Oct 18th Blog Entry - Why we are here

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Today was our first day on our build. We started out by meeting at the Kaua’i Habitat Restore store for safety and orientation. After that, we spent an hour+ working at the Restore site, sorting thru numerous boxes with bed headboards, footboards, and side rails - with the goal of finding matching sets so they could be immediately be put on the store floor for sale.

During our orientation session, we learned some interesting statistics:

* As you would probably guess, land is very expensive here. Roughly, for an average size lot it costs in the
neighborhood of $150,000 - $200,000.
* In addition to the land costs, the cost to build an average size home can cost between $75,000 and $125,000.
* There are upwords of 1,400 families today interested in working with Kaua’i Habitat in hopes that home ownership
may become a reality for them some day.
* Like other Habitat affiliates, families must meet certain requirements in order for them to qualify for a Habitat home.
This includes:
a. Must contribute 700 sweat equity hours
b. Must demonstate a need
c. Must be able to afford a loan for the home


After sorting thru the bed boxes and ultimately finding 2 full sets for the store floor, we headed to the home that our team will help build. Once this home is complete, it will offer a place for future build teams to stay in (there are numerous houses planned for this area), and eventually will be a home for a family in need. The home we are helping build will be a 4 - 5 bedroom home.

When we pulled up to the build site, we quickly noticed the framed but roof-less house standing. We learned our major focus for the week will be concentrated on the roof. Several pictures are included today…The first showing a picture of the house when we first drove up. Next, a few pictures showing us working throughout the day. The last picture shows are progress for day 1 of the build - all tresses installed. It was a very productive day for our team!

We left the build around 5:00pm and headed to the beach for the first time since we arrived on Saturday. It was a great day and we are looking forward to day#2 of the build.

Stay tuned….more to come soon. Thanks to everyone at home for your support and prayers. God Bless!

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Comments

[Kim Vander Wyst]

God bless you for what you're doing!
You've made awesome progress. I hope things continue to go well for you. Can't wait to hear the "tire" stories. I hope God continues to bless you with productive, safe and fun days!

[Sonia Klingbeil]

You guys are awesome!
I can't believe the progress in ONE day, that's amazing! I love following the blog, it's a fun way to take part in this mission trip without actually being there. Prayers are going out for all of you! Thanks for all you do!!!