Habitat For Humanity Build #13: Quad Cities, Iowa

On either side of the Mississippi River lies the Quad Cities of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline, Illinois. It was there that we joined this group of skilled Care-A-Vanners for our most recent Habitat for Humanity build.

From our first day on the work site, I could tell that Doug was going to have fun with the "rough construction" that would be required to build up this concrete basement to look more like its "twin" house next door.

Guided by Wally, our site supervisor, Doug and a few of the others ...

studied plans,

build interior walls,

put the trusses in place
and nailed the sheeting,

raised the exterior walls,

and added the forms for the
future staircase up to the second floor.

By the end of the second week,
the house was really taking shape.

Did I mention that this group had some very skilled builders??!! Yes, our group of ten Care-A-Vanners arrived with the combined experience of 186 builds! Many of them travel the country from build to build. As the team leaders, we were definitely not going to have to make sure that everyone knew what to do. We ... or I should say I had the pleasure of learning from the experts. 

These "experts" taught me ...

how to "fix" the truss supports that the
electricians and plumbers had cut through,

how to dry wall an "unfinished" basement,
(yes, the sheets are screwed in vertically)

how to install insulation,
(yes, long sleeves, gloves and mask are
definitely needed even on a 90 degree day!)

and how to work with large pieces
of plastic to cover it up.

I have to admit that I feel more comfortable when we can do more of the "finishing" work on our Habitat builds. But it was the smiles and positive words of my fellow volunteers that encouraged me to venture out of my comfort zone to learn new construction skills.

There was one skill, however, that I was so grateful to be able to use ... and that is the skill of greeting the generous local volunteers who brought us lunch every day. 

I really enjoyed meeting the fabulous Midwestern cooks who brought us tacos, pulled pork, hot ham & cheese, jello salads and "hot dishes". I liked that I was able to learn a little more about the local community as I visited with them and gave them tours of the homes.

But, by far the biggest joy was working with and getting to know future homeowner Aboutou as she was taught how to hang dry wall by one of our many skilled volunteers.

For Aboutou and her family this home will be the starting place of

Love, Hope and Dreams.

Until next time ... Use those old skills and learn some new ones ... and enjoy the adventures in your life!

Special thanks to St James and All Saints
Churches in Rock Island for sharing your
hospitality and culinary skills to welcome us
and keep us well fed while in the Quad Cities!

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