Cassie Mulder

Journal #1
Casas Por Cristo
08/10/2015
Volunteer Builder
Casas Por Cristo is a Christian organization based out of El Paso,
Texas. They build houses in four places including Ciudad Juarez, Acua,
Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. Casas Por Cristo builds
houses for people in need in all four of these locations. During the
mission trip I went on we built in Juarez with my church on Ferris State
Universitys campus. The trip as a whole lasted for one week, but we
were in Mexico building for 3 full days. This year our group had 40
volunteers that split into 4 different groups that built 4 houses in the
three days we were there. The families that we build for have been
placed on a list through their church that connects with Casas Por
Cristo so that they can receive a house.
The first 5 hours of the day when building the house may have
be the most difficult. Our first order of business was leveling the
ground so that we could lay cement that dries before the end of the
workday. This year leveling the ground was especially difficult on the
plot we were working on, and it took about 2 hours in itself. Once the
ground was leveled a cement truck came and poured the cement and
we smoothed it out for the base of the house. During this process some
volunteers were measuring and cutting the wood for the walls and roof
of the house. Once the cement was smooth and ready to dry we

started building all the walls and roof for the house, and it took the
majority of the day. This year it took until the end of the workday to
have them all completed.
My personal goal going into this mission trip was to bless a
family with a house. Of course the first day is all about doing so, and it
met my goals right from the get-go since we started building the first
day. This year in particular was special because the husband of the
family we were building for was out there helping us the entire day.
Going into this project I knew it was going to be my service
learning project because of its relation to Maslows Hierarchy. Building
houses for people that do not have one, or dont have one suitable for
the weather conditions there, meets the physiological needs according
to the Hierarchy. I was able to volunteer my time during nursing school
to help others, which is truly what our job as nurses is about. One of
the Nursing Programs goals that my service learning project meets is
collaborative leadership. There are a lot of people working together to
ensure the houses are built, and thankfully it all comes together in the
end.

Cassie Mulder
Journal #2
Casas Por Cristo
8/10/2015
Volunteer Builder
Day two of building the house is much more intricate. Like I
stated in my last journal, the first day we poured cement and built the
walls. This year we finished building the walls in the morning. Next on
the list was removing the boards around the now dry cement and
smoothing out the edges. Afterward, once the walls were built, we put
the walls up. This takes the entire team to carry the walls and set them
in place, and once theyre level we nail them into the cement and to
one another. This alone took about 2 hours of the day. Once the walls
are up, blackboard is next. Blackboard is a plywood like substance that
has tar woven throughout it. Its meant to help keep stability as well as
keep the heat inside the house when its cold out. We had to nail up
and cut the blackboard until the entire house was covered in it.
Once the walls are up, my favorite part is seeing the familys
reaction. Most of the time theyre around when were building, and
sometimes they even help out. Every year when the walls go up the

family is shocked and the realization that theyll have a new place to
live sets in. It definitely makes me feel great to be a part of the team
that can provide something so life-changing for them, and Im excited
to pursue this mission trip again next year.
Another goal the Nursing Program has that was met with this
mission trip is health care environment. When building these houses
we are supplying the family with shelter, electricity, warmth, and
comfort. Many times the familys previous house is far too small for
their family or simply not providing the shelter and safety needed in
the town they live in. It absolutely goes above and beyond the goal of
creating a healthier and happier environment for the family. The house
is more sanitary, and has a better more stable ground because of the
cement. Many houses dont have anything but dirt or rotted wooden
floors. Also, it has locking doors and windows so the family can feel
safe within their new home. I personally believe it creates a much
better environment for the family to maintain their health, according to
Maslows Hierarchy. It helps fulfill their physiological need for shelter
and safety, and its a great gift for the family as well.

Cassie Mulder
Journal #3
Casas Por Cristo
8/11/15
Volunteer Builder
The first part of day two was spent preparing the cement, putting
up the walls, and adding the blackboard to the walls. Later that day we
accomplished a lot! After the blackboard goes up the house gets
wrapped in chicken wire. This process is one of the longest, and it
takes a lot of the team to make it happen efficiently. We are supplied
with large roles of chicken wire that we measure out to the lengths of
the house. Once its all cut and ready to go, we need to stretch it along
the outside walls of the house and nail it into place. After the chicken
wire was up, we put the roof on. It was especially difficult this year
because our plot of land was enclosed with a fence, which made it

difficult to lift the roof up with such a limited space. After the roof was
on and nailed into place, it needed plywood boards to be nailed up on
the very top. It was getting close to dark so we had to be quick, but we
got the plywood up and finished to protect the house before nightfall.
The end of the second day is always a huge accomplishment.
The house starts really looking like a home as it takes shape so quickly.
As a team we felt very accomplished after the second day. The family
was thrilled to see all that wed accomplished and we left feeling
extremely joyful. Ciudad Juarez has been faced with a lot of violence
and drug-related crime in the past few years and it makes it very hard
on many of the citizens there. The families we build for often only
make the bare minimum they need to get by, which makes it nearly
impossible to save any money to consider moving. It really is an
amazing feeling knowing that we can do something that some families
only dreamed of before, and turn it into their reality.
This project continues to reach our Nursing Programs goals. Not
only was I able to volunteer an entire week to this mission trip, but we
were able to truly help people who needed it. There are so many
struggling families that appreciate the teams that come build for them.
This project continued to involve collaborative leadership with our build
team, the leaders of Casas Por Cristo, the family, the church, the
cement company, and the building supplies company, along with many
more. The entire trip is funded by donations from friends and family of

the volunteers as well. The teamwork that goes into a trip like this is
truly amazing.

