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| El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales |
"Bringing Hope to a Drowning World"
Short-Term Mission Trips >
Dear Group Leader:
Thank you for your interest in our Baja Adventures short-term missions program
here in San Ignacio, Baja California Sur (BCS). We would love to have you and
your group come be a part of the wonderful things that God is doing at our facility
and among the unreached people groups of BCS!
The purpose of our Baja Adventures program is to allow you to get a taste of
frontier mission work—sharing Jesus with people groups that are still unreached
with the Gospel. Our trips offer a life-changing experience where you will have the
opportunity to serve the Lord and to reach the Mexican people for Jesus. It is an
awesome chance for your group to be challenged in your faith as you share the
Good News with those who have never heard!
Our Baja Adventures puts participants in a fun, high-energy camp-like
atmosphere. They go through a two- or three-day training period followed by a
four-day outreach. Throughout their time in BCS, the group will be focusing on
personal spiritual growth and relationship evangelism. It is a wonderful time for
your group to draw closer together and closer to the Lord.
In the past, we have hosted a large number and wide variety of teams from all over
North America. God has used these teams to open many doors and pave the way
for the work that is now being done in many of the towns and campos here.
We work hard to make your trip easy by offering a “full service” mission
experience. We provide the training, outreach supplies, food, housing, scheduling,
and staff. We take care of the logistics so that your group can come, learn, serve,
and receive without having to worry about the planning.
God is raising up a powerful army to do the work that He has commanded us to do.
We want your group to be a part of what He is doing in the world! We hope that
you find the enclosed information helpful. If you have any further questions about
our facility or about this program, please feel free to call or write any time.
The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, so consider joining us for a short-
term missions experience that you will never forget as you help fulfill the Great
Commission!
Serving a loving Lord,
George & Jeri McClure
Directors ESMI
The Lighthouse in San Ignacio
INTRODUCTION TO EL SEMBRADOR
MINISTERIOS INTERNACIONALES
El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales (ESMI) is an international Christian
missions organization hosting foreign short-term mission trips for youth, college,
adult, and medical/dental teams. Our missionary training center and Bible school
focus on church planting and discipleship of indigenous unreached and displaced
people groups in BCS, Mexico, and throughout the world.
Mexico has over 155 different people groups, at least 35 of which are still
considered unreached with the Gospel. George and Jeri McClure, founders of
ESMI, are seven-year missionary veterans focusing on the unreached and
displaced people groups of Baja. In the fall of 2008, ESMI will have its first full-time
student group working in BCS.
Our strategy in reaching the unreached people groups is relational evangelism.
Building relationships with the Mexican people and gaining their trust is a slow
process. We find that open doors to share the Gospel come most readily when we
have been able to serve in some way, such as in teaching English, doing work
projects, and, more than anything, spending time building relationships. As we
travel through Baja, we strive to adapt to the culture as much as possible—staying
with the people, eating their food, doing work the way they do it, etc. We ultimately
want to raise up spiritual leaders from within the people groups we minister to,
which means that we let Mexican nationals take the lead wherever possible. We
come to serve them, and servants never set their own agenda based on what they
think should be done.
Short-term teams play a key role in our strategy. The work and programs they do,
do much to open doors for and support the long-term work here. Often, we find
that as much trust is developed in a group during a four-day outreach with a short-
term mission team as is developed in months of ministry by our full-time staff.
BAJA ADVENTURES STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
We want to use our short-term mission trips to help support the work that our long-
term missionaries are doing. Many of the villages, campos and towns in BCS are
very closed to the Gospel. Often, a missionary has to earn the right to minister in a
certain area. We have seen that if you can minister to the physical needs of the
people, they are much more open to hearing about their spiritual needs.
Construction projects, medical/dental clinics, and children's programs can be a
great asset to the long-term work of missionaries and help open doors for further
ministry, but prayer and relationships are always the most important thing.
We also want to instill a vision in each participant and church to have more of a
global perspective and to be involved in long-term missions. We believe that all
Christians are called to play a role in fulfilling the Great Commission, whether by
praying, supporting mission work financially, and/or going. We strive to provide a
cross-cultural experience where each participant will be able to take a serious look
at his/her life and consider the call to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
BAJA ADVENTURES PROGRAM INFORMATION
Dates: See Calendar
Customized Trips: At certain times of the year outside of the sessions listed on the
calendar page, we are able to receive mission trip teams. E-mail us at
missions@esmi-mx.org to request a special set of dates. Price and basic program
format will not change with customized trips unless otherwise negotiated.
Basic Schedule for all trips (youth, college/adult/family, medical/dental):
Training Phase: The first night, your team arrives in San Diego and takes a 12-
hour bus ride to The Lighthouse in San Ignacio. (We are working to set up an air
shuttle. More information as it becomes available.) Two or three days (depending
on trip dates) of training begin on the bus. You’ll stay in a camp-like atmosphere..
The training includes times of personal devotion, Biblical instruction (missions,
death to self, repentance), team time, worship, Spanish classes, cultural
preparation, and games. This intensive training phase is designed to draw your
group closer together and closer to God. We also train your group in things
specific to your outreach based on what the people feel they need (children's
programs, dramatic parables, you name it). This is a wonderful way to bridge the
cultural and language barrier while involving each person in the spreading of the
Gospel.
Outreach Phase: The outreach phase begins after we complete the three-day
training phase. Participants travel to a designated village, town or campo where we
spend the next three days. At times, we will stay the night. The outreach has a
“frontier” emphasis, which means that we often work with unreached people groups
that are very sensitive and may not be accustomed to outsiders. Many will have
never heard the Good News. The nature of the long-term work here is very
relational. We have found that the people in many areas are very suspicious and
that it is necessary to earn the right to minister.
As short-termers, our goal more than anything is to build relationships with the
people and to gain their trust. We come in to serve in the way the Mexican
nationals perceive is best, not in the way we want to or that we think is best. This
causes each outreach to vary, depending on whether we are working under
indigenous believers, Mexican national missionaries from outside, or village
authorities in a village with non-Christians or with the owners of a farm campo.
Ministry may consist of any of the following: working in the fields or homes of host
families, medical/dental clinics, children’s programs, going door-to-door, sports
ministry, and/or showing videos. We also schedule times for personal devotions,
intercession, team meetings, and worship. The living conditions are rustic, as we
may be living with host families, sleeping on concrete or dirt floors, and using
outhouses. At the conclusion of the outreach, we return to The Lighthouse in San
Ignacio. That evening, we enjoy a special meal and have a time of testimonies.
Debriefing Day: The day after outreach is a fun day at the beach in Baja. We
spend the day reflecting on what the Lord has shown us and how we will best be
able to apply that to our lives. The next morning, we’re back on the bus for a
wonderful ride back to San Diego. On the ride back, you will get to see the rustic
terrain of the Baja Peninsula.
Ministry Opportunities:
Your outreach may involve one or more of the following:
Work Days: At times, we do construction or other projects. These may be doing
community service projects for the local government or helping various churches
and Christian organizations in the area. Most of the projects will be hands-on
manual labor designed for unskilled workers such as painting, weeding crops,
mixing cement, etc. Our service is a labor of love that encourages Christians and
shows Jesus to non-Christians.
