Mission to Mexico
see also Youth Missions

Winter Break 2009
February 15 - 20

Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow-men throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy.

Here’s your opportunity to make a big difference for one deserving family as we go to Juarez, Mexico to build a house. We will be literally Manos de Dios the hands of God for the week.

We work through Gateway Mission Training in El Paso Texas.

Email Us: Missions@HolyCrossRedmond.org

Reflections on previous trips:

• Robert and Laura’s BLOG  - funny
• “Desert Flowers” - serious

2009 Juarez Mission Trip Details

Flying from Seattle on Sunday, February 15, we arrive in the evening at El Paso, Texas, and drive into Juarez, Mexico.  We will be staying at the Iglesia Anglicana San Mattias (St. Matthias Anglican Church) hosted by the Rev. & Mrs. Zuniga.  The church has clean, secure facilities to take care of us.  In February it’s cool at night so we can sleep well.  Dress in layers, since temperatures vary at this time of year.  Monday through Thursday we take a short drive to Colonia Anapra to build a modest 450 square foot home for a blessed family chosen by local pastors.  Although the material poverty is pervasive, the grace of God is abundant, and the human spirit is resilient in Anapra.  In the end, it’s hard to out-give God, and many find the week’s experience to be a rich blessing.  After the houses are built, we celebrate with a house blessing for the families, some shopping in the Mercado, and a celebration dinner with our Mexican house-building crew as honored guests.  Friday evening the 20, we return to Seattle.  Sunday, February 22, is a time to share stories and testimonies and pictures from the trip in church.

Trip Costs:

Airfare about $350
Room & Board $250
Celebration Dinner $50 (includes our guests)
Total: $650 per person 

Application Forms

O Dearly beloved Word of God, teach me to be generous, to serve You as You deserve, to give without counting the cost, to fight without fretting at my wounds, to labor without seeking rest, to spend myself without looking for any reward other than that of knowing that I do You holy will. Amen.

2008 Juarez Mission Trip Details

View More Pics of the 2008 Trip

Introducing Isabel Ortega and her son Ivan Dias Ortega.  Isabel came up to Juarez from the south 12 years ago.  They work in one of Juarez’s many maquilas* earning about $70 (US dollars) a week each. Ivan has been making monthly payments on their $1,500 property that is 30 by 90 feet.

Isabel and Ivan never dreamed that they would have a home of their own! Isabel’s life has been very hard.  She truly sees the Manos de Dios (hands of God) in our willingness to come and help her have a decent home.  This was our fifth house and seventh mission trip to Anapra, Mexico.

*A maquiladora or maquila is a factory that imports materials and equipment on a duty-free and tariff-free basis for assembly or manufacturing and then re-exports the assembled product, usually back to the originating country.