More Than Houses
Fuller's seventh book about Habitat for Humanity primarily tells the stories of people whose lives have been changed by its work. The stories' subjects include volunteer workers on the houses the world-spanning project builds and those who eventually occupied the "simple, decent" homes. Fuller presents the stories in thematic chapters on how Habitat's work has enhanced children's lives, transformed entire families, created neighborhoods, launched new careers, made friendships, bridged differences among participants, led to several marriages, etc. The intent of the book as a whole is to demonstrate that Habitat is building more than just houses. Habitat's "hundreds of thousands of volunteers, staff people, and homeowners," Fuller writes, "are truly, I think, an exciting part of building the kingdom of God on earth." The stories and Fuller's attitude attest that although Habitat is a forthright Christian endeavor, proselytizing is not part of its program, but recruiting your hands and building skills definitely are.Ray Olson