When something devastating happens in a person’s life it leaves an opportunity for something uplifting to follow.

About two dozen volunteers gathered around two tables pulled together with food and drink laid out at the Habitat for Humanity construction site outside Hamlet just before noon Saturday to hear Amanda Herbin describe the way her family felt about the work they were doing.

She first described what they went through when their home burned down several years ago.

“It was really hard, and it was very sad,” Herbin told the sweating faces. “But, if that hadn’t happened, I don’t think my mother would’ve ever gotten a new house build here, and I want to thank you all for bringing that to fruition.”

As the volunteers milled away on the floor of a new home for Herbin’s mother Marilyn, the heartbreak she felt several years ago when the home her parents built burned down seemed but a distant memory.

She beamed as she described her appreciation.

“I just think it’s wonderful,” the elder Herbin said. “This is all God, and I thank God for touching these people’s hearts and moving them to come help me like this. I just want to thank the Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Gospel Lighthouse for coming here and doing this.”

Saturday’s work was the first of the year in Richmond County for Habitat, Construction Manager Robert Brunke said.

The Christian non-profit assists people like Herbin with affordable and quality housing each year.

“We’re planning at least two in Richmond County this year,” Brunke said. “There are more possibilities, but we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves and have a bunch of families waiting for a house.”

His mind was on the task at hand Saturday.

“Every family’s important, but this means a lot to us,” he said. “She originally had a home here that burned down, and this was a piece of land that her family owned. We couldn’t put it exactly where the original house was, but at least we’re getting her back home.”

Herbin beamed as she described her appreciation.

“I just think it’s wonderful,” Herbin said. “This is all God, and I thank God for touching these people’s hearts and moving them to come help me like this. I just want to thank the Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Gospel Lighthouse for coming here and doing this.”

Annie Terry stood close by as Herbin described her feelings, but she also said she saw a pay-off of personal satisfaction in getting to see a job well-done.

“It makes me very happy,” she said. “I just think about how in a couple of months I’ll be able to drive by here and a see a house fully erected that I had a hand in helping to build. It’s wonderful when just plain, ordinary folks come together and do something like this - it really shows that you can do anything when you work together.”

Melvin Ingram is the principal of Ellerbe Middle School, at his day job, but this was his first time trying out this new part-time job on the weekends.

“I’ve always wanted to do this, because I think it’s wonderful to help people,” he said. “But then (a friend of mine) told me about how they were doing this for Miss Herbin, so I came out to give it a try. It really does make you feel good - it gives you a real good feeling.”

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to Habitat for Humanity of the Sandhills, you may call (910) 295-1934.