Kay Donahue, chair of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, introduces the sponsors of the Winston-Salem project prior to the dedications.

"Today, we are three houses closer to that goal!"

Donahue is chair of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity, Forsyth County.

A large crowd gathered in the chilly, damp air to create an atmosphere of warmth, friendship and concern for one another on Nov. 12 at a spot in southwest Winston-Salem.

Already five habitat houses had been finished and occupied. All the lots along the street are reserved for such houses, and three more were added to the growing row.

The crowd was a mixture of different races, as were the owners of the three new homes.

"We must live as community, and then we can solve our differences," Jim Hamblen told the audience near the end of the dedication service.

Hamblen, director of missions for the Pilot Mountain Association, served as the general coordinator of the sponsoring entities ã Pilot Mountain and Rowan associations, the General Baptist Convention, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the Forsyth County Jail and Prison Ministries.

But Hamblen gave the most credit to Roger Jones who "was the driving force in the project."

"Roger pushed, prodded and irritated us until we did it," Hamblen said. "Thank the Father for Roger Jones!"

The three houses were started Aug. 8 and completed in "something of a record time," according to project leaders.

Each of the three houses was dedicated individually. Uniquely, the three families represent three ethnic heritages -- Hispanic, African American and Caucasian.

Wes Morgan hands the keys to Antonio Matias, who will live in House No. 6 with his wife, Maria, and children. Each new house owner was presented a Bible as a symbol of a Christian home.

At each house, a there was a formal presentation of keys to the new home owners who responded with an "Acceptance" statement. Donahue also presented a Bible to each family as a symbol of the Christian home to be established in the new houses.

There was a prayer of blessing for each house. Larry Doyle offered the prayer for House No. 6 in Spanish since it will be the home of Antonio and Marta Matias and their children.

George W. Bowman III led in the prayer for House No. 7 where Albert and Angela Masker will live with their daughter. They also have a son who has serious health problems and has been hospitalized. Mrs. Masker thanked the people for the home and told about her son's condition.

Paul Lowe offered the prayer for House No. 8 where Heather Fant, a single mother, will live. Appropriate recognitions were made and expressions of appreciation were offered.

Hamblen pointed out several distinctive contributions, including a group from First Church, Fayetteville, who left on a bus early in the morning to be able to work all day in Winston-Salem. Hamblen also cited the contribution of some prisoners who worked on the project, even against criticism and opposition from some of their fellow inmates.

A unison prayer was led by Doris Chunn, chair of the board of directors for Forsyth County Jail and Prison Ministries. The crowd sang "Amazing Grace" before Gloria Jackson sang "To God Be the Glory" a cappella.

Before Hamblen pronounced the benediction, he explained that each house cost $45,000 and that a tithe of that amount would be sent to underdeveloped countries to assist in building houses there.