Two years ago I was blessed with the opportunity to build in Thailand with Habitat for Humanity. Seeing the joy and gratitude in our homeowners faces as we all worked together to build their 400-square-foot mansion was humbling. I realized Jesus' message to "love your neighbor as yourself" applied to these "neighbors" as much as those I build with every week in Texas.

I've been presented with the opportunity to help a new neighbor and build a neighborhood in Radauti, Romania in August 2012. In order to participate in this build, I'm asking for help in covering the trip cost of approximately $4,000. $2,000 of this is due to Habitat by June 1, 2012 to cover a donation to the Habitat host program and HFHI, meals, accommodations, ground transportation in Romania, medical emergency evacuation and trip cancellation insurance, team coordination and orientation materials. The remainder is anticipated airfare costs.

According to the national statistics, 35 percent of the housing stock in Romania is in a state of complete neglect and needs urgent repairs. Homes are collapsing under record snowfalls this winter (Recent news footage)  Progress toward a stable market economy has been slow and difficult after years of oppressive rule under dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Wages for working Romanian families have dropped by about 40 percent, putting additional pressure on the strained social system. The unemployed, farmers and housewives are the social categories most affected by severe poverty. Two-thirds of Romania’s poor live in rural areas where much of the land is unproductive.

I hope you'll find it in your heart to help our neighbors to have a decent place to call home.