2016 Is Almost Over | December 26, 2016

2016 Is Almost Over God has done great things in and through Casas por Cristo this year. We completed 269 homes ministry-wide, exceeding our initial goal of 250 homes. God is good! That means 269 families now have a safe and secure place to call home and a constant reminder of God's love and provision. We built 42 homes in the Dominican Republic, 62 homes in Guatemala, 63 homes in Acuña, and 114 homes in Juárez this year. Help us continue in our mission to serve families living in poverty by making a year end donation. DONATE Make Your Donation Go Further It has never been easier to double your year end gift! When you donate online, simply check the employer match box and choose your employer from the drop down menu of over 1,000 available companies. When you complete your donation, your employer will match your gift. Whether you are giving to support a staff missionary, our Time to Build Campaign, or to support Casas por Cristo as a whole, make your donation go further today! We can't say it enough. Thank you to the best group of volunteers and supporters out there. It is because of your faithful prayer, love, and support that we were so successful this year. We look forward to partnering with you all again 2017.

915.778.0046 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

A Time to Build | November 14, 2016

Maybe it has been over a decade or a few years or six months or maybe just ten days since you passed keys and a Bible to a family. We invite you to join us in prayers of thanks for all God is doing across this ministry. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, the mission of Casas por Cristo is to lead people to a life of generosity by which the spiritual and physical needs of others are met. The very first home in Casas history was built in Juárez, México and dedicated to Pablo and Rosy Cuevas Vazquez and their two year old daughter, Cintia. The Vazquez family received their new home on November 12, 1993. Since then, we have seen God foster relationships with international ministry partners who share and explain to us the deep physical and spiritual needs that families in their communities face on a daily basis. Together, we accomplish our mission when God moves the hearts of His people and His church toward the understanding that it is A Time to Build to further His kingdom. Casas' 5,000th home was completed in the Dominican Republic on October 6, 2016. We know that the significance is not about the number of homes built, but that collectively all of the houses provided across three countries tell the story of over 22,350 people that have been exposed to the love of Jesus Christ. That means thousands of children have received the blessing of safety and security as their parents were better equipped to work and provide food, clothing, education, and a future because of a new home. Moreover, that translates to 50,000 plus Kingdom builders experiencing Christ's love as they passed 5,000 sets of keys and Bibles to the new homeowners because they understood that it is A Time to Build. By God's grace, we have gotten from 1 to 5,000 in 23 incredible years. We know that God has blessed Casas por Cristo in order to be a blessing to others. When the persecution came to Juárez in 2008, we sought God in prayer. He slowed us down... way down... so we would correctly focus on the relationships necessary to steward his gifts more effectively. God guided us in coming alongside our international pastors and churches just as Aaron and Hur lifted up the arms of Moses as the battle pressed on. As partnerships strengthened, God moved in big ways by opening new doors to Acuña, México; San Raymundo, Guatemala; and Santiago, Dominican Republic - showing us that it was A Time to Build once again. We are strengthened by our faith for the future of this ministry and about the hope of house number 50,000 which God has already planned in advance. Where that will be... God knows. When that will be... God knows. Who that recipient will be... God knows. How that will be done... God knows. Why that will be... we know it will be because of Jesus Christ's love! The Casas board and staff have been seeking God's guidance for the next location where He is leading us to help others in need. In unity with local pastors, we believe that God is preparing our path into 12 more countries in Latin America, and to equip this expansion, it is A Time to Build. Thus, we are seeking to build an International Operations Warehouse and Administration Building in order to prepare for and centralize God's continuous blessings of expansion. God has a mighty plan for Casas por Cristo, supporters like you, and families throughout Latin America. Please pray and join us during this Time to Build. We cannot accomplish this big vision for the future without you. Your generous gift today will pave the way to pass keys and Bibles to more families like Pablo, Rosy, and Cintia. It is A Time to Build!

