News

Habitat for Humanity 2017

Habitat for Humanity is an international, Christian organization that builds homes for people in need, despite religion or race. They construct homes all over the world with the help of willing volunteers. This was the thirteenth year that Professor Taylor (commonly known as JT by students and faculty) and his wife, Becka Taylor, have lead the Roberts Wesleyan College Habitat for Humanity mission trip over February Break where Roberts students volunteer their break to building a house with Habitat.

This year the group traveled to Georgetown, South Carolina and worked with Georgetown County Habitat for Humanity.  The Habitat Team included 9 students (Taylor Burns, Emma Geiler, Hannah Distaffen, Ian MacDonald, Emily Pelletier, Hannah Saxena, Jared Sittig, and Kayla Stuber) and four faculty/staff leaders (Therese and Gary Egan, JT and Becka Taylor). During the week, the team worked on two houses, both of which were for single mother’s with 3 children living at home.  Work on the first house included installing exterior siding and insulation on the interior of the house.  On the second house, the team worked to install windows, doors, plywood decking on the roof, and shingles.  It was an amazing week of service and such a blessing to the two deserving families!

Below are a few comments from students:

The habitat trip for me was eye opening to the needs of those in our own country. It was so humbling to work alongside the future home owner and see such a large amount of work that was done by all volunteers! Not to mention getting to know other students that  have a desire to serve as much as I was truly such a blessing. –Emily Pelletier

I love being able to put my hands to work for a good cause. Habitat gave me a way to use practical skills that I have to serve God's people. The team was amazing. The time was amazing. What impacted me the most was Habitat's saying that they are" not a handout, but a hand-up." It's not easy to receive a Habitat house. Yet that's the beauty of what they do. Not only do they give people a roof over their heads, but they give them the tools to sustain themselves and help them as they work. I am so thankful God made it possible for me to go. —Jared Sitting 

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go on the Habitat trip with the group!  It was a life-changing experience for me.  Being able to not only serve, but being able to meet those who were receiving the homes from Habitat was a very rewarding experience.  Not only did I learn a lot about building, but I was able to share my faith story with some amazing people and hear about their struggles and their faith as well.  I was able to connect with the students and faculty who went and form life-long friendships. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity I had to serve and grow through Habitat for Humanity. —Kayla Stuber