Brother and sister wake up in new home for Christmas

AMERICUS - For almost 30 years, Hannah Luster and her brother James have carried water to their rusty trailer from their sister&#39;s house next door. They heated the trailer by cracking open the oven door. <br> <br> When it rained, the rusty structure leaked. It barely had room for both of their beds. Paper and duct tape filled cracks in the windows. The floor was tacked together. <br> <br> But lately, the Lusters haven&#39;t had to lug water or plug leaks. They have everything they need in their new Habitat for Humanity home, dedicated in rural Sumter County on Dec. 14. <br> <br> The three-bedroom home, which the siblings received after four years on a waiting list, also includes a living room, a kitchen, a full bath and a new washer and dryer. <br> <br> ``I&#39;m looking forward to it, yes ma&#39;am,&#39;&#39; said James Luster, 69. ``I won&#39;t be toting water back and forth.&#39;&#39; He has been disabled since losing his sight in 1951 to an optic nerve disease <br> <br> Hannah Luster, 62, has cleaned houses for most of her life and still takes jobs to make ends meet. <br> <br> ``It means a whole lot. I thank God for it,&#39;&#39; she said of their new home, which she helped build by putting up Sheetrock and clearing the lot. <br> <br> Habitat owners, whose monthly mortgage payments usually fall below $300, must contribute ``sweat equity&#39;&#39; with a certain number of volunteer hours. <br> <br> The Lusters&#39; house payment will be $220 a month for 20 years, said Desi Wynter, the director of New Horizons Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sumter County, which sponsored the project. <br> <br> ``I don&#39;t see how they made it this long without running water,&#39;&#39; said Alma Cooper, one of the volunteer workers. ``The strong ones are old. I know I couldn&#39;t do it.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> At the dedication two weeks ago, the Lusters stood before a crowd of about 50 volunteers and family members as a Habitat representative gave them the keys to the front door. <br> <br> Hannah Luster said she&#39;s looking forward to cooking soul food in her new kitchen. <br> <br> ``I prayed and I prayed and I didn&#39;t give up,&#39;&#39; she said.