Led by Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia, participants in the MC2 conference at Eagle Eyrie joined churches and community members in building a complete, five-bedroom house in just one week. Called a “Blessing Blitz” the accomplishment is all the more noteworthy because most workers had little construction experience.
By combining their efforts and each one doing one small part of the whole, the house rose from a mere foundation and floor on Monday morning to a complete shell, including interior stud walls and roof, on the first day. Electric and plumbing lines were run in stud walls.
On Tuesday, volunteer builders installed the siding and roof. Inside, another group hung and finished drywall and painted trim work and doors.
Photo by Jim White
Laura McDaniel, who will be presented for election as WMUV executive director/treasurer on Sept. 6, took a moment to share her thoughts about the Blessing Blitz.
Wednesday was paint day. Not only did mission builders complete the drywall and paint the new walls, but they also installed kitchen cabinets and the HVAC system.
Thursday found volunteers installing the trim they had painted on Tuesday as well as landscaping the yard. They also laid vinyl flooring and began installing electrical and plumbing fixtures.
Workers finished installing fixtures and laid carpet on Friday. Then they installed the appliances.
And on Saturday, the home was dedicated to God's glory and for the use of Wathetta Rice and her five children.
Rice and her daughter, Tremiqua, were on the scene working alongside the dozens of volunteers who gave their time to build her house. Asked for her reaction, she thoughtfully replied, “I'm simply overjoyed!”
Marie Daniel, Rice's aunt who registered workers according to Habitat policy, spoke up, “It's amazing! Just to see it all come together is exciting.”
Photo by Jim White
Gwynn Tyler and Jaime Poole take a break from their Blessing Blitz labors and pose for the camera.
The volunteers were all there to help Rice and the Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity. From the rooftop where she nailed shingles in place, Laura McDaniel staff member of WMUV, paused and wiped her brow. She emphasized that the blitz illustrates what can happen when people come together and contribute their gifts. “We can do more together than we can alone,” she said brightly, quoting a consistent BGAV theme.
The Blessing Blitz was one of 33 mission projects available to the 553 persons who attended MC2 from 49 churches.