Purpose: St. Innocent Orphanage is home to approximately 25 boys. The team’s first responsibility is to be role models for the boys; our second mission is Project Mexico. Project Mexico builds solid stucco homes with concrete floors for the poorest families in Tijuana, who would otherwise be living in cardboard and metal shacks. A trained supervisor, who teaches the group and manages the actual construction of the house, coordinates all work.

The socioeconomic conditions in the Tijuana area are extremely difficult. The impact of these conditions affect not only families, but the large numbers of orphans living in Tijuana. The pressure is so overwhelming on local orphanages that they are forced to let go of children who are as young as 12 and 13 years old. These children quickly fall victims to gangs, prostitution, and drugs. Without any intervention, they are destined to a life of destitute, crime, and prison — if not early death. St. Innocent Orthodox Orphanage receives these young boys and gives them quality education, teaches them vocational skills, and, most importantly, they are guided in the Christian life until they are young men.

Date of 2011 trip: July 12th – 18th

Location: Tijuana, Mexico

Travel: Fly to San Diego and drive across the border to Tijuana, Mexico.

Number of people for mission team: 1 – 30 people

Total cost: $1000

Requirements: You must be at least 14 years or older.

Daily activities: Morning prayers 7:00am (20 min.), breakfast (beans, rice, eggs), travel to work site and build the house, return to the ranch around 6:00pm. Before dinner play sports with the boys, dinner at 7:00pm, group activity at 8:00pm – 9:00pm, socialize after group activity, and lights out at 10:00pm.

Living accommodations: Tents or the stucco homes (11 X 22), air mattress, sleeping bag, bucket showers (no hot water), outside dinning tent.

Other opportunities: The following are activities that may or may not occur: swim in the Pacific Ocean, visit a Mexican bakery, visit Mexican taco stand.

Team leader: Joe Pavia.

Contact info: To learn more, please contact our Missions Coordinator for more information, or call the church office at 317-733-3033.

Website: Project Mexico