Habitat World editor Milana McLead has served the magazine and Habitat for Humanity International for the last decade. As with all good things, however, her tenure has come to an end as she leaves Habitat World for a new challenge.

Changing Lives Through Words
"For those who influence public opinion, Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of the people wise, its mind sound and its will righteous."
--Book of Common Prayer

by Milana McLead

It is both a great privilege and a tremendous burden to put ink to paper in this space. In these two short columns of text, I "write what many read," with a prayer that I might effectively "do my part" in sharing the message of Habitat for Humanity--a message of hope and action, of urgency and need.

For 10 years, I have shared this story with you. So many of you have shared yourselves with me, too, as friends and frequent correspondents. You have written letters, e-mails, and sometimes you've called. It is for you that the Habitat World editors pour words onto these pages, and it is because--like you--we care about the needs of the poor and the marginalized, and because we believe we can help change not only hearts and minds, but lives as well.

In 2001, a professor from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism wrote this as her assessment of Habitat World during a publishing competition: "Although it was not the fattest book in the boxes, it was the most deserving in my judgment. The writing is fresh, the photographs compelling. It is a reminder of the best reasons why we choose to go into journalism."

Her words resonated with the Habitat World editors; because we have seen that the words and ink we put to paper have the potential to influence the hearts and minds of those who read. Indeed, it is why we chose this work ... it is why we do what we do.

Each Sunday, in the liturgy of my church, we end the service with these words: "And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord." As I write these words, it is Easter--what greater symbol of new life, new beginnings?

And so, after a decade of service with Habitat for Humanity, I am answering a call to "do my part" within another Christian humanitarian organization-a new beginning for me. Be assured, it will continue to be a work of my hands and heart, just as writing to you has been.

The familiar voices of editors Shawn Reeves and Rebekah Daniel--my partners in producing this publication--will continue to reach out to you. I know you'll reach back.

And finally, as always, I thank you for reading ... and for building.