Medical/Dental Clinics: If your team has medical or dental personnel, a good deal
of your outreach may be dedicated to providing free clinics. You will spend some
time during training getting some cultural tips and Spanish from our staff that is
specific to medical personnel. Once on the outreach phase of the trip, we invite
people to a home or a government building where we provide medical or dental
consultation/treatment, and we provide medication as needed. Most of the areas
we work with have very limited (if any) access to medical and dental care, so we are
almost always very well received when we provide clinics.
Evangelism: Evangelism in BCS is often a slow process that first requires gaining
the trust of the people. Many factors play into what evangelistic method(s) we use
on a given outreach, such as the openness of a certain area, our relationship with
the people, and the amount of follow-up that will be able to take place. Anything we
do will be almost exclusively under the leadership of Mexican nationals. These
methods may include going door-to-door in a town to share Jesus’ love, showing an
evangelistic movie, or demonstrating Jesus’ love through relational evangelism as
we hang out with and get to know the people.
Other Activities: Because we are going in to serve, we go in asking what the people
feel will most benefit them. They may ask us to perform any number of different
service activities. Maybe they would like us to do programs for kids. Maybe they
would like us to visit elderly people in the town and pray for them. Maybe they
would like us to spend lots of time with other Christians encouraging them by the
relationships we build. The key is that we let the locals decide what will be done,
not the other way around.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Age: Due to its intensity, this program is designed for those of high school age and
older, though we do welcome those of younger ages who are participating with their
parents. College students and adults are more than welcome on our trips with the
understanding that the training phase is especially geared toward young adults and
that the outreach phase will be physically strenuous. Please note that men and
women sleep in separate dorms, including married couples.
Group Size: We are able to accommodate groups of many different sizes.
Minimum group size is 5 people. Your group may be merged with another group for
the outreach phase, regardless of its size. If your team has more than fifteen
people, you may be split into two or more groups for the outreach phase in order to
go to two or more different locations, though every effort is made to keep your
entire group together if possible. Groups smaller than 5 should have each
participant register as an individual mission trip applicant, which can be done by
using the Application Form.
Travel Plans: All groups are responsible for finding their own transportation from
their hometown to San Ignacio, BCS, Mexico and back. If you choose to fly to
Loreto, BCS (LTO), three airlines fly daily: Alaska, Delta and Aero Mexico. We will
pick you up at the airport as soon after your arrival as possible. In some cases,
due to the 31/2-hour distance we live from the Loreto airport, we are not able to
pick you up until around 10pm the day you arrive, regardless of the time your flight
arrives. In such cases, your team may have to wait at the airport for a while.
Likewise, on your departure day, we may have to take you to the airport by 11am
regardless of the time of your departure.
Another option is to fly to San Diego, CA, where we will arrange to meet your team
at the airport. Our staff member will accompany your team through San Diego and
across the border into Tijuana where they will assist with customs and obtaining
your visas. From there, we will take a 12-hour bus ride down the Baja Peninsula to
San Ignacio. The time on the bus will be used as one of the days of training.
Special note: Southwest airlines seems to be the least expensive for flights to San
Diego.
Arrival and Departure Information: Make sure you arrive in San Diego (airport code
SAN) the day before the first day of your session and depart from San Diego the
day following the last day of your session. Traveling on dates other than those
given in this manual may cause your team to incur extra expenses (hotel, food,
transportation, etc.). As soon as you have your flight info, please submit it to us
at: missions@esmi-mx.org
Trip Fees: Fees for Baja Adventures mission trips are as follows:
Registration Fee: (due upon your group’s acceptance) $30 per person
Deposit Fee: (due 90 days before arrival) $50 per person
Program and Transportation Fees: (due 30 days before arrival) $270 per person
Total: $350 per person
Payment: All funds should be sent to our U.S. (Santa Ana) office to avoid
international mailing problems and to ensure safety. Please include a note that
says “Baja Adventures” and your group’s name with all payments. Checks are
payable to El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales and should be sent to the
following address:
El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales
Attn: Baja Adventures
P.O. Box 28111
Santa Ana, CA 92799
Group Additions/Subtractions: If you need to add to or subtract from the number
of participants you originally told us were coming with your group, please let us
know immediately. For adding team members, trip slots are made available on a
first-come, first-served basis. We will be happy to let you add members to your
team as long as there are still spots available in the session you are signed up for.
For subtracting team members, the Cancellations and Refunds policy will be
applied for each individual being subtracted.
Cancellations and Refunds: The $30/person registration fees are non-refundable
for canceling team members. All deposit fees are completely refundable until 60
days before your trip, at which point they become 50% refundable for canceling
team members. Deposit fees are non-refundable within 30 days of your group’s
arrival in BCS. The $270/person Program and Transportation fees are fully
refundable until 30 days before your arrival, 50% refundable until 15 days before
arrival, and non-refundable within 15 days of your team’s arrival in BCS. A 10%
late fee will be assessed on all program fee balances received more than 7 days
after their due date. No exceptions, please.
What Are The Registration and Deposit Fees For? The $30/person registration
fee holds your requested dates until 90 days before your arrival, at which time your
deposit is due. The $50 deposit fee locks in your group’s spot for the dates you
specified. We also use these deposit fees to begin paying for the supplies that
your group will need for their outreach. Special Note: Your $30/person registration
fees only hold your spot for the dates you request until 90 days before your
arrival. Within 90 days of your arrival in BCS, your spot is not held until we have
received a $30 registration fee and a $50 deposit for each member of your group.
If the deposit fee is not received on time, a group on the waiting list may replace
your group.
What Do Program Fees Cover? The $270/person program fees include all of your
food and housing during the training phase and help pay for training materials,
printing costs and other supplies. They also cover food and housing on
outreaches as well as helping pay for outreach supplies (kids program supplies,
gifts, construction materials, literature, etc.). We provide the organization,
planning, training, translators, and hosts during the program and outreach. All you
have to do is come, learn, and serve! Furthermore, program fees help to cover
expenses for vehicles (bus and van rentals, gas, insurance, maintenance). All your
transportation from the time you reach the Lighthouse in San Ignacio until you
depart is included in this fee. Each team is responsible for making its own travel
arrangements into and out of San Ignacio, BCS. Special Note: If your team arrives
or departs on days other than the first and last days of your Baja Adventures
session, you may incur extra expenses such as transportation, food, hotel, etc.
Also note that a 10% late fee will be assessed on all $270/person program fees
received more than 7 days after their due date.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Step 1:
Complete the Baja Adventures Group Application form and send the information to
us at our Email missions@esmi-mx.org. We will send an e-mail to the address
given on your Baja Adventures Group Application verifying that we can host your
team during the dates requested on your form. Attached to this e-mail will be a
training manual to help you get your team spiritually and culturally prepared for
outreach. Feel free to copy any part of this manual in which the trip participants or
their parents may be interested. We strongly recommend setting up a series of pre-
trip training meetings for your team during which you can go through the materials
provided.
Once we have accepted you for the dates requested on your application form…
Step 2:
…mail your $30/person registration fees to our regional (Santa Ana) office. Make
checks payable to El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales (ESMI), and be sure to
include a note with your check saying “Baja Adventures,” your group’s name, and
“registration fees.” This will reserve the dates your group requested until 90 days
before your arrival at which point your $50/person deposit is required to continue
holding your team’s spot. Note that registration fees are non-refundable for
canceling team members.
Step 3:
Mail your $50/person deposit to our Santa Ana office. This deposit needs to be
received by us at least 90 days before your group’s arrival in San Ignacio, BCS.
