Pastor Ian Connelly (far left), Mission Chair Jeff Boatwright (fifth from left) and New Oregon UMC youth are some of the builders.

57 people from New Oregon United Methodist Church spent the week of July 25^th to July 29^th assisting Habitat for Humanity Fannin and Gilmer build its fifth house in Fannin County.  New Oregon UMC is out of Fort Payne, Alabama.  Fort Payne is about 50 miles southwest of Chattanooga down Interstate 59.

For the past 27 years, New Oregon UMC has made house building its full church mission trip.  This time, Fannin County was the site for the mission.  Mission Chair Jeff Boatwright said that initially the church had planned for another location, which fell through.  He and his wife had vacationed in Blue Ridge last Labor Day and remembered seeing the Habitat for Humanity sign.  Ms. Boatwright called and the church was off to the north Georgia mountains for their summer mission. Mr. Boatwright said, “God was at work the whole time; we just didn’t know it.”

On Saturday, July 23 this was the progress on the house. On Sunday, floors were put in. On Monday, New Oregon UMC began working.

The goal for the week was to dry-in the house with walls, roof, windows and siding; frame the inside of the house; and if possible, plumb and wire the house and add sheetrock.  The group was comfortable in setting out the goals because they have been working together building houses for so many years.

Everyone in the group from children on up help with the logistics of bringing 57 people on a mission trip.  The young children help with the small chores like making the bed and preparing meals.  Once children  turn 13, they can help with the building.  Mr. Boatwright said, “By bringing kids, family and youth, the children are getting to see things the way they are supposed to happen.  It’s an opportunity to help other people learn skills, good work ethic and do a mighty devotion.”  The folks back home support the trip by providing food for the week and allocating money out of its general fund.  According to Mr. Boatwright, the church has taken on house building for 27 years because it is an “important mission for all Christins to be the hands and feet of Christ and serve others.”

Watching the New Oregon folk has inspired Habitat for Humanity Construction Manager Lucy Damico.  Her experience in construction management for a Florida developer required another type of management skills.  Ms. Damico says that the group has taught her how to organize large groups of volunteers to work on a project with so many different components going at one time.

After a day of play around Fannin County, the group will head back to Fort Payne on Saturday.

Other Fannin community groups and businesses also joined in supporting New Oregon’s mission.  Epworth UMC is housing the group at the old Reinhardt College. Blue Ridge UMC put together a welcome dinner. Xtreme printed the t-shirts.  United Community Bank donated the t-shirts.  Ace Hardware helped with supplies.  And, Home Depot donated a shower and tub unit. Gilmer and Fannin Habitat for Humanity volunteers and the family who will live in the home will finish the house up.  They should be able to move in by October.

Related Posts:  It Takes Communities to Build a House:  Step 1