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

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