Failure to submit your deposit on time may result in your team’s spots being given
away to someone on the waiting list. Note: Remember to include a note that says
“Baja Adventures,” your group’s name, and “group deposit” with your check, which
will be payable to El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales.
Step 4:
Submit the Group List and Group Arrival/Departure Information using our email:
missions@esmi-mx.org. This information is due 30 days before your arrival in BCS.
Step 5:
Mail the remaining $270/person balance of your Baja Adventures program fees to
our Santa Ana office. The balance of your fees must be received by us at least 30
days before your group’s arrival in San Ignacio, BCS. Any fees received more then
7 days past the due date will be assessed an extra 10% late fee and may also
result in your team’s spots being given away to someone on the waiting list. No
exceptions, please. Note: Remember to include a note that says “Baja
Adventures,” your group’s name, and “balance of program fees” with your check,
which will be payable to El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales.
Step 6:
Please have every member of your team (or a parent/guardian if team member is
under 18 years old) completely fill out the Waiver of Liability found in the Training
Manual. All your team’s waiver forms are due at least 3 weeks before your arrival
in San Ignacio, BCS.
WHAT TO BRING
What To Bring: We recommend that everything you bring be able to fit into one
medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on bag. (Each member needs a backpack or
a small bag for outreach.) Your sleeping bag can be carried separately. An
alternative suggestion is to bring one large suitcase and one carry-on and to place
your sleeping bag in the large suitcase. Do not bring anything that you cannot
carry yourself. The key is to pack light.
General Packing List:
• sleeping bag
• small pillow
• Nalgene-style or other large water bottle
• Bible, pen, and notebook/journal
• personal toiletries
• towel and washcloth
• jacket or sweatshirt—it may get cool, even in the summer!
On the outreach:
• 1 set of work clothes (for painting, weeding, construction, etc.)
• 1 set of casual clothes for guys
(nice jeans, shirts without many graphics or logos)
• 1 below-knee or ankle-length skirt or dress for girls
• 1 slip for girls if your skirt/dress is at all see-through
• 1 shirt/blouse for girls (loose-fitting and modest—
no tank tops, sleeveless, halter tops, cut-offs, or spaghetti straps)
• socks and closed-toed shoes
At the Lighthouse:
• Bring enough T-shirts and jeans for the training phase
(Long shorts are okay for wear at the Lighthouse).
• Please have a conservative swimsuit for our time on the beach.
Also Recommended:
• bug spray
• flashlight
• sunscreen and hat
• battery-operated alarm clock
• shower shoes
• ear plugs—every group has a snorer!
Cultural Sensitivity:
Male Team Members:
Female Team Members:
Attitude is the most important thing. We have many rules concerning dress
because team members’ clothes have been brought to our attention by Mexicans
several times. We are already strangers here. We want to do as much as possible
to keep peoples’ eyes off us and on Jesus.
CULTURAL ORIENTATION
Perhaps the most important thing to realize as a team in Mexico is that you are
guests in a foreign country. You are the ones who do things that seem quite
different. In fact, many things that are thought innocent or normal at home are
quite offensive in Mexico and may hinder people from hearing the message of
salvation. It is critical that we be careful of the impression we create as
representatives of Christ. An excellent tip we gleaned from Mack and Leeann’s
Guide to Short-Term Missions is asking the Prior Question of Trust (PQT) in any
and all cross-cultural settings. It goes something like this: “Is what I’m thinking,
saying, or doing in this situation building or undermining trust?” Use this question,
along with the cultural guidelines we have developed, and you will do just fine
culturally.
That said, the following suggestions are offered to help you understand the people
of Mexico and to help you have a positive experience while on outreach. The
general guidelines assist in developing a mindset of cultural sensitivity, while the
practical guidelines give more detailed rules to follow while traveling in Mexico.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR RELATING TO THE MEXICAN PEOPLE:
PRACTICAL TIPS AND GUIDELINES FOR RELATING TO THE
MEXICAN PEOPLE:
SUMMARY
Recognizing the impossibility of defining an absolute set of guidelines that would
sufficiently cover every conceivable situation, ESMI staff goes with each team. Part
of the staff's responsibility is to advise team members as to what is or is not
culturally appropriate in a given situation. Insensitive or irresponsible behavior has
a detrimental effect on the long-term ministry here in BCS and could offend and
hurt the very people that your team came to serve. Teams who come in and adapt
to the culture and love the people, however, have done much to further the work of
the Gospel among the people groups of Baja. The importance of this material
cannot be stressed enough, as many times it will determine how well the Mexican
people respond to our message.
MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
Medical Requirements: We have no requirements along the lines of shots or other
precautionary medical measures; however, we do recommend that each participant
is up to date on his/her shots and is in good health before arriving in Mexico.
Tetanus shots are a particularly good idea if your team will be involved in
construction. Hepatitis B vaccinations are a good idea also, but be aware that they
are a series of shots that must be started a while before leaving on the trip. We
must have a release of liability from every participant upon arrival. Please have a
hard copy of each release, to be kept by the group leader. It is also very important
to bring any consents or releases that your home church may require.
Medical Emergencies: There are hospitals and private clinics in the area. The
facilities in Baja are safe and provide quality health care. Staff is trained in first
aid. We have staff who can help with minor injuries and problems, and there are
other doctors and nurses in the area as well. In case of an emergency during
outreach, the participant will be brought into a city to be treated.
Medical Insurance: You must bring a copy (front and back) of each participant's
medical insurance card on the trip. This will help with payment information in case
of an emergency. Participants may want to check their policies for international
coverage information. For participants whose insurance policies provide little or no
international coverage, it is a good idea to get a short-term international travel
policy. These usually charge a per-day premium, sometimes have a choice of
deductibles, and often cover medical evacuation to the U.S. in case of an extreme
emergency. If you would like information on companies that can provide such a
policy, please feel free to contact us.
Border Crossing and Documentation:
To get your FMT (tourist visa), you are required to show EITHER a valid passport
OR a photo ID (driver’s license, state-issued, or military) and a birth certificate.
Birth certificates must be either an original (state-issued, not the hospital
certificate) or a state-issued official copy (a valid birth certificate will have the raised
or embossed county seal). The Government does NOT accept a notarized copy of
a birth certificate. All participants under 18 years of age should possess written
permission from both parents for their trip to Mexico under the team leader's
supervision. In the case of a minor participant with divorced parents, he/she must
have EITHER notarized written consent from both parents OR notarized written
consent from the parent with full legal custody and a notarized copy of the court
documentation giving that parent full custody. It is also recommended that each
leader carry a notarized statement, on church stationary, listing the names of all the
members in the group. It’s a good idea to make photocopies of everyone’s
documentation and keep them separate from the originals.
NOTE: The U.S. now requires passports for those flying into Mexico, and in early
2009, passports will also be required for those driving/walking across the border.
For your sanity, (I know, I have lead groups) we recommend requiring participants
to have passports rather than going the photo ID/birth certificate route.
Customs: Upon arrival in Mexico, you will have to pass through Customs. First,
you will have to show them your permission to be in the country (tourist visa).
Then, you will be asked to press a button in order to pass through Customs. If you
receive a green light, you may leave the Customs area without having your luggage
examined. If you receive a red light, you will be asked what you are bringing into
the country and then a luggage check will be made by one of the Customs
workers. These lights are completely random and not everyone in your group will
be checked. Please have every member in your group take this part of the trip
seriously and avoid joking around with each other or the security people. Do this
and you should have no problems.
If you choose to fly to Loreto: You will still need all of the information listed above
but you get your FMT tourist visa at the airport.
Customs: During your international flight, each member of your group will receive a
customs slip. This needs to be filled out completely and handed in at the arrival
destination. Each person should have "nothing to declare." Upon arrival in BCS,
you will have to pass through Customs. First, you will have to show them your
permission to be in the country (tourist visa). Then, you will be asked to press a
button in order to pass through Customs. If you receive a green light, you may
leave the Customs area without having your luggage examined. If you receive a
red light, you will be asked what you are bringing into the country and then a
luggage check will be made by one of the Customs workers. These lights are
completely random and not everyone in your group will be checked. Please have
every member in your group take this part of the trip seriously and avoid joking
around with each other or the security people. Do this and you should have no
problems.
Non-U.S. Citizens Arrival and Departure: Policies are continually changing, so
please check with your nearest U.S. Consulate to make sure that you have the
correct documents to return to the States. Legal, resident, non-U.S. citizens may
encounter several problems if they have forgotten their green cards and/or other
important documents. Also check with the Mexican embassy regarding their current
requirements.
FMT Tourist Visa: Each person will then receive a copy of this document as
permission to be in the country. The group leader should collect all of these forms
and keep them in a safe place. Misplacement of these visas can result in a loss of
privilege to travel within Mexico and a fine upon departure. Important note: Please
indicate that you are a tourist on any documents or during any questioning you
may encounter. Do not mention any type of mission work as this could bring about
more hassle and possible questioning.
Other Travel Tips:
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION:
Schedule: The following are the typical training and outreach schedules that we will
be using. Hopefully, this will give you a better idea of how things will flow during
your trip. We follow a pretty rigid schedule during training and then are completely
at the discretion of the local church during outreach. Note that both are just
samples—all schedules are flexible and subject to change.
Example of daily training schedule:
8:00 Breakfast
8:45 Personal Devotions
9:30 Morning Session
12:30 Lunch
2:00 Cultural/Outreach Training
4:00 Spanish class
5:15 Dorm Clean-up Reports
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Team Meeting
7:30 Evening Session
11:00 Lights Out
Example of daily outreach schedule:
8:00 Personal Devotions
8:30 Serving
10:30 Breakfast
11:30 Serving
3:00 Lunch
4:00 Team Meeting
4:30 Church service, movie, community event, etc.
9:30 Dinner
Leadership Structure: During the training segment of our program, our staff takes
a very active and instructional role in the program. They will do the training and be
in charge of the dorms. When we head out on outreach, we send staff and
translators with your team wherever it goes. They have insight into the culture of
the area. We are responsible for getting your team to the ministry site and
coaching you in the set-up and flow of ministry, but you and your group will do the
work of the ministry. Our staff members will provide direction on cultural issues, but
they also recognize the leadership of the group leader and try to work with you in
the event that a discipline problem should arise.
Safety in Mexico: Mexico is a very safe place. We usually travel in large groups
that are accompanied by staff members who speak Spanish and who know the
people and the culture very well. We expect that all participants always be with
another person and receive permission from their group leader when they want to
leave the main group.
Water and Food in Mexico: All the water we drink is either bottled or purified and is
fine for drinking. During training we will be eating a mixture of quality American and
Mexican food. All packaged foods and drinks from the local stores are also safe.
For cultural reasons, while we are on outreach we will be eating all of the food that
the people offer us (see Cultural Orientation). This rule is strictly enforced, except
for medical reasons. We will give more information on what and how to eat and
drink during our orientation and cultural training.
Home Emergencies: If there is an emergency at home, we have a phone that can
be used for those purposes only. The phone number is 011-52-615-0223 or our
US number is 714-881-1065. The cell phone number is 760-780-2555. We are
also on e-mail at: georgemcclure@cten.org or info@esmi-mx.org
Phone Communication: Upon arrival, we allow you to make one call to your church
or to someone who can let family members, etc. know that your team made it here
safely. International calls are quite expensive, so our phone should not be used for
personal calls.
Housing: We will be living in a dorm situation during the training phase. Please
notify any married couples that they will be bunking in separate rooms due to space
constraints. During the outreach phase, when we stay overnight, we usually sleep
with host families or at a church or government building (on floors), so your group
should bring sleeping bags and air mattresses.
Laundry: Please come with enough clothes to last the entire length of the
outreach, as our tight schedule does not permit any time for doing laundry.
Spending Money: No individual should need more than US $100-200 spending
money. There will be opportunities to buy snacks and food as well as a shopping
day to buy gifts and souvenirs.
Give-Away Funds: Your group may want to bring extra money to give to needy
churches or people in the area. Please work through us if you choose to give
money, as there are a variety of cultural and other considerations.
BAJA ADVENTURES RULES:
Thank you for your interest in our Baja Adventures short-term missions program
here in San Ignacio, Baja California Sur (BCS). We would love to have you and
your group come be a part of the wonderful things that God is doing at our facility
and among the unreached people groups of BCS!
The purpose of our Baja Adventures program is to allow you to get a taste of
frontier mission work—sharing Jesus with people groups that are still unreached
with the Gospel. Our trips offer a life-changing experience where you will have the
opportunity to serve the Lord and to reach the Mexican people for Jesus. It is an
awesome chance for your group to be challenged in your faith as you share the
Good News with those who have never heard!
Our Baja Adventures puts participants in a fun, high-energy camp-like
atmosphere. They go through a two- or three-day training period followed by a
four-day outreach. Throughout their time in BCS, the group will be focusing on
personal spiritual growth and relationship evangelism. It is a wonderful time for
your group to draw closer together and closer to the Lord.
In the past, we have hosted a large number and wide variety of teams from all over
North America. God has used these teams to open many doors and pave the way
for the work that is now being done in many of the towns and campos here.
We work hard to make your trip easy by offering a “full service” mission
experience. We provide the training, outreach supplies, food, housing, scheduling,
and staff. We take care of the logistics so that your group can come, learn, serve,
and receive without having to worry about the planning.
God is raising up a powerful army to do the work that He has commanded us to do.
We want your group to be a part of what He is doing in the world! We hope that
you find the enclosed information helpful. If you have any further questions about
our facility or about this program, please feel free to call or write any time.
The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, so consider joining us for a short-
term missions experience that you will never forget as you help fulfill the Great
Commission!
Serving a loving Lord,
George & Jeri McClure
Directors ESMI
The Lighthouse in San Ignacio
INTRODUCTION TO EL SEMBRADOR
MINISTERIOS INTERNACIONALES
El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales (ESMI) is an international Christian
missions organization hosting foreign short-term mission trips for youth, college,
adult, and medical/dental teams. Our missionary training center and Bible school
focus on church planting and discipleship of indigenous unreached and displaced
people groups in BCS, Mexico, and throughout the world.
Mexico has over 155 different people groups, at least 35 of which are still
considered unreached with the Gospel. George and Jeri McClure, founders of
ESMI, are seven-year missionary veterans focusing on the unreached and
displaced people groups of Baja. In the fall of 2008, ESMI will have its first full-time
student group working in BCS.
Our strategy in reaching the unreached people groups is relational evangelism.
