Housing Development Alliance

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Unfortunately, the time has come for me to leave the Housing Development Alliance. School starts again in a few weeks, and I need to get ready. Charlotte will also be leaving to teach at a new school. This has been a somber week for us, hasn't it? First Kelly, now us.

I would just like to say that this has been an amazing experience for me. Being the Volunteer Coordinator's Assistant has honestly been a summer job I could have only dreamed of. I have met many amazing people, explored new Kentucky territory, learned about construction and public relations. Most of all, however, working for the Housing Development Alliance has made me more optimistic about my home. Before this job, I was a complainer and extremely skeptical of Hazard. I ignored all the flourishing aspects of the community, and focused on the wreckage. I now notice the smiles that surround me, and the friendly gestures granted to me day-in and day-out. I now appreciate the beauty of Appalachia, despite its faults.

"I want to thank everyone."-the typical response of a celebrity who has just won an award, and which sounds so cheesy at the time, but actually has some truth in it. I really do want to thank everyone. From my friendly (and often forgiving) co-workers who taught me the ropes of office work, to the enthusiastic carpenters who taught me "man's work". The homeowners taught me compassion, while the volunteers taught me patience. And responsiblity. Every week, the latest volunteer group leader tells me "We've learned so much!" Just as often, a teary-eyed homeowner would gently hold my hand and say, "You have no idea how much this means to me." The truth is, I have learned more from them, and they have meant more to me. I am a better person because of the people I have met, and the loving mission they strived for. I wish the best of luck to each one of 'em, and I can only hope that they will do the same for me.

Except the Alliance's GM Van. That demon-possessed vehicle can kiss my you-know-what.

Gratefully yours, John Rasche.

The Monticello Christian Church from Indiana is with us this week, and have been busy with various tasks. Half the group spent time constructing the foundations for a home in Defiance, then moved to B. Cornett's in order to paint her bathroom and replace an old cement platform. Cornett is a sweetheart, and the group loved spending time with her. Then, because of a sudden downpour and Flash Flood warnings, the group skidattled to the Pavilion and helped paint the main hall. Now, they're back in Defiance and are eager to do more construction. I swear, one volunteers even yelled "YES!" this morning when he was told the good news. Talk about being a morning person.




The other half of Monticello did some home repair for G. Williams' home. They stained his stairs, and a few other chores, before the vicious storm flew them to Hazard High School. There they cleaned up classrooms, hallways, and basically helped the school get ready for the new herd of students in the Fall.

The weather outside looks pretty ominous, but the forecast predicts that the rainy clouds will pass over by noon. Let's cross our fingers that Mother Nature will allow our volunteers to work uninterrupted. Are you listening, Mother Nature? Let my people work!

Sorry it's been so long without an update everyone. I was on vacation at Lake George, New York for the past week.

Charlotte & I have been looking forward to this group all summer. We just love Pullen and feel very, very blessed to have them in Hazard again this year.

As you may know, our primary lodging partner for this program is First Presbyterian Church of Hazard. Hosting our volunteers is such an integral part of their mission as a church that they are actually renovating their building to be more volunteer-friendly (e.g., more bathrooms and yes, showers!). First Presbyterian includes a short blurb about each volunteer group in their Sunday bulletin. Here's an excerpt from last Sunday's bulletin on Pullen Memorial:

"Pullen Memorial was founded in 1884, just eight years before our own congregation in 1892. The congregation is under the wing of the American Baptist Church and is strongly mission-minded. They have been leaders in Raleigh in issues of racial reconciliation. In 1956, they declared themselves open to all people no matter their race... In 1984, Pullen, an almost all white congregation, established a sister church relationship with Martin Street Baptist Church, an almost all black congregation. They also have a sister church relationship with First Baptist Church in Mantanzas, Cuba. They sponsor Emmaus House, a residence for men who have no homes and are making the transition to financial stability."

