The Dedication of the Habitat Home
for the Ajoloko Family
December 21, 2006
On a balmy, spring-like, gray day that threatened rain, representatives of the sponsoring churches, Habitat for Humanity, the builders and the partner family gathered to dedicate the newest Tuscaloosa Habitat for Humanity home--the first of the Faith Build homes in Tuscaloosa. This one was built for Pamela Ajoloko and her three boys and a daughter.
Trinity, one of the ten churches who banded together to sponsor the building of this home, was well-represented in the crowd that filled the front of the house where the dedication took place.
Most of the construction has been completed and some of the equipment needs to be installed. The yard is a sea of mud right now, so we still need to pray for grass seed germination and enough sun and warm weather to get a good stand of lawn for the winter. The family plans to move in by February 2007.
Here are a few scenes from the dedication service.
Click on the small picture to view a larger photo
The Faith Build 2006 Habitat Home in Alberta City
Joel Hodge, Construction Manager; Teisha Wallace, Family Services Coordinator; Susan Bishop, Habitat Development Manager and Glenda Hinson, Trinity UMC greeting an unidentified attendee.
Susan Bishop, Habitat Development Manager and Lynn Morris Jarreau, Executive Director of Habitat confer before the dedication as attendees gathered.
The Ajoloko family
Pam Ajoloko and her daughter meeting guests at the dedication
Lynne Jarreau welcomed those who attended the dedication.
Margaret Price (soon to be "former landlord") made kind remarks about Pam, a deserving Habitat partner.
Danyelle Hunter, former co-worker with Pamela, got a big hug after her remarks.
Susan Bishop presented awards to representatives of the sponsoring institutions.
Teisha Wallace, Family Services Coordinator, conducted the Dedication Service.
Pamela is keeping a tight hold on the ceremonial ribbon which was just cut after the Dedication Service.
Here are the proud new homeowners--under the close scrutiny of Pam's mother.
Pamela's children passed out this card after the service.
The dedication ceremony of a new Habitat home is a stirring event. The testimonials to Pamela Ajoloko's deservedness were touching. Those who participated in the building of this home expressed a conviction in the righteousness of the cause of providing a means of home ownership to those who can use this to change their lives. The builders especially demonstrated a pride of workmanship. Joel Hodge, the Construction Manager, was so proud of his volunteers, and he especially gave credit to the corporate donors of significant building materials--especially the expensive durable and good-looking siding that looks exactly like cedar shakes. When Ken Smith told us last Sunday that a Habitat House dedication is a special event that we should experience, he understated the good feelings that we took with us when it was over.
