As twelve members of Peace set out to work on a house in Red Wing, Minnesota, I, being one of them, had no real idea about what to expect. The only house I ever built was probably made out of Lego’s (even though, as I’ll explain later, that would prove to be closer to reality than expected).
First, we arrived at Pine Island High School which, apparently, is an unusual place for a Habitat crew to settle in, as most trips have been hosted by a local church building. This time though the church in question was occupied by yet another Habitat group working on a different project. So, we got an orientation (that helped orient us only a little bit) and decided to camp out in the library. I chose the spot between the “Fantasy” and “American History” sections, funny how those seem so closely related.
Anyway, the place was a maze on three levels, especially with all the classroom stuff piled in abandoned hallways (including some rather menacing PCR-dolls). Soon enough, when night set in, rattling haunted doors and unexplainable noises were discovered throughout. Still, cots and mattresses did their job and gave us a good rest.
After a short hike on one of the bluffs around Red Wing proper we arrived for lunch at Wanamingo, at a church right across from the worksite where we met Bob (the actual builder) for the first time, who would become our faithful instructor for the week. Despite some severe private issues he shared with us, his clear direction and heart of gold would be the true rock on which the foundation of the house was built upon.
First of all, we split into two groups: one to rebuild the fence to the neighboring property, one to go into “the hole”, or, as we chose to say, “the trenches” (just sounds more intense, doesn’t it). As part of Team Trenches, I can really only tell about that. There we had to set all the prerequisites for the concrete to be poured in (on Thursday) which meant hammering a sheer endless amount of stakes in and connect those with boards. Down in the dirt the hammer and me became one in the merciless heat of the scorching Minnesota sun (okay, maybe I’m getting carried away here).
Needless to say, we got the job done, despite smaller setbacks. Rain on Wednesday sadly forced us to have a good time in a nearby coffee shop, (that sweet Caramel Grande, or whatever it was called, was something else)! Soon enough, we returned and prepared the lanes enough for the concrete to arrive the next day. That involved using an electronic laser-leveling thing that would drill holes into your brain by its endless beeping. They should really work on some more satisfying sound solutions for finally hitting the right level!
Thursday was the day we experienced the most visible progress both on and off the worksite. For one we got the concrete poured and the styrofoam wall-parts upon it set (literally like building Lego’s), thus giving the whole place finally a shape resembling a house. The fence also got nearly finished. And, to top it all off, we went to a wonderful picnic at the banks of the Mississippi in the city of Red Wing, where we met the other Habitat group (sent out by a Unitarian Universalist congregation), some Habitat officials and the family who would receive the house. It was a heartfelt meeting with a lot of gratitude to be felt – by the family for us, and by us for having the opportunity and honor to help.
On Friday, after another half-day of work finishing up on what we had built, we took to the high school showers one final time and set course back to Wisconsin. It was a fun trip full of community moments when we gathered daily for devotion, new skills, great teamwork and the good feeling of putting your body’s work to a noble purpose. Where we did our part, others will take over and build upon what we’ve accomplished – just as it is in the life of the church and of anyone journeying in the faith.
May God bless us,
Vikar Jakob