Friday, Jul. 04, 2008

A House Blessing

Habitat owner gives thanks for home

By AMANDA ROGERS

News-Mirror Writer

Cassandra Jones shares her faith every day at Cornerstone Baptist Church. But the single mother’s faith was put to the test when she couldn’t pay the rent on her apartment.

"Rent was coming due and they were going up on the prices," she said. "I didn’t know what I was going to do."

What she did was to buy a house, Mansfield’s third Habitat for Humanity house.

"It’s three bedrooms, two baths, a two-car garage and a big blessing," said Jones, who has worked for the past five years as an administrative assistant and receptionist at Cornerstone Baptist Church.

About 50 friends, family and members of the community gathered Saturday afternoon for a house blessing at the new brick home at 254 Billingslea Drive.

The house will be Jones’ first house, a place to raise her two daughters and give them some stability, she said.

"They’re going to have friends," Jones said. "The only thing that’s been stable in their lives is church. Every time we’d get settled we’d have to move."

Daughter Lexie Lewis, 11, said moving was fun for awhile.

"At times it was great because I got to know different people, but then I didn’t want to leave them," she said.

The family is currently living with Jones’ mother in a one-bedroom, one-bath apartment, but they will soon be moving into their new home.

Construction on the home began in March. Local churches, businesses and civic groups raised the $54,500 cost of the house, then more than 400 workers donated time to help construct it. Jones will repay the cost of the house, plus she has worked 300 hours on her house and other Habitat homes.

The city of Mansfield donated the lot for the new house. Karen Derrick, development officer for Trinity Habitat for Humanity, recognized assistant city manager Chris Burkett on Saturday for his contribution to getting the house built.

"We just did a small part," Burkett said. "Right next door we’re working on another lot. We need some more volunteers."

Local Habitat organizer, Don Miller, senior pastor at First Baptist Church, was pleased with the new home.

"We usually don’t do brick but it looks so nice," Miller said. "It’s the best house we’ve built so far. Brick does wonders for a house. My wife says this house is better than our first house – and bigger."

Mansfield organizers have built one house each year for the past three years because that’s all they can afford, Miller said. Planning for next year’s house will begin in September. All of the money for the next house, which will cost approximately $60,000, will need to be pledged by the first week of January, Miller said.

Being a homeowner is a life-changing experience, Jones said. On Saturday, she thanked the community and all of the volunteers.

"I hope you understand that this is not a handout, it’s a hand up," she said. "I appreciate everybody who came and gave their time, their money. Every inch of this house is built with love and care. Even when I fell off a ladder, they caught me. It’s a reminder for me and an example for my girls to trust God."

The house wasn’t exactly what she expected, Jones said.

"It turned out better," she said. "I tried to imagine what it would be like, but I couldn’t."

The process has strengthened her faith, Jones said.

"For a moment, things looked bleak," she said. "Then this came through. I can do anything through Christ. When I’m having a bad day, this is where I come. Look at this. This is what happens when you believe and trust."