Join Us in Mexico

Our trip lead, Aaron, guarantees two things about these Mexico trips if you’re not careful. One is that you will gain weight because of the fabulous food that is provided. Two is you will make friends for life.

Your trip begins with a flight from Toronto Pearson to San Diego, California. From there we as a team will drive down, across the Mexican border to Vicente Guerrero to the base camp run by Youth with a Mission.

The week will consist of a building project (house or school) and outreach opportunities in the local community. A typical day will look like this.

Typical Day Schedule

8:00am breakfast

8:30am kitchen duties and make lunches

8:45am devotions

9:15am load up the vans and leave for the job site

12:00am lunch break on site (we bring our own picnic style lunch every day. If there is no washroom onsite, breaks are schedule to the nearest gas station as needed)

5:00pm back to base

5:30pm dinner

6:00pm dinner duties

6:15pm TBD options include outreach, free time, group time, into town, and beach

** schedule subject to change based on current opportunities and progress

Possibilities for outreach might include: dump ministry (visiting and feeding homeless who live at the dump), visiting migrant camps to do food and clothing giveaways, a small local church service, visit and pick with the migrant workers in the fields, or other community outreach in the area where you are building.

Homes or schools are typically completed on Thursday mornings and a dedication ceremony occurs in the afternoon sometimes followed by a meal.

At the end of the week we will return to San Diego Friday night and have Saturday to enjoy some time alone or with the team before flying home to Toronto on Sunday.

Typically these trips are $1500 canadian (with a tax receipt) pending the cost of flights and the US dollar exchange rate. In addition, we ask the team to help fundraise the costs of the building (school $4600 USD or home $3800 USD).

If you choose to attend, you will be sent a more detailed information package that can answer more questions. We will also schedule team meetings so you can ask any questions as well as meet those you will be working alongside.

FAQ's

Vicente Guerrero, the town to which we are going, enjoys a pleasant, temperate climate, very similar to San Diego; it’s just three miles from the Pacific Ocean. BUT temperatures can range from 45 degrees at night (due to fog conditions to 80+ degrees during the day.

Rain is rare – 4 to 5 inches of rainfall a year! Because of the limited rainfall, it will be dusty and it’s often very windy. Contact lens wearers, bring a pair of glasses too! It is often cold in the mornings and evenings due to the fog, and none of the buildings are centrally heated…so please bring that jacket and/or sweater you don’t think you’ll need.

Dress code: the local Christian community adheres to a very conservative dress code. We ask, therefore, that you comply with the following:

You may wear shorts while working but they must reach down to or below the knees.
Scanty sunwear is not acceptable…no tank tops for girls. Guys, it is inappropriate to remove your shirts while working.
Bathing suits need to be modest. No bikinis or speedos. Tankinis are ok.
Girls, please do not bring tops that brely meet the top of your jeans, no tummies showing. No low cut, tight fitting or spaghetti straps.
No bare feet – there are nails and screws etc around! Ouch!!

Please pack lightly!!! Luggage space in the vans is limited. Only one average size suitcase or duffel bag and a sleeping bag per person. REMEMBER to have your name and address on your suitcase and sleeping bag.

Be sure to bring the following items:

Bible, sleeping bag (we will be sleeping in bunks with comfortable mattresses), pillow (either carry your pillow or roll it inside your sleeping bag), a jacket and/or sweater. Bring a towel, soap, shampoo, and any personal items (toothbrush, camera, earplugs – even if you don’t snore, others sleeping near you might!), a flashlight, alarm clock, swim suit, sun screen, tennis shoes or work boots, grubby work clothes, extra socks, and a pair of work gloves. Have a clean pair of long pants or jeans for church and outreach (dress/skirt not necessary – nothing fancy, everything will get dirty). A hat or bandana is recommended for working out in the sun.

Yes. Bring US currency in small bills, nothing larger than a 10 if possible. US currency is accepted everywhere but credit cards are seldom accepted. The exchange rate fluctuates daily (you may get 12-15 pesos for one dollar). There is bank in town where you can use your ATM card. They charge $5.50 per transaction and usually only give you pesos.

You will also have the opportunity to shop in San Diego on the Saturday on our way home and may need cash for any activities you would like to do.