A Dedication Celebration

Tim and I have volunteered at 14 Habitat for Humanity builds since we began our full-time RV lifestyle in January 2016, but we've never been present when the keys to a finished house were handed over to the homebuyers.

However, at our most recent build in Dade City, FL, we were at the right place and the right time to witness such a dedication ceremony.

This family of three have experienced many challenges because of the medical needs of their daughter, but now they have a home that will provide some stability to their lives.

"Today, we gather to seek God's blessing upon this home.  By the favor of God and human labor, this home has been made ready" was the opening prayer of the family's pastor.

Then the family was given symbolic gifts: bread that the home will never know bare shelves; salt that the family will season the community by living lives of faith in God; sugar that they will always know the sweetness of life, even in tough times; a broom to sweep out the bad and sweep in the good; a candle that its light might remind them that God will always be their guide; and a Bible to feed their souls.

The local quilt guild also presented the family with a beautiful quilt made just for them.

The Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Dade City has been partnering with working needy families in Pasco County since 1992.  Homebuyers are carefully screened prior to their selection.  A down payment of $500 is made and subsequent monthly mortgage payments of no more than 30 percent of the family's earned income are assessed.  The money homeowners pay goes toward funding the construction of more homes in the community.  Homeowners put in 500 hours, if married, and 350 hours, if single, of sweat equity to help build their home or the homes of others in the program.  They also attend classes that teach them budgeting, basic home maintenance and other homeownership topics.

In the 26 years of its existence, the Dade City Habitat affiliate has never had a family default on their mortgage, an impressive statistic.  And only two families have sold their mortgages back to the affiliate because of life changes.

Welcome home, Chris & Meredith!