the new 2020

Three months ago, we were set to host 40+ mission teams to build 50+ homes in 2020. We had medical teams on the books, plans for our annual VBS and women's retreat, and we were looking forward to hosting bigger teams and multiple teams at once in our newly constructed cabanas. 

Then coronavirus happened.

In order to do our part to stop the spread, we began by suspending all teams through the spring. As the pandemic gained momentum, spring was extended to summer. Eventually, to ensure the safety of teams and the community we serve, and to comply with Mexican laws, we had to make the difficult decision to suspend all teams through December 2020. Our official statement can be found here: https://www.missionsministries.org/covid.html.

So then we were left with the questions: how do we continue to do ministry in our community with so many restrictions in place? How do we continue to build community during a time when community poses a health concern? We are still praying and seeking answers to these questions, but with the support of our partnering churches, we have begun taking steps down new avenues of ministry. 

We look forward to the day that we can host and serve alongside our friends like old times, but in the meantime, here's what's been going on south of the border! 

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food drives

Two of our partnering churches, Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, CO and Redemption Church Gateway in Mesa, AZ, held food drives to collect non-perishables for those in our community with the greatest need. It took three trailers to get all this food across the border (one more on the way), and the sheer weight of it made for some interesting transportation challenges! We are constantly blown away by the generosity of these dear friends in ministry. Since our hospitality and library staff are unable to fulfill their normal duties right now due to the restrictions in place, they will be partnering with our five pastors to organize and distribute this food to our neighbors who need it most.  This project begins on Monday, so stay tuned for updates!

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house builds

Even though teams are suspended, many groups have donated for homes to be built by our crew! Patricia and her family were set to receive a home pre-corona, but their wait was extended indefinitely when teams had to be canceled. Thanks to Journey Church, our crew was able to partner with Pastor Martin this week to finally build Patricia's home. Several more homes are set to be built in the coming weeks, thanks to the selfless support of other teams like Journey Church, so keep an eye out for updates!

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library spring cleaning

One of the most important parts of our ministry is the educational support provided in our two libraries by local tutors. Sadly, Mexican COVID-19 guidelines do not permit us to welcome students at this time. Our library staff spent the past two weeks organizing and deep-cleaning every inch of every book and glue bottle in both libraries! We miss our students, and we look forward to welcoming them back as soon as possible. 

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