Bringing Hope to the Hopeless

Juarez, Mexico. 

Known as one of the more dangerous cities in the world, Juarez is home to approx. 1.5 million people. Many of these people come to live in Juarez, in hopes of finding a job in the border town to provide for their families.  Jobs are few and far between, and many of these families are left, struggling to build a "home" out of whatever junk they can find.  Tires, scraps of wood, cement bricks, tarps, cardboard, etc. With temperatures that soar into the triple digits in the summer and below freezing in the winter, these homes are not adequate protection.  Indoor plumbing is often non-existent and electricity can be unreliable. 

It's into these conditions that Casas por Christo goes week after week, and builds home for these families.  To get a home, families must apply with a church, who then submits applications to Casas. Work teams from all across the U.S., then are matched with a family and sent into Juarez to build a home. 

The houses are not grand by any means.  They are often smaller than your kitchen/dining room at home. They have a cement floor, insulation, drywall, 2 working lights and a fan, a solid roof and stucco on the walls, windows and a locking door. For most of these families, it is the best house they have ever lived in.  But, it is a free gift to that family.  Each missions team pays for the house that they build completely, so at the end of the week when the keys are turned over to the family, it is theirs.  Free and clear, without any cost to them.  

And that is what we are doing for Spring Break.  Ferris State and Michigan Tech are taking 36 people, which will allow us to build 2 homes for families.  Most of us don't have any building experience, and even fewer of us have a working knowledge of Spanish, but we are willing and excited to go and serve!  Smiles can cross international borders, hugs can make up for language barriers and a willingness to learn, get blisters and work hard gets a house built in 3 days.  Most importantly, a breakable heart that allows students and staff to draw closer to God and depend on Him when they are away from comforts that we have every day. 

It is not an easy trip. Some say it's not even a fun trip.  But, it is a life changing experience!