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Every Fuller Center home dedication is special, but the recent dedication for Robin Nelson and her three children in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, tells many stories all at once.
It is a story about volunteerism. The Detroit Lakes Area Fuller Center for Housing could not have gotten the job done without the dozens of people who donated their most precious commodity, their time.
It is a story of rebirth. This beautiful new home is actually a like-new home as it was rebirthed from a donated home that was moved and then underwent major renovations. The house and this family were rejuvenated and uplifted.
It is a story about family participation. Robin provided more than her share of sweat equity in the renovation work. She developed not only pride of ownership and made dozens of new friends, but she says she also enhanced her sense of "self-sufficiency" as she learned new skills along the way. Our partner families are just that — partners, not charity cases. And Robin's zero-percent-interest payments will help others get the very same hand-up into simple, decent housing.
It is a story about economic sensibility. With the costs of building materials currently running high, Fuller Center partners are finding ways to keep homes affordable. One of the best ways to do that is to take vacant or dilapidated properties and breathe new life into them.
It is a story about new beginnings. While this is the 12th home dedication overall for our partners in Detroit Lakes, it is their first dedication as a Fuller Center partner after previously working under another housing nonprofit's umbrella. While we do not recruit affiliates or plant partners, we do welcome anyone who wants to learn more about joining or transitioning to our grass-roots housing ministry. (Learn more about joining here.)
It's even a story about our Bicycle Adventure! Our cyclists on last year's cross-country ride had a great build day with Detroit Lakes shortly after the property was moved to its new location and renovations began.
And it's a story about telling our story. "All the hard work paid off," Robin told the Wadena Pioneer Journal, which published an outstanding story about the entire process, complete with photo galleries. Our mission grows when homeowners, volunteers and leaders tell others about their experiences with The Fuller Center. And when media outlets help us spread the good news, our reach grows even further, and more families will benefit!
Every Fuller Center project is a story comprised of multiple stories. Every Fuller Center home is a message about the Gospel. Every Fuller Center home is a sermon of God's love — a sermon preached through actions more than words.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to help all of God's children have simple, decent places to live. We couldn't do it without you!
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