PIEDRAS NEGRAS | JULY 11-18
Estimated Cost: $1,570
Application Deadline: February 1
DOWNLOAD THE INFORMATION SHEETAPPLY FOR THE mexico TEAM
WHY THERE?
CrossRoads Missions Mexico seeks to glorify Christ by raising up ministries in Piedras Negras to meet the needs of our city. We do this through construction projects and outreach programs by providing affordable home ownership, education, immigrant care, and other ways of sharing the love and compassion of Christ in Piedras Negras.
WHAT WILL WE DO?
This week, the main activity will be helping to lead an English camp put on by the English House and CrossRoads staff. The English House is an English school started by and run by CrossRoads. The school offers opportunities for locals of all levels to learn English during a regular school year and classroom setup. Each summer, the English House hosts a kids' English camp, which is designed to provide local kids with English language learning in a fun, Christ-centered environment, while also offering them opportunities to hear the Gospel, build relationships, and grow personally and spiritually. This camp feels like a VBS with different stations of English vocabulary and Bible lessons woven throughout. It has been a blessing to CrossRoads, to families and churches in Piedras Negras, and to displaced families.
Worship will also be a focus of the week. We will have times of praise, personal devotions, reflection/debriefing, and teaching to prepare and challenge us throughout the week. You will also spend time in fellowship with local believers and the local church by participating in worship services and activities with the body of believers.
WHO SHOULD COME?
This year, we are focusing on bringing a group that has teaching experience. Because this week is so focused on teaching, we want to be a blessing to Crossroads by bringing that expertise in our group. We are hopeful for bilingual individuals to accompany us and be able to make connections with adults and students in their language. While it is not a requirement to speak Spanish, it is very helpful as we seek to build relationships.
TRAVEL
A three-hour flight from Chicago to San Antonio, Texas; followed by a three-hour ride in a vehicle from San Antonio across the border to Piedras Negras, Mexico.
LODGING
While in Piedras Negras you will stay in the neighborhood of Piedra Angular. The facilities include dorm rooms, bathrooms, six showers, a kitchen, a community center, meeting areas, a basketball court, and a soccer field.
MEALS
While in Piedras Negras, your meals will be provided by CrossRoads Missions. Each morning breakfast consists of cereal, oatmeal, bagels, toast, fruit, juice and coffee. Lunch includes deli sandwiches, PB&J sandwiches, chips, cookies, and veggies, which are prepared by participants and staff. The evening meal is an authentic Mexican meal prepared by local ladies.
GENERAL INFO
Location: Piedras Negras is at the northern border of the state of Coahuila, Mexico. It sits across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass, Texas, and about 150 miles southwest of San Antonio.
wHistory: CrossRoads Missions has been working in Piedras Negras, Mexico (on the Texas Border), since 1993 and is actively involved in community development and ministry in the city. Construction projects include two churches, two schools, an orphanage, and a neighborhood of many single-family homes with a community center. Community development programs include soccer camps, medical clinics, soup kitchens, hospital feeding programs, and other activities depending on ministry needs. Through these projects and programs, our hope and vision is to empower ministries to be the face of Christ in their communities.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
It will be about 110 degrees during our trip. We will limit time outside during the middle of the day. There are air-conditioned spaces where we will spend time together and host events. Lodging accommodations also have air conditioning.
Piedras Negras is a very safe city. The CrossRoads Missions lodging facilities are secure, and all ministry opportunities are designed with participants’ safety in mind.
PRAYER POINTS
Please be in prayer for the always-changing immigrant situation and the families it affects in Piedras Negras. Pray that the teaching of English will invite local families to CrossRoads so that they may hear the Gospel message.
One of the requirements for joining a short-term mission team is being a covenant member of our church.
If you are not a member, now is the time to take that step!