Missionary Spotlight | April 17, 2017

Missionary Spotlight: Miguel Flores Meet Miguel Flores, Mexican Representative for Casas por Cristo. He has been serving full-time with us since December 1994 (23 years). If you've ever been on a trip to Juárez, you've probably seen him checking up on your team while you work. Miguel makes sure all of the materials are delivered to the work sites, he checks up on the families to ensure they are ready, he serves as the caretaker of the Shane Harris Outreach Center (SHOC) compound in Juárez, he helps make maps, and he does various other tasks to keep the ministry running. On top of all of his duties with Casas, he also pastors a small church that meets next to the SHOC.

Interview With Miguel 1. Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family, and where you're from. I am from the city of Juárez, Chihuahua, México. I was born into a very poor family, and growing up I learned the mechanic trade from my father. I married Verónica at age 18 and began working as a mechanic to support our family. After being married for two years, I began to go to pastor Aaron Rodolfo's church. Pastor Rodolfo happened to be the director of Casas por Cristo, and he got me involved serving with Casas, which changed my life dramatically. I began to understand and experience the love, unity, and work of God. Day by day, I began to know Christ more. I had been a very troubled young man with marital problems. But when I began to follow Christ and work with Casas, my life turned around, and I began to love my wife and family. We have three daughters, Jazmin (25), Lorena (21), and Cinthia (19), a son, Isaac (9), and a granddaughter, Genesis (3). This is my family. They work side by side with me now that I'm older. I began to work at age 23, and now I'm 45. I have learned a lot of things over the years in this career, primarily to give honor to God and enjoy the blessings that God gives us. I love visiting the recipient families and seeing their faces filled with joy when I announce that we're going to build their house. It's amazing to see how the families are transformed through the ministry of Casas por Cristo.  2. Why did you choose to work with Casas por Cristo? I don't think I chose to serve at Casas. I think God chose it for me. It had always been my dream to be a mechanic, but God lead me to Casas, and here we are 23 years later. That's how it is with God. His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. He knows better than we do. 3. Give us an example of how you've seen God in your work with Casas por Cristo. Recently, there was a family of 9 people that received a Casas house. They didn't know Christ. The sponsoring pastor couldn't be there for the dedication. So, I stepped in to lead the dedication ceremony. I was asking God, "What should I do and say?" God put it on my heart to share the testimony of how Christ transformed my life. This family, after hearing my story, accepted Christ into their hearts. I think that Casas por Cristo isn't only here to build homes, but also to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to families. 4. What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a missionary? It's hard to leave my family. I have to be gone all day and sometimes all week without spending much time with them. This has been one of the hardest parts of working for Casas. When my children were young, I only saw them at night and in the morning when they were asleep because there was so much work to do. So, they only had a "dad" on the weekends. 5. What are your desires for the future? I hope that my family continues serving with Casas. And my greatest desire is that my son, Isaac, will take my place when I'm too old to work anymore. Prayer Requests Please pray that God will give me the words to carry the Gospel message to the families. I know when this happens, God will do amazing things. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:33

915.778.0046  |   questions@casasporcristo.org   |   casasporcristo.org

Missionary Spotlight | The Dion Family | October 31, 2016

Meet Brigham Dion, his wife Jamie, and their beautiful girls, Caris and Calla. Brig joined staff this September as our new intern and volunteer manager. He will oversee our intern program across all our locations. He will also be laying out plans for recruiting, training, and spiritually guiding our interns before, during, and after their time serving with Casas por Cristo. We are excited to have him and his family join our Casas team. INTERVIEW WITH BRIGHAM DION 1. Tell a little bit about yourself and where you're from. I grew up in a little town in Illinois called Carthage. I grew up going to church, and when I was entering into high school I gave my life to Christ. After going on a few mission trips, I decided I wanted to serve God through mission work. I attended Ozark Christian college for a couple of years, which led to an internship with Casas por Cristo in 2006. As an intern I met my wife, Jamie, and for nine years we served in youth ministry in Illinois before coming here. 2. What made you choose to serve at Casas por Cristo? My first mission trip as a student was with Casas. I love seeing the tangible gift of a house being built up coupled with a very real message of God's love and grace. As an intern, I was given some of my first leadership responsibilities and opportunities. It showed me what kind of leader I could be. Now it is my honor to be in a position to help mold and shape future leaders for God's Kingdom as they come to be interns with us. 3. How have you seen God through your ministry at Casas por Cristo? I have seen God at work in the lives of those who have come down to build. I've had the privilege of witnessing the change that He makes in individuals' hearts and minds as they serve and then return home as different people. They've gained a new perspective and heart for God and those He loves. I've seen God at work in the staff here at Casas. They are people who have answered God's call on their lives and serve Him on a daily basis. I get to serve alongside men and women who are passionate about doing God's will and reaching out into their respective communities.   I've also seen God at work in those who are receiving homes. Their faith in the midst of trials and struggles humbles me. To see God's love and faithfulness validated for them as they receive a home is beyond words. 4. What has been your biggest challenge so far? The biggest challenge for me so far has been the learning curve that comes with a new ministry, new build design, learning Spanish, and moving to a new location. But with new challenges comes new opportunities to grow and for faith to be increased. 5. What are some things people should be praying for on your behalf? Please pray that God would use me to influence the lives of those who come to be interns with Casas. Pray that He would provide direction and that I would hear His voice.

