Habitat for Humanity celebrates family’s new home
Estella Vila (left) holds the keys to her new home in one hand while helping her husband Rafael hold the Holy Bible as he hugs his youngest son, Emmanuel Sebastian, during a dedication of a Highland Lakes Habitat for Humanity house Feb. 22. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — As visitors hurried inside the house located at 302 Ave. M, two of the tiniest homeowners greeted them.
Jean Raphael Vila, 7, and younger brother Gianni Nathaniel stepped in and out of a bedroom.
A guest asked Gianni if that was his room. He slowly nodded yes.
While the significance of the newest home built by the Highland Lakes Habitat for Humanity might have been lost on the two brothers, it wasn’t on their parents.
With choked voices, Rafael and Estella Vila thanked the many volunteers who spent several months building a home for them during a dedication Feb. 22.
“I’m really warmed with all the love showed here with all the volunteers who showed up,” Rafael said. “They didn’t know us; we came to know them while building. They’re deep in our hearts. This is a blessing for me. We recognize this is a gift from God.”
Estella added to her husband’s gratitude.
“This whole process we learned so much,” Estella said. “I learned how to properly hold and use a hammer and how to properly hold and use power tools. I learned how to depend on God. None of you knew us. All of you who came answered God’s call. You gave your talent and time, you came to help total strangers. We are eternally grateful.”
Greg Mills, president of the Highland Lakes Habitat for Humanity, echoed the couple’s sentiments.
“We’ve had many people who’ve participated,” he said. “It’s truly been an effort of the community to come together. Because of the community, this family is given a hope for the future in a new way. Thank you for that hope.”
Mills then handed a large white Bible to the Vilas.
“We know this is the cornerstone,” Mills said as he handed the volume to Rafael.
After a prayer, the crowd enjoyed refreshments and toured the rest of the home, including the backyard, and noticed ground has already been broken on the lot next door.
Habitat has laid a foundation for the home next door. Building will start April 11.
“We’re praying for the future families who will be our neighbors,” Rafael said.
jfierro@thepicayune.com