Experience Service in 2016 | Internship Opportunity

2015 Summer Interns As a Casas por Cristo intern, you have the chance to make a big impact in the lives of families.

Casas por Cristo Needs You Every summer Casas por Cristo hires interns to help us through our busiest season of the year. So far we have hired eight interns for summer 2016, but to meet the needs of our ministry our goal is to have twenty-four. If you have a heart for helping families in need and sharing Christ's love, then consider joining us! Our internship offers a great opportunity to develop leadership skills and experience new cultures. It will stretch you in your faith and be one of the best summers of your life. The deadline to apply is April 1.

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

Family Spotlight | Acuña, México

Meet Raymundo Santos, his wife, Yonelli Zamarron Fuentes, and their young son, Raymundo B Santos. The 2015 summer interns built a much needed home for this family in July. The home that they were previously living in consisted of old and broken down pallets with a rocky floor.  Former intern Victoria Owens explained, "One thing that really got to me on the first day was the fact that their original 'house' had no interior walls, just sheets hanging from the ceiling to indicate the separation of 'rooms,' and it had dirt floors. I have built for lots of families, some poorer than others. But without a doubt, the Santos family had the worst living conditions I have ever seen in both of my internships. And they had a three year old son running around barefoot through all of it. This was all the motivation we needed for the week and definitely helped us to stay focused and want to do a good job."    This was not an easy build for the interns, nor was it easy for the family. In the beginning there wasn't even enough flat land to build a house. Raymundo, who is a twenty-six-year-old fried chicken cook, worked diligently for weeks to fill in the land. When the interns arrived to begin construction they still had a lot of leveling to do. "This was the most challenging, sweaty, tiring, intern build of the summer, but we were so happy that we got to be a part of it. We had to dig down eighteen inches on one of the corners since it was on a hill, and we couldn't raise it. It was kind of dangerous and we were all a little nervous," Owens said.   Our interns spend a lot of time leading volunteer teams through the construction process. However, for Raymundo's family, they got to do an intern only build, without a team. It was a special treat for the interns to take a little break from team leading, which allowed them to focus on building the house and spending quality time with the family.  "The group of interns got extremely close over this week. We had to deal with a lot of hard work that we weren't really expecting (because intern builds are usually pretty easy), but that made the end result that much more rewarding. The family was so good to us, and we all wanted to keep 'Little Raymundo' forever. He was absolutely the most adorable three year old ever, and he helped us all three days of the build. He would take our hammers out of our hands and start hammering away. He fully understood that it was going to be his new house, and he wanted to help build it," Owens shared.            Even though it was a rough beginning, it turned out to be an amazing week for the family and the interns. Owens said, "Some of my favorite memories from the 2015 summer internship happened during this week. It impacted me more than I thought it would." Raymundo and his wife attend Yonelli's father's church. Their faith and hope in God were evident in the passion they exuded during the dedication ceremony where they received the keys to their new home. They understood that this was a gift from God that would serve as a continual reminder of his love. They were so thankful that their son now has a safe place to grow and learn about how great God is. Please pray for this young family as they continue to trust in God's provision for their lives.

ACUÑA MISSION TRIPS INTERNSHIPS 800.819.8014 | questions@casasporcristo.org | casasporcristo.org

Intern Reflections

Intern Reflections Our interns spent three months building homes, serving families, and partnering with volunteer teams to further God's kingdom in México, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. Check out what four of our 2015 summer interns have to say about their experiences serving with Casas por Cristo. 2015 Summer Intern in Juárez, México  Demetria Boatwright The internship gave me an opportunity to see how God is moving through Casas por Cristo to empower pastors as they work together to serve their communities. Working with Casas also taught me to see myself differently. Instead of seeing my weaknesses and inability, I see God's strength and power to glorify himself through those very weaknesses. Titus Snavely 2015 Summer Intern in Juárez, México I saw God moving through the relationships that were formed over the summer. Connecting with the other interns really helped to sharpen my relationship with Christ. Just like iron sharpens iron so man sharpens man. Becoming closer to the staff members and listening to their wisdom helped me to connect with God, as well. But the relationships that I built with the families that received the homes we constructed is where I saw God move the most! They gave so much thanks to God, and I could see how much of a blessing I had been to them through God. Hans Tvedt 2015 Summer Intern in San Raimundo, Guatemala The Casas internship program has probably been the most rewarding and humbling experience in my life. With all that the internship gives, it takes a lot of financial, physical, mental, and spiritual sacrifice. Through all this I saw God constantly providing. He provided us, the interns, with strength. He provided Casas with the groups and manpower for the work. He provided the groups with, "open hearts and willing spirits," as my fellow intern Savannah Silver would say. Finally, He provided the families with homes to show how much He loves and cares for all of His people. We had to fully rely on God to get us through the summer and to accomplish all that we have done. His faithfulness is everlasting! John Ambrosich 2015 Summer Intern in Acuña, México This summer had so many moving moments. One time in particular was when I stayed a little later on the work site to complete a few small tasks, such as installing the outside light and hooking up a double light switch. We were building a home for a single mother with three children. I invited her in to take a look at her new home in progress, and the presence of the Lord filled the room; we were both moved to tears at what God was doing. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