Building relationships with the Mexican people and gaining their trust is a slow
process. We find that open doors to share the Gospel come most readily when we
have been able to serve in some way, such as in teaching English, doing work
projects, and, more than anything, spending time building relationships. As we
travel through Baja, we strive to adapt to the culture as much as possible—staying
with the people, eating their food, doing work the way they do it, etc. We ultimately
want to raise up spiritual leaders from within the people groups we minister to,
which means that we let Mexican nationals take the lead wherever possible. We
come to serve them, and servants never set their own agenda based on what they
think should be done.
Short-term teams play a key role in our strategy. The work and programs they do,
do much to open doors for and support the long-term work here. Often, we find
that as much trust is developed in a group during a four-day outreach with a short-
term mission team as is developed in months of ministry by our full-time staff.
BAJA ADVENTURES STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
We want to use our short-term mission trips to help support the work that our long-
term missionaries are doing. Many of the villages, campos and towns in BCS are
very closed to the Gospel. Often, a missionary has to earn the right to minister in a
certain area. We have seen that if you can minister to the physical needs of the
people, they are much more open to hearing about their spiritual needs.
Construction projects, medical/dental clinics, and children's programs can be a
great asset to the long-term work of missionaries and help open doors for further
ministry, but prayer and relationships are always the most important thing.
We also want to instill a vision in each participant and church to have more of a
global perspective and to be involved in long-term missions. We believe that all
Christians are called to play a role in fulfilling the Great Commission, whether by
praying, supporting mission work financially, and/or going. We strive to provide a
cross-cultural experience where each participant will be able to take a serious look
at his/her life and consider the call to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
BAJA ADVENTURES PROGRAM INFORMATION
Dates: See Calendar
Customized Trips: At certain times of the year outside of the sessions listed on the
calendar page, we are able to receive mission trip teams. E-mail us at
missions@esmi-mx.org to request a special set of dates. Price and basic program
format will not change with customized trips unless otherwise negotiated.
Basic Schedule for all trips (youth, college/adult/family, medical/dental):
Training Phase: The first night, your team arrives in San Diego and takes a 12-
hour bus ride to The Lighthouse in San Ignacio. (We are working to set up an air
shuttle. More information as it becomes available.) Two or three days (depending
on trip dates) of training begin on the bus. You’ll stay in a camp-like atmosphere..
The training includes times of personal devotion, Biblical instruction (missions,
death to self, repentance), team time, worship, Spanish classes, cultural
preparation, and games. This intensive training phase is designed to draw your
group closer together and closer to God. We also train your group in things
specific to your outreach based on what the people feel they need (children's
programs, dramatic parables, you name it). This is a wonderful way to bridge the
cultural and language barrier while involving each person in the spreading of the
Gospel.
Outreach Phase: The outreach phase begins after we complete the three-day
training phase. Participants travel to a designated village, town or campo where we
spend the next three days. At times, we will stay the night. The outreach has a
“frontier” emphasis, which means that we often work with unreached people groups
that are very sensitive and may not be accustomed to outsiders. Many will have
never heard the Good News. The nature of the long-term work here is very
relational. We have found that the people in many areas are very suspicious and
that it is necessary to earn the right to minister.
As short-termers, our goal more than anything is to build relationships with the
people and to gain their trust. We come in to serve in the way the Mexican
nationals perceive is best, not in the way we want to or that we think is best. This
causes each outreach to vary, depending on whether we are working under
indigenous believers, Mexican national missionaries from outside, or village
authorities in a village with non-Christians or with the owners of a farm campo.
Ministry may consist of any of the following: working in the fields or homes of host
families, medical/dental clinics, children’s programs, going door-to-door, sports
ministry, and/or showing videos. We also schedule times for personal devotions,
intercession, team meetings, and worship. The living conditions are rustic, as we
may be living with host families, sleeping on concrete or dirt floors, and using
outhouses. At the conclusion of the outreach, we return to The Lighthouse in San
Ignacio. That evening, we enjoy a special meal and have a time of testimonies.
Debriefing Day: The day after outreach is a fun day at the beach in Baja. We
spend the day reflecting on what the Lord has shown us and how we will best be
able to apply that to our lives. The next morning, we’re back on the bus for a
wonderful ride back to San Diego. On the ride back, you will get to see the rustic
terrain of the Baja Peninsula.
Ministry Opportunities:
Your outreach may involve one or more of the following:
Work Days: At times, we do construction or other projects. These may be doing
community service projects for the local government or helping various churches
and Christian organizations in the area. Most of the projects will be hands-on
manual labor designed for unskilled workers such as painting, weeding crops,
mixing cement, etc. Our service is a labor of love that encourages Christians and
shows Jesus to non-Christians.
Medical/Dental Clinics: If your team has medical or dental personnel, a good deal
of your outreach may be dedicated to providing free clinics. You will spend some
time during training getting some cultural tips and Spanish from our staff that is
specific to medical personnel. Once on the outreach phase of the trip, we invite
people to a home or a government building where we provide medical or dental
consultation/treatment, and we provide medication as needed. Most of the areas
we work with have very limited (if any) access to medical and dental care, so we are
almost always very well received when we provide clinics.
Evangelism: Evangelism in BCS is often a slow process that first requires gaining
the trust of the people. Many factors play into what evangelistic method(s) we use
on a given outreach, such as the openness of a certain area, our relationship with
the people, and the amount of follow-up that will be able to take place. Anything we
do will be almost exclusively under the leadership of Mexican nationals. These
methods may include going door-to-door in a town to share Jesus’ love, showing an
evangelistic movie, or demonstrating Jesus’ love through relational evangelism as
we hang out with and get to know the people.
Other Activities: Because we are going in to serve, we go in asking what the people
feel will most benefit them. They may ask us to perform any number of different
service activities. Maybe they would like us to do programs for kids. Maybe they
would like us to visit elderly people in the town and pray for them. Maybe they
would like us to spend lots of time with other Christians encouraging them by the
relationships we build. The key is that we let the locals decide what will be done,
not the other way around.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Age: Due to its intensity, this program is designed for those of high school age and
older, though we do welcome those of younger ages who are participating with their
parents. College students and adults are more than welcome on our trips with the
understanding that the training phase is especially geared toward young adults and
that the outreach phase will be physically strenuous. Please note that men and
women sleep in separate dorms, including married couples.
Group Size: We are able to accommodate groups of many different sizes.
Minimum group size is 5 people. Your group may be merged with another group for
the outreach phase, regardless of its size. If your team has more than fifteen
people, you may be split into two or more groups for the outreach phase in order to
go to two or more different locations, though every effort is made to keep your
entire group together if possible. Groups smaller than 5 should have each
participant register as an individual mission trip applicant, which can be done by
using the Application Form.
Travel Plans: All groups are responsible for finding their own transportation from
their hometown to San Ignacio, BCS, Mexico and back. If you choose to fly to
Loreto, BCS (LTO), three airlines fly daily: Alaska, Delta and Aero Mexico. We will
pick you up at the airport as soon after your arrival as possible. In some cases,
due to the 31/2-hour distance we live from the Loreto airport, we are not able to
pick you up until around 10pm the day you arrive, regardless of the time your flight
arrives. In such cases, your team may have to wait at the airport for a while.
Likewise, on your departure day, we may have to take you to the airport by 11am
regardless of the time of your departure.
Another option is to fly to San Diego, CA, where we will arrange to meet your team
at the airport. Our staff member will accompany your team through San Diego and
across the border into Tijuana where they will assist with customs and obtaining
your visas. From there, we will take a 12-hour bus ride down the Baja Peninsula to
San Ignacio. The time on the bus will be used as one of the days of training.
