Disaster Relief | Acuña, México

Disaster Relief in Acuña, México Early Monday morning a large tornado swept through Ciudad Acuña, México damaging over 400 homes and leaving 13 dead. RELIEF EFFORTS The local government is doing an excellent job organizing the relief effort. They have mobilized meals, temporary housing, medical relief stations, and temporary pharmacies.  All the homes destroyed were part of a government subsidy program, which means the government is contractually obligated to rebuild them. Thankfully the basic housing problem will be taken care of. In addition, our pastors committee members are busy at work with their congregations ministering to the families in need of aid.  Casas por Cristo expects to meet with the local leaders to discuss how we can partner with the city to help Acuña recover. For now, we will continue with our normal building schedule and focus on the families we were already planning to serve. We will keep you posted on future opportunities.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Pray for the city of Acuña, the government's relief efforts, the pastors and church members that are hard at work, and the families dealing with loss of loved ones and property.  Bring donations to the Civic Center in Del Rio, Texas. The following is a list of items the tornado victims need most right now. Powdered Milk (adult and infant) Diapers (both adult and infant) Non-perishable food items Cleaning Supplies Wheelchairs and walking aids Water

800.819.8014 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

Family Spotlight | The Rosas Family | Acuña, México

Family Spotlight: The Rosas Family Acuña, México MEET THE FAMILY Father & Pastor Jose Luis Rosas Martinez Mother Maria de Jesus Ramirez Daughter Claudia Rosas Ramirez Jose Luis & Family Son Miguel Angel Rosas Ramirez Daughter-in-Law Nancy Rodriguez Grandchildren Joel, Alea, & Ismael Rosas Rodriguez Home Dedication Family Spotlight May 2015: The Rosas Family Meet Pastor Jose Luis, his wife Maria, and the rest of his family. Pastor Jose Luis has been a member of the Casas por Cristo pastors committee in Acuña since 2014. Just recently our ministry along with a group of volunteers from the First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, Colorado had the opportunity to build Jose Luis and his wife a much needed home. Pastor Jose Luis worked in the factories in Acuña as a machine technician and then as a manager of technicians. Three years ago he retired and became a pastor. Jose Luis has a heart for the people in the community that he sees struggling with addictions. People struggling with addictions often find themselves as outcasts in the community and many times are homeless. These types of people broke Pastor Jose Luis' heart, and he began visiting the places where these people hang out in order to build relationships with them. Over the last few years he has been known to be as bold as to invite some of them into his home, not just for a meal or for a visit, but to live with him and his family. He does this so they can have a stable living environment where he can give them pastoral support. At the beginning of his ministry, these types of bold moves caused great concern and anxiety among Jose Luis' family. However, the boldness of Pastor Jose Luis' witness to the "least of these" began a transformation in his own family. They began to understand the Gospel in a new way: that God loves us even in our weakest and most depraved state, that he sent his son to come find us and redeem us, and that through Jesus' death and resurrection we have a new and transformed life. Those of Jose Luis' adult children and their spouses who hadn't fully committed themselves to following Jesus have now done so, and his family is now united behind his ministry. The families of these former addicts make up the foundation of Pastor Jose Luis' church. Although their church building is incomplete - just a foundation, partial walls and a patch of tin roof - they are faithful to gather together to give praise to our God. Pastor Jose Luis dreams of completing their church building. The house that Casas por Cristo has provided next to the church will give them a completed space to meet, work and live. Pastor Jose Luis has a vision of building rooms next to the house where he can offer living space to more people working to become free from their addictions. Scott Dewitt Director of Acuña 800.819.8014 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

Team Casas | May 2015

TEAM CASAS Help turn this... into this... WE NEED YOU! Join other individuals to complete a home building project and help bring hope to a family in need!  We need volunteers for the following Team Casas dates.  The deadline to register is 30 days prior to each México trip and 60 days prior for other locations. 2015 Team Casas Schedule June 15 - 19 | Juárez, México (scheduled; space for 11 more) July 5 - 11 | San Raimundo, Guatemala (deadline extended to May 22; 10 volunteers needed)October 9 - 12 | Juárez, México December 28, 2015 - January 1, 2016 | Acuña, México December 28, 2015 - January 1, 2016 | Juárez, México December 27, 2015 - January 2, 2016 | San Raimundo, Guatemala December 27, 2015 - January 2, 2016 | Santiago, Dominican Republic

