BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

Sergio, who has been a KCM Partner for over 12 years, works in the Ministerial Relations department at the ministry’s headquarters in Fort Worth. We recently spoke with him to hear his heart on the project, and to get an update. Q: What is the biggest need in Juárez? A: There are a lot of single moms, some as young as 16-17 years old, with more than one child. Ninety percent of them are illiterate because there's no such thing as free school in Mexico. Although the government calls it free, it's not. Students have to pay for books and other expenses. So, illiteracy is a huge issue because it affects job opportunities later on. Many of these moms start off working in manufacturing plants. The minimum wage in Juárez is about $8-$9 a day, but the cost of living is extremely high. When the moms go to work, there’s often no one to take care of the kids, so they stay home by themselves. The moms eventually become overwhelmed. That’s when drug dealers and pimps prey on them, promising more money and fewer working hours. In the end, these women become hooked on alcohol or drugs. Then, the children are truly left on their own. It’s a vicious cycle that affects about 60-70% of the orphans in the area. By the time they’re 12 or 13, they’ve given up on life. They don’t see a way out. Q: How will Centro de Fe Vida Abundante address the physical needs of the people? A: In the very beginning, I wanted to open an orphanage, but the red tape in Mexico is just incredible, and so is the potential liability. It’s why most of the orphanages in Mexico are run by the government. So, we’ve adjusted our plans, and I believe it’s the direction the Lord wanted us to take. In addition to a church, where they’ll hear and learn the Word of God, we’re going to feed anyone in the area who’s hungry. We're going to teach young ladies and young men the ins and outs of marriage and how they can succeed in marriage, so there won’t be so many single parent families. We’ll also teach the people how to read and write. For those who are over 16 years old and don’t want to go to school, we’re going to create the jobs by founding two companies—one a clothing company, the other an ironworks company. We have welders, woodworkers and seamstresses ready to teach the students. We’ll also have a day care center, so moms can go to work and know that their kids are safe. Q: You’ve said that this center will be “a place of transformation.” Can you explain that? A: Transformation has to start from the inside. The spirit has to be renewed in order for people to have the power to change, so we’re going to start with teaching them the Word of God. Initially, we're going to open a satellite church with video teaching. I want it to be a buffet for the people, so they can receive the Word of God from different ministers and understand what God has for them. I want them to see the difference the Word makes in their lives, in their families and in their city. Q: How can the Partners and Friends of KCM stand in faith with you? A: The most important thing is for protection because Juárez is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world. The second is for the finances to come in, so we can finish the center. We’ve raised $150,000 of $350,000 so far. We especially need the kitchen finished. Right now, when I go, I take enough food for a family of four to eat twice a day for a whole month, so it will save a lot of money when we finish the kitchen. We’ll be able to feed them on-site. I’m also asking for wisdom and divine connections with government officials, so this process goes smoothly in the future. Sergio admits that building Centro de Fe Vida Abundante is a huge undertaking that he never would have imagined he’d be a part of, but God had other plans. “I really believe that God had us born in a place for a reason. It’s not a coincidence.” Sergio has shared those words many times with the children in Juárez, and his life certainly reflects them. God took one of Juárez’s lost children and brought him home decades later to effect change in the lives of this generation. We stand with Sergio in faith, believing for the completion of the center, and we are thanking God in advance for all the children whose lives and destinies will be transformed by this good work in Juárez! V In March, a ministry team from KCM traveled to Juárez, where they held a two-day Victory Campaign at the unfinished site. Watch more. kcm.org/juarez “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40 For more information on Centro de Fe Vida Abundante (Faith Center Abundant Life), or to learn more about Alvarado Ministries International, go to alvaradoministriesinternational.org. BVOV : 23

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