Reaching Around the World
By Millard Fuller

Love without limits. Build without limits. That’s what we do in the work of Habitat for Humanity. As I travel across the United States, I am sometimes challenged about Habitat’s work outside the United States. The line of questioning usually goes like this: “Why does Habitat build in other countries? Don’t you think it would be better to concentrate our limited resources in our own nation?”

In response, I emphasize that God is not now, and never has been, an American citizen. Jesus never carried an American passport. The clear teaching of the Bible is to “love the brethren and the stranger.” Both live near and far. God loves all equally.

God’s love has no limits. Our love should likewise have no limits. Jesus taught that we should love everybody, even enemies.

Edwin Markham penned one of my favorite bits of poetry. He wrote these magnificent words:
“He drew a circle that shut me out;
“Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout;
“But, love and I had a wit to win.
“We drew a circle that took him in.”

So, we build in our hometowns and in towns and cities in distant nations. We do it because expressions of love should not be limited to any particular geographic location.

My second response to the challenge about the need to build in other lands is a practical one. Historically, the United States has been a welcoming country to immigrants. Many have come into the harbor in New York City to be greeted by the Statue of Liberty—a symbol of freedom and new beginning.

But today, this country simply cannot invite in tens of millions of people from other countries. Common sense economics dictate that we should help people where they are, as much, and as often as we can. Hence, people of concern and caring have an imperative, it seems to me, to help people where they live. And, you know what? Most people prefer to stay in their home country if they can have a decent life there. A house is, without a doubt, a major part of such a good and decent life.

So, let us be up and building, both near and far, with the brethren and the stranger.


Millard Fuller is the founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International.


Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, October/November 2000.
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©2000 Habitat for Humanity International