iheartfaces - Photojournalism via gratefulness

I have been blown away by the entries to this week’s iheartfaces photojournalism challenge.  What an amazing theme with so many incredible captures!

We recently got a chance to be part of an amazing project.  Originally called The Hans Project, it morphed into “Small House, Big God” as more and more people stepped forward to repay a man who had invested in their families.

Hans is the kind of person who makes a difference: working with disabled citizens during the day, mentoring youth all through the week – a Desert Storm medic, loving husband and involved dad to his two boys.

Unfortunately, his home couldn’t keep up.  You could shower under a roof leak in the living room each time it rained (imagine… the Northwest!), and their real shower required pliers to turn on.

What touched me the most – during the course of a week while Hans was in San Francisco (taking a youth group to feed the homeless) - was the sheer number and diversity of people who just simply showed up.

Showed up to work alongside strangers who had also been helped by Hans.  Showed up with smiles and laughter and cheerfully teamed up:

demolition, roofing, siding, sanding, painting, flooring, electrical, cabinetry, building, cleaning, planting…

It was a beautiful demonstration of each person finding a way to thank Hans for the gift of his time.

I wish I could show you a hundred pictures (yes, I took that many) – and settled on five showing the profound sense of family as people of all ages and races worked with gratitude.

Those teens you see?  Yeah, Hans loves them and they love him.

 

If you can’t wait – stop by The Hans Project to meet Hans and to see the results!

Visit iheartfaces for some incredible pictures with incredible stories: