Monday, August 24, 2009
Visiting Families
One of the houses we've built in the midst of chaos. I can't even imagine how this family felt when they received this house for free!!!!
Visiting Families
One of the coolest things I get to do with Casas Por Cristo is visit families that we have built for after the house is built. In this picture, the director of Spiritual Outreach, Scott, is speaking with the mother of the family that received a house. In the middle is her pastor who is part of Casas Por Cristo. We have over 100 pastors that are connected and contribute to our ministry.
When we visit a family, the pastor, myself, and Scott, spend time with the family. We ask them how there house is and how the group was that came down to build for them. If there is something wrong with the house, we fix it then, or we have someone come fix any problems with their house. We also ask them if they are attending church. We tell them how important it is to have Christ in their heart and in their life. If they aren't following Christ, we do the best we can to express the importance of following Jesus Christ. This time also gives the Pastors a perfect opportunity to minister to the family.
These visit have been very successful. I hope that when we follow up with the families that they are impressed by the love of Christ and we also hope to the Pastors find connection with the family. While we are not building houses, this is what I will be doing on a weekly basis. Hope all of you are well!!!
When we visit a family, the pastor, myself, and Scott, spend time with the family. We ask them how there house is and how the group was that came down to build for them. If there is something wrong with the house, we fix it then, or we have someone come fix any problems with their house. We also ask them if they are attending church. We tell them how important it is to have Christ in their heart and in their life. If they aren't following Christ, we do the best we can to express the importance of following Jesus Christ. This time also gives the Pastors a perfect opportunity to minister to the family.
These visit have been very successful. I hope that when we follow up with the families that they are impressed by the love of Christ and we also hope to the Pastors find connection with the family. While we are not building houses, this is what I will be doing on a weekly basis. Hope all of you are well!!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Asking Why
I was taking a shower the other day,(weird way to start, I know, but bare with me), and I was geting frustrated at the fact that I couldn't get the temprature level right. I turned the left nob about an inch and it got too hot. I turned the right nob and it got it too cold. Over and over again, until 5 mintues later it was just right.....until my wife flushed the toilet:)
I smiled to myself because I remembered a bathroom of a family I built for earlier this summer. The bucket on the right is their shower. The half a toilet on the left is their toilet. The floor is rocks. The building is a shack. This has led me to ask the question over and over...Why? Why God? Why do I get luxury? Why do I get an amazing place to take a shower and the choice of the perfect temprature? I could just have easily have been born into this mexican family. I could have been born with no oppurtunity.
I can't really answer this question. By God's soveriegnty am I where I am. According to his infinite knowledge and purpose he has given me all that I have. But I do know one thing. He has given me all that I have for his purpose. It would be a crime if I didn't use the wealth, luxury, and rescources God has given me to show his love to others who were placed in poorer circumstances the my circumstances. All I have is for him.
I smiled to myself because I remembered a bathroom of a family I built for earlier this summer. The bucket on the right is their shower. The half a toilet on the left is their toilet. The floor is rocks. The building is a shack. This has led me to ask the question over and over...Why? Why God? Why do I get luxury? Why do I get an amazing place to take a shower and the choice of the perfect temprature? I could just have easily have been born into this mexican family. I could have been born with no oppurtunity.
I can't really answer this question. By God's soveriegnty am I where I am. According to his infinite knowledge and purpose he has given me all that I have. But I do know one thing. He has given me all that I have for his purpose. It would be a crime if I didn't use the wealth, luxury, and rescources God has given me to show his love to others who were placed in poorer circumstances the my circumstances. All I have is for him.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Rushville Christian Church Build 2009
This last week I built with Rushville Christian Church from Joplin, Missouri. This was there 13th year coming down to Juarez to serve. Rushville was a very unique group because they did so much more than just build a house. They did community cookouts, VBS, worked on a church, handed out gifts, etc. They were a really pleasure to build with and very fast as well. We built the house in 16 hours!!! Part of the reason that it was built so fast is because they hired Mexican Nationals to help us build that week. It was a really amazing thing to do in my opinion. Im glad that we were able to help some Mexican Men feed their families.
Eustiola was the woman that we built for this week. She is one of the sweetest elderly women I have ever met. I told her during the week that he house was strong and she said, "I know it is strong because it is a Casas Por Cristo house." That was one of the greatest gifts I had ever received in Ministry. She also told us on the last day that she has nothing to give us but she knew that Christ would reward us when we get to heaven. I know that she was impacted for the kingdom last week.
I do not build for quite awhile sadly. I will be updating this blog every week still. There is plenty to tell you about and I am excited to do so. Hope all of you are well. Please pray for Julie and I.
Eustiola was the woman that we built for this week. She is one of the sweetest elderly women I have ever met. I told her during the week that he house was strong and she said, "I know it is strong because it is a Casas Por Cristo house." That was one of the greatest gifts I had ever received in Ministry. She also told us on the last day that she has nothing to give us but she knew that Christ would reward us when we get to heaven. I know that she was impacted for the kingdom last week.
I do not build for quite awhile sadly. I will be updating this blog every week still. There is plenty to tell you about and I am excited to do so. Hope all of you are well. Please pray for Julie and I.
Rushville Christian Church Build 2009
Julie painting with one of the team members from Rushville Christian Church. Eustiola had picked out bright pink for her new house.
Rushville Christian Church Build 2009
Eustiolia in tears when she was given the keys to her new home.
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