Convención, Buckner build home, shine hope in the Valley

The Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas teamed up with Buckner International to build a new home for a family in Peñitas in the Ro Grande Valley.

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PEÑITAS—For decades, the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas has spread the gospel through the Rio Grande Valley. This year through Buckner International, it’s making an added impact for one family by building a house—Casa Convención.

convencion rosales family425Through a partnership with Buckner International, churches affiliated with the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas built a home in Penitas for the Rosales family (left to right) Erasmo, Erasmo Jr., Maria and Romero. (Photos by John Hall/Buckner International)The effort represents a dream come true, said Convención President Bea Mesquias, who has ministered in the Valley since the 1980s. Convención is seeking ways to expand its ministry throughout the year, and the homebuilding project through Buckner is an ideal opportunity, she added.

“We’ve never done a big project like this,” she said. “We started dreaming about what we could do apart from meeting at Convención and having a good program. Through Buckner, we can come and build something here in the colonias for a family in need,” she said.

Churches throughout Texas donated money through Convención for the effort, and teams of volunteers provided labor. Hispanic Texas Baptists were excited by the opportunity to make a lasting tangible difference in the lives of a family, project organizers said.

convencion house425The finished home — Casa Convención– for the Rosales family in Peñitas.“Casa Convención is a truly historic effort for our missions community,” said Javier Perez, manager of Buckner national missions.

“Not only is a family’s life being transformed, but a whole new movement is rising. This is a movement of hope for the world in which Christian organizations understand that kingdom work can only happen when we put our strengths and resources together. This is what Convención means for Buckner national missions. We are excited because a kingdom-minded collaboration is gaining momentum.”

The Rosales family—Erasmo, Maria and their two sons, Romero and Erasmo Jr.—have worked with the Buckner Family Hope Center in Peñitas three years. Maria Rosales is learning to speak English, as well as gain computer and sewing skills to help support her family. The children are involved in the Hope Center’s youth leadership efforts. Both parents are involved in a financial skills class.

convencion saw350Volunteers from the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas and Buckner International cooperated to construct the house.Their hard work has helped them grow as a family to the point where they are volunteering through the Hope Center’s community events. They are helping Buckner assist people around them.

Still, a major hurdle remains the family—their house. It’s constructed largely of medium-density fiberboard, which allows moisture to seep through. It turns to mush when it rains and provides little insulation in the winter.


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The Convención-Buckner house will provide a safe place for the family. Erasmo Rosales is helping construct the house. The children are excited about the project. They’re telling all their friends about their new home. Hope permeates the air.

“The house will make our lives better,” Erasmo Rosales said. “It will change our lives completely.”

convencion drill425The Convención-Buckner house will provide a safe place for the family and be a launching pad for hope in Peñitas, volunteers say.Construction simply is the beginning of Convención ministry with this family. Volunteers hosted a Vacation Bible School during one weekend of the build, which empowered people to share the gospel.

Maria Rosales told how she came to faith in Christ and how God has blessed her family. Mesquias believes the Rosales family will continue to share their testimony with people around them. That will send waves of hope throughout Peñitas.

“We want to continue ministering with Buckner with this family,” she said. “Whatever we can do to help them have a better life, they will turn around and help others.”


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