MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT
(This will apply to a group working with us for two or more days.) but it will be real helpful for those of you spending the day with us.)

All groups working with us want to have a successful and meaningful time serving across the border in Mexico. As one of these groups you will invest, time and money with the bottom line being a desire to return home with the very best experience possible. Be assured we are dedicated to the same goal. We are here to help you have a good and impacting short term missionary experience. We would encourage you as leader, group and sending agency to put every effort into seeing that your trip is a success. You can be assured that we will match you in this effort.

Remember we are simply guides, Spectrum does not have the time, personnel or equipment to provide a package program.

In over twenty years of working with hundreds of American groups we have some helpful advice for making your trip a success. Please read the following over and over until you really believe it. No sense in duplicating the mistakes of many groups that involve themselves overseas in short term missions. It is said that smart people learn from their mistakes and that wise people learn from the mistakes of others and that dumb people ... well, we wont go into that. Lets just say we hope you will be wise.

What causes so many failures in short term missions projects? The answer is failure. Failures in four very important areas, that of (1) agenda, (2) attitude (3) culture and (4) preparation.

1. Agenda: There are all kinds of agendas bringing kids across the borders of the world on short term mission jaunts and the wrong agenda can bring immediate problems. In working with us be sure that you and your short term group have an honest missions and servant agenda. We are prepared to be your guides, counselors and co-workers. We love to work with groups that are honestly interested in visiting and working with us in our world of the poor. We love to teach and disciple. Hopefully you folks and Spectrum will have the same agenda.

2. Attitude: Attitude can be the foundation of a great trip or it can be a real precursor of problems ahead. Individual attitude and group attitude are a critical factor in the success of your trip. Develop and maintain good attitudes. We must always enter a foreign country and a foreign culture as guests. The humble learning attitude of a guest and servant. A cheerful group and a flexible group is great to work with! Note: To most Mexicans Americans are seen as pretty much the same. To the Mexican the American is very intimidating. It's hard for Americans to appear to be humble and indeed be humble. Unfortunately we often project the image and attitude that we are the top of the line, we have the know how and that we not only have the best, but we are the best. Of course this isn't so, we are on a mission to learn as well as help and learning in this case trumps helping. In most cases the Nationals can do the job we have come to do and do it well. They have been doing it for years. We must never feel that we're God's gift to them.

3. Culture: Be sure you come willing to learn and bend to the Culture of Mexico and the subculture of the poor. You cross the border as a visitor and guest. Culture is a powerful thing. Unfortunately we Americans are known around the world as being poor at accepting and adjusting to the culture of others. Be prepared to flex, learn and enjoy their culture.

4. Preparation: How important good preparation is! Remember, first of all it's essential to (a) get your group on our CALENDAR if you plan to work with us and (b) acquire your housing and (c) find your own transportation. This web site may be of help to you in these areas. Once you make housing, vehicle and Spectrum calendar reservations be sure not to leave it there. You will need to reconfirm about twice. Reconfirm about a month ahead of your arrival and then again about a week before your arrival. That way you won't be disappointed. It's important to remember that the three high tourist seasons are the Christmas holiday season, spring vacation and the first few weeks in summer. Your planned trip is probably in one of these span of dates. At these times there will be a lot of people in San Diego. Hotels here often overbook at peak tourist times as do the van rental agencies. If you don't reconfirm, you may be left with no place to stay or no van to travel. If for any reason you have to cancel please let us know as soon as possible so we can book another group in your place.

Agreed, proper preparation is essential but unfortunately "preparation" is interpreted so many different ways. Often, because of unrealistic expectations , short term groups suffer many disappointments. It's all to common for American groups to build their foreign agenda from a domestic (American) perspective. This is a formula for disappointment and conflict on the field. Don't fall into this very common American trap! Don't pre-plan what you are going to do without knowing the true foreign factors and some of these factors are unknowns that you will never know until you enter the work. Please don't tie us up by asking for premature details. Here is an example of the questions we are sometimes asked. One lady who had never been in Mexico before asked me where in Mexico we were going, I replied "Tijuana." She then asked "where in Tijuana." Now this lady had never been in Mexico or Tijuana and yet wanted to know something totally unnecessary and that she was incapable of knowing. I wish we had the time and patience to answer questions like that but we don't have the time or staff. We are missionaries and not in the office much of the time. Bottom line, try not to ask for details you don't need and that aren't relevant. Admittedly going into the unknown makes us uneasy and uncomfortable and then we want as much information as we can get yet not realizing that we are filtering all of this information through our American screen (perspective), and it often comes out wrong. We at Spectrum are quite well prepared to handle your unknowns, we have been doing this successfully for years. Don't fear.

