Vineyard on Extreme Makeover:Home Edition

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ABC TV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition built a new house and ministry complex for Gerald and Liesa Martinez, pastors of Joshua’s Vineyard, Albuquerque, New Mexico!

On January 15, 2007, the Martinez family of Albuquerque, NM was surprised to receive the news that Ty and the gang would be transforming their insufficient, run-down duplex used as a refuge for the needy and homeless into a larger and safe home for their family in a remarkable seven days.         martinez family

When Gerald Martinez was offered a job at a local church in Albuquerque, he quickly moved his family from Colorado to New Mexico. Before moving to New Mexico, Gerald spent much of his time making trips to help the troubled communities of Albuquerque. Instead of moving into a safe neighborhood for his wife Liesa and their kids, Gerald moved his family into a run-down duplex that was just minutes away from the church.

In a neighborhood of crime, drug deals, and prostitution, Gerald began transforming the church into a refuge for the needy. This refuge included a café, daycare facility, and working bathroom with showers so the homeless had a place to clean up. The community welcomed the Martinez family and was very grateful for all of their hard work.  However, there were some members that did not take a liking to Gerald and even attacked him with a glass bottle in front of his own house.martinez home

Still, Gerald managed to work together with the community and quickly transformed an area once called "the War Zone" into a new and better place now called "God's Block." As crime rates decreased and the community began getting media attention, Gerald purchased two other duplexes that would be used to create the "Joshua’s Vineyard Mission Outpost," a place where broken people could recover from their troubles.  With an open door policy, many people were making use of the Outpost.  The Martinez family was finally connecting with their neighbors, but they also began to lose their own family privacy.

Soon enough, the family began to undergo financial difficulties as well, considering they do not charge rent. Although the family has made a great impact on the transformed community, they do not have enough space for them to live in. They didn't have a working stove and used hot plates to do their cooking.  With little privacy and on the verge of financial ruin, the Martinez family was in severe need of a new and safe home where they could continue their mission to save the town of Trumbull.

While Ty and the designers, local homebuilder Atreus Homes & Communities, and the hundreds of volunteers and workers were rebuilding their home, the Martinez family was sent on vacation to Walt Disney World in Florida.

The episode, "Martinez Family," will air on Sunday, April 27th.  Check local information for station and time.    

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