Village Phase 2 Update

A family member from of one of our Habitat partners recently stated concerning her experience with building her house - "I learned a whole lot about construction, but I learned more about shoveling mud.” (Angela Brinnegar, Tazewell County Habitat for Humanity recipient). We can relate to that at the Village!! We are working in between raindrops, and have made some progress on the next 2 units of Phase 2. The foundations are in at lots 19 & 20, and walls and trusses are almost done. Once the roof is in place, we should be able to work around the rain and mud.

Foundations for the next 2 units will also be poured soon. Our plan, weather permitting, is to have lots 19 and 20 completed and occupied in mid-November, and have a good start on the next 2 which will be completed late 2009/early 2010. We will then have 6 homes in place for Phase 2, and a total of 22 families in the village. What a difference in the lives of these families from a few months ago. Most were living in either overcrowded or unacceptable conditions, and now have a new comfortable energy efficient house. One of our residents recently stated - "God is good", and we have to agree with that. We at New Hope are so grateful to be a part of this project and also for the friends we have made in the Village. They are moving past just having a house, and are making the Village a community.

Work will continue on this phase of the project for several more months. We are in need of volunteers to assist with construction or meals. If you have questions about the project, please contact Helen Ickes at 423-991-2616. And, as always, thanks to those of you have given time and made donations to the project.