As to building projects, we at Spectrum are intentionally vague about specific projects because we find groups tend to fixate on a project or statement. Things in our world across the border have a way of changing. A widow needing a house now simply can't wait for a group to build her a house in three months, if we can get it done now we will do it, if not, then it will have to be build for her in three months. Plan on changes. (Note: Be sure to understand that if you as a group do want to build a house than you will have to bring the money it will cost to build it which will be around $500 or $600)

Short term missions groups and their leadership need to do their own homework! Preparing for your trip is essential BUT caution ... don't proceed with making detailed plans without knowing and understanding the foreign factors. (See above) Common sense needed here as well as education and experience.

American instant culture fights this realistic concept. We often want to do something now and quickly and short-cut through culture. Wrong approach! Seek and take counsel from those who know best.

Groups joining us for a few days to work with us in Mexico should seriously consider the following.

1. Your group leader should invest in a visit with us and so we can take him into your proposed work area to take a look and listen to counsel on location before the group comes. This isn't just a good idea, it is an essential idea. I'll assure you that your time with us is worth this preliminary investment. Remember, as a leader you can't lead others where you have never been before. The blind leading the blind is altogether too common and will only cause problems!

2. Your leader and his group should do some studying on Mexico and its culture focusing on the importance of people and "relationships." (Books are available in the library and information is available on the Web). Remember: You will be coming down using our credibility and relationship with the people because it would be impossible for you to build the kind of relationships you will need in the short time you are there. Many Americans are simply unable to believe and accept this concept. Mexico may be next to USA but it isn't USA.

3. Be sure you have your insurance! Your vans must be insured to the max by Mexican insurance. Mexican liability insurance in Mexico is a must. (Call us for current rates) Your group must also be insured by your own church or organization. We at Spectrum must have a record of that insurance before you join us. Your insurance must show proof that it will be the primary insurer. This form must be sent or Faxed to us prior to your firm commitment.

4. Money: Never travel when you are on a tight budget! Don't travel anywhere in the world, either as a tourist or a group on a tight budget. Don't even try to do short term missions on a tight "shoestring" budget. Fact to remember in traveling: You will tend to spend more than you planned. Do everything possible to join us with more than enough money to do whatever you want to do, OTHERWISE someone else will have to pay the unpaid bills. (And it's often the missionary or mission agency). Murphy's law nails many groups in this area. Plan for all expenses plus ... this is the leaders responsibility. Spectrum pays for all expenses on our regular work days, however we do expect our short term missions guests to pay for any projects (like building a small house) they may want to do during the week. If you will be using any of our Mexican helpers for a guide in your own day of ministry it would be nice to treat him to a meal and give him a little gift of money for his labor. Ask for advice and take counsel on this. CASH: Yes, you can use dollars in Tijuana with no problem BUT they must be in small denominations like $1, $5, and $10 bills. On occasion a $20 bill can be used. No checks, and credit cards are hard to use.

5. Structuring your trip with us: Most groups want to maximize their time with us consequently they often tend to over structure their time with us and end up having to change midstream. Again it's a case where we are doing the structuring in the USA without understanding many of the realistic and unknown factors. Some of the "unknown" factors that can throw us a curve. (a) The chemistry of your team. (b) The time in travel to and from your location and projects. (c) The time it will take to eat as a group. (d) The fatigue factor/time off. (e) The weather. These are just a few of the factors you really won't know until you get here. Caution: Don't spend time creating a tight schedule that you will just end up changing. Suggestion: Relax, and plan your schedule when you get here and are able to get current input from your guides. Remember you will be working in Mexico where the people don't know what a schedule is. This a fact.

