Learn more about the families we will be helping this summer.
2024 Tijuana Ministry Trip – July 6-13, 2024
With the organization, Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASICS), we will travel to Maria Inmaculada Parish in the La Morita area on the outskirts of Tijuana, about 20 miles from the US border to build homes for four families in need. For questions contact Joan Mibach here or visit the BASICS website here. In 2023, we built homes for three families in need and the families were so very grateful. The St. Simon team left their mark of God’s love that will have a multigenerational impact on the families forever.
Since 2005, BASICS (Brothers and Sisters in Community Service) and the Tijuana Ministry have been providing an immersion experience to build homes for families in dire need and minister to women, children and teens in Tijuana’s La Morita area. For questions contact Joan Mibach here or visit the BASICS website here.
Meet the families we will be building homes for …
Family # 1: Manuel Antonio Guzman and Maria de los Angeles Mundo Hernandez have 3 children 16, 14, and 12. They are currently living with their parents and grandparents, and it is very crowded. The bare lot that they own is on the outskirts of the El Nino area. The area is fairly undeveloped and the lot currently has no utilities or water services. This is a hard working family and building a home for them would greatly improve their living conditions.
Family #2: Naomi and Juan Camacho Salazar were born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. We were touched by the love of the family members for one another. Juan and Naomi have 4 children 10, 5, 3 and 1 year old. They took in Naomi’s three siblings, 17, 9 and 7 years old when their mother abandoned them. Their tiny 2-bedroom home was very neat, but had few possessions. They have several leaks in the roof including over a bed. They need to be hooked up to the sewer and the electric pole but have not been able to afford it.
Family #3: Eduardo and wife Maria Guadalupe are living with neighboring family after their house burned down when their neighbor’s house caught fire and jumped to their home. Both homes were destroyed in the ensuing blaze. They escaped with only their lives, clothes & pets. Maria and Eduardo’s household includes their daughter, Brenda, 28, and their two grandchildren Jeremy, age 8 and Alyson age 4. They are grateful to live with their ex-daughter-in-law in a separate property behind where their home used to be. She wants to sell her home this summer; meaning that Eduardo & Maria Guadalupe will be forced to find new space to live. Building a home for the family this summer would assure that would have a safe, comfortable home to move into.
Family #4: Alma Valenzuela has 3 children, Aaron 18, Angel, 14, and daughter Laura, 13. Also living in the home are Alma and her mother, and two nieces Amayca 9, and Chebi 8 which is a total of 7 people. They live in a quickly put-up shack. Access to the house is by ladder, down a cliff. BASICS Organization would pay for this house to be built by local construction workers due to the location of this property.
Reflection by Joan Mibach on the Tijuana Mission Trip July 2023
I am often asked why I travel each summer to be a part of the BASICS Tijuana Ministry mission trip. Why would I want to spend my vacation where it is often hot, where water and electricity is intermittent, where schedules call for long days with little sleep, and the need for service never seems to end. The answer to the why question for me is simple. The people are the reason I go, both those who travel with us as missionaries, and the people of Tijuana whom we serve. Read more here
Photo Link
Here is a link to just a few of the many, many pictures of our 2023 mission trip. We hope to see many of you with us next summer! God bless.
Joan Mibach
Construction
The Tijuana construction projects include building houses for families in desperate need. These families are selected by the parish of St. Eugenio in Tijuana. Houses are 16″ x 32″ and include 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a living area.
Mother’s Program
The mother’s program is aimed at building relationships and community. Many of the families in this Tijuana parish are from diverse places, and may not know each other well. The mother’s program was developed to help build a sense of community among the mothers. In addition to craft projects, the mother’s program also provid some lessons on hygiene, nutrition, finance, relationships and catechism.
Children’s Programs
The children’s program in centered on providing children in the area with safe, fun activities, as well as some educational content and catechism. We also provid the children with a snack each day, and some donated toys at the end of the week. Typically over 200 children attend this week long camp.
Teen’s Programs
This programs is provided for local teens who spend much of their day tending to their younger siblings as their parents work. We provide activities and teach craft ideas that the families can sell at the local outdoor markets.
Social Justice
As part of the Social Justice ministry, our mission group attempts to learn about local conditions and interact and gain understanding of the local residents. As part of this, we visite various sites like the memorial at the US/Mexican Border, and Casa del Migrante, a homeless shelter for migrants and recently deported men. We also attend mass with the community and host discussions with local families.
For More Information
For more information, please contact Joan Mibach here or visit the BASICS website here.
Join us for a trip that changes lives and communities…including ours!
In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God. God was present from the beginning. Through God all things come into being and apart from God nothing came into being.
From the Gospel of John, 1: 1-2