BAJA BUILDERS
S Building homes, building relationships, building faith… BUILDING houses. We are serving families in the poorest areas of Tijuana by providing our time, our hearts, and funding to build homes for people who would never imagine being able to own a clean and well-built home. BUILDING relationships, not only with the families that we serve, but also between the people that participate. BUILDING faith. As we serve others, our faith is fortified.
ABOUT US Our building activities are coordinated through a Christian organization named Baja Vision Ministries, which is led by Pastor Sergio Gomez. Sergio has been in Tijuana for more than 40 years and has dedicated himself to serving orphans and the impoverished in Mexico. He has started numerous orphanages, senior homes, shelters for battered women and has formed a great infrastructure for building and donating houses for Tijuana residents who simply cannot afford to purchase a home.
Sergio Gomez
How are the families chosen? As Sergio spends time serving in the TJ community, he identifies families in need. Sergio consistently has a long waiting list for families in need of clean, well built housing. The families must own the land or be in the process of purchasing the land where the house will be built.
Where do we stay? What are the accommodations? We stay at Sergio’s property where he has built bunk house accommodations or at a local bible college. Sergio lives outside of the main city of Tijuana and is away from the main highway. Bunks with foam pads are provided and are very adequate. Clean drinking water, toilets, and hot showers are available.
Is it safe to participate in the building events? Safety is a key consideration in our trips. Traveling to Tijuana as well as working on a construction site has inherent dangers. We utilize two way radios to ensure adequate communication when we travel in caravan across the border. Sergio’s bunk house is away from the main part of Tijuana and he has not experienced any safety issues or stolen items with the hundreds of groups that have stayed with him. We stay together as a group traveling to and from the job site. We ensure that a local Baja Vision representative is with us at all time when traveling to the site There are typically an equal number of adults and youth to ensure adequate supervision. (Job site safety is reviewed in detail prior to starting construction)
Do I have to have experience building? No! The building of the house requires many different tasks ranging from simple too complicated. The only pre-requisite is a willing heart and a desire to learn.
Itinerary
A VALID PASSPORT IS REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL INTO AND OUT OF MEXICO. Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Leave Crossroads in caravan at 6:30 am Pick up air travelers at San Diego at 3:30 pm Cross Mexican border around 4:00 pm Arrive at Rancho Solo at 4:15 pm, unpack Catered dinner 6:30 pm Construction and safety reviews 7:30 pm
Arise at 6:45 am - Continental breakfast Leave for job site at 7:30 am Arrive at job site and start work 8:00 am Construct main frame, siding, and start roof Depart job site between 4:30 and 5:00 pm Arrive back at Rancho Solo 5:30 pm
Arise 6:45 am – Continental breakfast Leave for job site at 7:30 am Finish house by 4:00 pm
Arise 5:00 am Pack and ready to go at 5:30 am Return to Crossroads 4:30 pm
COST How much does it cost? $350 covers everything except 4 meals on the road: $100 for camp, transportation, food, etc. PLUS: $250 for building materials. (Note: if you pay your own way, this is tax deductible) We strongly encourage everyone to raise support; these donations are tax deductible but CANNOT have student’s name written on them. Please see the attached example of a support letter with donation slip. Please make checks payable to:
Crossroads Church ATTN: 2017 MEXICO MISSION TRIP 41386 Fremont Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538 …Again, donations are tax deductible.
MEXICO: "WHAT TO BRING" LIST MOTTO: Travel very LIGHT! A servant's heart Passport Sleeping bag Pillow Twin sheet Small Duffel Bag Sturdy work boots or shoes Two changes of work clothes Hat Small Bath towel and wash cloth Bath soap Flashlight Toiletries: Toothbrush, comb, brush, shampoo, etc Plastic coffee mug (you know, the one you have in your car) Personal medical supplies Rain Gear Anti-bacterial soap / wipes (Worksite washing) Clean rags (1 or 2) for washing in the field Sun block/lotion/chapstick Spending money for food during transit (~$35) TOOLS - Be sure to put your name on your tools Hammer - good quality (Framing hammer if possible) 10' or 25' Tape Measurer (OPTIONAL) Wood Pencil (OPTIONAL)
S Sign Up & Medical Release Form YOU NEED A VALID US PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM MEXICO Name_________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ Home Phone ___________________________Work Phone ______________________ Cell Phone _____________________________Email ___________________________ Emergency contact, daytime location (city) and daytime phone number: Name _________________________________Phone ___________________________ Name _________________________________Phone ___________________________ List any known allergies to medicine: ______________________________________ List any known food allergies (list foods): ___________________________________ **Date of Last Tetanus shot________________________________________________ Are you or your children presently taking medication such as insulin, sedative, tranquilizer, anti-convulsant? _________If yes, explain ________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Do you or your children have a significant health problem (heart disease, diabetes, convulsive disorder, allergies, or asthma) explain: ___________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Please indicate any medical allergies, problems or needs we should be aware of in case of an emergency?___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Medical Insurance Co. _______________________ Policy # ____________________ Medical Insurance Co Phone _________________ I hereby agree to participate in the Baja Builders Mexico Mission trip as dated above and be transported in a van. In the event I cannot make medical decisions for myself and emergency contacts cannot be made, I hereby grant my permission to the physician or dentist selected by the trip leaders to provide any medical or surgical attention as deemed necessary. I hereby release and hold harmless Baja Builders, Valley Bible Church and its leaders from all liability, and for all actions and claims that I may now or hereafter have for damage or injury to me or my property. Signature (adult or parent/guardian) __________________________________________________ Date ___________________
ABOUT US Our building activities are coordinated through a Christian organization named Baja Vision Ministries, which is led by Pastor Sergio Gomez. Sergio has been in Tijuana for more than 40 years and has dedicated himself to serving orphans and the impoverished in Mexico. He has started numerous orphanages, senior homes, shelters for battered women and has formed a great infrastructure for building and donating houses for Tijuana residents who simply cannot afford to purchase a home.
