A brisk wind was not enough to stop 10 members of the Ottumwa Church from donning warm layers and sunglasses recently to help build a house for the Mahaska County Habitat for Humanity project.
Kristle Bennett, community services leader for the church, coordinated the project with Don Wheeler, church member and Habitat board member. Although Habitat volunteer projects normally take place on Saturdays, the contractor agreed to allow church members to build on a Sunday, as long as Don supervised the project.
The group came prepared with tools and enthusiasm, working together to complete their tasks quickly but accurately. In just three hours, they were able to construct and place a load-bearing wall and four stud walls, as well as finish the foundation sill. The build contractor complimented the Habitat director for the work completed by the volunteers and was impressed with how much they had accomplished in the short time.
This was one of several community service projects the Ottumwa Church is working on. Members are excited to be more involved in activities that directly impact hurting people around them. Next on their list is assembling emergency kits to be used in the event of a natural disaster, and they are looking forward to several other service projects this year that will help spread the love of Jesus around their community.
