After cancer diagnosis, Jimmy Carter didn't think he'd live 'longer than 2 or 3 more weeks'

At 91 and 89, respectively, Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter are still rolling up their sleeves and building homes with Habitat for Humanity.

"Habitat for Humanity is the best way I know to take whatever talents I have and invest them in the name of Christ for the benefit of others," the former president told Memphis' Commercial Appeal on Monday. Carter is Habitat for Humanity's Volunteer-in-Chief, and along with his wife of 70 years has built nearly 4,000 homes across the United States and around the world since 1983.

The Carters are among 1,500 volunteers building 19 new homes in the Memphis neighborhood of Bearwater. Jimmy Carter, who will celebrate his 92nd birthday in October, worked for several hours on Monday morning, measuring, hammering, leveling, and raising walls. Now in remission after being diagnosed last year with Stage IV melanoma, Carter said he "feels good," and is grateful to still be alive. "A year ago, I didn't think I'd live longer than two or three more weeks," he said. "I put on a false, optimistic face. I was hoping I would. God has blessed me in so many ways and this is one of them."

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