Family Spotlight | Juárez, México

Lorenza (center), her two daughters, and two of her granddaughters     Recently, a group of preachers (plus one contractor) from Southern Illinois drove for 24 hours straight both ways just to bless the Longoria family with a home in Juárez, México. The woman who applied for the home, Lorenza Longoria Pacheco, is a single 57 year old with many health issues. In fact, she has had three heart attacks, resulting in her being declared dead three times, and each time God has miraculously saved her life. Lorenza believes God wanted her to witness His provision for her family in the form of a Casas home, which is why He kept bringing her back to life. Thankfully, she has four children, all of whom live nearby in Juárez, that can help take care of her. But for the most part, that responsibility falls on her youngest daughter, Evelin Evenecer Lopez Longoria. Evelin, age eighteen, and her husband Cesar, also age eighteen, live at home with Lorenza. Cesar works twelve hours a day at a local factory while Evelin cares for her mother full time. Lorenza gave Evelin the middle name Evenecer, Spanish for Ebenezer, because of its meaning: "stone of help." Lorenza sincerely believes that God knew she would be ill and need her daughter's help, which is why he led her to give Evelin that middle name. Lorenza, Evelin, and Cesar are all strong believers and attend a local church regularly. Lorenza's hope is to be able to walk into church on her own two feet again one day. For now, she must use a wheelchair.

Cesar & Evelin The home Lorenza, Evelin, and Cesar had been sharing is a dilapidated structure with a leaky roof, dirt floor, and walls made of pallets and cardboard. The home has a large opening facing the "back yard," which is really more of a valley filled with trash. The look of joy on their faces at knowing they would now have a secure, safe, and warm place to call home was priceless. They continued to smile, cry tears of joy, and praise God for providing for them. At the dedication the team laid hands on Lorenza and prayed for God to heal her body. But even if he chooses not to, we can take comfort in knowing that Lorenza knows God's goodness and her faith in Him will not be shaken. Lorenza loved the fact that her new home was built by a group of preachers. She said that made it an even bigger blessing. Thank you to all of you who support the ministry of Casas por Cristo. It's because of your prayers and support that the lives of families like the Longorias are being changed. Not only are their physical needs being met, but their spirits are also being restored. Jesus in his ministry always combined both the physical and the spiritual when he healed people and then also forgave their sins. We hope that our ministry is doing the same as we meet the physical need for quality housing as a way of also meeting the spiritual need for Christ by connecting families with local churches and pastors. Spring Break, our busiest time of year, is upon us. We are scheduled to build 76 homes this Spring Break ministry-wide. Please join us in prayer that God would move in the lives of the families, pastors, and volunteers that will be a part of these builds. We are blessed to be partnering with all of you to share and grow the name of the Lord in each location in which we work. JUÁREZ TRIP INFO DONATE

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