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 For almost thirty years now, First Christian Church of Concord has undertaken a mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico to build houses for the poor. The 2008 trip, undertaken in conjunction with First Christian Churches of Redding and Chico, and with Lafayette Christian Church, will take place June 21-28.
The trip is sponsored each year for a number of reasons; the obvious need for clean livable housing, our call as Christians to be in service to others and the chance for young people in our society to bring good into our world and receive recognition for their work. This trip offers these opportunities — to make a real difference in someone else’s life and most certainly their own.
The need is great. Limited or nonexistent resources are the root of many problems in Mexico, most noticeably in border cities like Tijuana. There is a shortage of affordable housing and unemployment is rampant as the large assembly plants, known as maquiladoras, which caused thousands of Mexican families to migrate to the Mexican border towns are now closing and moving to even cheaper sources of labor in Asia and elsewhere. They came looking for hope, but, instead, they are faced with the dark realities of overcrowding and little opportunity for solutions to their desperate needs.
The results of the mission trips are always incredible. Lives are changed on both sides of the border. Families in Mexico receive a new lease on life with a new sense of security and hope. Our young people gain a new understanding about what it means to truly give of themselves and to love and serve others.
 The trip is led by a group of adult sponsors assuming the roles of director, cooks, construction leaders, music leader, worship leader, and drivers. They also work to instill leadership in the group by appointing different youth to take on leadership responsibilities. Although the adult sponsors are in charge of the trip, both the youth and adults work together as a team to accomplish the mission of the trip.
We work in concert with AMOR Ministries, a non-denominational, non-profit organization that works with Mexican churches to improve the conditions of low-income families through spiritual and physical assistance. In cooperation with the Mexican Foreign Ministry Planning Board, AMOR organizes short-term mission trips to Mexico to build homes, churches, schools, and medical clinics.
Mexico Mission 2008 offers a unique environment for spiritual growth and a time to reflect on our role in this world. Each participant will witness what it is like to live in a third world country and have the opportunity to be a servant to people who can only repay such efforts with their gratitude.
Participants will need to bring tools, a good attitude, and a willingness to make a positive difference in this world in the name of Christ. Each day is structured with specific construction and participation goals with campfire time in the evenings. We use hand tools in construction (no power tools) — no prior experience is necessary. It is hard work out in the sun, so extreme care is taken for all participants physical and spiritual well-being.
We will be traveling by a caravan of trucks, vans, and a motor home from Northern California to Mexico. Only licensed and insured adult sponsors operate vehicles. We are escorted into and out of Mexico by AMOR Ministries.
The theme for Mexico Mission 2008 is “Wii Build, Wii Love, Wii Serve." While seemingly just a play on the popular Nintendo video game system, the theme actually embraces community, the powerful “WE” that young people become in service to others. Even if you are not able to participate directly in Mexico Mission 2008, there are still ways to lend your support.
Last year a documentary film began being produced featuring the Mexico mission trip. One of the problems faced by the residents of Tijuana that Mexico Mission 2008 serves is the environmental damage caused by large assembly plants, known as maquiladoras. Planned as a multi-year production and produced by EnviroJustice, a non-profit organization based in Martinez, California that promotes environmental justice from a progressive, faith-based perspective, the film is a part of Tijuana Justice, a segment of the EnviroJustice campaign for safe, sustainable and just communities. Due to unforseen circumstances, the film crew will not be able to be in Tijuana this year, but will be returning next year, and will be receiving photographs of this year's trip for inclusion in the documentary film.
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