Mission Trip 2006

The philosophy behind the mission?

The broadest vision of such a mission trip is to work towards awareness and system change for anti-oppression in our societies. This is accomplished through the mission of forming a cohesive team through group building activities
and fundraisers, involving the congregation in the group's spiritual and faith development exploration; to consider the questions, "how does being born
on one side of a political border affect the trajectory of our lives?" and "what can we do today and tomorrow to help our global neighbors?"

Photo from the 2005 Mission Trip

When is the trip?
February 18 - 25, 2006

How much does this trip cost?
Without fundraising, the trip costs about $800 per person. That being said, it is expected that anyone interested in being part of the mission team will fully participate in all fundraising activities. These events the key elements of the team building process.

What are the accommodations like?

For the two nights before building and the two nights after building, folks from the Unitarian Universalist Community of El Paso (UUCEP) will offer home hospitality stays for small groups.

For the three nights while we are building in Mexico, the entire group will stay at a local host church. Each person will bring his/her own sleeping pad and sleeping bag for this time. These accommodations are rustic and at best offer a cold shower. The group shares sleeping space on a concrete floor.

How can we build a house?

We use the services of Casas por Cristo (CpC), an El Paso-based organization dedicated to helping teams build homes for families in need, living in the colonias of Juarez, Mexico. The services of CpC, paid for by the program fee included in the per person trip cost, include:
* Securing a building site and establishing a relationship with the family who needs the home
* All building supplies and construction how to
* Two staff interns who live, work, eat, and sleep with us during our Mexico stay

What is challenging about the trip?

The most challenging aspect of the trip is witnessing the real poverty that people live in. No matter how much we try to prepare ourselves for the conditions of third-world living conditions, the impact of culture shock is real and challenges our sense of security and our comfort zone.

The other potentially challenging aspect of the trip, yet one of the most rewarding parts, is living, eating and sleeping together as a team for an entire week. We ask all participants - whether youth or adult - to give up most of their creature comforts while on this trip. We expect the adults, while used to their mobility and freedom, to stay with the group 24/7. There is not an opportunity to leave the group. You will be surprised by what you can live without!

What is rewarding about this trip?
Even before getting on the plane, you will feel a part of a great team that has worked together for a common goal. With the support and companionship of each other, you will most likely feel that your "search for truth and meaning" has taken you to a place where the questions are becoming bigger and the call to action is becoming clearer. Such an experience is often difficult to have at home, in familiar surroundings, with the responsibilities of our daily routines. One of the most surprising and profound elements of the trip is the experience of joy shared with friends we make in just a couple of days. Just a few days of working, playing and laughing with friendly local children will change you forever.

What is the flight itinerary?
          From:     Boston MA    18Feb06   01:24pm   Saturday
          To:    El Paso TX    18Feb06   07:14pm   Saturday

         From:     El Paso TX    25Feb06   06:52am   Saturday
          To:    Boston MA    25Feb06   03:19pm   Saturday

What is the trip itinerary?

February 18,
* Arrive in El Paso at 7:14 PM and greeted by folks from Unitarian Universalist Community of El Paso (UUCEP)
* Home hospitality for accommodations arranged by UUCEP church

February 19, 2005
* Attend Worship Service at UUCEP
* Food shopping
* Discussions and presentations about border ministry

February 20, 2005    El Paso-Juarez
* meet at Casas por Cristo at 8 AM
* Cross the border into Juarez, Mexico
* Lay concrete slab for foundation, frame house walls and roof

February 21, 2005    Juarez
* Install windows, doors, insulation, electrical wiring, prepare outside walls for stucco

February 22, 2005    Juarez
* Drywall inside of house
* Stucco outside
* Finish roofing

February 23, 2005    Juarez-El Paso
* Pack and move out of church
* Finish construction and clean house
* Home Dedication ceremony
* Visit to Juarez Market
* El Paso YMCA for pool time and showers
* UUCEP hospitality

February 24, 2005    El Paso
* Local tours relating to border ministry
* Hike
* Final dinner/worship service with UUCEP

February 25, 2005 depart El Paso

Why not stay home and help our neighbors?
We can, we will! Putting time, energy, and funds into a mission trip so far away turns out to be a power packed way to awaken our commitment to justice in our own communities. With the involvement and support of the whole congregation, the mission trip prompts all of us to renew our call to social action.