_edited.png)
I remember as a child being invited to participate in a Habitat for Humanity home build in San Diego. It was a long day of using a hammer and nails to put up drywall. I remember learning about the ministry as a kid, but it had been years since I had thought much about the importance of ministries like Habitat for Humanity.
It was such a wonderful surprise to receive an Instagram message from the Duckson family that we had met at the OC PRIDE Parade in June, asking if I might be willing to offer a home blessing at the official press event for their home. I was so excited to do this for them, and also to see a new side of Habitat for Humanity. I had only ever experienced the home build part of the work.
There were so many moving moments throughout the day. I loved to see the Ducksons and another family share about their experience with purchasing their home through Habitat for Humanity. It was inspiring to hear local city council representatives share about the power of programs that help people buy homes. We even got to hear from County Supervisor, Katrina Foley.
But for me, the most precious moment of the entire day came when Annie, the Ducksons daughter, read a poem that she had written about her new home. We have received permission from the Duckson family to share this poem with our community. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. And I hope you feel just how special it is to be part of this family’s new journey. It was Harbor’s sense of welcome that they felt at the PRIDE Parade that prompted them to ask us to be part of this. So, as you watch this precious child read her beautiful poem, remember that our whole community was with them that day in spirit as I blessed their home. May they have a lifetime of love and joy in their new home! Enjoy the poem. I hope it melts your heart, like it melted mine