Please Pray Pray for our interns as they transition back to their normal lives. Pray that they would continue to follow God's leading in their lives. Pray that God would continue to work in their hearts and impact others through them. Pray for their futures as they are in the time of life when their decisions will have tremendous impact on the direction their paths take. Interested in serving as an intern with Casas por Cristo next summer? Click the buttons below to learn more and apply. INTERNSHIP INFO APPLY 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

Opportunities to Serve

Every week of the year we have opportunities for you to be involved in our work in México and Guatemala.  However, we know that you don't always have the time or the commitment from others to create a team and organize a build on your own.  For that reason, we want you to know of other opportunities that you have to serve with us throughout the year.

We have trips scheduled in every city in which we build, specifically over long weekends or holidays, so that you can come as an individual and build with a team that we organize. We cover the details of food, transportation and everything else that you need.  All you have to do is get to where we are.  Those trips are called Team Casas. We want you to know our schedule for 2013 so that you can plan to join us throughout the year!

2013 Team Casas Schedule

February 15th-18th | Juárez, México

  June 10th - 14th | Juárez, México

  June 23rd - 29th | San Raimundo, Guatemala

  June 30th - July 6th | San Raimundo, Guatemala

  August 30th - September 2nd | Acuña, México

  October 14th-17th | Juárez, México

  December 27th - 30th | Acuña, México

  December 29, 2013 - January 4, 2014 | San Raimundo, Guatemala

We also provide opportunities throughout the year for internships.  This is for anyone that has come on a build with us and wants to take it a step further by learning to lead teams and build homes in México or Guatemala.  Right now we are still looking for interns for Summer 2013! For more information, check out the link below.

Intern

When: May-August 2013

What: Leading teams, building homes and office responsibilities

Where: San Raimundo, Guatemala or Juárez & Acuña, México

Who: Anyone 20yrs or older that has been on at least one Casas build

Application Deadline: April 1st, 2013

Check out our full Beyond Building magazine here

[THAT].song.

(Post by 2008 summer intern Kayla Jones)

This morning has been a morning flooded with memories. Memories of a person I used to be, a person I’ve grown out of. Today—windows down and radio up—I made my way home from work/church (what should I call it now?) the song “Better is One Day” came on the radio. I smirked as I remembered the history I have with that song. Maybe you have history with a song, too.

Stories should start at the beginning. To set the stage, in summer 2008 at the age of 20, I volunteered and was chosen to be a short-term building missionary with Casas por Cristo. After 2 weeks of on-the-site/on-the-sand-dunes training, my first team arrived in El Paso, Texas at 6 AM to meet their intern (me) and cross the border into Juárez, México to build a house in 6 days for a family living in poverty. After about 10 minutes of small talk and introductions, a teenage boy in the group raised his hand and said,

“So when are we gonna meet our building intern?”

Slightly deflated [but faking unaffected], I answered, “You just did!”

Puzzled but honest, he replied, “No, I mean the guy who’s going to lead us on our build this week.”

