Unlike most students who went either to the beach, snow-skiing, or simply went home for Spring Break, I chose something else. I chose to give my time to helping build houses with Habitat for Humanity. And honestly, it was a great decision!

At first, I was nervous to go on a week long trip with total strangers. We left early in the morning on Sunday and spent most of the first three hours sleeping and listening to music with no conversation. After taking a Panera break, the five of us were suddenly more open and comfortable with each other.
Although our housing was not a five-star hotel, the community center provided us with just what we needed. We may have had a few scary encounters with a creature or two in the roof, but we were just fine. It was a bonding experience!

All in all, it was a great week. We had the opportunity to help build a porch, pour concrete, stain wood, put together window and door frames, and many other things. We may not have had a nail gun, but we sure got our arm work outs in every day with hammers. Working alongside some pretty cool people, we got to contribute to society and help those in need.

Our four days with Habitat were long and sweaty, but all five of us walked away knowing we had done something good with our week off. I walked away with four new friends and a surplus of knowledge about construction work. I’m grateful that CCM and the James Leo Feeney Servant Leader scholarship provided me with this great opportunity!