Habitat World editor Milana McLead interacts with Habitat's diverse body of partners in the office and in the field.

Joining Hands, Opening Doors, Passing the Peace

"If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
--Matthew 5:23-24

In the liturgy of the church I attend, I am always deeply touched at the point in the service when we "pass the peace"--joining hands with our neighbor, saying: "The peace of God be with you." I wonder, what if this could take place around the world? Would we not open doors to all, regardless of the race, creed, gender or other concerns that so often divide us? In so doing, would we not also join our hands with God and be deeply touched?

Poverty respects no one. It has the potential to visit one and all. It doesn't discriminate, and neither does one of its most effective antidotes: Habitat for Humanity.

Indeed, the Habitat effort is rooted in the firm belief that God's love is universal. "We may disagree on political, philosophical and theological subjects," says Millard Fuller, founder and president. "We may have strong differences on all sorts of things-baptism, communion, what night to have a prayer meeting. But we can agree on building and renovating simple, decent houses with and for God's people in need, proceeding with the sure knowledge that God's love extends to everyone."

That Habitat for Humanity provides a catalyst to open doors, to "pass the peace" to the poor and the oppressed, is demonstrated daily around the world in the building of each simple, decent house.

In India, the door is opened for an ostracized young widow to overcome traditional social norms and become the owner of a Habitat house. In a rural community in Ghana, the door is opened for Muslims and Christians to live side by side as friends and neighbors in a Habitat housing project. In Korea, a special door is literally opened for a 57-year-old man stricken with polio as a child-a door outfitted especially for him and his wheelchair. In the United States, the door has opened for interfaith and interracial Habitat builds to take place with a "melting pot" of homeowners and volunteers. And in Latin America, where men are culturally recognized as the land-owners, the door has opened for women to become homeowners or to take leadership roles within Habitat.

"Habitat puts faith and love to work, enabling people from all walks of life to participate," says Fuller.

The point is, all are welcome. You've never been more needed and the need has never been greater. Won't you join hands with us today to open doors ... to "pass the peace"?

Thanks for reading ... and for building.

--Milana McLead