Missionary Spotlight | The Laffan Family

Meet Jason and Amy Laffan and their boys, Jonas (8), Kash (4), and Titus (2). Jason has faithfully served in many roles at Casas since he came on staff in 2001. He currently serves as the Director of Operations in our El Paso headquarters and makes sure all of the ministry's administrative responsibilities are taken care of. INTERVIEW WITH JASON 1. Tell a little bit about yourself and where you're from. We are the Laffans, and we hail from Georgia. While our roots are in the south, our lives and hearts are here in El Paso. All three of our boys were born and raised (so far) in El Paso. We love to go to México and build homes. Amy can stucco a house with the best of them. Jonas loves Legos and building "his masterpieces." Kash has a collection of "guys" which includes almost every character a kid could want. Having two big brothers has helped Titus become the toughest two year old on the planet. One thing that all five of us agree on is our love for the beach and all things Disney. 2. What made you choose to serve at Casas por Cristo? When I was young and full of energy the Lord used my interest of working with my hands and my desire to serve with a tangible and measurable purpose. I remember being in college and going to the National Missionary Convention in search of a ministry to serve at during the summer of 1999. It was clear at the end of the weekend that God had pointed me in the direction of Casas por Cristo, the ministry that I had first gone on a trip with in 1998. 3. How have you seen God through your ministry at Casas por Cristo? I have seen more people cry tears of joy for what the Lord has done through giving them a home or through their act of giving a home to a family than I have of people crying for all other imaginable reasons combined. I believe that God's heart and eyes are on this ministry because of the fruit that comes from the international churches we serve, the American churches that volunteer, and the changed lives of everyone involved. 4. What has been your biggest challenge so far? The biggest challenge has been leaving family and friends to move to El Paso. As our family has grown from just Amy and I with the additions of three little boys, it has been a huge challenge to be physically separated from people that we wish could be a part of our daily lives. 5. What are some things people can pray for on your behalf? We would love prayer that God would use us to have a huge impact on His Kingdom for His glory. One of our prayers for our children every night is that they will be leaders and not followers. As we raise our boys we want them to be obedient to God's calling on their lives and be open to what He has planned for them.

DONATE SUBSCRIBE TO JASON'S NEWSLETTER 915.778.0046 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

Team Casas

WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE Partner with other individuals to meet the physical need of better housing as a way of also meeting the spiritual need for Jesus Christ. We need volunteers for the following Team Casas dates. The deadline to schedule a trip is 30 days prior to each México trip and 60 days prior for trips to other locations. If the trip is scheduled, new registrations will be accepted until  the trip takes place.

2016 Team Casas Schedule March 13 - 19 | Santiago, Dominican Republic (scheduled; still accepting volunteers) June 12 - 18 | Santiago, Dominican Republic (at least 8 volunteers still needed by April 12) June 13 - 17 | Juárez, México (at least 4 volunteers still needed by May 13) June 19 - 24 | San Raymundo, Guatemala (at least 15 volunteers still needed by April 19) July 3 - 9 | San Raymundo, Guatemala (at least 11 volunteers still needed by May 3) October 7 - 10 | Juárez, México (at least 1 volunteer still needed by September 7) December 27 - 30 | Acuña, México  (at least 14 volunteers still needed by November 27) December 27 - 30 | Juárez, México  (at least 10 volunteers still needed by November 27) December 27, 2016 - January 1, 2017 | San Raymundo, Guatemala  (at least 14 volunteers still needed by November 27) December 27, 2016 - January 1, 2017 | Santiago, Dominican Republic (at least 16 volunteers still needed by November 27)

REGISTER NOW MORE TEAM CASAS INFO Team Casas February 2016 915.778.0046  |   questions@casasporcristo.org   |   casasporcristo.org

