Year 2, Volume 1: Editorial

" If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother, but you shall freely open your hand to him,and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks" ( Deut 15: 7-8).

When God created mankind, He set a criterion of equality, justice and equity. When the selfishness of man led to the accumulation of wealth for himself without regard for his neighbor, those ideals vanished. In order to help man restore that same model of civilization, God establishes a series of principles that, if faithfully carried out, will succeed in compensating for the social imbalances.

Unfortunately, the voice of God continues to fall on deaf ears, even those of the most faithful, and statistics continue to reflect the harsh reality of a population which is ever more impoverished and who are unable to diminish the harsh consequences. “According to official data, the city of Buenos Aires has a deficit of 100,000 houses and there are 400,000 people in emergency dwellings. The problem is visible in different forms: slums, squatter houses, derelict buildings and cheap hotels in abominable conditions” (Clarín 03/18/04).

On 09/04/04 we read in the local Santa Fe paper that, “Argentina’s housing deficit this year reached 2 million; currently this imbalance is increasing by 120,000 per year.” But it is important to remember that if we act responsibly, we can modify this state of affairs, and at least begin marking the path for change.

In Habitat for Humanity Argentina, we know that the sum of all our efforts, though they may seem small in the face of so much need, is of vital importance to those who now live in simple, decent houses... and a light of hope for those who wait patiently while we strive to reach them.

José Colacilli
President
Habitat For HumanityArgentina

Year 1, Volume 5: Editorial

We have just enjoyed our Christmas celebrations, which helps to increase goodwill among all Christians.

The birth of Jesus, God incarnate, changes the lives of people of very different cultures and traditions. Rich people, with exquisite presents, and the very poor with their humble adoration, all go to adore the new born baby.

Each of us, today, with our own gifts to bring, can help to build a world where everyone lives with dignity.

I hope that when you propose a toast during this Christmas season you can set, as one of your goals for the New Year, that you, and each of us, may be used by God to achieve that objective, “remembering Jesús words; ‘there is more joy in giving than in receiving’” (Facts of the ap. 20:35b)

Seasons Greetings and God’s richest blessings for 2005.

José F. Colacilli

President

Habitat for Humanity Argentina

Year 1, Volume 3: HFH ARGENTINA

It was autumn and unusually hot for the end of March. I was not used to handling the tool which we use to flatten ground below the area which would become the bedrooms of the house, and I had two painful blisters! Nevertheless the tiredness, the sweat and the burning feelings I experienced were little compared to my happiness at being able, in a small way, to help Norma, Carlos and Victor and other volunteers!

Norma is the beneficiary of one of the first two houses that are being built in Lujan, in the Province of

Buenos Aires; Carlos is a helper and beneficiary of the other house, and Victor is the chief of the building site…

And now it is mid-July and our hearts are filled with joy at seeing the way in which the construction of the houses has progressed. Soon the homes will be dedicated to the glory of God and handed over to their new owners. And it is also a special moment for Habitat in Argentina as, after a long time of preparation, anxiety and expectations, we are finally on the road!

For those of us who have been working very hard from the beginning, there is tremendous satisfaction, but nothing compared to the excitement of those who can at last see what has for so long been only a dream, really materialize. They have their own decent house! Seeing the tears in Norma Niz’s eyes, sharing the enthusiasm and joy of Carlos and Laura Silva Miranda, are reasons enough to thank God for allowing us to participate in the Christian Ministry of Habitat in Argentina. We are blessed in the opportunity of putting our faith into action, and of being able, in a small way, to show our concern for those in need.

But this is only the beginning – there is so much more to do. There is a great deal of sub-standard housing in Argentina and we have a colossal challenge ahead of us. But we know that God is on our side and this encourages us to persevere. Jesus said (Luke 18:27). that what is impossible for men, is possible for God. He taught us to claim Him, and that He will respond (Jeremiah 33:3). He invites us to trust when he says: “Ask and it will be given to you, search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened up to you.”(Matthew 7:7) And that is what we do each day and we see God work out the impossible things.

We can all share this joy and the more of us that are “construction workers” the sooner we will reach the goals. We need many more men and women to help us and to show their love in action so that many more families may experience the blessing of God in their lives.

JoséF.Colacilli