So, a priest, a rabbi, and iman and a pastor walk onto a Habitat site. But wait- it's not a joke. This week brings Williams College from northwest Massachusetts back with us for a third visit. The four adult leaders are just that. Their school has a strong emphasis on interfaith dialog. And, as friend Andrew Sices responded to the picture posted on FB, they don't get a punch line but they get a punch list.
     Since I will be away for two weeks starting tomorrow, I wanted to make sure that I met my quad-faith brothers before I left . Charlie Durham, pastor of 1st Presb (where the group is staying while here) had them out to his home on the lake and took em for a spin on his boat on Sunday afternoon. NANCY MCDANIEL, a member of our staff, gave me the heads up invite, and I ran out to meet them for a short time. Afterwards, headed off to the new 5pm service at Capstone.
      I'm sorry that I won't be able to work with them this week. Tomorrow I head up to Louisville, Kentucky to take part in the 3rd annual Millard Fuller Legacy Build. Millard Fuller, as I'm sure most reading this are aware, was co-founder (along with wife Linda Fuller) of both Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center. Millard passed away suddenly in 2009 after a very short illness. this event is being sponsored by the Fuller Center of Louisville. The past two years it has been in Atlantic City, NJ and Indianappolis, Ind.
     The Fuller Center came about after a rather shameful episode in Habitat's history. In 2004, after over 30 years of being the driving force and inspiration to many, the board of directors managed to remove the Fullers from their position at Habitat . Millard was 72 years old at the time, and after he had been escorted out of his office after 24 hour notice by security, he wondered what was next. Me, I couldn't ever understand how the founder of an institution could be kicked out, but oh, well. Some of his friends counseled him that he should relax and retire. After all, they said, he had built simple, decent homes for over a million people around the world with his "theology of the hammer". But, Millard said, No, God called me to this ministry and I will continue. He founded the Fuller Center in 2004 and they started popping up around the country just as Habitat affiliates had. Just after he started, the media asked if he was now in competition with Habitat. Millard replied that it wouldn't be until we got to the last family whose house needed repair, then we would be. Until that time, there's plent of work for all.
     This build has about 135 people signed up for the week of April 6-13. The scope of work is 1`0 rehabs and two new homes, all in the Louisville area. I volunteered to go a week early to help staging the sites and do anything to make the week go smoothly. I am driving up with fellow veteran, Crystal Manoske. I met Crystal while working in Peru, South America.   She and her husband live in nearby Huntville, Alabama.   She has been to Tuscaloosa a cupla times and is bringing a group from her church to work with us in the summer.
     Had our sad farewell party for Kale of the Mennonites this past week. Kale is 6'7" and has a great servants heart and can do anything well.   He will be sorely missed. The Mennonites bought a house here in T-Town after the April 2011 tornado and since that time have had rotating single guys (four at any one time) work with our affiliate. How many Mennonites does it take to, oops , never mind, it's done already.
     These next two weeks are the last working with us for young Stephen Scott. He has been a great member of our team for over a year and a half, and is moving out to Colorado. We wish him well on his next chapter in life.
     AM Gulas also came down on her own last week from northern Va. a onesie who is great at finishing and caulking. Steady working with no complaints.
     Last week also had the pleasure of working with Frederick, Maryland group led by Chuck Halsey. On their 7th visit with us here. Chuck did some fine talking to four managers of Chick Fila, McCallisters, Tazikis and Mellow Mushroom, all of whom donated lunch for their group (and staff). At the end of the week, they drove to each place and got a photo op in front of each of the restaurants. Way to go Chuck.   Great group of friends- BJ, Greg, Gary and Vin and Sam (also from northern Va.)   Where's Jeannie Kozak??? Dagnabbit!
     Loving Life! Spring has sprung! Alex and I are doing a 46 day New Testament reading that goes through the gospels to revelation in that time period coupled with fasting different things each week (coffee and sweets, the same week?? no fair!!)
     that's all for this week- Love to all- Peter