Unless the Lord build the house...

The "New" Joseph House

 As one of the top builders in the world, Habitat for Humanity knows a thing or two about building houses--the most important being that if the people who are going to live in it help build it they will live in it with greater dignity and appreciation.

Why should people with intellectual disabilities be any different?  Well, they aren't, as these pictures show.

Kyle & Sterling insulating their new home

Kyle and Sterling are just two of a number of Ranchers who've signed up to help finish out Joseph House, where Kyle, Sterling, Travis, and John will move as soon as it's ready. 

Sterling learns to do the job right

Joseph House, like all the houses in the Village at the Ranch, has been built thus far through the goodness and generosity of other people--people who donate a little bit each month, people who created humongous foundations to benefit others, a family with no relation to the Ranch who decided to donate enough money to finance the entire outer construction.  Plus of course the army of volunteers who help just out of the goodness of their hearts.

A few years ago Jerry and I read a book called God Is the Good We Do, by UT professor of architecture Michael Benedikt.  The book is long and learned (and in very small type) but the gist is this: wherever there are people doing good, there is God.

I interpret this theory by imagining the written score of a symphony.  Is that the symphony?  How could it be?

No, the symphony exists only while the orchestra is playing it. 

Maybe it's the same with God.  God is good and good is God. 

People with good hearts didn't just give money to build a house.  They also gave money to provide an opportunity for Sterling and Kyle to learn important skills and help build their own home.

And we are thankful indeed.