Family Spotlight | Acuña, México

Meet Lorenzo, Luz, and their two children, Silvia and Ashley. Lorenzo works in one of the local factories and was doing all he could to provide a home and a life for his family. However, like so many, Lorenzo had lost all hope. He believed that he had failed at being a provider - that the life and home he had been able to provide for his family were not good enough. Lorenzo does not know the Lord. Because he felt like he had failed his family, he contemplated suicide just a few days before the materials for his new home were delivered. Thankfully he didn't go through with it, and Lorenzo is still with his family.  While we were building the home, we were not aware of the events that had happened just days before we arrived, and honestly the family didn't let on to the real struggles they were having. We were aware that Luz believed in the Lord and Lorenzo did not. The team thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the family. On the day we were to dedicate the house, Silvia, Lorenzo and Luz's eleven year old daughter, asked if she could read a letter she wrote to the group. Below are the translated words she wrote. Reading Silvia's Letter Today began a new hope for my family. The day we received the material from Casas por Cristo was a very special day, one that offered new opportunities for my family to help us through the struggles of life. When we thought that all hope was lost, God opened doors that were not only full of blessing but also doors that contained you, our American brothers and sisters, who saw our need and out of your kindness filled us with blessings and hope to keep going despite life's difficulties. Above all, I am thankful for our heavenly Father who holds us in His hands, who fills us with hope and faith, and who protects us, guides us, and gives us hope when all seems lost. Today I was talking with my friend. He told me not to worry because God is with us. If He gives the birds food and water, He will give us food and comfort, He will bring people around us, and He will hold us in His hands. God sees our needs and opens doors when we least expect it. Today I am thankful to God and each one of you for every bit of help you provided. We are thankful for this house and that God saw the need we had and never stopped taking care of us. Thanks to the generosity of teams and individuals like those who built for Lorenzo and his family, two of our pastors now have the opportunity to talk to and share with Lorenzo about God, faith, life, and the hope for him and his family that he can't find in the world. ACUÑA TRIP INFO DONATE 915.778.0046  |  questions@casasporcristo.org  |  casasporcristo.org

Spring Break 2012

5 weeks, 29 teams, 40 homes, 14 staff, 
40 Mexican/Guatemalan pastors, over 600 volunteers

Spring Break 2012 was a whirlwind and a marathon.

God was glorified.  Homes were built.  The media was wrong.

Hundreds of volunteers stepped out on faith and crossed borders to proclaim the name of Christ and to love with their whole lives.

40 families woke up in homes this morning surrounded by the provision and love of answered prayers.

As we return back to our routines and you get back into full swing at home, we want to remind you that this is not the end, but rather just the beginning.

You may not physically be building a home, but your trip is not through.  Each of you have a story to tell; a story that the whole world needs to hear.  Whether it was a moment with a family, a team member, or something that God taught you during your time building, you have seen God's glory in places that others refuse to go.  You have lived moments that cross every faith, lifestyle and cultural border. The world is listening. Proclaim what Christ has done.

The homes standing in México and Guatemala are a testimony for the families to share with every person that asks.  What will you bring back to the States with you?  How will you share your story?  We are called to proclaim the great work that He has done.  Don't allow your experience to stay in another country.  Bring it home and allow it to change the world around you.

*Did you write a blog, make a slideshow, share your experience at your church or campus ministry?  We want to help you spread the word and share it too!*

We were inspired by 11yr old Hayden Ward who wrote a book about his trip to México and shared it with his school!!

YOUR Spring Break

It's still Spring Break for us here at Casas!  This is our final week of our "spring break" building season and homes are still going up in Guatemala, Acuna and Juarez!  We're praising God for all of the work that He's done.  Over the past month hundreds of you have partnered with us and built a home.  For each person that built there is a unique and different story. We can't even imagine all the ways God has been working through each person's life. As this season comes to a close, now we want to hear about the work that God has done!

We believe that each of you has a story to tell and there is so much value in that.  Just because you have returned home doesn't mean your trip is over. In fact, in a lot of ways, this is where it begins! You have a story to share with the world around you and we want to know it. What did you see? How did you feel?  Who did God put along your path as you gave a week of your life to build a home for a family in need?

We want to see your pictures, post your videos, read your blogs and broadcast them for the rest of our supporters to hear and see the work that God is doing! Shoot us an e-mail with your stories to bgirle@casasporcristo.org or post your pics and videos to our Facebook page! Let those around you see all that God has done!

SPRING BREAK

It's SPRING BREAK!!  

Keep praying for our teams, families and staff today!!!

Eye-opening mission | Amarillo Globe-News

Through the eyes of an 18 year old on spring break in Mexico...

Eye-opening mission | Amarillo Globe-News

Fear Faded as Mexico's Risk Never Darkened

 A great article about being willing to take a risk to travel to Mexico and the impact that decision has on both sides of the border. 

Fear Faded as Mexico's Risk Never Darkened