DONATE To give in support of our A Time to Build campaign, please... Click the "DONATE" button below. Select "A Time to Build Capital Campaign" from the "Program Menu" list. Or send a check to Casas por Cristo, PO Box 971070, El Paso, TX 79997.Please write "A Time to Build Capital Campaign" in the memo line. REGISTER NOW Sign your team up to join us in 2017 and bring a friend to experience A Time to Build! 915.778.0046 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

Summer Internship | An Opportunity to Serve & Give

WE NEED YOU We are still searching for servant-hearted individuals who are willing to commit three months of their summer to building homes for families in need in México, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. We need eleven more interns to cover our summer projects. If you or someone you know would like to take the next step towards a summer of a lifetime, click on the links below. APPLY INTERNSHIP INFO

We also need funds to help support our interns. Each intern must raise support to cover their expenses and the materials for the homes they will build. We are now utilizing a social media tool called Network for Good to accept donations and help spread the word. Give $25, $50, or $100 to the intern program now by clicking the donate button below. DONATE 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

Giving Tuesday

Invites You To Participate In DONATE

Be a Part of #GivingTuesday! Today is the day! It's the day that you can make a big impact on Casas por Cristo and on families in need of quality housing in México, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. With your help, we can raise $16,500 to help three teams that want to come and build a home but need assistance with their fundraising. How can you be part of it? Here are a few simple ideas: Consider making a gift on #GivingTuesday at casasporcristo.org/give. Join us for a group mission trip or a Team Casas trip for individuals. Help us get the word out on social media, using @casasporcristo and the hashtag #GivingTuesday. Take photos to post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Today's the day, and we need your help to grow our impact on three teams that want to build a home for a family living in poverty.

STAY CONNECTED

Giving Tuesday

Invites You To Participate In DONATE

Be a Part of #GivingTuesday! On December 1, we're joining a national day of generosity, #GivingTuesday. It's a day when you can make a big impact on Casas por Cristo and on families in need of quality housing in México, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. With your help, we'll raise funds to help three teams that want to come and build a home but need assistance with their fundraising. How can you be part of it? Here are a few simple ideas: Consider making a gift on #GivingTuesday at casasporcristo.org/give. Join us for a group mission trip or a Team Casas trip for individuals. Help us get the word out on social media, using @casasporcristo and the hashtag #GivingTuesday. Take photos to post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. With your support, we can raise $16,500 to fund mission trips for three teams that want to build a home for a family living in poverty.

STAY CONNECTED

Give a Home this Christmas

GIVE A HOME THIS CHRISTMAS REGISTER TODAY We still have space available for groups that want to give the gift of a home this Christmas. What a wonderful way to celebrate the greatest gift of all. The perfect time for your trip is the week between Christmas and the New Year. We have families on the waiting lists in México, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.

REGISTER 800.819.8014 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

Prayers for Guatemala

Our summer interns Jake, Christie and Tyler are well into their second week in Guatemala and getting more and more familiar with their new home for the summer. Learning three builds in three weeks in two different countries and cultures is a lot, but we know that they are capable and that God will provide all that they need. We want to lift up their specific prayers requests this summer as they soak up all that is Guatemala! Will you join us in praying for them?!

Jake:

- For Christ's leadership through me as I lead teams

- God's direction in all things this summer

- That God would use these experiences to mold and transform my life for all He has planned

- That the families and teams would come to see Christ in new ways through their experiences

Christie:

- Strength for the long time I am away from home and for all the hard work that will be done

- That God might use me to bless teams and families every week

-Thanks for this opportunity to learn and to love

Tyler:

- God's direction for Casas' ministry as a whole

- That the families we serve may know we build for them out of love for Jesus Christ and because we care about their eternal salvation

-For God's direction in my life as I seek possibilities of long term service in Guatemala

- Safe travels for the Casas staff and teams that journey to Guatemala

-That the people of Guatemala & México may believe in God, hold onto the Word of God, and realize that anything can happen

Are You Our Next Intern?

With summer right around the corner, and our search for interns in full swing, we asked former interns how their summer with Casas por Cristo affected their lives.  Here's what they had to say...

David Lebby:

If I were to sum up my summer into one sentence it would read, “It ruined me.” My summer had three phases: humility, discovery, joy.

Humility: I was immediately humbled by the overwhelming nature of the work and my complete and total inadequacy.

Discovery: I began to discover that my inadequacies were so pale in comparison to God's overwhelming power and will to use me.

Joy: I found the most intense joy of my life abiding in God from day to day, serving the people of Juárez, being used despite my crippling personal shortcomings.

When I say my summer in Juárez ruined me, I mean it ruined me for the ordinary nature of a life built around my own capabilities and birthed in me a persistent desire for the extreme. Things only possible through Him.

