Day 6: One House, Three Homes

Our last day of building, this morning we took our rickety Romanian bus to the construction site with mixed feelings of elation for the progress we've made this week, and sadness that tomorrow will take us away from this country where we've enjoyed such great experiences together.

The plaster team finishes the front wall. 

Daniel, Fuat and Camille work with Robi on insulation.

Miss D exercises her power drilling skills to fix the soffits to the front eaves.

Kevin puts some muscle into his drywalling.

Michael, Thomas, Fuat, Daniel and Jason make sure the ceiling won't come down later.

After a morning of work on drywall and finishing the roof, we returned to the house after lunch for a dedication ceremony. Representatives from both Habitat for Humanity and Caminul Felix, along with leaders of the Northern Ireland and Kandern groups, spoke words of thanks and encouragement to the three young adults receiving new homes. Adrian, Marianna and Vali were also given the opportunity to speak, expressing their excitement and appreciation for the gifts of time and money that made their new homes possible.


As a group, we were moved to be present for this moment of such great importance in the lives of these three young adults. Vali is 22, Adrian and Marianna 24, and having their own homes is a major step in each of their lives, allowing them safety and independence that they've never known before. As we left, the students exchanged emails and Facebook contacts with the new residents, who invited us all back to visit them any time. We are excited to hear more from them as they move into adulthood in these homes of their own.

The teams, the builders, and the home recipients sit on the neighbors' foundation for the dedication ceremony.

Laura H. and Cynthia present Marianna with a Bible, flowers and a key to her new house.

Miss D and Daniel help to attach our sign to the house.

All the volunteers, from Ireland, Germany, Canada, USA, France, Chile, Turkey and Switzerland, pose in front of the house with its new owners.

Vali is pleased to be carried over her threshold!

Kandern volunteers gather on the three porches with Adrian, Marianna and Vali.

Your encouragement, prayers and financial support have made this incredible week possible. Thank you all for being a part of this journey with us!

With full hearts, we leave one new house--and three new homes--behind us in Romania.