As a youth leader at the Cypress Chapel Christian church, Brian Rowe is used to helping with the spiritual guidance of children across Suffolk. A few months ago, however, he got a special chance to help a much larger group of kids.

The owner of Rowe Building and Development in Norfolk, Rowe was contacted in late January by Orphan Helpers, a non-profit Christian-based organization in Hampton.

Orphan Helpers founder Greg Garrett asked him to construct a new house for the Parade of Homes in the Ford’s Colony area. Much like Suffolk’s Home-A-Rama, the Parade shows off a gallery of houses with special features for potential buyers. Garrett told Rowe of his plan to build a home to sell, with the profit going to the Helpers.

&uot;It pulled on our heartstrings,&uot; Rowe said. &uot;They’re a Christian-based organization, and they’ve got a big heart for children. It took me about 15 seconds to say yes.&uot;

Choosing Rowe’s, which has been in the local homebuilding business for more than 15 years, was an easy choice for Garrett and his organization.

&uot;First, we knew that Brian had a heart for children, from his involvement with them in his church,&uot; said Garrett. &uot;Second, he was the premier builder in Ford’s Colony. He was a perfect choice to really set the example for others to follow.&uot;

Over the next few months, more than 30 subcontractors, many of whom were working for free, headed out to the house. They put together a 3,125-square foot, two-story building with a master bedroom, kitchen, study, living room with a fireplace, and large deck.

The house went on the market in mid-October. Less than two weeks later, it was sold to a couple moving down from Washington, D.C. Garrett estimates that his organization will make a profit of between $75, 000 and $100,000 off the sale.

Because of this, children across Central America, where the organization is currently concentrating, will get some extra help and guidance.

&uot;We’ll be able to provide more teachers and supplies,&uot; Garrett said, &uot;and we’ll be able to go into at least one more juvenile center that we haven’t been to before.&uot;

Orphan Helpers works a great deal with incarcerated youths, who are often forced to go without clothes, shoes, toys, computers, or other equipment. They sometimes bring in doctors from America, or work with those in the nearby areas. Pastors and other church representatives are also asked to visit the youths.

This year alone, more than 200 people from five states went on

trips to benefit Helpers, and five trips are already planned for this year. Because the organization has very little overhead and no full-time salaries, virtually all of the money generated from the house sale will go to the children.

&uot;What we did,&uot; Garrett said, &uot;is something that we hope to continue to do, and hopefully expand it across the nation.&uot;

Rowe would like to do it again as well. &uot;It depends on what other organizations might be interested in doing something like this,&uot; he said.

&uot;We’d work with organizations that like to raise some funds for their Christian cause. If there’s a way we can help, we want to help.&uot;

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com