Special note: Southwest airlines seems to be the least expensive for flights to San
Diego.
Arrival and Departure Information: Make sure you arrive in San Diego (airport code
SAN) the day before the first day of your session and depart from San Diego the
day following the last day of your session. Traveling on dates other than those
given in this manual may cause your team to incur extra expenses (hotel, food,
transportation, etc.). As soon as you have your flight info, please submit it to us
at: missions@esmi-mx.org
Trip Fees: Fees for Baja Adventures mission trips are as follows:
Registration Fee: (due upon your group’s acceptance) $30 per person
Deposit Fee: (due 90 days before arrival) $50 per person
Program and Transportation Fees: (due 30 days before arrival) $270 per person
Total: $350 per person
Payment: All funds should be sent to our U.S. (Santa Ana) office to avoid
international mailing problems and to ensure safety. Please include a note that
says “Baja Adventures” and your group’s name with all payments. Checks are
payable to El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales and should be sent to the
following address:
El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales
Attn: Baja Adventures
P.O. Box 28111
Santa Ana, CA 92799
Group Additions/Subtractions: If you need to add to or subtract from the number
of participants you originally told us were coming with your group, please let us
know immediately. For adding team members, trip slots are made available on a
first-come, first-served basis. We will be happy to let you add members to your
team as long as there are still spots available in the session you are signed up for.
For subtracting team members, the Cancellations and Refunds policy will be
applied for each individual being subtracted.
Cancellations and Refunds: The $30/person registration fees are non-refundable
for canceling team members. All deposit fees are completely refundable until 60
days before your trip, at which point they become 50% refundable for canceling
team members. Deposit fees are non-refundable within 30 days of your group’s
arrival in BCS. The $270/person Program and Transportation fees are fully
refundable until 30 days before your arrival, 50% refundable until 15 days before
arrival, and non-refundable within 15 days of your team’s arrival in BCS. A 10%
late fee will be assessed on all program fee balances received more than 7 days
after their due date. No exceptions, please.
What Are The Registration and Deposit Fees For? The $30/person registration
fee holds your requested dates until 90 days before your arrival, at which time your
deposit is due. The $50 deposit fee locks in your group’s spot for the dates you
specified. We also use these deposit fees to begin paying for the supplies that
your group will need for their outreach. Special Note: Your $30/person registration
fees only hold your spot for the dates you request until 90 days before your
arrival. Within 90 days of your arrival in BCS, your spot is not held until we have
received a $30 registration fee and a $50 deposit for each member of your group.
If the deposit fee is not received on time, a group on the waiting list may replace
your group.
What Do Program Fees Cover? The $270/person program fees include all of your
food and housing during the training phase and help pay for training materials,
printing costs and other supplies. They also cover food and housing on
outreaches as well as helping pay for outreach supplies (kids program supplies,
gifts, construction materials, literature, etc.). We provide the organization,
planning, training, translators, and hosts during the program and outreach. All you
have to do is come, learn, and serve! Furthermore, program fees help to cover
expenses for vehicles (bus and van rentals, gas, insurance, maintenance). All your
transportation from the time you reach the Lighthouse in San Ignacio until you
depart is included in this fee. Each team is responsible for making its own travel
arrangements into and out of San Ignacio, BCS. Special Note: If your team arrives
or departs on days other than the first and last days of your Baja Adventures
session, you may incur extra expenses such as transportation, food, hotel, etc.
Also note that a 10% late fee will be assessed on all $270/person program fees
received more than 7 days after their due date.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Step 1:
Complete the Baja Adventures Group Application form and send the information to
us at our Email missions@esmi-mx.org. We will send an e-mail to the address
given on your Baja Adventures Group Application verifying that we can host your
team during the dates requested on your form. Attached to this e-mail will be a
training manual to help you get your team spiritually and culturally prepared for
outreach. Feel free to copy any part of this manual in which the trip participants or
their parents may be interested. We strongly recommend setting up a series of pre-
trip training meetings for your team during which you can go through the materials
provided.
Once we have accepted you for the dates requested on your application form…
Step 2:
…mail your $30/person registration fees to our regional (Santa Ana) office. Make
checks payable to El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales (ESMI), and be sure to
include a note with your check saying “Baja Adventures,” your group’s name, and
“registration fees.” This will reserve the dates your group requested until 90 days
before your arrival at which point your $50/person deposit is required to continue
holding your team’s spot. Note that registration fees are non-refundable for
canceling team members.
Step 3:
Mail your $50/person deposit to our Santa Ana office. This deposit needs to be
received by us at least 90 days before your group’s arrival in San Ignacio, BCS.
Failure to submit your deposit on time may result in your team’s spots being given
away to someone on the waiting list. Note: Remember to include a note that says
“Baja Adventures,” your group’s name, and “group deposit” with your check, which
will be payable to El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales.
Step 4:
Submit the Group List and Group Arrival/Departure Information using our email:
missions@esmi-mx.org. This information is due 30 days before your arrival in BCS.
Step 5:
Mail the remaining $270/person balance of your Baja Adventures program fees to
our Santa Ana office. The balance of your fees must be received by us at least 30
days before your group’s arrival in San Ignacio, BCS. Any fees received more then
7 days past the due date will be assessed an extra 10% late fee and may also
result in your team’s spots being given away to someone on the waiting list. No
exceptions, please. Note: Remember to include a note that says “Baja
Adventures,” your group’s name, and “balance of program fees” with your check,
which will be payable to El Sembrador Ministerios Internacionales.
Step 6:
Please have every member of your team (or a parent/guardian if team member is
under 18 years old) completely fill out the Waiver of Liability found in the Training
Manual. All your team’s waiver forms are due at least 3 weeks before your arrival
in San Ignacio, BCS.
WHAT TO BRING
What To Bring: We recommend that everything you bring be able to fit into one
medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on bag. (Each member needs a backpack or
a small bag for outreach.) Your sleeping bag can be carried separately. An
alternative suggestion is to bring one large suitcase and one carry-on and to place
your sleeping bag in the large suitcase. Do not bring anything that you cannot
carry yourself. The key is to pack light.
General Packing List:
• sleeping bag
• small pillow
• Nalgene-style or other large water bottle
• Bible, pen, and notebook/journal
• personal toiletries
• towel and washcloth
• jacket or sweatshirt—it may get cool, even in the summer!
On the outreach:
• 1 set of work clothes (for painting, weeding, construction, etc.)
• 1 set of casual clothes for guys
(nice jeans, shirts without many graphics or logos)
• 1 below-knee or ankle-length skirt or dress for girls
• 1 slip for girls if your skirt/dress is at all see-through
• 1 shirt/blouse for girls (loose-fitting and modest—
no tank tops, sleeveless, halter tops, cut-offs, or spaghetti straps)
• socks and closed-toed shoes
At the Lighthouse:
• Bring enough T-shirts and jeans for the training phase
(Long shorts are okay for wear at the Lighthouse).
• Please have a conservative swimsuit for our time on the beach.
Also Recommended:
• bug spray
• flashlight
• sunscreen and hat
• battery-operated alarm clock
• shower shoes
• ear plugs—every group has a snorer!
Cultural Sensitivity:
- The following guidelines are for cultural sensitivity. We are not passing
judgment on the following dress items, but we know that these things can be
misunderstood by the Mexican people and be detrimental to the ministry.
Our goal here is to not cause our brothers and sisters to stumble and not to
hinder the long-term work of the Gospel in BCS.