”…Yep, that’s me.” [insert deflating balloon sound here]

The poor kid didn’t know that my confidence was already hanging on by a thread. I had tried to harness the energy of my terror into excitement that morning. I had avoided sharing that fact that they were, in fact, my first solo build. I was pretending I wasn’t 30 years younger than most the adult chaperones in the group. I had made sure I looked the part in my tool belt and work boots. [Full disclosure: I had taken sandpaper to them the night before so I didn’t look like I had escaped the pages of a Home Depot ad]. I had traced the route we would take into the unmarked streets of Mexico and recounted the turns and roundabouts over and over in my mind. I had checked my radio’s battery at least 20 times.

That kid’s comment still took me from confident to incompetent in 2 seconds flat.

When it was time to leave I debriefed the drivers of the two, 16-passenger vans on border crossing, we were on our way. As I walked ahead to my truck, climbed up into the leather bench seat and slammed the rusting door closed, the tears came instantaneously. As I pulled the shifter down to ‘Drive’ I could barely see. I was terrified. I was convinced I was going to get lost, forget the fiber in the concrete mixture, not be able to translate correctly, forget how to wire the ceiling fan, and eventually die somewhere in the dunes of Juárez with all of my unsuspecting team members.

As I turned out of the lot my hand groped its way to the radio knob and I turned it on to drown the noise of my sobs. As I adjusted the volume the song “Better is One Day” began playing and I immediately felt a peace and outpouring of the Holy Spirit on my physical body. My crying stopped. And in that moment I was convinced that God somehow lived in that song. [side note: I wired the fan perfectly and no one died in Juárez that week]

For years afterward (and many times that same summer) whenever I heard that song I was convinced God was present with me. If that song was playing, then He was watching and listening. Guaranteed.

That was 4 years ago and I haven’t thought of that song in a long time. In those four years I’ve grown leaps and bounds in my faith and I can’t identify with my former self anymore; that girl absolutely convinced God lived in a song.

In that song. 

When I heard it this afternoon, I smirked and had a thought conversation with the ever-present, omniscient Lord….

Him: “Remember when you thought I was ONLY with you when this song was playing?”

Me: nervous laughter, “Yeah. That seems pretty superstitious looking back.”

Him: “Well, I am quite pleased we get to hang out more often, now.”

Me: “Me too."

For more on Kayla and her adventures, she blogs regularly at Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist.

Summer of Change

A blog from summer intern Jess Hehrer

The beginning of the third day...

Our third intern build was a success. We managed to build a single home with only five interns on site. We definitely cannot take all the credit though. We had some incredible help from Josh Crabbs and Brandon Culp on the second and third day.  The pastors in the area also came out to help us sporadically throughout the week. We definitely wouldn't have finished as quickly as we did without their help.

The first day just about killed us. We had to lower the right side of our house three inches, and raise the left side over a foot. Three of us were there to work on the slab. Three people trying to shovel packed stone. Oh my! 

David broke the pick ax, I broke the mallet, and everyone's sanity broke. For some of it, I was bent over using the claw end of a hammer - trying to loosen up the dirt so we could shovel it out. My back was completely cashed, and I spent the rest of the week regretting the hammer idea. The only thing we got done on Monday was the slab. We were all so exhausted. We went back to the church and passed out. At the end of the day, I couldn't even make guacamole because I was so weak. 

Luckily, the Lord provided us the strength and the motivation to push through and finish the house by Thursday morning. What a blessing it is to be able to provide a home for someone. To have the honor of being used by God, and being that person. The person who is right in the middle of providing a miracle. I tell you...if you have never experienced a miracle as tangible as building a home for a family who has nothing...you are missing out. It changes you. It breaks you. It builds you up, and prepares your heart to overflow with compassion. I would recommend anyone to come to El Paso, TX and build with Casas. Or Del Rio, TX or Guatemala. Just do it. :)

I remember hearing at the beginning of the summer, that by the end of our internship we will be frustrated with each other and ready to go home. I kind of understand what they were getting at with that. Everyone is tired, everyone misses home, and everyone is developing their own style for building homes. The more confident we become, the more personalized our styles are becoming. Instead of building a "Justin home," some of us are building Jason Roth style homes, or Mikell West style homes. We are taking the skills that the staff has taught us over the summer, and customizing them to fit our own personalities. At the end of the week all the houses look the same, but the way we get there is starting to vary. It takes a lot of patience and discipline to work together as a single group with everyone wanting to lead the build their own way. I think we managed it well, and I think that as an intern group we get along super well on the work site. 

