Background on 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!