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A cold rain is falling across Savannah but I do not think that it will dampen the spirits of the 11 families who are moving into their brand new apartments at Dutchtown today. I was there again yesterday at Tenika invited me to take a look at 302, her apartment.

It was cluttered with the boxes that were filled with her clothes and what possessions she had. She took me through every room, pointing out the ceiling fans, the windows, and the bathroom fixtures. She beamed.

"This is the first time that I have ever lived in a brand new place," she told me as we concluded the tour.

She rushed back out to the truck that was delivering furniture. There was laughter in the air as they worked.

For the past couple of years, the Dutchtown development, a 48 unit apartment complex for homeless people with disabilities has belonged to the Union Mission staff. We have worked to bring it from a risky idea to its completion. There have been delays, frustrations, design flaws, cost over runs, failed inspections, and miscommunication. But we remained persistent, never giving up, and it stands completed. All this time, it has been ours to love and nuture.

Today it becomes something different. Today it becomes a home for people who have never really had one.