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Please join us on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Tissot Hall.

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Since 2003 we have had annual trips to the Tijuana area to build homes for hard-working poor families.  One year we built a church.  We do this through Baja Christian Ministries (www.bajachristian.org).  Here are some answers to common questions.

Why go to Mexico?  Because God is pleased when we help the poor, and the Mexican poor are very poor and they are right on our doorstep.  Each time we build a home there we get a family out of a dirt-floor-shack and into a secure home with solid walls and floors.  And the homebuilding opens the door for Baja Christian Ministries to share the gospel and establish churches in the communities where we work.

How long does it take?  We typically drive down Friday night, work all day Saturday and a partial day Sunday.  We get home Sunday evening.  We have been going Memorial Day weekend the past few years to avoid long lines coming home, and to give us an off-day the day after the trip.

What is the cost?  Each participant pays for lodging ($10 per night), a t-shirt (about $8), and food for the weekend, so it doesn’t cost much.  If you drive, there is gas and insurance expense.  The rewards exceed the cost!  There is also the cost of the building materials ($6,250 for our 2012 trip), which is raised through donations.

What are the houses like?  The houses are simple, but sturdy.  They are 16 by 20 feet in size, three rooms and a loft.  They are wired for electricity, there is no indoor plumbing.  They are wood-frame construction, with plywood on the exterior walls, drywall on the interior walls and a composition shingle roof.

Is it safe to go?  We have all heard the media stories of drug-related killings, kidnappings, etc. in Mexico.  Recently the worst stories originate in the Juarez or Acapulco areas, very far from where we are going.  On our trips we exercise an appropriate amount of caution:  We travel in large groups during daylight hours, led by a Baja Christian Ministries guide, with your prayers, and we have the appearance of working people, not rich tourists.

Where do we stay at night?  Baja Christian Ministries has safe places to stay with numerous bunk beds and hot showers.  We usually stay at “Rancho Solo”, the home of Sergio Gomez in Tijuana.

Do I need a passport?  Yes, In past years you could go to and from Mexico or Canada from the U.S. without a passport, but now you need one.

Do I need special skills?  No!  There are tasks that anyone can do, and we provide on-the-job-training!

Can minors go?  Yes, but we do ask that there be an adult present responsible for them, either their parents or someone they delegate.

Are there alternative ministries we can do?  Of course!  If God has put it on your heart to get involved in a different ministry, let the church staff know.  Every church member should be active in some ministry, but we recognize that this ministry is not for everyone.