Mexico
As followers of Christ one of our greatest callings is to love our neighbors. Through scripture we see that this doesn’t exclude those in our direct neighborhood, but that God’s call is for us to reach out and serve the poor where we are able to do so. Puerto Penasco, Mexico is where we as an organization have been planted by God to do that.
Where
Puerto Penasco, Mexico (Rocky Point)
With a population estimated around 50,000 people, Puerto Penasco is a far cry from the quaint fishing village it was just decades ago. With a beautiful ocean and close proximity to Arizona and California, the town grew quickly over the last 25 years and it’s major industry shifted from fishing to tourism. Unfortunately the towns local economy is very much connected to that of the U.S. and with the recession here, those living in Puerto Penasco have been hit very hard.
Unemployment is high and jobs are scarce. Even for those who find work, wages are low. In a recent conversation with a local manager of a restaurant, I learned that he earns roughly twenty u.s. dollars for a 15 hour work day. He works 7 days a week. If you do the math that’s $140 for a 105 hour work week. All to try and take care of his family that he seldom gets to see.
A high number of the residents in Puerto Penasco live in poverty. While most now do have basic utilities there is still a large number of people living without power, water and sewage.
The reality is stark, but the hope shines bright. Christ is doing a work in this town and its people. Local churches are working together and international nonprofit organizations are beginning to do a better job of working with each other and the church. The climate is shifting and we are blessed to be right in the middle of this work that God is doing in Puerto Penasco!
When
Love Walks travels to Puerto Penasco on a monthly basis staying from Friday through Sunday. The following are the scheduled trips for the rest of 2011. To sign up for a trip click here.
September 23-25
October 21-23
November 18-20
December 16-18
What
Currently our ministry is focused around three main programs:
Kids Ministry Working with local churches to build relationships with kids and share Christ in a positive way. This can involve performing skits, crafts, games, stories, activities etc. This time also usually includes feeding the children and their mothers.
Construction Working with the local church and local missionaries we identify families that are in need of help with their home. This can range in projects that involve building a house from the ground up all the way to repairing a roof or adding an additional room. The goal of this ministry is not only to provide for a physical need but also to build a relationship with the family and be a representation of the gospel.
Food Distribution Working with a local church and food bank to provide food for individuals and families who are in need.
Who
Our primary group of volunteers fall in the 18-25 age range. Though this is not a restriction as much as who we seek to work with. We have a wide range of age, nationality, background etc. of our volunteers. If you’d like to learn more about how you would fit into the ministry, please contact us to learn more.