2016 Team Casas Schedule February 5 - 8 | Juárez, México March 13 - 19 | San Raimundo, Guatemala March 13 - 19 | Santiago, Dominican Republic June 13 - 17 | Juárez, México June 12 - 18 | Santiago, Dominican Republic July 3 - 9 | San Raimundo, Guatemala October 7 - 10 | Juárez, México

REGISTER NOW MORE TEAM CASAS INFO 800.819.8014 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

Missionary Spotlight | Josh & Allie Crabbs

Missionary Spotlight  Josh & Allie Crabbs Meet Josh and Allie Crabbs, the newest recruits to the Dominican Republic. Josh has worked at Casas por Cristo since 2006. Allie joined the CpC staff after marrying Josh in September of 2014. They just moved to the Dominican Republic this past January to help start operations there. Interview Tell a little bit about yourself and where you're from. Josh: I am from Akron, Ohio and I am slightly addicted to sports. I owe who I am now to the example of my parents. Their ministry in the inner city of Akron is a true depiction of what it means to live a life of sacrifice and service to our Maker.   Allie: I grew up in St. Louis, MO and graduated from Dallas Christian College.  God ignited my heart for The Nations when I was 16 serving at an orphanage in Juárez. From that point on, I had a deep desire to serve cross culturally and I wasn't going to let anything stand in my way.   What made you choose to serve at Casas por Cristo? Josh: I had a desire to serve the Lord in a tangible way. When I was given the opportunity to apprentice and then come on staff with Casas, it was a no brainer for me. I couldn't think of a better way to use the gifts God had given me than to serve those in need.   Allie: Let's be honest, I married into it (Haha).  On a more serious note though,  I was first introduced to Casas por Cristo  while serving in Guatemala with Morning Glory Christian School. During my time there, I was able to see the lasting impact that Casas has had on that community for Christ. That is the reason why I love Casas. Thier style of ministry works. So when I did eventually marry a "Casas' Man," I was excited to join their staff and serve alongside Josh.  How have you seen God through your ministry at Casas por Cristo? Josh: I have seen God in several ways. I have seen Him through the impact that the local church has had on our Casas Teams, through the growth and strength of the local church because of our Casas Teams and through the actions of the families who have received homes. Allie: I see God in every face we serve. The pure joy that the families have when they receive their home is the most beautiful part for me. In that moment, you can feel the fullness of God's love for His people, the fullness of what it means to be The Church, and the fullness of what it means to be a child of God resting in His presence. I wouldn't change that for anything.   What has been your biggest challenge so far? Josh: My biggest challenge is accepting that I can't help everyone. In Juárez, the need was so great, it was overwhelming. I had to learn that the Lord has given me the ability to help the specific people He has placed in my path and that is okay.   Allie:  My biggest struggle while working with Casas has been the feeling of inadequacy. I think in life I'm a relatively capable person, but the first time I walked on a build site, all of that fell away almost instantly. I couldn't even swing a hammer correctly. Any time Josh would ask me to do something, I literally had no idea what he was talking about. Every build is a little bit better, but those thoughts still try to creep back in any way possible. I am continually reminded of the quote, "He doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called." Prayer Requests Patience as we are still transitioning into married life and life in the DR Growth for the ministry here in the Dominican Relationships we are forming with the pastors and community Continued financial support The ability to learn more Spanish at a rapid rate DONATE SUBSCRIBE 800.819.8014 questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.

Reminder to Register

Don't forget to register for your summer build with Casas por Cristo!  REGISTER MAKE AN IMPACT Our summer schedule is filling up fast. Don't miss your chance to demonstrate Christ's love to a family in need. Reserve your slot to build a home with us today! Don't have enough people to do a group trip?  Try a Team Casas trip for individuals. Learn More The Scheduling Department Roberta Sanders Ryan de la Peña 800.819.8014 | scheduling@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org