Sergio Gomez
How are the families chosen? As Sergio spends time serving in the TJ community, he identifies families in need. Sergio consistently has a long waiting list for families in need of clean, well built housing. The families must own the land or be in the process of purchasing the land where the house will be built.
Where do we stay? What are the accommodations? We stay at Sergio’s property where he has built bunk house accommodations or at a local bible college. Sergio lives outside of the main city of Tijuana and is away from the main highway. Bunks with foam pads are provided and are very adequate. Clean drinking water, toilets, and hot showers are available.
Is it safe to participate in the building events? Safety is a key consideration in our trips. Traveling to Tijuana as well as working on a construction site has inherent dangers. We utilize two way radios to ensure adequate communication when we travel in caravan across the border. Sergio’s bunk house is away from the main part of Tijuana and he has not experienced any safety issues or stolen items with the hundreds of groups that have stayed with him. We stay together as a group traveling to and from the job site. We ensure that a local Baja Vision representative is with us at all time when traveling to the site There are typically an equal number of adults and youth to ensure adequate supervision. (Job site safety is reviewed in detail prior to starting construction)
Do I have to have experience building? No! The building of the house requires many different tasks ranging from simple too complicated. The only pre-requisite is a willing heart and a desire to learn.
Itinerary
A VALID PASSPORT IS REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL INTO AND OUT OF MEXICO. Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Leave Crossroads in caravan at 6:30 am Pick up air travelers at San Diego at 3:30 pm Cross Mexican border around 4:00 pm Arrive at Rancho Solo at 4:15 pm, unpack Catered dinner 6:30 pm Construction and safety reviews 7:30 pm
Arise at 6:45 am - Continental breakfast Leave for job site at 7:30 am Arrive at job site and start work 8:00 am Construct main frame, siding, and start roof Depart job site between 4:30 and 5:00 pm Arrive back at Rancho Solo 5:30 pm
Arise 6:45 am – Continental breakfast Leave for job site at 7:30 am Finish house by 4:00 pm
Arise 5:00 am Pack and ready to go at 5:30 am Return to Crossroads 4:30 pm
COST How much does it cost? $350 covers everything except 4 meals on the road: $100 for camp, transportation, food, etc. PLUS: $250 for building materials. (Note: if you pay your own way, this is tax deductible) We strongly encourage everyone to raise support; these donations are tax deductible but CANNOT have student’s name written on them. Please see the attached example of a support letter with donation slip. Please make checks payable to:
Crossroads Church ATTN: 2017 MEXICO MISSION TRIP 41386 Fremont Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538 …Again, donations are tax deductible.
MEXICO: "WHAT TO BRING" LIST MOTTO: Travel very LIGHT! A servant's heart Passport Sleeping bag Pillow Twin sheet Small Duffel Bag Sturdy work boots or shoes Two changes of work clothes Hat Small Bath towel and wash cloth Bath soap Flashlight Toiletries: Toothbrush, comb, brush, shampoo, etc Plastic coffee mug (you know, the one you have in your car) Personal medical supplies Rain Gear Anti-bacterial soap / wipes (Worksite washing) Clean rags (1 or 2) for washing in the field Sun block/lotion/chapstick Spending money for food during transit (~$35) TOOLS - Be sure to put your name on your tools Hammer - good quality (Framing hammer if possible) 10' or 25' Tape Measurer (OPTIONAL) Wood Pencil (OPTIONAL)
S Sign Up & Medical Release Form YOU NEED A VALID US PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM MEXICO Name_________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ Home Phone ___________________________Work Phone ______________________ Cell Phone _____________________________Email ___________________________ Emergency contact, daytime location (city) and daytime phone number: Name _________________________________Phone ___________________________ Name _________________________________Phone ___________________________ List any known allergies to medicine: ______________________________________ List any known food allergies (list foods): ___________________________________ **Date of Last Tetanus shot________________________________________________ Are you or your children presently taking medication such as insulin, sedative, tranquilizer, anti-convulsant? _________If yes, explain ________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Do you or your children have a significant health problem (heart disease, diabetes, convulsive disorder, allergies, or asthma) explain: ___________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Please indicate any medical allergies, problems or needs we should be aware of in case of an emergency?___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Medical Insurance Co. _______________________ Policy # ____________________ Medical Insurance Co Phone _________________ I hereby agree to participate in the Baja Builders Mexico Mission trip as dated above and be transported in a van. In the event I cannot make medical decisions for myself and emergency contacts cannot be made, I hereby grant my permission to the physician or dentist selected by the trip leaders to provide any medical or surgical attention as deemed necessary. I hereby release and hold harmless Baja Builders, Valley Bible Church and its leaders from all liability, and for all actions and claims that I may now or hereafter have for damage or injury to me or my property. Signature (adult or parent/guardian) __________________________________________________ Date ___________________
