Honoring Habitat founder

Judah Slavkovsky knows firsthand the security of a warm house to call home. His family moved into Sisters' first Habitat for Humanity home when he was 10, and the Slavkovskys' lives changed forever. Judah's mother, Theresa, said that the family was ready to move away from Sisters, and it was the saving grace of the house that kept them here. The family is an abiding source of encouragement and inspiration to many in the community.

Judah is all grown up now, and will soon graduate from Harvard Medical School. One of his mentors through the years there was Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity. The two met in 2003, at Judah's graduation from the University of Portland; Fuller was present to accept an honor from the university and speak at the graduation ceremony. Someone - Theresa Slavkovsky doesn't know who - mentioned to him that one of the graduates had grown up in a Habitat home in a small Oregon town. When Judah's name was announced and he shook Fuller's hand, he looked into his eyes and thanked Fuller for the house.

The two kept in touch as Judah went on to Harvard; Fuller would meet with him whenever Habitat business took him to Boston. In 2007, Fuller agreed to come to Sisters, to be present at a ceremony dedicating Hammond Place, a property next door to the Slavkovsky home and named in honor of Hort and Julia Hammond, the founders of Sisters Habitat for Humanity. Fuller stayed with the Slavkoskys, sleeping in Judah's old bedroom.

It was a bittersweet honor, then, for Judah to be asked to speak at Millard Fuller's memorial service on March 14, at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Fuller passed away suddenly on February 3.

In few words, Judah eloquently summed up the impact Fuller had on his life.

"When I think of Millard Fuller I think of his voice: joyful, articulate and deeply personal...

"I grew up in a Habitat for Humanity home. When I was 10, my family moved into this new place, painted white with blue trim. We left a cramped place where winter ice built up on the insides of the windows and mold grew on the walls.

"Soon, I will graduate a doctor. This past year I've spent time working on HIV care in San Francisco, in primary care on the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico, and I've delivered babies in South Africa. Like Millard, I look forward to the day when all God's children will be free - free in the possession of a decent house and with access to quality health care.

"Having a well-built home is transformative. For me it was enabling. Where there is stability within housing, there is stability in forming community... Children raised in decent, affordable homes have a better shot at college, medical school and other professions. They later share these skills, building up that great kingdom, where justice reigns.

"So today I say thank you, Millard. Thank you for that house..."