6. Communication: First, plan to bring a cellular phone with you. Almost everyone today has a cellular phone. This is the place to bring a cellular phone. If you are traveling in two or more vehicles, bring down two or more small CB units to talk between your vans. Second, Mexico is a nation that speaks Spanish ... consequently all Mexicans speak Spanish. They only speak Spanish. They don't speak or understand English. This fact needs to be understood by all who come down to work with us. And it's no problem if you don't speak Spanish HOWEVER If you do plan to do a program requiring communication or programs where you will be communicating, like preaching, teaching, testimonies, puppets, etc. BE SURE you have enough good Spanish speakers! ( Good Spanish speakers not poor ones.) Also be sure that your program will be relevant to the age and culture of you audience. And if you are going to use an interpreter, be sure you know how to use that interpreter (practice, because there is a skill involved). For some reason Americans love to share their testimonies with Mexicans BUT are these testimonies relevant? In many cases a definite no. (Some of us know what the Mexicans really think of these testimonies). Common sense question to ask is ... What have we rich, sheltered and protected Americans to share with poor and tough Mexicans? Not much. Common sense might frame the picture right. Remember too: Giving an effective and impacting testimony needs a relationship between the audience (Mexican people), the speaker or teller. Ask for advice on this and take counsel.

7. Food: First: Be sure you and your group plan to eat good and healthy food during your visit with us. Protein is important here. This is the trip that you shouldn't be thinking about fast junk food and sugar. By eating good and sleeping good you have less sickness and problems with attitudes. Second: If you plan to make a meal for Mexican kids or adults, plan for proper meals. Making a meal for Mexicans may sound like a good idea and in some cases it works out great BUT remember your tastes as an American will be different from their tastes as Mexicans. They don't eat Taco Bell food, they eat Mexican food. Don't plan to feed them what you would like, feed them what they would like. Plan to feed them what THEY like and the amount they like with the hot chili they like and the times of day they would like. In Mexico even the MacDonald hamburgers and the Pizzas have a Mexican spin on them. Remember: Beans, rice, tortillas, chili and sauces are a Mexican specialty so don't give or bring them the American equivalent. It just isn't the same. Taco Bell food simply isn't Mexican food. Ask for advice on this and take counsel.

8. A visit: A visit is a visit and nothing more, don't jump to conclusions. Just because you have been invited to visit a school in Mexico, or an orphanage, or church or club does not mean you have been invited to "minister" or "do something." (Americans it seems always have to "do" something). You are guests. If you are invited to participate, then by all means do. If you are not invited to participate then by all means just visit. As much as you might feel you want to contribute (minister) and that you have something relevant to give, always remain in your place as a humble guest looking and learning.

9. Experience: Because you or the group have had experience overseas (or you have been to Tijuana with a work group before) does not make you the expert. So you have had experience building a house, working in an orphanage, or doing mimes or a puppet show. Remember, every location and situation and chemistry is different so listen to those who know it best and learn. I have traveled in and around this world for over thirty years visiting and ministering in over forty countries yet I don't consider myself an expert. Every new location and culture is indeed "new" to me and has a lot to teach me. I take counsel from those who live and work there as to how I should act and minister in the best way. They know. It is so true that a little knowledge can often be more dangerous than no knowledge at all.

10. Dress: Everyone in your group should dress appropriately. Appropriate will be by our definition rather than yours. Why? We know what our world is like. Girls, don't dress in skimpy tight clothing. No short shorts. No extreme makeup! Mexican guys have a name for those kind of girls. Fact: Mexican guys have more than their share of hormones, and you are not there to turn them on. Jeans and work shirts are the order of the day. All girls will wear bras. Nuff said?

    Guys, no matter how hot it is don't plan on taking your shirts off, this isn't culturally acceptable; unless the Mexican guys working with you have their shirts off. In Tijuana more and more Mexican men and boys are wearing shorts. Shorts are not a "Gringo" novelty like they were ten or fifteen years ago.

    As far as the weather goes, Tijuana weather will be the same as San Diego weather. Rain and cold months are normally December through March.

11. Identification: Each of you will need to come with an identification card or a drivers license. Those of your group who are not U.S. citizens must have proper paperwork and documentation IF they want to return to the U.S.

NOTE: If you want to kick a little more missions impact into your time with us you might want to take some time out and have a motivational missionary as a speaker for your group. We have several missionaries available that are good communicators.

If you choose to join us we hope you will have a great time!

This site is maintained for Spectrum Ministries by David Pence/ACE Micro