PART 1 of 1: Why Are We Still Using Hammers and Nails?


PART 1 of  2

Over 20 years ago Stephen Covey in his book the 7 habits of highly effective people stated that if your life is a hammer you will see everything in life is a nail.  In all my travels I must admit that this has proven true....
If you are an engineer    ...you see everything as a structural problem
If your pastor                 ....everything is a problem of the heart
If you living in a Township          .... you see everything with a survival instinct, living day to day with no thought of the day after tomorrow... 
Each of these views has been shaped by life experience via education environment and peers creating a specific truth... but then again…what is truth...  
In order to see truth we must intentionally remove ourselves from the biases we live for example: 

Over my past 3 months in Africa I have seen millions and millions of Dollars poured into beautiful 1st world architecture.  People spending huge amounts of energy to comply with European style building codes and many cutting edge building principles now applied to this emerging world.  Though I appreciate what is happening, it stands in a stark contract to the millions living in makeshift sheds that are not of anyone's concern. And who at the current pace of housing the poor, will never see 4 walls in their generation.  As the construction workers drive past day after day.


How does this dichotomy happen... I believe it is simply because what we see as right in the building development education propagates western standards and western expectations into the developing world.  But when asked what are the expectations of those at the other end of the spectrum living in the more than 200 informal settlements and slums in Gautang alone.  What are the expectations of the Nepal victims looking to a winter without utilities and shelters.  Are they concerned with restoring the innate historical beauty of artistic structures shattered in a moment or are they concerned to receive something more immediate, other than a tent.  When we take our western standards glasses off, what is really important to the billion plus people who still live in make shift accommodations.  Talking with a major local south African architect about the need for humanitarian housing in Johannesburg he stated that the poor people do not really need houses as much as they need security.   This would create a starting point in which to build their life upon and to develop from.  What if we looked at buildings in this different light.  Not so much as a place to stay away from weather, but more of a door to lock, creating a place to move forward.  Sometimes this security would translate into the first steps of Hope.


Where we are building this year. 

Kya Sand informal settlement after the fire.

My extended trip here was to see the viability of building more and more structures for the underprivileged in SA and eventually around the world.  Though I don't plan on doing it all myself, I believe I have created a system that could bring 1.5million people out of the slums of Africa within 10 years, while at the same time creating learning and recreational spaces for these residence.  Fancy no, but practical yes..  Perhaps it is more of a screw vs a nail approach to the problem so people will hesitate to use the hammer and try something new....  I covet your prayers and support as we move into this new chapter of ministry outside of the comfort of the UK.  If you are interested in seeing more of what we are up to check out www.hebnerhouses.com
 










Comments

  1. minnesota concealed carry classJune 25, 2015 at 1:00 PM

    I read the book first as a young sales rep in 2004 and still keeps it handy on the bookshelf in my office.

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