Abundant sunshine blanketed the crowd gathered in Chrisney for the dedication of the 26th Spencer County Habitat for Humanity home on Sunday, April 2.
Habitat Board President Deb Scherer welcomed everyone before Executive Director Jenny Thomas greeted attendees and introduced the new homeowners, Mickey and Garret Hobbart.
Thomas offered thanks and praise for all the volunteers and donors, singling out AEP’s $70,000 grant which went a long way to bringing this home to fruition amid rising costs wrought by the pandemic.
Habitat Board member Reverend Jill Kaetzel, who Thomas called “Our guildepost,” led the blessing, She began, “Jesus said, ‘Listen, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” She went on to say this is not just a house, it’s a home for this family of nine. “This is not just a dwelling but a symbol of God’s love and prayer.”
Yes, there are nine family members. Mickey and Garrett each have three children plus one together and they’ve been living with Garrett’s brother and his family.
Thomas praised the couple for the sweat equity they put in to build this home.
“With tears in her eyes, Mickey Garrett said, “Ill never forget the phone call I got on October 22, 2021 it was Jenny on the other side telling me I had been selected as the next Habitat Family, I think I was shocked by it for at least a week and then just still felt like it was a dream, and me always saying is this real life, shoot I still think until this day and even Jenny can vouch for me I’m still like is this real life? Is this really happening? I know God sent Habitat to answer a prayer I had been praying for, for a very very long time. I just want to put forth how thankful I am that you guys selected me not only for the house but also to be a part of the Habitat Family which to me are equivalent in my eyes. With that being said you guys also know that God answered another one of my prayers, by sending me Garrett who showed and continues to show me what having a better half means (well or being the better half lol) and helped me just become an all-around happier and better person. So on Garretts and I behalf we just want to thank you guys so much for being such a huge piece of our story and helping us and all our kiddos build a home and a family that we are so very blessed to have a be a part of! Thank you guys so much.”
Story by Kathy Tretter