I am blessed to work with people who are patient, kind, hardworking, and diligent. I spent most of the week in a terrible mood and it was evident by my actions and attitude. Instead of being "thrown off the island," I got an encouraging letter that broke me of my selfish self-pity. Nothing could have impacted me more than a single note did. I love the people I work with...and even though I am ready to get home and see my family and friends...my life will never be the same without the people who spent a summer building with me and helping me grow into a better person. I can't begin to express the impact they've had on me. I love them.

In Christ,
Jess

Dear Interns...

This summer will make you stronger.
It will break you. It will push you beyond what you think you are capable of, and then some. But if you continue to endure; it will make you stronger. This summer will empty you until you have nothing left to give and replace it all with Christ.

There are college students around the world doing internships and summer jobs right now. They are camp counselors, lifeguards and baby sitters. But right now YOU are in Juárez, México and Acuña, México and San Raimundo, Guatemala building a home for a family that doesn't have a place to live. You are pouring the last of all that you have to give out to a family in need. You are becoming the hands and feet of Christ to a family and to one another.

Your summer will look completely different from everyone else you know. You may not have group led quiet times and devotions. Your worship may look like blisters and sweat. But every second that you give yourself away, you are being made stronger.

You have been chosen.
You have been chosen to be a part of something that no one else will ever understand.
Stay strong. Finish the race that's set before you. And know that every challenge, every mistake, every moment you want to quit, is the exact moment that you are being made stronger.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."  Hebrews 12:1-3

Jess, Debbie, Jessica, Zach, David, Andrew, Dave, Armando, David

You will never be the same

HOME 4,000

This summer we're having a celebration and you're all invited!! On May 14th we are building Home 4,000!

We are celebrating this milestone by partnering with our Mexican and American staff and our pastors committee in Juárez to build our 4,000th home for the Perez family. At the end of the week we will give them keys to the home that they have been waiting for, for four years! We'll commemorate it all with a celebration at a local church in Juárez!

So how can you be involved?? 
The week of May 14th we are going to be blogging, tweeting and facebooking all of the festivities.  We want you to be part of this and share what God is doing with your friends and family.

However, that's just the beginning.

Sandra Gutierrez, Alfredo Perez and their six kids have been waiting for a home since April 2008!  Our dream is to build a three room home for this family of eight.  We are asking you to help us raise the funds necessary to make this dream come true.  We want this home to be entirely funded and built by those that believe in Casas por Cristo - our staff, pastors, supporters and volunteers.

This home is being built because you all have supported this ministry and the work we have done over the years.  We want Home 4,000 to be a catalyst for even more by using this to kick off an entire summer of building!

We need to raise $7,000 to build Home 4,000 for the Perez family, but we also want to bless as many other families as we can with homes this summer. We will be training a new group of interns during the building of Home 4,000.  Our goal is to raise enough money fueled by Home 4,000 for our interns to build the rest of the summer.

There are families that have been waiting for over four years for homes. This summer we want to answer their prayers. We would LOVE to bless 10 new families with homes over the summer months.

Will you become part of this dream with us?!
Will you join us, spread the word and invite your friends and family to help us build more homes?!

We're calling this campaign Home 4,000 and you can give through our website or through our campaign page on Facebook!

For every $25 given we will send you our Home 4,000 t-shirt.  Or, you can help us celebrate the city where this all began by giving $50 and we'll send you our Home 4,000 t-shirt, and our brand new Amor por Juarez shirt and bracelet!

Join us and help us make this a summer we'll never forget!!

Day 17 | Interns

As we continue on our 21 Days of Prayer, we come to the day we are asking you to lift up our interns in your prayers. Our internship program has played a vital role in the ministry of Casas por Cristo over the years. It is literally a part of who we are that we could not do without.

Throughout the years Casas por Cristo has seen hundreds of interns pass through our ministry. Each year they are able to make a tremendous impact on the teams they work for, the families they build for, and the pastors they partner with; planting seeds and in many cases reaping a harvest that may not have been realized. God has been good and used this season in their lives to change not only the lives of those they come in contact with, but their lives as well.

