The culmination of hard work and community support came to fruition Saturday, with the completion of the first Winkler-Morden Habitat for Humanity Home.

Although John and Margaret Wiebe still have a few weeks before they move into their new home, the journey of over 600 sweat equity hours has been incredible and seeing the community that has helped them reach this milestone is emotional.

"I'm not even sure how to say or express it," says Margaret Wiebe, "They're just amazing people, and everyone did a wonderful job. We're so grateful that God put these people in our lives."

Both John and Margaret say it's good to be at this point, and having a new home means everything to them and their four children.

Not only will their new home open new opportunities for them, but their mortgage payments will also help fund the next Habitat home to be built in Morden.

With this being the first home built by the Winkler-Morden Habitat Chapter, there were some learning curves along the way.

"To learn to work together as a group and committees with all different kinds of personalities and ways people work. That's a challenge, but it's also a good challenge, " says Secretary and PR chair, Christina Falk. "To know this program does work is really exciting, to see it has brought people from all sectors of our community together, and working together they can produce something beautiful."

Board Chair Duane Falk adds it was impressive everyone who was involved in this joint venture.

"It doesn't matter what walk of life they come from, and I think a 16-year-old working on the house and a 70-year-old working on the house. It's bringing people together and being able to work together. You're not sure it's going to work, but once you see it happen, you're amazed by it."

Christina notes one goal for their next is to have more Saturdays available for volunteers who want to build.

In preparation for the Morden home, fundraising efforts will get into full swing. Fundraising Chair Sue Nelson there are several events people can look forward to in the coming months. The boat build at Paddlefest and a raffle for a playhouse, and a new fundraiser planned for this year is a golf tournament.