Q & A for Bringing a Team
Q & A for Bringing a Team
Q: What kinds of teams do you need in Mexico?
A: Funding for projects comes from the teams who come to minister. We count heavily on the skill ability of men and women who come to work in construction or to teach skills. We encourage the following groups to consider coming and serving:
Men’s groups
Multi-age (with families) groups
Youth and College age with skilled adult leaders
Women come and teach our women to sew, cook, and other manual skills that the women of Mexico can learn and use to sell to produce income for their families.
(ex: quilts, blankets, doughnuts, etc.)
Q: How long does it take to drive to Papalote from San Diego?
A: Estimated driving time with a team:
1. You have to include rest stops (all newer PEMEX gas stations have nice clean restrooms)
2. You have to include one meal along the way
3. Estimated time: 6 to 8 hours depending upon traffic and team needs. Driving at night is not a wise decision. Plan to leave the San Diego area before 9 a.m. in the morning.
Q: What kinds of projects are there available to do?
A: We design your group’s projects with the abilities of the members coming. So your team could do as much as helping build a home…to painting…to building cement block fencin…home improvement for families in the church… All projects are very fluid as teams come and go.
Q: What kind of funds do we need to raise for a project?
A: We suggest that $200 per team member be raised for projects.
Q: Where do we stay?
A: That depends upon the location of your project. We work in Ensenada, Papalote and other parts of Baja California. In most situations you will stay at a church. The cost of electricity is high in Mexico and therefore we ask that a team cover the cost of the electricity for their team and also consider giving a freewill offering from the team members to the church. (electricity: $50/week)
In Papalote we now have some dorm rooms available, and classrooms, a kitchen and dining room, showers. In Ensenada we now have a church that has a kitchen, showers, and space for teams to sleep.
Q: Do we need to rent vans if we fly into San Diego?
A: As of January 2010 we have two 15 passenger vans in Papalote and a large covered trailer that we can bring to pick up your team. There is a cost involved but much less than if you were to rent ($1500 a week/van) from a car rental agency. We too have upkeep of the vehicles and must have a way to finance this expense. Talk to us about that option.
Q: Can we teach Bible classes (VBS)?
A: In some cases, yes, you can. But if one area has had more than one team doing VBS, it is better to be creative and do another type of outreach activity. There are more meaningful and yet just as effective ways of reaching others and meeting their needs at the same time. We can help you with these ideas.
Q: Can we bring toys and candy to give away to kids?
A: No…for many years well-meaning teams have brought so much “stuff” that parents would send their children to see the teams only because they kids would come home with goodies. The children did not come to hear the gospel or to develop relationships. The pastors in Mexico have asked that we Americans change that culture.
Q: What can we give the children?
A: Fruit: Oranges, bananas, pineapple. These kids rarely eat fruit and it is for sale everywhere. Parents cannot afford fruit. To them fresh fruit is the most wonderful treat and gift they can receive other than a cupcake. They are absolutely crazy about cake. If you want to bake cupcakes that would be great, but be prepared to set up a mob effect.
Children in Mexico eat candy all the time. It is because candy is used to dull their appetites…because they are hungry.
We generally have specific things we need a team to bring…so we will keep in touch with your leaders.
Q: Can we feed the children?
A: We can think of nothing more wonderful than for you to feed the children. Their diets are very poor and very limited. If you want to feed the children, however, you must talk with us about what you can prepare. These kids are like all kids…they don’t like a lot of new things. We can help you design your meals.
Q: What can the women of our team do?
A: The key to reaching Mexico for Christ is the women. We use the classes that your team presents as an outreach tool. Women of the community will come to learn to cook, to learn to bake, to learn to make necklaces, to sew, to quilt, etc…when they will not come to church.
We use these opportunities to meet new ladies and extend our love to them. We usually see one or two ladies come to Christ through these teaching ministries.
Q: What can the children on our team do?
A: Our Mexican children love to play with your children. They are learning to develop relationships across cultural barriers. Kids don’t seem to notice the language barrier much. Team children will attend classes just as the Mexican kids will do.
Q: What about bringing clothing?
A: Please talk with us before considering bringing clothing to Mexico.
Q: So who do we talk to next?
A: Please Email us by clicking here.
