Demographics

Just across the Rio Grande River from El Paso, Texas is the city of Juarez, Mexico. Located in Mexico’s State of Chihuahua, the city’s estimated population is 1.5 million. Together, the sister cities of El Paso and Juarez—connected by multiple bridges—are home to over 2 million people, making it one of the largest international border communities on earth. In addition to being a tourist attraction, primarily for its inexpensive shopping, Juarez has increasingly become a growing industrial center with over 300 factories and assembly plants. Unfortunately, much of Juarez’s industrial success comes at the expense of its low-wage workers. The factories, called “maquiladoras,” pay approximately $40-55 for a 48-hour work week. This is nearly a starvation wage when living expenses along the border are nearly what they are in the U.S. While 37 percent of Mexicans live in poverty, that number is likely much higher in Juarez, where most family homes are 10-by-15-feet tiny shacks made from wooden pallets covered with cardboard. Despite the poverty, the residents of Juarez are kind and welcoming to visitors. Come to Juarez and be blessed by the hard-working, resilient residents of this border town.

About the Ministry

We focus on two primary areas of ministry: children and home improvement. Our work with children consists of a hands-on afternoon program led by your youth, known as Kids Club. Kids Club offers high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Along with Kids Club, your group will have an opportunity to take part in one or more of the many aspects of a basic home building project, which brings real hope and opportunity to share the love of Christ. With poverty so prevalent, the need for simple housing is great. Participants will do two days of work projects, and two days of ministry with children, so that everyone has an opportunity to do both. Work projects in Mexico are different from our other mission sites because the work is extremely labor intensive; but with proper direction and supervision, all the projects are within the capabilities of youth. Adult leaders will separate youth into ministry groups, and the youth in your group will be mixed with the youth from other groups for their week of service.

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: go on a hike; take a tour of the local community; worship at a local church; and attend a community night in the park. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or transportation. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided.

Ministry Week

Kids' Club and work projects, which can include building or repairing homes

Mileage

We will meet at the Econo Lodge on Montana Avenue in El Paso, TX, which is located five minutes from the airport.

Transportation & Travel

Each person in your group will need a valid passport to cross the border. For more information, visit www.travel.state.gov. Groups are responsible for transportation to El Paso. Transportation across the border and for all site travel is provided by YouthWorks.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in Texas and surrounding areas before or after your trip, check out the following Web sites: www.discovertexas.org, www.elpasocvb.com and www.newmexico.org. You may also call 1.800.88.88.TEX for tourism information about Texas.