Project Children was founded by Denis Mucahy 37 years ago. Denis and his brother Pat were both born in Ireland but came to the USA and became New York City policemen and Denis was on the bomb squad. Denis has held on to his very thick brogue and has brilliant blue eyes that go well with his now greyish white hair. He wanted to do something about the violence in his native country- the fighting between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland back in the 70's and 80's. What he did, and continues to do to this day, is to bring groups of both groups from Ireland to the US. It is a peace and reconciliation mission. Denis is not paid and raises all of the funds for airline tickets and other costs that make up nearly a million dollars a year. The groups come to the US, tour NYC for a few days and then work with different Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the country for a week. After that, for the next 7 weeks, the college students are place in internships of their fields of study while they live with an "adopted" American family. So, this past week, we were blessed to have 27 Irish university students come to work with us at the Habitat affiliate here in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They stayed at our volunteer camp, the Y's Acres. Unfortunately for this group, the temperature here has been over 100 degrees all week (105 today).   Average temp where they live is 68. Ouch. They overcame the heat very well though. We were finishing the landscaping at Markedia's house, moving dirt in wheelbarrows, laying sod, moving cinderblocks, etc. Hard work. No complaints. Great spirit. For the first few days, though, I couldn't understand them too well. So, we finished Markedia's home in 3 weeks. Modified blitz, they call it. I should be tired but I'm not. I get energy and inspiration from groups like Project Children. At the dedication, there were two players from Major league Baseball (who had sponsored this and 3 more homes together with State Farm Insurance) Lance Cornier pitched for the NY Yankees among other teams and is living in T-Town now. Markedia and her two boys and Mom and Pastor were there and Markedia was absolutely beaming. She has really been the exemplary homeowner as far as fulfilling her sweat equity hours.    
     The third home in the East Quad will be built next week in a parking lot in Kansas City, dis-assembled, put on a truck and shipped back here . Brandon is going out there to make sure it fits when it gets back here. We have poured the foundation already.
     In 2006, after Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast, Habitat Intl. had a program where they built one house in Rockefeller Center, NY and then later 50 houses on the National Mall in Washington, DC- one for each state- and then shipped them to the coast. Unfortunately, many of these homes never got built. We are going to make sure this one is done right.
     Three days off next week. One for finishing Markedia's on Monday. Then Tuesday. Then July 4th.    Look out, Lion's  Den!
     This Sunday, July 1st, is my 30th wedding anniversary. On that day, in a small, intimate ceremony, (wink) my wife, Lois and I were blessed in marriage. Someone asked what the secret to a long marriage is. Two reasons. One, we love each other dearly. Two, we live in different states.