Creating Beauty Through Service, with Dita Heilman

On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with one of our beloved volunteers, Dita Heilman! Dita's story of serving others began long before she found her way to Community First! Village. Born and raised in the Albania/Kosovo region of Europe, she met her husband, Steve, while he was volunteering with a medical nonprofit during the early 1990s. What started with a chance encounter and a shared cup of coffee grew into a life rooted in compassion, hospitality and a calling to serve others. Today, Dita and Steve faithfully volunteer in the Art House at Community First! Village, where they help create handcrafted ceramic pieces alongside our neighbors living in the Village. Through every conversation, shared project and creative endeavor, Dita reminds us that the most meaningful connections are built when we take the time to simply be present with one another. In this episode, Dita reflects on the power of kindness across cultures, the unexpected path that led her from Kosovo to Austin, and how volunteering has become a beautiful expression of gratitude for the life she's been given. Her story is a reminder that serving others doesn't just their change lives—it has the power to transform our own.