"Let the sun shine in," was the silent song in the air on a blustery April rainy day at Fifth and K streets in downtown Antioch.

And, in the first of many miracles to take place on the vacant lot there, the clouds parted and the sun put a fine glister on the mud whence would arise four houses for the poor - through the sweat of the new owners - through a bargain sale of land and a no-interest loan from the city - through the hard work of volunteers - and through the inspired efforts of Habitat for Humanity. Through and through, this is an inspiring story.

It's an undertaking of Mount Diablo Habitat for Humanity, which states that it builds simple, decent and affordable housing for poor people. The organization was created in 1976 by Linda and Millard Fuller, and its most famous movers and shakers are former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.

The erecting of a cyclone fence was an early indication that something was going on, but with the arrival of the porta-potties you knew a construction crew would be coming.

www.mtdiablohabitat.org.

Carpenters, painters, plumbers, electricians, glaziers have been on site. Maybe it will all be capped by the appearance of the cable guy in a Santa hat.