The House That Love Built...Completed and Blessed!

Seven months ago,
the Community of Epiphany stepped into a project,
a path that took us where we did not intend to go!
Now we look back with joy
at an amazing journey of love.
It all began with a home visit
by our St. Vincent de Paul members… 

Read the story and see the before and after photos!

The House That Love Built
By Sister Larraine Lauter

Long, long ago…well, in April 2009… I received a call from Sister Shellie Intravia of Sister Visitor Center. She wanted to tell me about a family in Louisville’s West End who needed a helping hand. Rob, the father of the family, lost his leg in a roofing accident some years ago, and in the aftermath of medical bills and more, the family lost their home on Lexington Ave. They managed to buy a home in Portland—but never anticipated the hidden problems they were sold: no insulation, dangerous wiring, lead-based paint, terrible plumbing, and rotted wood. Sister Shellie knew that among many problems, they struggled with a soaring gas and electric bill.

This need seemed an ideal match for our new St. Vincent de Paul members, whose ministry calls for home visits to folks in need. Beyond the LG&E bill, we wanted to get at the problem. How could we help this family change their future utility costs? Our Epiphany St. Vincent de Paul members made a visit to assess the need—and they quickly fell in love with this beautiful family. One of our members said, to unanimous agreement, “I’ve never met anyone that I wanted to help more.”

In the meantime, I received a request for a project for a youth group from St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Hingham, Massachusetts (the Boston area.) This group, led by builder Bill Mezzetti, has come south for 6 years to work on various mission projects in Kentucky and New Orleans. When this project opened up, they lobbied hard to partner with us.

So in mid-June 2009…a busload of 60 Boston teens and their leaders rolled up to the back yard of a tired “shot-gun” house in the Portland area of Louisville. Piling out, they met the family of Rob, Jessica and their six children who lived there…an experience of love at first sight. Who could fail to fall in love with Maria, Britney, Stacey, Sharon, Rachel and Little Rob? Waiting to greet them were our St Vincent de Paul members…along with tools, materials, lunch, and a plan…our own human-made plan. Well, as usual, God had a bigger plan in mind!

Our original, human-created plan was to install insulation, fix up the kitchen with cabinets and paint, repair and paint some other drywall, and in general, do what could be done in a week or so. Rob and Jessica had spent weeks removing all their furniture and belongings to allow for working space. “Boston Bill” had visited in late April, and came prepared with a mountain of tools and materials. “We’re on top of this!” we thought.

Perhaps that is when God started laughing out loud. Within the first few hours, a few harsh realities came to light. The add-on kitchen was standing on the ground—yes, the joists were simply laid across the mud below. Josh from Horizon Electric, the first among many generous persons, broke the next bad news: the wiring was so old and dangerous that the entire house would have to be gutted to allow for a complete re-wiring.

While the teens gutted, the adults consulted and pursued various possibilities…and came back to one conclusion: our only option for this family was to renovate the existing house, in spite of its bad condition. But now…an entire house? Essentially, re-build an entire house?

We knew it would be a daunting, long-term task. We knew it would be a major challenge for the family, who elected to live on site most of the time. But we knew what we had to do when Rob said, “We wouldn’t want some other house, a new house…’cause love is building this house!”

The first week concluded by the Boston team, the house was now a roof supported by a bare frame, a bit of sheathing and siding, a new kitchen framed and covered. Then the Community of Epiphany began to step forward, bringing along our network of connections to area businesses and organizations—and our finely honed begging skills! Donations poured in—materials, tools, funds and advice! Gifts of a complete new roof, flooring, wiring; reduced prices for siding, flooring, drywall, materials of all kinds were lined up. (See the list below.) Partnerships began to be established, most notably with Habitat for Humanity.

But how about labor? Epiphany stepped up in a beautiful manifestation of what it means to be the Beloved Community—the heart and hands of Jesus, working together in a loving way. Over 35 parishioners were ultimately involved on an ongoing basis—from lunch preparation to clean up to skilled construction. Jon Wickens merits special note as the team leader for the entire project—on site 5 days a week throughout the entire process. A number of our hardiest construction workers contributed multiple days each week.

Throughout it all, the love between ourselves and this family has only grown. We have shared challenges, sorrows and joys, working side by side. Rob’s prosthesis has never kept him from sharing full-time in the work, in spite of his pain. The children have never failed to remind us that happiness is found in love for one another. Many of us have come away from a day of working with the family, tired but filled with happiness. We know we have all grown by working together.

Nail by nail, board by board…all the way up through the furnishings and decorations…this house grew by love. So it was fitting that on Saturday, February 13, the Eve of Valentine’s Day, we gathered for a final blessing… in a warm, safe, dry house. We hung a garland of wooden hearts signed by the workers (more space available, if you want to sign!) so that the family will always have a visible reminder of the family of faith that embraced them in this project, and a stained-glass piece as well—a red heart with a “B” for the family name. Five little girls and a baby brother stuffed themselves with all kinds of Valentine treats—including cookie hammers!

This is, indeed, The House That Love Built…and it has built love within and among us. May all who shared in its building be blessed, both individuals and businesses. Thank you to everyone who gave a hand—without you, this miracle would still be waiting to grow.

Sister Larraine Lauter is Epiphany Minister for Social Responsibility

As the final, and best word of thanks, we offer a thank you letter written by Maria and Brittney, which they read aloud for us at the blessing. 

Our Project Partners…Thank You!

• American Roofing
  
• Carney Carpet Gallery
  
• Commercial Floor Tech
  
• Epiphany Grants
  
• Ferguson Enterprise
  
• Habitat for Humanity
  
• Horizon Electric
  
• Horizon Research
  
• Industrial Disposal
  
• Jessie Diaz Drywall Finishing
  
• K&I Lumber and Millwork
  
• Korfhage Flooring
  
• Lanning Paint and Chemical
  
• Louisville Drywall
  
• Lowes
  
• Metro Materials
  
• River City Siding
  
• Savemore Ace Hardware
  
• Spalding University
  
• St. Anthony’s Community Center
  
• St. Vincent de Paul of Louisville
  
• Ted Lansing Building Supply
  

So many have been so generous…please accept our apologies if we have inadvertently left your name off the list, and please give Sister Larraine a call so we can make it right!