As you can imagine, this church produces some passionate leaders. This week, Pullen is working on two home repairs in the county very close to one another, continuing the work of Old Union Christian Church at the Maggard room addition, and the work of South Elkhorn Christian Church at the Wells painting/porches projects. We'll post pictures soon!

--Kelly.

You see those dark clouds out there? Well, no, I guess you can't. But believe me, there are some pretty threatening clouds "out yonder." Hopefully, the groups finish up their projects before they get rained out.
Today, I drove by Maggard's home near Vicco, and helped some of the Old Union Christian Church volunteers paint the outside of her trailer. I missed their first few days, but was glad to see that everyone was having a good time. Even a vicious, and completely uncalled-for, wasp bite couldn't ruin their fun.

Hey guys! Guess what? I can now add a Jeep to the list of cars I've driven for HDA. Not too shabby.

Geez, I have a lot of catching up to do. The past week has been so busy, I haven't had much time to post. Well I do now! So sit back and enjoy. I know you all love reading these so much.

Next week, First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury North Carolina will take on the House Raising Challenge!!

In just one week the group will frame floors, walls, set trusses, shingle the roof, and leave the house ready for plumbing and electrical. Every day will bring new projects with new challenges and lessons for the group-- and their hard work will be very visible as the house raises before their own eyes. Keep your browsers peeled for daily picture updates!

The family of six will be moving out of their two bedroom trailer into the home shortly after the House Raising. We can't wait to welcome them home.

--Kelly.

I have already stated, multiple times, how great the Housing Development Alliance volunteer program is. But don't just take my word for it. Here are two interesting testimonials taken from some of our volunteers. You'd probably believe them more than you would me, right?

As Stephanie Visser tirelessly shovels dirt out of the foundations for a new home in the town of Defiance, she stops a second to catch her breath. She casually uses the back of her hand to wipe away the perspiration that has accumulated on her forehead. Stephanie makes a remark on the heat, and turns to look at her fellow Faith CRC volunteers. Their laughs are intermingled with heavy breathing, and they all gaze longingly at the shaded patch of lawn 30 feet away from them. Before picking up her shovel and digging again, Stephanie turns around and stands awe-struck at the natural beauty around her. "I love the scenery here, it's beautiful, you really don't see anything like this in Chicago," she says just as she buries the spade back into the earth.

For many, the scenery alone is worth the hard work. For others, it's about helping people.

Angie VanArnam came all the way down here from Michigan just so that she could help the Hazard community. "I was looking for an opportunity to serve God and people," Angie explains, "[and to] escape from all the stresses we imagine in our daily lives; to help someone in real poverty, and with real problems." Angie came as an individual looking for some volunteer work, but she enjoyed being an addition to Faith CRC. "As part of a team, we got a lot done." Angie had a lot of fun, and we're hoping to see her again really soon.

Well, it's pay-day, and we have the day off tomorrow, so I'm pretty excited. It's been a busy week. I'm going to nap like you've never seen before. Happy 4th of July, patriots!

And yes, I did over-romantacize Stephanie's story, but the statement is all true. Pardon my creative writing.

This week, the North Shore Presbyterian Church from Wisconsin came to help us with a few projects. They started off the week roofing with the Carpenters on a house up in the backwoods of Perry County, and they loved it! The scenery was amazing, and they all looked great. Of course, being the genius that I am, I completely forgot about taking pictures of the spectacle. So you're just going to have to use your imagination.

However, I do have some photos to show you.

The grouped worked a few days at our Moore St. Duplex here in Hazard. They helped to dig an irrigation ditch for the house, so that it wouldn't get flooded the next time we have a huge thunder storm. The boys never seemed to grow tired of swinging those maddocks, but the girls were smart enough to stay in the shade. After all the work had been done, everyone decided to chillax in the ditch that they had dug. Let me tell you, that work that North Shore did at Moore St. was pretty difficult and strenuous, but they pushed on and did it nonetheless. Hopefully, they feel accomplished. Unfortunately, some of the volunteers became ill on the last day and were unable to finish it off. We hope that everyone is ok, and look forward to having them again.

-John.