Cassie Mulder
Journal #4
Casas Por Cristo
10/6/15
Volunteer Builder
Day three is another long day, especially this past year.
Sometimes the houses are finished before lunch, but this year our
team hadnt gotten that far. On the third day there is a lot that needs
to be done on both the outside and inside of the house. Our team

decided to split in half so that we could work on both to be the most

efficient.
The first step inside is to prepare the house for the electrical
wires. There are outlets and 2 light switches, a fan, and an outdoor
light. The boxes for these get screwed into the walls, and then the
wiring runs through the walls to complete the system. After all the
electrical is done, its time for insulation. The insulation takes a fairly
long time, and this year was the first time I helped with it. Its oldfashioned fiberglass insulation since its fairly inexpensive, but it
creates a big mess! I worked side-by-side with a friend to get it all
measured and placed in the appropriate spaces in the walls and
ceiling. After the insulation comes the drywall. This is the longest job
by far, and it takes a big team. The drywall comes in large sheets that
need to be measured, cut, and hung. It needs to be cut accurately,
especially around the light fixtures and electrical outlets.
The team has to work really efficiently on the third day because
its the last day to complete the house! If we move to slowly we need
to stay extra late until the project is done. Thankfully the day went
well, and the inside of the house was finished in time!
Cassie Mulder
Journal #5
Casas Por Cristo
10/28/15
Volunteer Builder

There are many tasks that need to be completed on day three

apart from the electrical wiring, insulation, and drywall. Even though
the houses we build are simple compared to what is common in the
United States, there are still so many steps! The drywall is probably the
longest project, but completing the roof is a close second.
Once the roof is boosted onto the top of the house it gets
screwed into place so that it stays on securely. While all the insulation
and drywall is being done inside, another part of the team is up
working on the roof. The first portion that needs to be completed is
laying plywood. Large plywood sheets are cut to cover the roof and
nailed into place. Not only does it create a sturdy layer on the roof, but
also provides an area for the team to walk around and complete the
rest. After the plywood is up a waterproof layer is added. This is similar
to a large roll of foam, and its laid down on the roof in layers to
prevent water from seeping into the cracks. Once that is finished, tar is
used to adhere rolls of shingling. The roll of shingling starts at the
lowest point of the roof and is laid down and adhered with tar. Another
layer is laid above the first, slightly overlapping. This way when the
rain comes it runs off and doesnt seep into any cracks. After all the
rolls are stuck with tar everything gets nailed down for extra safety and
security.

After the roof is completed and the inside is done, the house is
finished! Its a long three-day process, but the family at this point is
incredibly excited. The last part is the dedication ceremony.

Cassie Mulder
Journal #6
Casas Por Cristo
10/28/15
Volunteer Builder
The end of day three is all about the dedication ceremony. This is
a time for the family to receive their house, but theres a tradition that
Casas Por Cristo uses every single time.
In order to qualify for a Casas Por Cristo house, the family has to
be a part of a church and is put on a list from there. By the time its
their turn to receive a house, theyve been attending a church for quite
some time. The dedication ceremony is a time to discuss with the
family why this house was provided for them, and to talk about the
gospel.
During the ceremony the entire family comes and our team of
builders are all there as well. The pastor of the church comes down and
we all circle together to celebrate. The pastor shares the gospel with
the family and allows them to express any feelings or thanks they may
have for our team of builders. Often times the pastor translates for our
build team if needed so that we can thank the family and show them
how grateful we are to come build for them. During this time the family
is presented with a Bible, a plaque that we nail on the house, and the
keys to the house. We often take pictures with the family and the
house during this time as well. After we discuss and pray together, our

build team lays hands on the house and prays for the future of the
family.
There are so many people that work together to build a house for
a family in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. If even one person didnt work as a
team to make it happen there could be important issues that could
prevent the house from being built or finished. The dedication
ceremony is the celebration, the time that the family can recognize
that they are deserving of their house, and that our build team is
happy to come be the hands that build it.
Not only does Casas Por Cristo provide the family with shelter, a
safety need according to Maslows Hierarchy, but it provides them with
spiritual growth that is included in the love and belonging step in the
hierarchy. Its amazing to receive the thanks and appreciation from the
families we build for, but its even better to leave them with safety,
shelter, love, and growth.