Juarez and the surrounding towns.


And the King will reply,
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
Matthew 25:40

The City

Juarez is a city in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, located on the Rio Grande, across the U.S. border from El Paso, Texas. The city is located in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert, home to the Mexican vaquero (cowboy), in an area that possibly more city than the culture experienced in many locales that remain off the beaten path.

Juarez has been an area fraught with high crime, particularly in relation to the illegal drug trafficking trade. Its recent past included excessively high rates of murder and violent crimes, however Juarez has made significant improvements since 2011. Massive purges of corrupt officials prompted decisive actions by the federal government, resulting in imprisonment of high-level criminals accomplished by the Mexican army brought into the city.

It is believed that Juarez is safer now, possibly more so that some U.S. cities, although travels must be prudent in using common sense.

The experience of traveling to Juarez is certain to broaden your view of the world, outside of the United States. It is the hope of AeC Ministries that the experience instills a sense of oneness with all people, regardless of culture, affluency, or language. After all, we are all children of God.


The Culture and People

The city and people are rich in culture including places of worship; the Guadalupe Mission, the Cathedral, and the San Jose Church. The culture is experienced in the El Chamizal National Memorial and Park, Juarez History Museum, the Monument to Benito Juarez, the San Agustin Regional Museum and more.

The Mexican culture is rich with artisans, specifically abundant in pottery and textile weaving, weaving stories of life within the visual art forms. Visitors to Juarez may further enjoy the culture by partaking of the delicious foods, indigenous to the area at patio cafes that dot the streets. You will discover tacos using fresh tortillas, vegetables, and a choice of meats including beef, chicken, pork, and chorizo. The foods are as delightful as the culture is rich rustically authentic. You may find yourself sitting at a table next to a Juarez cowboy, hardworking, and humble. Shy smiles may be flashed by the children as they look at tourists not understanding that life is different for others.

As you meet the families served by AeC Ministries, we are certain that you will experience a humble yet genuine attitude of warmth and eagerness to learn, and experience more that life has offered to the locals, thus far.


If you have time to volunteer, we welcome you to contact us to arrange for either your family or a missionary group to join us, working in Juarez in the name of Christ. If you are not able to journey to Juarez, we humbly ask for your donation in support of our continued efforts.


SUPPORT AEC MINISTRIES


Mission Trip Volunteer Form

Passport and Travel Information
Spanish Speaking Abilities
Emergency Contact Information


Over the last decade, Amigos en Cristo Ministries has truly experienced God’s grace over the many mission trips undertaken in Juarez, Mexico. Over this period, there have been no serious injuries or threats to our well-being, and that can only be because of God’s grace in protecting us and answering the faithful prayers of the people who support the many ministry activities of Amigos en Cristo. Although we pray for God’s continued mercies, we also take all prudent actions and precautions to ensure that we are doing everything we can reasonably do to minimize risks and to develop advance plans to deal with medical and situational emergencies.

No security plan can anticipate every eventuality or preclude the possibility of illness, injury, or risks to safety. However, regular adherence to the following rules is essential to maximize the safety of everyone serving as short-term missionaries for Amigos en Cristo:

  1. Prior to each short-term mission trip, an appropriate number of Team Leaders will be designated based on the number of trip participants. There should be enough Team leaders to ensure that at least one leader is always present at every work site being served on that trip.
  2. Each Team Leader will give regular direction over the work being performed at the work site, and will ensure adherence to this security plan by all trip participants.
  3. Team Leaders will be familiar with the Anapra area of Juarez and be capable of driving Team vehicles without assistance to and from the Amistad and New Beginnings Community Centers, and the Frank Amorosi Art Center. Team Leaders will also be able to drive without assistance if necessary to the Santa Teresa port of entry, and either the Bridge of the Americas (“free bridge”) or the Pasa Del Norte (“pay bridge”) port of entry to the United States.
  4. Team Leaders will always have a cellular telephone with them, pre-programmed with the telephone numbers of all other Team Leaders on that trip and the U.S. telephone numbers of the above-listed ports of entry.
  5. No trip participant will leave the La Paz Missions Center or the Amistad and New Beginnings Community Centers unless a Team Leader accompanies them.
  6. Whenever possible, AeC vehicles will travel together, obeying all traffic control devices and being operated in a manner which will not attract unnecessary attention. Trip participants will ride inside the passenger compartments of vehicles and not in the open beds of pick-up trucks.
  7. Whenever possible, AeC vehicles will operate only in daylight.
  8. Alcohol and tobacco products are not to be used on any of the Amigos en Cristo properties.

