I would like to focus this spotlight on an exceptional community member and committed Habitat volunteer, Larry Deibert.
Why would a man with a background in photogrammetry devote eight years of his hard-earned retirement to volunteering?
Like so many others, Larry’s answer lies in his faith. After retiring and reading a great deal of Larry Burkett and Dave Ramsey, he felt it was time to use the resources God gave him to support families on their path to home ownership. Since 2009 he has been serving with both Life INC and Habitat for Humanity. Larry is the chair of Habitat's Family Support Committee, a position he has held for the past seven years.
“The Habitat program really makes families focus; it’s like they are running a marathon. When they get to the
halfway mark and say 'I don’t think I can make it,' Family Support comes in and helps them finish,” remarks Larry.
He reminisced about a Veteran family who pulled themselves out from under crippling debt and addiction to gained self-reliance through home ownership.
He also recalls the words he uttered to Habitat homeowner Antonia as she received the keys to her new home, “When I look at the word persistence, there is a picture of you.”
I felt compelled to ask this even-keeled voice on the other line if there was a quote or piece of scripture that gave him strength. In response, he quoted Phillippians 4:8. "If Paul," he said "Can say it in those conditions I should be able to say it as well. And not just think it or say it, do it."
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