Male Team Members:
- Concerning hair (including facial hair), please be well-groomed and do not
have dyed hair. - No jewelry, including hemp, may be worn during your trip (wedding bands are
fine). - Don’t wear fatigues, camouflage, bandanas, or anything that could be
associated with gangs or the military.
Female Team Members:
- Jewelry and makeup should be kept minimal on outreach.
- No cross jewelry can be worn, as it is associated with superstition in BCS
- Please ensure modesty—be conservative. We ask ladies not to have tight-
fitting clothes, low necklines or waistlines, exposed backs or midriffs, etc.
Attitude is the most important thing. We have many rules concerning dress
because team members’ clothes have been brought to our attention by Mexicans
several times. We are already strangers here. We want to do as much as possible
to keep peoples’ eyes off us and on Jesus.
CULTURAL ORIENTATION
Perhaps the most important thing to realize as a team in Mexico is that you are
guests in a foreign country. You are the ones who do things that seem quite
different. In fact, many things that are thought innocent or normal at home are
quite offensive in Mexico and may hinder people from hearing the message of
salvation. It is critical that we be careful of the impression we create as
representatives of Christ. An excellent tip we gleaned from Mack and Leeann’s
Guide to Short-Term Missions is asking the Prior Question of Trust (PQT) in any
and all cross-cultural settings. It goes something like this: “Is what I’m thinking,
saying, or doing in this situation building or undermining trust?” Use this question,
along with the cultural guidelines we have developed, and you will do just fine
culturally.
That said, the following suggestions are offered to help you understand the people
of Mexico and to help you have a positive experience while on outreach. The
general guidelines assist in developing a mindset of cultural sensitivity, while the
practical guidelines give more detailed rules to follow while traveling in Mexico.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR RELATING TO THE MEXICAN PEOPLE:
- Express curiosity about the Mexican way of life. Your questions indicate an
interest in their culture and the manner in which they do things. Make an
effort to learn some of the language along with other aspects of the culture.
- Look at all of your actions from the perspective of the people around you.
Many of our actions can be misinterpreted by others. Make sure that you
understand that others might perceive things differently (fake fighting, flirting,
etc.).
- Relationships are the most important thing in Mexico. Use your time to get to
know the people there. Step out of your comfort zone and try to
communicate. Mexicans love to talk about family, farming, their town and
their culture. It is very difficult for Americans to think of hanging out as
ministry, but relationship evangelism is much more important than any
program or work project we could do. Love the people you come to serve.
- Be flexible concerning time. Go with the flow of the culture and the ministry in
which you are involved. Do not count on sticking to a rigid schedule of
events or starting every program exactly on time. Be patient.
- Be a learner. If you’re not sure how to act in a situation, watch others. Are
the other people laughing? How loud is the level of conversation? Is
everyone else eating with their hands?
- The bottom line is: Keep an open mind. Many aspects of the Mexican
culture will interest, enchant, or puzzle you; recognize these differences and
accept them without passing judgment.
PRACTICAL TIPS AND GUIDELINES FOR RELATING TO THE
MEXICAN PEOPLE:
- Refrain from making too many comparisons between Mexico and home.
Comparisons that make Mexico seem inferior will eventually lead to
resentment. Avoid comments like, "That's not how to do that!" or "These are
much cheaper in the U.S." or "We could do this a lot faster at home.”
- Shake hands (gently) and greet everyone! In Mexico, you can offend a
person by not doing a simple thing such as shaking hands when you enter or
leave a room.
- Both male and female team members must not flirt with the opposite sex.
Avoid being alone with or talking at length with someone of the opposite sex
(even within your own team), as this can be misinterpreted.
- During our outreach, only one camera per group will be allowed. The
photographer must always ask a person if it is okay to take his/her picture.
Each team must also send us the doubles to give to the people.
- When offered something to eat, receive it and be grateful. Mexicans often
go to a lot of trouble to prepare tortillas, coffee, or an entire meal for us, and
it is very offensive if we do not enjoy it. Never give food to animals, throw it
away, or give it to other people.
- Guard your English conversation. Many of the people know a little bit of
English from being in the United States or from watching movies. Think
about how your conversations might sound to others, even if they can only
pick out a few words. Please don’t talk about body functions.
- Churches in many of the villages or towns are fairly legalistic. Refrain from
singing secular songs and dancing.
- Watch your body language. Be careful not to point or to show disapproval
with your facial expressions.
- Mexico’s culture is fairly male-dominated. Men, therefore, will often be
served first and be given the best seats at the table.
- Mexicans in town and villagers tend to be very modest. To avoid an
embarrassing situation, team members must only ever change clothes when
inside sleeping bags at night or in an outhouse. Walking around in boxers,
pajamas, without a shirt, etc. would be offensive.
- Team members should never buy and/or consume food or drinks without
offering them to every person present. For example, if you want to buy a
Coke, you buy one for every person you are with.
SUMMARY
Recognizing the impossibility of defining an absolute set of guidelines that would
sufficiently cover every conceivable situation, ESMI staff goes with each team. Part
of the staff's responsibility is to advise team members as to what is or is not
culturally appropriate in a given situation. Insensitive or irresponsible behavior has
a detrimental effect on the long-term ministry here in BCS and could offend and
hurt the very people that your team came to serve. Teams who come in and adapt
to the culture and love the people, however, have done much to further the work of
the Gospel among the people groups of Baja. The importance of this material
cannot be stressed enough, as many times it will determine how well the Mexican
people respond to our message.
MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
Medical Requirements: We have no requirements along the lines of shots or other
precautionary medical measures; however, we do recommend that each participant
is up to date on his/her shots and is in good health before arriving in Mexico.
Tetanus shots are a particularly good idea if your team will be involved in
construction. Hepatitis B vaccinations are a good idea also, but be aware that they
are a series of shots that must be started a while before leaving on the trip. We
must have a release of liability from every participant upon arrival. Please have a
hard copy of each release, to be kept by the group leader. It is also very important
to bring any consents or releases that your home church may require.
Medical Emergencies: There are hospitals and private clinics in the area. The
facilities in Baja are safe and provide quality health care. Staff is trained in first
aid. We have staff who can help with minor injuries and problems, and there are
other doctors and nurses in the area as well. In case of an emergency during
outreach, the participant will be brought into a city to be treated.
Medical Insurance: You must bring a copy (front and back) of each participant's
medical insurance card on the trip. This will help with payment information in case
of an emergency. Participants may want to check their policies for international
coverage information. For participants whose insurance policies provide little or no
international coverage, it is a good idea to get a short-term international travel
policy. These usually charge a per-day premium, sometimes have a choice of
deductibles, and often cover medical evacuation to the U.S. in case of an extreme
emergency. If you would like information on companies that can provide such a
policy, please feel free to contact us.
Border Crossing and Documentation:
To get your FMT (tourist visa), you are required to show EITHER a valid passport
OR a photo ID (driver’s license, state-issued, or military) and a birth certificate.
Birth certificates must be either an original (state-issued, not the hospital
certificate) or a state-issued official copy (a valid birth certificate will have the raised
or embossed county seal). The Government does NOT accept a notarized copy of
a birth certificate. All participants under 18 years of age should possess written
permission from both parents for their trip to Mexico under the team leader's
supervision. In the case of a minor participant with divorced parents, he/she must
have EITHER notarized written consent from both parents OR notarized written
consent from the parent with full legal custody and a notarized copy of the court
documentation giving that parent full custody. It is also recommended that each
leader carry a notarized statement, on church stationary, listing the names of all the
members in the group. It’s a good idea to make photocopies of everyone’s
documentation and keep them separate from the originals.
