cut lumber. However, Habitat needs other types of volunteers. They need cooks to prepare meals for the workers.

Habitat also has a second hand store that sells household items and building materials. They need volunteers to help run the store. Monetary contributions are also welcome.

To get started, call the volunteer coordinator, Aimee Bourgeois at (985) 447-6999, extension 224.

A Foundation Principle of Habitat is: “Habitat for Humanity seeks to demonstrate the love and teaching of Jesus Christ to all people.” In another place it says, “In seeking to build up both the tangible and the spiritual aspects of a community, Habitat proclaims the love of Christ in word and deed and aims always to glorify God.”

Jesus told us that we will be judged by what we do for those in need. Building houses is a great way of serving Him.