I think everyone enters a Casas internship with flaws detrimental to the role that a leader plays. It was one of my life’s greatest pleasures to watch God overcome these flaws.

Jess Hehrer:

I went into the Casas por Cristo internship with the desire to be challenged and enlightened. I had no idea that in a few short months I would leave as an entirely new person. The three months I spent working alongside the other interns and CpC staff were the hardest months of my life. I was constantly challenged spiritually, physically, and mentally.

Over the course of ninety days something crazy happened. I began to rely on the Lord more than I ever had in my entire life. I was able to witness His power, might, and grace, and I personally experienced His strength, peace, and provision. God slowly but surely changed my heart to reflect His.

Serving as an intern with Casas por Cristo has easily been the most rewarding experience in my life thus far. It opened my eyes to a community that has been forsaken by its people, but not forgotten by God. As an intern I learned to act in faith and speak with boldness. The rewards of this internship program are far more than I ever expected, and I owe Casas por Cristo everything for allowing me to participate in such an incredible opportunity.

Rachel Weller: (apprentice with Casas)

My time with Casas has taught me to pray big prayers and never put God in a box.

Jessica Selburg: (summer and winter intern with Casas)

Interning with Casas brought me out of my comfortable Christian bubble and into courageous wonderful pursuit.

Brittany Girle (full-time missionary with Casas since 2004)

I had no clue that a Spring Break trip in college would change the course of my entire life.

Justin Kirklin (full-time missionary with Casas since 2009)
My internship set the foundation for the rest of my life. I now see Jesus as my life and my treasure.

Jason Roth (full-time missionary with Casas since 2007)

Not to be melodramatic, but it did change the course of my life. I had never considered working in missions, or moving accross the country to El Paso. God has better plans than my own. 

We are still accepting applications for internships this summer.  If you are interested in giving 3 months of your life to see how God will use you CLICK HERE or contact Justin Kirklin at jkirklin@casasporcristo.org

Giving Back

Many of you remember our CNN Hero Justin Churchman. He's still at it and this time asking for our help...

My name is Justin Churchman and I am currently 20 years old. I have been volunteering with Casas Por Cristo since I was 12 years old and instantly fell in love with the organization on my first build! To date, I have currently built 26 homes with this incredible organization and look forward to building 75 by the time I reach 25 years of age and I need your help! I have recently started a new job with a company called Cutco. We show fine cutlery, as well as flatware, gardening tools, hunting and fishing tools, and pots and pans. So how can you help? During our first 2 weeks on the job, we have a competition called the Fast Start. This competition provides an opportunity to earn a scholarship for college which would be very helpful. In order to advance in this competition, I must make appointments and meet with people and, regardless of whether they buy cutlery or not, I earn points for advancement. To try and earn the scholarship, I am donating 100% of my personal commission to Casas Por Cristo until January 7, and 50% commission until January 21^st! You are not obligated to buy ANYTHING in order for me to earn commission, just take 45 minutes out of your day to watch and possibly ask questions about the presentation in order to give back to a beloved non-profit organization, Casas Por Cristo! Please contact me as soon as possible with questions or to set up an appointment through text messaging or calls at 915-487-0473 or through my own non-profit email at Build_better_lives@yahoo.com. Thank you for your help, I know it will help change lives!

Team Casas

We need YOU!

In both Guatemala and México, you have the opportunity to give the gift of a lifetime this Christmas. After celebrating with your family, would you consider giving to another? Two families are waiting and praying to receive a home this holiday season.

In Guatemala, Jose Boror (26) and his wife Sonia (23) have no way to provide a safe shelter and home for their young daughter Leidi (2). Our prayer is that this little girl will grow up in a home were she always knows that the body of Christ came to provide for her.

Where: San Raymundo, Guatemala
When: December 30th-January 5th
Cost: $675 per person / not including airfare to Guatemala City
Deadline: November 16, 2012

In Acuña, México, Maria Rodriguez (56) and her son Edgar (10) live in a single parent household and currently have no means of income besides donations from others. With no way to provide a Christmas for her son this year, we can't imagine a better gift for them both; not from us, but through us. What better way to celebrate what this holiday is truly about?!

Where: Acuña, México
When: December 27th-30th
Cost: $500 per person / not including travel to Del Rio, Texas
Deadline: November 16, 2012

For more information check out this link: Team Casas