Amor House-building FAQs
Do I need a valid passport?
Yes. Check out US State Dept. for further details. A valid passport is required at time of travel.
Why must I pay? A registration cost is required by Amor Ministry to cover building supplies, fund its ministry and support the staff. The cost also includes our food and travel expenses (fuel and mission insurance). It seems weird that participants must pay for the building supplies and labor, but the reality is that families in need of the homes have no money to fund this expense and Amor does not generate any profit.
*Anyone who registers but drops out 10 days or less before the trip must pay $45 of the cost to cover "administrative fees".
What might I learn or experience on the trip? You’ll have a mission experience by satisfying a family’s need—a home. They receive the love of Christ through you! You’ll learn to use your body to honor God. Romans 12:1 comes to life, “…to present your bodies as living and holy sacrifices…” You’ll learn how to work with others and experience teamwork, give and receive encouragement, and see fellowship in a different light.
What exactly will we do? We will build one, two or three phases of a home:
A) Laying Concrete Foundation—The Slab. This is leveling and preparing the area for which the house will be built, establishing the floor’s borders, and finally, mixing and pouring cement.
B) Framing. Lumber is delivered and we erect the frame and roof. This requires measuring, cutting and nailing.
The Exterior Walls. Wrapping the house with roofing paper and chicken wire, and then mixing and placing stucco onto the walls to make the “skin”.
Under what cultural guidelines will we be working?
We will not have any power tools. The power to cut wood or nail lumber will come from our hand, arms, legs, backs, and God’s strength. Power tools are not allowed because it does not foster involvement and teamwork, and they disconnect us from the cultural norm. All participants must wear long pants at the worksite.
How will we travel?
We will get there by private car, van SUV and/or pickup truck. We have to have enough space for people, food, camping equipment and tools.
How do we live?
We’ll being living outdoors in tents. It’s a camping experience with typically three to a tent.
How do we bathe?
Shower buildings are available for use for “showering.” Showering is done by plunging a two-gallon water container into a drum of water, hanging it on a rafter, and opening the spout. Tada! Shower! (Some people choose not to shower but wipe themselves down.)
How will we eat?
We take advantage of the catering service provided by La Cocina. La Cocina ("The Kitchen") is a small business, composed of local residents, to provide and serve meals exclusively for Amor volunteers. We get authentic Mexican food. The cost of the meals is included in the registration fee.
Am I qualified?
Expect physical work. If you’re willing, we’ll train you as we go. If strenuous physical work, outdoor living and/or grave allergies might exacerbate existing health issues, then refrain from participating.
Is it safe to travel and work in Mexico?
All Amor Ministry groups are kept very safe from local or drug-related violence. Amor Ministry works with families, neighborhood pastors, local police and government officials to obtain real-time information on crime and violence. If any of the groups listed above sense that volunteer might be in jeopardy, trips would be immediately cancelled or postponed. They recognize Amor provides long-term support, and they do not want to risk this vital assistance to local communities.
A complete description of safety protocols supplied by Amor can be found at http://Amor.org/safety.
Additional details for this trip can be found at Amor.org. Further questions can be answered by Min. John Chow and past participants.
See you in Mexico!
Yes. Check out US State Dept. for further details. A valid passport is required at time of travel.
Why must I pay? A registration cost is required by Amor Ministry to cover building supplies, fund its ministry and support the staff. The cost also includes our food and travel expenses (fuel and mission insurance). It seems weird that participants must pay for the building supplies and labor, but the reality is that families in need of the homes have no money to fund this expense and Amor does not generate any profit.
*Anyone who registers but drops out 10 days or less before the trip must pay $45 of the cost to cover "administrative fees".
What might I learn or experience on the trip? You’ll have a mission experience by satisfying a family’s need—a home. They receive the love of Christ through you! You’ll learn to use your body to honor God. Romans 12:1 comes to life, “…to present your bodies as living and holy sacrifices…” You’ll learn how to work with others and experience teamwork, give and receive encouragement, and see fellowship in a different light.
A) Laying Concrete Foundation—The Slab. This is leveling and preparing the area for which the house will be built, establishing the floor’s borders, and finally, mixing and pouring cement.
B) Framing. Lumber is delivered and we erect the frame and roof. This requires measuring, cutting and nailing.
The Exterior Walls. Wrapping the house with roofing paper and chicken wire, and then mixing and placing stucco onto the walls to make the “skin”.
We will not have any power tools. The power to cut wood or nail lumber will come from our hand, arms, legs, backs, and God’s strength. Power tools are not allowed because it does not foster involvement and teamwork, and they disconnect us from the cultural norm. All participants must wear long pants at the worksite.
How will we travel?
We will get there by private car, van SUV and/or pickup truck. We have to have enough space for people, food, camping equipment and tools.
We’ll being living outdoors in tents. It’s a camping experience with typically three to a tent.
How do we bathe?
Shower buildings are available for use for “showering.” Showering is done by plunging a two-gallon water container into a drum of water, hanging it on a rafter, and opening the spout. Tada! Shower! (Some people choose not to shower but wipe themselves down.)
We take advantage of the catering service provided by La Cocina. La Cocina ("The Kitchen") is a small business, composed of local residents, to provide and serve meals exclusively for Amor volunteers. We get authentic Mexican food. The cost of the meals is included in the registration fee.
Am I qualified?
Expect physical work. If you’re willing, we’ll train you as we go. If strenuous physical work, outdoor living and/or grave allergies might exacerbate existing health issues, then refrain from participating.
All Amor Ministry groups are kept very safe from local or drug-related violence. Amor Ministry works with families, neighborhood pastors, local police and government officials to obtain real-time information on crime and violence. If any of the groups listed above sense that volunteer might be in jeopardy, trips would be immediately cancelled or postponed. They recognize Amor provides long-term support, and they do not want to risk this vital assistance to local communities.
A complete description of safety protocols supplied by Amor can be found at http://Amor.org/safety.
Additional details for this trip can be found at Amor.org. Further questions can be answered by Min. John Chow and past participants.
See you in Mexico!
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