SUPPORT THE DION FAMILY SUBSCRIBE TO BRIGHAM'S NEWSLETTER 915.778.0046 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

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

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

Missionary Spotlight | The Sanders Family

Meet Travis, Roberta, and Violet Sanders. Travis is one of our Juárez Field Coordinators. His responsibilities include maintaining our facilities in El Paso and Juárez, ensuring our fleet vehicles are running well, and overseeing the property development for our new headquarters in El Paso. And of course, he guides our volunteer teams in building homes for the impoverished in México, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, too. Roberta is one of our Team Coordinators. She ensures all of our teams are prepared for their trips, our staff is organized and ready when they arrive, and our supporters are informed of the latest ministry happenings. INTERVIEW WITH TRAVIS & ROBERTA 1. Tell a little bit about yourself and where you're from. Travis: I hail from the village of Allendale, Illinois. Growing up I was obsessed with sports until I graduated high school and was plagued by injuries. That brought on a season of soul searching and trying to figure out what life was all about. Fortunately, that's when I truly got to know Jesus and life got interesting. These days I enjoy creating and building anything I can, sneaking in bike rides, and playing husband and dad. Roberta: I grew up as a preacher's kid in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. I studied general Christian ministry at St. Louis Christian College and teaching at Oakland City University. I taught school and coached gymnastics for many years before deciding that mission work is where I belong. I love playing guitar, singing, and spending time with my husband and my baby girl, Violet, who is a year old. 2. What made you choose to serve at Casas por Cristo? Travis: Early on in my journey I developed a very simple faith. God has always chosen the foolish to shame the wise. Life is incredibly complicated, but at the very core I believe we find two truths so basic we sometimes overlook them. Number one, Luke 10:27 tells us that to inherit eternal life we must love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Number two, we're not good enough to do that. Luckily, through Christ we find our hope and salvation. I am here because this is where I was created to be - to have a job where I get to share my hope in Christ and use the gifts I've been given. To show hope and love to my neighbors is what this life is all about. I am ridiculously blessed that I was chosen for this. Roberta: I took my first mission trip at age fourteen to build a home for a family living in poverty in Juárez, México with Casas por Cristo. That week changed my heart and opened my eyes to what it means to live out the Gospel of Christ. I was hooked. After that I went on every mission trip my church organized, which eventually led to an internship at Casas and my full-time role here. Since I don't have any construction knowledge, I never thought God would call me to a home-building ministry. But I love how He works all things out for the best. It is an honor to use my gifts to work behind the scenes to facilitate life-changing mission trips for teams that improve the lives of families living in poverty and demonstrate the love of Christ in the process. 3. How have you seen God through your ministry at Casas por Cristo? Travis: Being apart of Casas for ten years, I've seen God way too many times to list. One of my favorites is seeing the pure joy, hope and love in the eyes of men, women, and children who have been beaten down and bruised by the world. It is such a powerful reminder that Christ has won. I've seen countless fathers with hardened hearts break down in tears of joy and hope during a dedication because they finally see they are loved by God. However, I see God even more in the way he changes our volunteers. I believe that few people ever forget the three or four days they serve with us. It has served as a springboard for new life callings for countless people, including Roberta and myself. Roberta: I have seen God bring salvation to people who did not know Him, change to the hard hearts of team members, hope to impoverished communities, and growth to local churches. Most of all, I have seen him change, stretch, and grow me. Through my service at Casas por Cristo, God has refined me and made me a better person. 4. What has been your biggest challenge so far? Travis: There is a continual tie for the prize of biggest challenge, one of which is the language barrier. I know that language is not a necessity to share the love of God. However, I really hate the fact that I'm terrible at Spanish. The second challenge is having to leave Roberta and Violet behind when I go build. Come to find out it never really gets any easier to leave them, and I don't like it. Roberta: My biggest challenge so far has been trying to balance my responsibilities as a parent and wife with my duties as a missionary. I also find it hard to be so far away from our extended family while raising a child. Please Pray For... Spiritual renewal and refreshment. We spend so much time pouring out and serving, especially in our busy Spring and Summer seasons, that we find ourselves in desperate need of rest and time to be filled up by God. Our house in Mt. Carmel to sell so that we can settle down here. Effectiveness in our efforts to spread the love of Christ with our team members and the families we serve. Our pastors to be effective in their ministry to the families receiving homes. Balance in our roles as parents, spouses, and missionaries.

DONATE SUBSCRIBE TO THE SANDERS FAMILY NEWSLETTER 800.819.8014 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

Missionary Spotlight | Andrew & Lacy Sexton

Missionary Spotlight Andrew & Lacy Sexton Meet Andrew and Lacy Sexton. Andrew is one of our senior designers. His designs are featured on our Casas por Cristo merchandise, website, and publications. He works hard to make sure Casas looks good. And of course, he guides our volunteer teams in building homes for the impoverished in México, too. INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW 1. Tell a little bit about yourself and where you're from. Andrew: I am from St. Louis Missouri, I went to the University of Central Missouri to study Graphic Design.  Lacy: I'm from Kansas City, Missouri. I went to the University of Central Missouri (where Andrew and I met) and received a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Now I take care of the administrative and financial responsibilities at Paseo Christian Church. 2. What made you choose to serve at Casas por Cristo? I grew up wanting to do something ministry related but not wanting to work in a church. When I went on my first trip with Casas, I knew it would be the perfect match for me. I love working hands on. At Casas I am able to do that with my design work and with building. 3. How have you seen God through your ministry at Casas por Cristo? I have seen him in the preparation for me coming here. In college I took a lot of classes for printing, not knowing why, but just because I enjoyed it. Now I print all the Casas promotional material and merchandise. It's crazy to think that if I had not taken those classes I would not have been prepared for this stuff. 4. What has been your biggest challenge so far? Time. My wife can attest to this. Prayer Requests Pray for our finances because that is part of our life right now that is not consistent yet.  Please pray for the upcoming year in general, our jobs, and our lives down here in El Paso.

DONATE SUBSCRIBE TO ANDREW'S NEWSLETTER 800.819.8014 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org