SOUTH BEND — A local church wants to give a local husband and wife hope for a home this Christmas. To get it done in time, dozens of volunteers got to work Saturday.

Members of the Harris Prairie Church of Christ embarked on a mission trip in their own back yard.

"We wanted to do something that would impact both a neighborhood and a family, and so we talked with Hope Ministries and they had just been given a house. So in conjunction with the two we made a decision to do this," said volunteer Larry Williams.

That home is now gutted thanks to church members. It's about to be rehabbed from the inside and out for Randolph and Katherine McKenzie.

"To even imagine that we could get a house like this coming from the path we came from," said Randolph McKenzie.

Their path has not always been a pleasant one. They arrived at Hope Ministries last year addicts, homeless and at rock bottom.

"We both drew a line in the sand and said no more. It's over," said McKenzie.

Months later, on the road to recovery, they applied for and were chosen to be the new owners of this soon-to-be finished new home.

"I haven't had a Christmas tree in 10 years and I'll have a Christmas tree this year," Katherine McKenzie said.

Church members will work on the house every couple of weeks until its finished in December. Even when the house is done, their mission may not be over.

"There is discussions about doing it even more," said Williams.

Rehabbing more houses for more families who are ready and willing to start over.

As church members work on rebuilding that home, they'll be seeking donations for building materials from area retailers. Organizers say it isn't a hand-out, but a hand UP for this family.

They'll be responsible for a small monthly mortgage payment.