NOTE: The U.S. now requires passports for those flying into Mexico, and in early
2009, passports will also be required for those driving/walking across the border.
For your sanity, (I know, I have lead groups) we recommend requiring participants
to have passports rather than going the photo ID/birth certificate route.
Customs: Upon arrival in Mexico, you will have to pass through Customs. First,
you will have to show them your permission to be in the country (tourist visa).
Then, you will be asked to press a button in order to pass through Customs. If you
receive a green light, you may leave the Customs area without having your luggage
examined. If you receive a red light, you will be asked what you are bringing into
the country and then a luggage check will be made by one of the Customs
workers. These lights are completely random and not everyone in your group will
be checked. Please have every member in your group take this part of the trip
seriously and avoid joking around with each other or the security people. Do this
and you should have no problems.
If you choose to fly to Loreto: You will still need all of the information listed above
but you get your FMT tourist visa at the airport.
Customs: During your international flight, each member of your group will receive a
customs slip. This needs to be filled out completely and handed in at the arrival
destination. Each person should have "nothing to declare." Upon arrival in BCS,
you will have to pass through Customs. First, you will have to show them your
permission to be in the country (tourist visa). Then, you will be asked to press a
button in order to pass through Customs. If you receive a green light, you may
leave the Customs area without having your luggage examined. If you receive a
red light, you will be asked what you are bringing into the country and then a
luggage check will be made by one of the Customs workers. These lights are
completely random and not everyone in your group will be checked. Please have
every member in your group take this part of the trip seriously and avoid joking
around with each other or the security people. Do this and you should have no
problems.
Non-U.S. Citizens Arrival and Departure: Policies are continually changing, so
please check with your nearest U.S. Consulate to make sure that you have the
correct documents to return to the States. Legal, resident, non-U.S. citizens may
encounter several problems if they have forgotten their green cards and/or other
important documents. Also check with the Mexican embassy regarding their current
requirements.
FMT Tourist Visa: Each person will then receive a copy of this document as
permission to be in the country. The group leader should collect all of these forms
and keep them in a safe place. Misplacement of these visas can result in a loss of
privilege to travel within Mexico and a fine upon departure. Important note: Please
indicate that you are a tourist on any documents or during any questioning you
may encounter. Do not mention any type of mission work as this could bring about
more hassle and possible questioning.
Other Travel Tips:
- Tying strips of cloth or pieces of yarn of the same color on everyone’s
luggage makes baggage claim a lot easier. - Having everyone on your team wear the same T-shirt on travel days is
helpful for keeping the group together, especially if you're flying into San
Diego and taking the bus down. - Consider wearing clothes on your trip that you can leave behind at the end.
We donate the clothes to those who can use them, and it leaves you with
space in your luggage for gifts/souvenirs when you go home. - Take advantage of down time in airports to pray for your trip, review
guidelines and cultural tips, etc. Don’t let everyone get out of servant mode
and into tourist mode before you even arrive or on the way home.
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION:
Schedule: The following are the typical training and outreach schedules that we will
be using. Hopefully, this will give you a better idea of how things will flow during
your trip. We follow a pretty rigid schedule during training and then are completely
at the discretion of the local church during outreach. Note that both are just
samples—all schedules are flexible and subject to change.
Example of daily training schedule:
8:00 Breakfast
8:45 Personal Devotions
9:30 Morning Session
12:30 Lunch
2:00 Cultural/Outreach Training
4:00 Spanish class
5:15 Dorm Clean-up Reports
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Team Meeting
7:30 Evening Session
11:00 Lights Out
Example of daily outreach schedule:
8:00 Personal Devotions
8:30 Serving
10:30 Breakfast
11:30 Serving
3:00 Lunch
4:00 Team Meeting
4:30 Church service, movie, community event, etc.
9:30 Dinner
Leadership Structure: During the training segment of our program, our staff takes
a very active and instructional role in the program. They will do the training and be
in charge of the dorms. When we head out on outreach, we send staff and
translators with your team wherever it goes. They have insight into the culture of
the area. We are responsible for getting your team to the ministry site and
coaching you in the set-up and flow of ministry, but you and your group will do the
work of the ministry. Our staff members will provide direction on cultural issues, but
they also recognize the leadership of the group leader and try to work with you in
the event that a discipline problem should arise.
Safety in Mexico: Mexico is a very safe place. We usually travel in large groups
that are accompanied by staff members who speak Spanish and who know the
people and the culture very well. We expect that all participants always be with
another person and receive permission from their group leader when they want to
leave the main group.
Water and Food in Mexico: All the water we drink is either bottled or purified and is
fine for drinking. During training we will be eating a mixture of quality American and
Mexican food. All packaged foods and drinks from the local stores are also safe.
For cultural reasons, while we are on outreach we will be eating all of the food that
the people offer us (see Cultural Orientation). This rule is strictly enforced, except
for medical reasons. We will give more information on what and how to eat and
drink during our orientation and cultural training.
Home Emergencies: If there is an emergency at home, we have a phone that can
be used for those purposes only. The phone number is 011-52-615-0223 or our
US number is 714-881-1065. The cell phone number is 760-780-2555. We are
also on e-mail at: georgemcclure@cten.org or info@esmi-mx.org
Phone Communication: Upon arrival, we allow you to make one call to your church
or to someone who can let family members, etc. know that your team made it here
safely. International calls are quite expensive, so our phone should not be used for
personal calls.
Housing: We will be living in a dorm situation during the training phase. Please
notify any married couples that they will be bunking in separate rooms due to space
constraints. During the outreach phase, when we stay overnight, we usually sleep
with host families or at a church or government building (on floors), so your group
should bring sleeping bags and air mattresses.
Laundry: Please come with enough clothes to last the entire length of the
outreach, as our tight schedule does not permit any time for doing laundry.
Spending Money: No individual should need more than US $100-200 spending
money. There will be opportunities to buy snacks and food as well as a shopping
day to buy gifts and souvenirs.
Give-Away Funds: Your group may want to bring extra money to give to needy
churches or people in the area. Please work through us if you choose to give
money, as there are a variety of cultural and other considerations.
BAJA ADVENTURES RULES:
- Please refrain from using drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products; it’s not a good
witness to the Mexican people. - Please clean the dorms and bathroom daily.
- Do not throw toilet paper in the toilet. This is an old house and the plumbing
won’t take the paper. - Drink bottled water only, and use it to brush your teeth.
- Keep all food and drinks out of the dorms or we will have visitors. (Guess
who they sleep with!) - No Personal Media Devices. We’re here to interact with people.
- Name tags should be worn at all times during training. This is a great help to
the staff in getting to know you better. - No guys in the girls’ dorm and no girls in the guys’ dorm. Let’s respect each
other. - No public displays of affection (PDA) – please save it until you get home.
- Always stay with the group unless you have at least one other person with
you and a leader’s permission to leave. We need to know where you are so
you don’t miss out.. - Please ask to use the instruments, sound equipment, TV, stereo, or VCR.
- Showers must be kept to five minutes of running water.
- In everything you do and everywhere you go, remember that you are the
Gospel and a witness of our Lord Jesus Christ! In other words, please
respect store owners, bus drivers, water boys, etc.
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