Habitat build short on cash
GUELPH, ON—Habitat for Humanity in Wellington County will soon hammer the final nail into its first-ever "faith house." However, the project is still facing a funding shortfall of more than $130,000.
Diane Nelson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Welland, says the charity had a goal to build one house in addition to what they had budgeted for 2009, even though they didn't know where the funds would come from. "I told them that if we're building this extra house it was going to be through God's grace. So I was going to get down on my knees and ask for God's intervention," Nelson says.
So it seemed like providence when John Borthwick, pastor of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, called and told her his church was feeling called to spearhead a multi-faith building project for its 180th anniversary.
Teams of 15 to 20 volunteers broke ground this summer, working at the site five days a week. The building is a semi-detached duplex. Half of it is sponsored by Whirlpool Canada, a long-time supporter of Habitat's work. The other half is the faith house, dubbed "My Neighbour's House."
A family of five hopes to move in by Christmas.
But despite the financial and personal dedication of several Guelph churches, only $45,000 of the needed $180,000 has been raised so far.
If the additional funds are not raised, Nelson says, Habitat for Humanity might have to look for other sources of income.
"We need more Christians to become involved in supporting this," says Nelson, "in order to be able to keep this building as a faith build."
"My Neighbour's House is sending a wonderful message to the community through churches working in cooperation and partnership," says Borthwick. "Unfortunately people don't see that from churches often enough. I think the more that churches and faith communities can model that, the better we model Christ to the world."
Nelson also appreciates the support of Whirlpool Canada. "They are really committed to helping their staff community to feel engaged in creating something out of nothing," he says, "which I think is remarkable in today's world."
The mortgage on My Neighbour's House will also fund a future house for a Canadian family and one for a family in the developing world.
A fundraising dinner and auction is being held for the house in November.
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