More important than any set of rules we can devise is our faith in God’s protection. We believe that God has been faithful to protect past mission trips to Juarez, and that He will continue to bless our work if we faithfully trust in Him. Working in Juarez has some inherent risks, but we believe God calls us to serve His people in all parts of the World, not just in those places which are pleasant and safe. We are committed to the work that has been started in Juarez, and to taking all precautions which are prudent and advisable. 

Cost for each trip is $850 (this includes your food, lodging and materials for the week) plus the cost of airfare (which can be from $400-$600.00).  Children 12 and under, the fee is $550 for the week.  AeC is happy to book your flight for you so that you can travel with the group that you will be serving with (Springfield, IL folks).


Payment

Checks should be made out to Amigos en Cristo Ministries 2-4 weeks prior to the trip.  Write "Trip” in the Memo line so that these funds go towards your trip.  Please send checks to: AeC Ministries, P.O. Box 1225, Springfield, IL 62705

Some things that you may or may not think of!
  • Passport
  • Chap stick, eye drops, nose spray (It’s the desert!)
  • Sunscreen – we are in the high desert and the sun is much stronger
  • Hand lotion
  • Bandana
  • Hat 
  • Flip flops to walk back and forth to the bathroom at night
  • Towel – wash cloth
  • Toiletries
  • Earplugs
  • Medicine - prescription, aspirin, misc.
  • Phone charger
  • Work gloves if you are planning on helping with construction. Bring two pair in case one gets lost.
  • Work shoes if you are planning on doing construction. The sand is hot and full of thorns so you will want something more than sandals.
  • Work clothes for painting or construction

Tools – Some of us will be doing construction, maintenance, or painting in the mornings and have other projects (with kids, etc.) in the afternoons.

  • Hammer
  • Tool belt
  • Tape measure
  • Carpenters pencil
  • Tools needed for construction will be hammer, tape measure, tool belt, carpenter’s pencil. For painting: paint brush & paint scraper. 

The temperature high, in the summer, should be around 100 during the day and get down to the 70s in the evening. There usually is a nice breeze and low humidity.  You can check the Internet before we leave to get an up to date forecast. If you’re doing construction work most of it will be done outside. Dress accordingly. The locals wear long pants and long sleeves. Suggested wear is shorts and a t-shirt. If you’re working in construction you will at least want to wear tennis shoes if not work boots.

Sleeping conditions:

We are set in a dorm like setting. The bathrooms each have 3 showers, three toilets and sinks. Each room has bunk beds. It would be great if the younger people could take the top bunk.
 
Depending on how hot the temperature is during the week the construction team may start at 6:00 a.m. break for lunch and a siesta before going back to work. The key is to drink plenty of water or Gatorade. Water is best.

  • Breakfast will be offered each morning.
  • Lunch will be whatever the students are eating and served in the community center where you are working.
  • Dinner most nights will be at one of our community centers. The meal will be a variety of homemade Mexican food. There will also be a salad.  

Your cell phones will work there but it is important to make sure that they are not on a Mexican tower as rates are expensive.

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© Amigos en Cristo (Friends in Christ) 2020, all rights reservedAmigos en Cristo (Friends in Christ) is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organizationP.O. Box 1225
Springfield, IL 62705-1225
julie@aecministries.org