We are asking you today to join us in praying for those interns that have served with us in the past. Pray that God is continuing to use them wherever He has planted them. Also join us in praying for those interns that God is preparing for service here at Casas in the next year and in the years to come. Pray that He would place a burden on those unknown interns’ hearts to come and serve. Pray that they would hear the call much like Isaiah did when he heard the voice of the Lord asking who he should send and who would go for Him, and Isaiah replied, “Here am I. Send me!” Then the Lord sent Isaiah out to the people to proclaim God’s message.

Our hope and desire as we pray for our interns today is that God will bring the right young men and women to Casas por Cristo and that He will use them to proclaim His message of hope, mercy, grace and love to those who are lost and hurting in Mexico and Guatemala.
Please continue to join us in our 21 day prayer challenge as we lift up our past and future interns.
-Scott

Summer Internships

Our summer interns have an amazing story to tell.  We want you to be as inspired by their lives and their work as we have been this summer.  This is the story of 4 people that refused to let a dream die and instead chose to fight for people in a city where so many others have chosen to walk away.

Mexico Jeans

Thoughts from a team member...

Earlier today, when I was getting ready to go horseback riding, I picked up my jeans to put them on. These jeans (because I don't have a washing machine and because I'm really financially frugal) haven't been washed since they crossed the border and built a house a couple weeks ago. As I was putting them on, a lingering little Mexican dust cloud came up out of them. At that point I realized that everything about these jeans was still exactly as they had been in Mexico; well, mostly everything. My pocket knife was still clipped on, they still had spare nails and screws in the pocket, there was black roofing tar on the leg. But after I got them on and looked in the mirror, I realized that everything about where they are at now (as well as myself) is different. For starters, I was freshly showered. I was in my carpeted room, with my bed behind me, my computer sitting on it, my stuff all over the place. I proceeded to put on my other clothes from Mexico until I was clothed in exactly the same way I had been in Mexico. It's funny, I sometimes referred to these clothes as dairy clothes, work clothes, or riding clothes, but now they're Mexico clothes. These dusty Mexico jeans sent me into a huge time of thought and realization the rest of my day. 

As I was driving out to where I keep my horse, I began to notice how vastly different everything was from the scenes of Mexico. I saw rolling green hills, and trees, big fancy houses, and nicely paved roads. It's funny how being gone for a week can make me look at my surroundings so differently than I did before; surroundings that I've been seeing almost daily for the past two years. I've been having similar thoughts since I got back from Mexico, but today it really hit me that I have got absolutely no reason to complain about anything. Ever.

Here's a picture of those same jeans in Mexico. There, I'd wake up every morning on the hard floor of the sanctuary at the church where we stayed. I'd get dressed, eat a bowl of cereal, brush my teeth in the small bathroom, and go to bed without a shower. We were actually living in comfort, compared to the average Mexican family. We had an abundance of food to eat, a vast supply of clean water, a large gated area to leisurely hang out, eat, and worship, a flushing toilet, and a fairly decent kitchen with a refrigerator  stove, and sink. But during the day we'd be working on a house, where they didn't have all of these commodities. There I met one of the most amazing people ever.

Juan Jose, the father of the family receiving the home we were building, is truly an inspiring person. He'd stay up working at night, then get up and work on the house with us every day. The day we poured the cement slab, he kept working on it even after we left. He was just as much a part of the building process as any of us were. He knew so much more about building houses than any of us on my team did, but he never got frustrated with our ignorance and he was very willing to teach us better ways of doing things. In addition to all the work he put into the house, he spent all of his money to feed us a delicious lunch on Tuesday. He never complained or asked for anything in return. It's almost ironic to think about our situation. We went to Acuna, Mexico to show God's love, by way of building a home and giving to a family in need. On the flip side, that family showed us God's love by being open and welcoming from the start, helping us build their home, and feeding us great food when they didn't have to. After three days of working alongside our family, this empty lot became their home.

  Thanks, Casas, for making this happen.

Aimee Sonnier

(Aimee is currently spending her summer serving with Casas por Cristo and building homes for families every week!)

Training Week 1

Thoughts from one of our summer "interns" on her first training week in Mexico...

