Worship at Manantiales de Agua Viva (Fountains of Living Water) Church, Allende, Coahuila State, Mexico, in the home of Sister Teri (speaking at the right), the host of this house church.  The first priority for the project is construction of the first unit of a building for this new congregation.     

LOCATION

Team members will work in the community of Piedras Negras, Mexico or surrounding communities, which are just across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas. 

CURRENT PROJECTS

Teams normally work through mid-day, rest in the late afternoon, worship and teach Bible School in the evening.

Construction: Each team will be one of many construction teams from Missouri doing church and parsonage construction and repair. This project is a mission outreach of the Methodist Church of Mexico. Team members will meet, work and worship with the people of the Piedras Negras and surrounding community and with the host churches in the area.

The first priority, completion of the church education and parsonage building in Zaragosa was completed in 2003.  The current project is a building for a new church start, Manantiales de Agua Viva (Fountains of Living Water) in Allende, a town of 80,000. A second objective is assisting with remodeling and construction completion at Santuario church, Morelos.

Educational:  Teams will have a chance to work with the children of the host churches with Bible School activities in the evenings.

Medical:  There are opportunities by advance arrangement for doctors, dentist, optometrists and nurses to work in the community with local healthcare professionals who serve in the low-income neighborhoods.  With careful advance planning, teams with health care professionals can partner with local health professionals to provide health screening and care to persons in the community who may not otherwise have access to health care.

LODGING

For the current project, the team sleeps in the guesthouse of the pastor and family in a middle class neighborhood in a small town.  Alternately, the team may be staying in a church, parsonage or church facilities, sharing bathrooms and showers. 

FOOD

The host and host congregations will prepare food, with assistance from team members.  The team will eat out at a restaurant once during the week.

TRANSPORTATION

VIM teams will depart Missouri on a Saturday morning and return the following Saturday evening. On Saturday teams will travel by plane to San Antonio.  Teams will be met by the Mexican church and travel from the airport by van to Eagle Pass and across the border to Piedras Negras and the living quarters in Morelos. The next Saturday, teams will return to San Antonio for the return flight.

COST

COST:  $640 (2004).  Cost includes airfare to San Antonio, use of a van for transportation to the host site, most meals, lodging and $100 per person for construction materials.  Additional costs above the $640 fee include meals while traveling, sightseeing and souvenirs, and visa ($21) if required.

CONTACT PERSON

To schedule a team, or for more information, contact: Cheney Parish or Audrey Phelps (phelps@umocm.com)
 

WEATHER AND CLOTHING

The climate is mostly hot and dry (cool and rainy November – April).  Clothes need to be lightweight and protective of sun as well as worksite safe.  On Sundays the team will worship at the host Methodist Church, and with other neighboring churches during the week.  At church, dress is causal, long pant (or skirts for women) are preferred for worship. Shorts are not worn outside the house or work site. A hat is essential, as well as sunscreen.

OTHER

Experience warm friendships and worship with several welcoming congregations

The pastor and his wife speak Spanish and English.  It is recommended to include a Spanish-language interpreter on the team.

Audrey Phelps
Missouri VIM
OFFICE OF CREATIVE MINISTRIES
3009 David Drive
Columbia, MO 65202
573-474-7155  
fax: 573-474-6898
e-mail:  phelps@umocm.com

Web: http://www.umocm.com