ESMIRNA #4 – JUÁREZ

Esmirna #4 is a local church led by Estela Herrera Hernandez and her husband Antonio. Together they have been in ministry since 1990. We hope you enjoy your stay.

Facility Info

AC/Heat

The swamp coolers might not be connected to a water supply, so you will have to check that the water faucet lever under the swamp cooler is turned vertically.

Bathroom

Do NOT flush the toilet paper (use the waste basket instead).
Do NOT drink the tap water or use it to brush teeth (use the provided purified water instead).
Take military showers to conserve water.
The church has two water systems. There is a faucet closest to the kitchen that is connected to the city water supply. They also have water tanks on top of the sanctuary that can be used if the city supply stops working. The valve for those tanks is on the left side of the church. The city water and the church’s water cannot be on at the same time or your team will be without water.

Cleaning

Before you leave…

Remove all of your personal belongings.
Take out the trash.
Sweep the floors.

Kitchen

The kitchen DOES NOT lock. There is a string to pull the door open.

Lights

Light switches are located inside each room.
Turn off lights before you leave.

Safety

Follow these guidelines and see our Risk Plan for more details.

Don’t drive after dark.
Stay together as a large group at all times.
Make sure your missionary and team leader know where you are at all times.
Keep all valuables, including passports, on your person at all times.
Keep a close eye on your belongings.
Don’t touch the animals.
Don’t give monetary gifts to anyone.
Dress modestly (no tank tops, short shorts, leggings, or tight-fitting clothing).

Services

Church services at this facility are as follows:

Saturday 7:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM
Wednesday 5:00 PM

Check with the pastor to see if you need to move your belongings for services.

Store

Casas por Cristo has merch that you can buy to help support our cause. Ask your Casas missionary to take you to our physical store during your trip or shop online when you get home.

Supplies

If you are using the Casas meal plan, supplies (trash bags, utensils, soap, hand sanitizer) will be provided. If not, please bring your own.

Trash

Trash barrels are located inside the courtyard near the green building.

Valuables

Keep all valuables on your person, including your passport! Do not leave anything valuable.

PEOPLE YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER

Pastor

Juárez Field Coordinator

CIUDAD JUÁREZ

Pronunciation: syoo-DAHD HWAR-ez
Former Name: El Paso del Norte (The North Pass)
Population: 2.1 Million
Founded: 1659
Named For: Benito Juárez
Location: On the Rio Grande, south of El Paso, Texas
Elevation: 3,740 ft.
Climate: High desert

CITY PROFILE

Juárez, México is a city of over 2.1 million people, which borders the United States by way of El Paso, Texas. Where these two border cities collide, one of the greatest pictures of disparity is painted. On one side of the fence stand the tall buildings and affluence of the United States while on the other lay dirt streets riddled with shacks and families struggling to survive. Although only separated by a fence and a small river, the contrast between these neighboring cities is overwhelming.

Many people come from all over México to the border town of Juárez in hopes of finding job opportunities to provide for their families. With this influx of individuals to the border, many find themselves not only without work but stranded and in need of housing. Homes are constructed from materials that would commonly be found in a junkyard. A typical scene across this desert landscape is one of homes with dirt floors, blankets for doors, and cardboard and pallets constructing the roof and walls. Due to the harsh desert climate, these makeshift houses are not enough to protect families from extreme temperatures. Although México is typically thought of as a hot desert climate, the temperatures in Juárez range from summer days in the triple digits to winter nights that drop below freezing. Many families live without running water and rely solely on trucks that fill barrels outside of their homes. Electricity can be just as unreliable as access to water, with many families wiring their houses into the power grid themselves.

Juárez, México is the city in which Casas por Cristo began in 1993, and it is still the heartbeat of our ministry. A town that was once a major destination for mission trips and relief efforts, it has been almost forgotten due to The Violence that began in 2008. The citizens of Juárez refer to the years of 2008-2012 as The Violence due to the unrest that the city faced during this time. Thankfully, The Violence is now over, and the crime rates have dropped back down to the twenty-year average prior to 2008. However, the need for housing is stronger than ever. A strain on the local workforce has grown as American companies that had held off on expanding their operations in Juárez during The Violence are ramping things back up, and new companies have come to the city. The promise of jobs that await the Mexican people in Juárez has caused a new tidal wave of migration of workers to move their families to this already heavily populated city. This flood of new families continues, even though there is not anywhere near enough housing to handle this influx. Once again, through the local churches and our volunteer teams, Casas por Cristo is poised to meet this basic need for survival in the name of Jesus Christ. You can be a part of the rebirth of this proud and historic city that we love so much.

Check out our México Culture Guide for more info!

CASAS POR CRISTO

Casas por Cristo exists to open the door for local pastors and churches to share the love of Jesus Christ by serving. Our mission is to build and serve. Check out our story to learn more.