Family Spotlight | Dominican Republic

Meet mother of four and single mom, Francisca Genao, who received our first ever Team Casas Dominican Republic home over the New Year. When we first visited Francisca's family in October, she was living with her parents and other members of their extended family in a roughly 600 square foot home. With kids aging from one month to ten years old, Francisca's full time job was looking after her children, which forced her to rely solely on the income of her parents to make ends meet. Maybe when Francisca's children were older, she could have saved up enough money to rent a house of her own, but the chance of Francisca and her children ever having a house to call their own was very small. On top of that, we soon found out that her youngest daughter Milagros (meaning miracle) had been diagnosed with brittle bone syndrome. When Francisca heard the news that she would be receiving a home in only a few short months, it was the glimpse of hope she needed to get through this stressful time. When the Team Casas members pulled up to start the first day of construction on Francisca's new home, the once four foot sloped land was now mere inches from being level. The church, local community, and family had all pitched in to help flatten the land shovel by shovel. Everyone was ready to join in and help. Fraylin, Francisca's oldest, and other neighborhood boys showed off their skills by expertly shoveling rock and sand. Pastor Fran, who sponsored Francisca's family to receive their home, diligently hauled bucket after bucket as the cement slab was being poured. Local teenage boys helped carry wood and construct wall frames while Francisca's father made sure every little detail was taken care of for his baby girl. As days passed and construction continued, we found out that the family had been to the hospital several times over the past few months with Milagros. Because of her brittle bones, if anyone held Milagros in slightly the wrong way, her bones would literally shatter. As a result, Milagros rarely left the loving arms of her mother.  The team members wanted to bless this family beyond their wildest dreams. They had bunk beds built for the children's bedrooms, donated baby supplies for Milagros, made sure the kids had school supplies, and even made sure Francisca had a fully stocked kitchen for her family.  In typical Dominican fashion, the dedication was packed with Pastor Fran's church, Francisca's family, and the local community. They worshiped so that everyone around could hear the praises of our God rising to heaven. Francisca was beaming from ear to ear. She had been blessed with the miracle of her own home, something that would have probably never happened for her if it weren't for Casas por Cristo's diligent Kingdom partners. Now, Francisca has a place where her children can grow up with a sense of security that will stand as a lasting reminder of the love Christ has for their family. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TRIP INFO TEAM CASAS INFO

915.778.0046  |   questions@casasporcristo.org   |   casasporcristo.org

Interns Change Lives

As a Casas por Cristo intern, you have the chance to make a big impact in the lives of families.

Did you know?..  Every week our interns get to build a home for a family in need. Our interns get to experience new cultures first hand. Casas relies on the help of interns to handle the large number of summer builds. Our internship develops leadership skills. Most of our current missionaries started out as an interns. The memories made during an internship last a lifetime. We are still looking for servant-hearted individuals who are willing to commit three months of their summer to building homes for families. Our internship offers a great opportunity to expand your faith to new heights and to have a deeper understanding of other cultures. Plus, it is an extremely fun and rewarding way to spend three months! So, if you or someone you know would love to take the next step towards a summer of a lifetime, click on the link below to apply.  Applications are due by April 1, 2016.

INTERNSHIP INFO APPLY 915.778.0046 |   questions@casasporcristo.org   |   casasporcristo.org

Missionary Spotlight | Brandon & Heather Culp

Meet Brandon and Heather Culp. Brandon has just been named the Director of Juárez after serving as the Director of Guatemala for three years. He has faithfully served in many roles at Casas por Cristo since he came on staff in 2008. He oversees the Juárez Field Department and makes sure our operations in Juárez run smoothly. INTERVIEW WITH BRANDON 1. Tell a little bit about yourself and where you're from. I am from Kiowa, Colorado, and I studied Construction Management at Colorado State University. I grew up in a Christian home and have a wonderful family that has encouraged and supported me before and during my time here at Casas.   2. What made you choose to serve at Casas por Cristo? I went on my first Casas trip when I was a senior in High School. I still remember every detail about that trip. It was the first time in my life that I ever experienced poverty and saw how serving was one of the most powerful ways of sharing the love of Christ with others. I decided to use the Casas internship to fulfill the requirements for my Construction Management degree. After my second internship with Casas, I felt like God was calling me to serve with Casas por Cristo full time. 3. How have you seen God through your ministry at Casas por Cristo? One of my favorite parts of serving with this ministry has been how God has used the people I serve along side, the groups I build with, and the families we build for to shape and mold me into the person I am today. Last week, a brother of the lady we were building for had been deported, totaled his vehicle, had a dislocated shoulder that needed surgery, and was only able to see his family once a week. His sister was a single mom barely able to feed her children. He wanted her to have a home and to come to know Christ so badly that he purchased the land for her house with the little money he had, spent months preparing it, and even helped us build it. At the dedication she told us she was most excited for the Bible she had received and that she was going to start attending church with her brother. The brother never once mentioned all the struggles he was going through. We were only made aware of those later, but I share this story because this particular week I saw God in this man's servant heart. I have countless stories like this one over the years and that is one of the reasons I love this ministry so much. 4. What has been your biggest challenge so far? Three years ago we moved to Guatemala. We left family, friends, and comforts behind. While we were there we formed relationships and bonds that we never expected. In September we moved back to the States. Saying goodbye and leaving the people who had become our family proved to be more difficult than our initial move to Guatemala. We are excited for what God has next, but this has been our biggest challenge so far.   5. What are some things people can pray for on your behalf? We ask for prayers as we continue to adjust to living back in the United States and for a smooth transition as I become the Director of the Juárez Department.

DONATE SUBSCRIBE TO BRANDON'S NEWSLETTER 915.778.0046 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org