The Estes Family ~ Shawn, Carla, Madison & Maverick
In July of 2001, Shawn and Carla felt God calling them into full-time ministry. Since that time they had been searching for where that ministry would take place. It was during this search, in the summer of 2005, that their family first came in contact with UTRI. They were very impressed by the work being done to change lives on both sides of the border. They returned on another short-term mission trip in the summer of 2006. During this trip, they began to sense God leading them to full-time missions. In February 2007, Shawn and Carla came on a construction trip with UTRI. While on this trip, Carla was able to spend a lot of time with Angie discussing the desire God had placed in their hearts. They discovered that UTRI’s ministry was in need of an accountant/administrator which had been Shawn’s primary job for the past fifteen years. This was one of many confirmations that UTRI was where they were supposed to serve. During the summer of 2007, on another trip to UTRI, the family surrendered to God’s calling for their family to join the staff of UTRI full-time.
The Estes family moved from Kentucky to South Texas in December of 2007, and has been on staff with UTRI for almost 4 years. The whole family has a desire to see the Mexican people come to know the Lord and grow in their Christian walk. The pastors and their families in Reynosa have become a big part of their lives. Shawn and Carla seek to encourage and empower them to continue in God’s calling.
“We can’t imagine our life without our friends in Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley. They have been a huge blessing to us!” ~ The Estes Family