So I could probably write a book about this week and the build and about Juarez but I'll try to keep it short and sweet and just include my VERY favorite parts and the brief basics. This was our first training week out of two so it wasn't a normal build. We were with a ton of staff members and we were called aside at times to learn what we need to know about how to lead teams and how to do each part of the house. Next week will be similar but even more intense training because we will be building a two room "single." We will learn how to disperse jobs on the work site and be a good multi-tasker. This week was definitely challenging because I didn't just get to do the jobs that I feel comfortable doing like I normally have done on previous week-long builds. For example, this week I had to stucco. Stucco is a mixture made of sand, water, concrete and lime that we put all over the sides of the house. I'm not gonna lie, stucco is a pain to put up. I've tried on my previous trips and more stucco always ended up on the ground than on the wall so I just gave up. This time giving up wasn't an option, but Janette and Alexis were right there alongside us teaching us the tricks to putting up stucco. After a while I got the hang of it and I'm not nearly as awful as I thought! Today I had to put door knobs in... it probably was just operator error but it was a lot harder than I expected it to be!

This week was definitely not the perfect build either. Aimee forgot her passport in America. I hit two fingers with a hammer on two separate occasions and got two nasty blisters. I had a bloody nose most of the week, and almost passed out the first day because I was just not used to the heat and working that hard. There were some times I absolutely questioned why I was crazy enough to come down here. It's hot, it's hard work, and it's EXHAUSTING. But then my favorite Mexico moments came along and I remembered why I have such a passion to spend my summer down here...

One such moment was working with Ivan (Pronounced E-vaan). Ivan is the one farthest on the right.

At first the kid kinda drove me crazy. He pretended that he was gonna steal all my stuff and asked how much it was worth and kept trying to convince me to give it to him. But he really was a good kid and an awesome help when it came to the house. I don't know much Spanish at all and Ivan doesn't know much English so at first it was really, really hard for us to communicate. Thankfully however, not knowing the same language doesn't stop God from making an awesome connection between two people. I was working on stucco next to Ivan and we started trying to have a conversation. Before I knew it we'd managed to talk about our families and friends and I was able to tell him that I wasn't married and I didn't have children and we talked about how old we are and other basic things. I know it was all really basic but for two people who speak two totally different languages it was a blessing to make a friend. Ivan enjoys working on Casas houses and may come help us other times during the summer since we will be close to his house. 

Something that made me stop in my tracks, smile and pull out my camera was seeing the children of the family use the scrap pieces of our lumber and use them as building blocks.

I overlooked that pile of wood so many times this week, and when I did see it I was normally frustrated because I had tripped over a scrap while carrying something. In the eyes of a child that pile of trash lumber was something so much more though. It was a castle, a fort, a car, a tower... the options are limitless! Oh how I wish that I still had the view of a child. These children with very little found such joy in what they did have.

My absolute favorite part of the build was this morning. I was outside of the house repainting the trim when I started to see Miguel walking around the house. Miguel is the one beside me in a blue sweater. All of the children had been super shy for the first two days that we were building. I tried talking to Miguel multiple times and he always hung his head and walked away. As I was painting I heard the song "We No Speak Americano" come on a Spanish radio station playing next door. From around the corner of the house I saw Miguel starting to dance to the music. Of course I walked a little closer to him and started to dance too. The next thing I knew, shy little Miguel was dancing with me and yelling "Ándale, Ándale!" as I ran around giving him piggy back rides. He stood by me and held my hands throughout the whole dedication ceremony and I can honestly say that my heart broke a little bit when I had to leave him today.

The dedication ceremony always makes the time spent building the house worth it. The more you get to know a family the more you are glad that you spent some of your time helping them out. This week we built for a single mother (Marielena) with 5 kids and many grandchildren also living with her. She has been waiting for a home from Casas for over 2 years. Recently she lost her daughter and son in law. Marielena took in all of her grandchildren along with her own children. I am so humbled to be used by God as a tool to give a family a dependable home.

Other highlights of the week
~seeing the kids run through their new home with the biggest smiles on their faces
~walking to a Mexican grocery store with some local kids and some of the team members
~drinking MANZANA!!!!! (it's an apple flavored soda)

Pray~ That I may have better health and fewer injuries next week. That the family next week may see the love of Jesus through my actions and the actions of the Casas team. That I may be teachable and receptive to learning everything about being a good team leader and that I don't let Satan tell me that I can't do construction because I am a girl or won't be a good leader because I'm not fluent in Spanish.  

Read more from Rachel and her summer building in Mexico here:  http://buildinghousesforjesus.blogspot.com/