Spring Mexico Missions Trip
April 20-21, 2023
Purpose
Day 1: We will be participating in a local outreach to help distribute food to families in need.
Day 2: We will be building a home for a family in need (see picture and caption below).
Plot where we are building the home in Tijuana, Mexico.
The family we are building a home for - Jose and Ana, their four children (ages 1, 4, 9, 13) and also Jose's mom and his little brother who has a disability. They’re currently paying rent but it's too expensive so they’re in need of something of their own.
Team
Leaders - Jonathan Edwards, Kindra French, Xavier Perales, Karl Katona & Ana Rees-Thomas
Students - Ana Reese-Thomas, Kaylib Yang, Anthony Ortiz, Cinjun Chiniquy, Noah Hoiseth, Liz Gough, Alex Shahan, Gabby Newton, Karissa Yee & Malachi Freund
Support - Videographer
Details To-Note
Meals provided - breakfast/lunch/dinner (Thursday), breakfast/lunch/dinner (Friday), gatorade/water (for trip)
Items to bring/pack - PLEASE NOTE
Pillow and sleeping bag (we will be sleeping on bunks with bare mattresses) - if you do not own a sleeping bag, reach out to someone local to borrow one as it is just for one night (church staff, DLC support family, etc.)
In a backpack sized bag
Bath towel (if you want to bathe Thursday night - our one night stay)
1 set of clothes for Friday’s house build (closed-toed shoes and clothing that can get dirty) - your clothes for Thursday you will be wearing down to Tijuana
1 set of modest sleepwear
Flip-flops for dorm
Personal toiletries AND sunscreen
Over-the-counter medications you may need and/or prescription medication (in original package)
Up to $20 in $1 bills
Refillable water bottle - IMPORTANT
Passport (to be collected at start of trip for safe-guarding), driver’s license, and medical insurance card
Small purse, backpack, or waist pack (for any personal items)
Lightweight jacket
DO NOT BRING - weapons of any kind (including small pocket knives) and any illegal substance (failure to comply could put our entire team in jeopardy)
Demeanor, behavior & tone - Our team is going to Tijuana to be a blessing - building a home for a family in need and reflecting Christ to those we meet and interact with. Be mindful of the way you carry yourself, listening to instruction and being helpful. The way you act will affirm and confirm being “sent by God” (or not). What we do in the present echoes into eternity.
Dorm info & guidelines - The Spectrum Ministries dorm in Tijuana is located in a safe and secure neighborhood, with a staff member that will remain on-site during our stay. This is our home-away-from-home while you are there. And, as such, we expect that you will be respectful of how the premises are maintained both during our stay, and how we leave it. The dorm is equipped with a full kitchen downstairs, sleeping accommodations upstairs, private restrooms and hot showers. There are 2 separate rooms for men and women each equipped with bunk beds. You are required to provide your sleeping bag, toiletries, and any other personal items you may need while you are there (see list above). There is also a checklist of what will need to be done on the day of your departure to clean up the dorm before the next group arrives. WiFi: There is WiFi at the dorm if you need to use your cell phone. (usage will be limited) Cell phones: You will need to check with your cell provider to see if there are any rate charges for phone use in Tijuana. Prior to leaving the dorm for our stay, clean-up will be required to leave things ready for any group arriving to the facilities after our stay.
Safety - At no time are any team participants to depart from the team (while working on the home, at the dorm or in town). No items are to be purchased in Mexico without the expressed permission given to you by team leadership.
Schedule
NOTE: times provided are approximate subject to change/adjustment
Thursday, April 20
6:00am - Meet at Daybreak (parking lot closest to offices) - BREAKFAST WILL BE PROVIDED
6:30am - Depart for Mexico - FIRM TIME
7:30am - Meet Arturo from Spectrum Ministries at Costco Tijuana and drop off sleeping bags & belongings at Spectrum Ministries facility/dorm
8:00am - Caravan to location for Community Outreach Day
3:30pm - Wrap up Community Outreach Day and caravan to dorm
5:30pm - Dinner & stay at dorm
7:00pm - Evening devotional & debrief of day 1
Friday, April 21
6:30am - Breakfast prep
7:00am - Breakfast
7:30am - Dorm duties
8:00am - Caravan to house build site
4:30pm - House build wrap-up, presentation of keys and Bible to recipient family, caravan to dorm to pick up sleeping bags and belongings
5:00pm - Dinner
6:00pm - Border crossing into the US & return to Daybreak (will likely take several hours - anticipate a late night)