SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Adam Willis, worship leader at Deep Creek Community Church, sings several songs with acoustic guitar before the Apostles Build 2013 dedication ceremony for new Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity homeowners Carlos, Maribel, Carlitos and Sara Vargas on Thursday morning.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Sarah Glover, a member of Deep Creek Community Church, holds her 2-year-old son, Luke, while performing songs of worship during the new home dedication ceremony for the Vargas family Thursday morning in Punta Gorda.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Michelle Rumreich, director of development for Habitat, welcomes those in attendance and provides a scripture reading during a new home dedication for the Vargas family in Punta Gorda, with the Rev. Peter Garcia of Door of Refuge Church translating.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Maribel Vargas wipes away a tear from her cheek during the Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity Apostles Build home dedication.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
The Vargas family, from left, Carlos, Maribel, Sara and Carlitos, bow their heads while a prayer is received by Bob Shaw of New Day Christian Church.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Mike Mansfield, chief executive officer of Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity Mike Mansfield, welcomes those in attendance.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
New Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity homeowners Carlos and Maribel Vargas listen while Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch provides remarks.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Sheri Fullom sings an original song written for Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity called “A Better Way” during the new home dedication for the Vargas family.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ Margaret Bogardus and Elder Richard Elizondo read the lyrics while Sheri Follum sings “A Better Way.”

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
The Rev. Peter Garcia, Door of Refuge Church pastor, left, translates the words of Gabrielle Reineck, senior director of outreach for the Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity, prior to the many presentation of gifts to the Vargas family. Gifts were donated by the American Red Cross, Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Daughters of the American Revolution/Charlotte Bay Chapter, Edison Collegiate High School, Legeres Concrete Specialties, St. James Episcopal Church Women and St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Carlitos Vargas, 16, an eighth-grader at Punta Gorda Middle School, listens while his father, Carlos, gives thanks for making new home ownership a reality for his family during the Apostles Build 2013 dedication ceremony. Members and volunteers from area churches were involved in the construction of the home, including Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Boca Grande Lighthouse United Methodist Church, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, First United Methodist Church of Punta Gorda, Englewood United Methodist Church, Deep Creek Community Church, New Day Christian Church, Life Port Church, Faith Lutheran Church, Murdock Christian Church, First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte and Prima Iglesia Bautista Hispana.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Sara Vargas, 12, a sixth-grader at Punta Gorda Middle School, is all smiles after receiving one of many gift baskets donated during her family’s recent home dedication, through Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Jean Farino, former executive director for the Punta Gorda Housing Authority, receives a hug of gratitude from new Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity homeowner Carlos Vargas. Farino assisted Vargas when he first came to the United States from Columbia, years ago.

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com
Those who attended the recent Apostle Build 2013 home dedication ceremony for the Vargas family hold hands while a house blessing and closing prayer on all four sides of the home were presented by theRev. Mike Loomis of First United Methodist Church of Christ in Punta Gorda, the Rev. Dana Narring of Faith Lutheran Church in Punta Gorda, the Rev. Keith Sergent of Murdock Christian Church, and the Rev. Brian Brightly of Lighthouse United Methodist Church.