We are so thankful for all the blessings that God has given us, and are excited to do God’s work by helping to build another house for Habitat for Humanity in Sullivan, IL.
We started our road trip about a week ago, stopping in Red Bay, Alabama. Our Tiffin motorhome was built in Red Bay, so this is the place to come when you want experts to work on your vehicle. After a few days there, we made our way up to Sullivan and arrived on Sunday afternoon.
Tiffin’s motto is ‘Roughing it Smoothly’ … we really do have everything we need, including TV, fireplace … with of course, popcorn.
Once we got settled, we enjoyed a happy hour to catch up with old friends and to meet some new ones.
In the past, we have helped to build an entire house in 6 weeks. This year, the local Habitat affiliate decided to add an additional 10 feet to the home to accommodate special handicap needs of the family who will get the home. Since the house is bigger, this year’s build is scheduled for 8 weeks. Joe and I are joining the team at the start of week 3, and are planning to help build for the last 6 weeks. In those first two weeks, the previous team was able to get the walls built and set. Here’s the view of the home when we arrived earlier today.
On our first workday, the team decided to start at 7AM (an hour earlier than the typical 8AM start). We woke up before dawn to a chilly 54 degrees! It was still dark outside as we were having breakfast.
Our goal today was to start setting the roof trusses. The first step is to set up the scaffolding on both sides of the house.
It’s time for trusses … and time to put on the hard hats.
The first step is to place the extremely heavy end gable on the end of the house. We are thankful that the Habitat team was able to get a Lull telehandler to carry the trusses across the yard to put them in place. It is a slow, careful process.
After the end gable was set, Joe and I were on either side of the house setting the rest of the trusses and nailing them in place.
By lunch time, we were making great progress.
For lunch, one of the many Sullivan churches hosted an amazing lunch of homemade lasagna, salad, bread and a wide selection of desserts. The hospitality of this community is truly wonderful.
By the end of the day, we set about half of the trusses and hope to be able to get the rest of them set tomorrow. We are so grateful to work with amazing people.
Great description of the process and nice photos!!!
Great pictures. Looks like the build is coming along nicely. You and Joe look so happy and busy. God bless you in this wonderful endeavor.
Love
Al 💖 Iris
Looks like you settled in nicely. Looking forward to your day by day adventures while building a house. ❤️
As always, you and Joe are amazing. God Bless you both.
Hello there,
It looks like your trip was a long trip, but enjoyable, knowing that you do God’s work.
I always said I’m proud to call you my friends and praying that everything goes on schedule, smoothly.
It’s hard work, but your both keep smiling, and then I know that God is with you.
Looking forward to see your progress and your smiley faces.
Love your boss and you in my prayers.
🙏❤️🙏🙏❤️🙏
You 2 and all who do this are true Energizer Bunnies. The homes you build are an incredible gift and may God Bless all of you❣️
God bless you people out there!! Be careful and keep up with the notifications – I really enjoy seeing the progress 🙂
Good morning Debbie and Joe
Thank you for sharing this Habitat home build for the family in Sullivan. And prayers for continued strength in the progress.
…and strong trusses 🫶🏻
Phyl
You guys are amazing. I love all the smiles. 7am and still smiling!
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. Dont work too hard and safe travels!