"MINISTRY ON YOUR OWN"

This is written to all the well meaning lone rangers and independent groups heading south across the border.

If you are planning on leading a good will or ministry trip into Mexico, particularly Tijuana you might want to read over and study the following information.

Many groups feel the call to go across the border and minister without considering the most important factor of all ... knowing the country, culture and people you are planning to serve, consequently not really aware of the conditions you will be working in and the people you will be working with. Knowing the people and their culture, the culture of the poor, is the first essential in planning your trip.

In my ministry of over thirty years working in Mexico I have seen literally hundreds of well meaning individuals and independent groups cross the border intent on ministering only to return frustrated, disappointed even bitter about their experience. In most every case they simply didn't do their homework in this critical area. They planned their trip carefully from the U.S. side but simply didn't realize where they were going and what they were getting into. No sense in repeating the mistakes of others and re-learning painful lessons.

Independent groups are often led by someone who has been down to Tijuana and worked a time or two with an experienced ministry and feels he is qualified to take his own group down. Caution: in this case a little knowledge is sometimes worse than no knowledge at all because it tends to give a false confidence that can get you all into trouble. Those of us who have worked in Mexico for twenty or thirty years have established proper relationships, gained experience and earned our credibility ... we are known and accepted and protected by the whole community. Unfortunately what we do looks easy to an excited visionary amateur.

I'll try not to be negative but I must be realistic. Often there is a flip-side to the best intentioned ministry programs in Mexico. I'm sharing with you the "flip-side." Better to consider all the factors, even the negative ones, of your venture before you head south.

It's better by far to rearrange your plans now than to become disappointed later. Don't ever plan on being the exception. Exceptions are exceptions simply because they are not the rule.

PLAN ONE: We are planning on going across the border to minister on a Holiday or three day weekend:

CONSIDER: Every tourist and ministry group will be crossing and serving those days. More traffic time than ministry time. Rule of thumb: The best time to go across the border, everyone will be going across the border. The closest place to minister in Tijuana (The dump or orphanages) everyone will be ministering, The easiest thing to do, (Build, paint, preach, testify, VBS programs, food and clothing distribution, mimes, etc.) every other ministry group will be doing. The most common thing to give (Adult clothing) everybody is giving. Surprise! You are not the only one, there are hundreds of other ministry groups down there too ... ! If you are smart, get creative! Do some real thinking and planning.

PLAN TWO: We want to find a poor neighborhood and give out stuff to the poor people.

CAUTION: Not a new idea here, people and groups are doing it all the time. Consider the danger of entering an unknown neighborhood of poverty in nice cars or vans to distribute your good stuff. Red flag!! Poor and needy barrios are drug neighborhoods and violent places. To pop in to a neighborhood unknown and uninvited by the leadership or local gangs is very foolish. To distribute anything of value without relationships, discipline and order will create anarchy. Poor desperate people do not simply and politely line up, they rush you and grab! Well meaning but ignorant American groups have literally turned poor Mexican people into animals by their practice of distribution. I have witnessed this animal anarchy in action. Many efforts like this are first time and last time efforts! Bitter and injured Americans head north every month, never to return. Who's at fault? The Americans fault. They didn't understand what they were getting into. The unfortunate fallout is that good organizations end up feeling the negative effects.

PLAN THREE: We want to go down and give out clothing and blankets to the poor.

CAUTION: First fact, taking used clothing used blankets and used shoes across the border into Mexico is illegal. If they catch you at the border they will take your few bags away or turn you back to the U.S. If you have too many bags they may impound your vehicle and or you. December is the worst month for getting caught. Not smart. The adults really don't need clothing, the kids do. I have walked over dirt roads of used clothing at least four inches high. Think before you do something dumb. How do you plan to distribute anything that fits the person? Do you think a hundred or more individuals are going to politely stand around and sort clothing? No way. And the longer you stay the more people will come and then when there is no more, those who haven't anything will turn on you in anger. How do you say no to a hundred angry latecomers? I might add that most American adult clothing doesn't fit Mexican women especially our narrow shoes. I can't believe that Americans take women's high heeled shoes across to distribute to the poor. Yep! I've seen it all. Leave the distribution to agencies that have the relationships and know how to do it.

PLAN FOUR: We plan to take food to the hungry across the border.

CAUTION: Yes, there are many hungry people across the border however going uninvited into an unknown area is inviting disaster. (See plan one and two) What kind of food are you going to distribute? American food? Canned food? Stuff collected here in the US to distribute across the border? (Baked beans, pickles and smoked oysters?) Much better idea; buy produce and food in Mexico that they can cook are used to eating like pinto beans, rice, flour, eggs, sugar, lard, etc. Don't ever try and cook Mexican food for Mexican people they cook Mexican food much better simply because they are Mexican. Those well meaning Americanos trying to feed Mexican kids Mexican food at an orphanage need to realize this. We Americans do better at hamburgers, hot-dogs, spaghetti and pizza.

PLAN FIVE: We are planning on doing VBS and street evangelism in Mexico.

CONSIDER: Several cautions here starting with an honest question, "Why Mexico?" For some reason Americans seem to think that there are more non-Christian and unevangelized people in Mexico than here in the U.S. Maybe it's an exotic missionary thing, I don't know. As for Tijuana it has got to be the most American evangelized city around. If food proceeds your evangelizing you will have a big crowd and many salvations. Many of these poor neighborhood people get fed by Americanos and saved by Americanos over and over on a regular bases. Here is where the serious CAUTION comes in. It is against Mexican law to hold religious meetings anywhere but in an official church building. Fact, all religious speaking and teaching must be done with the umbrella of a Mexican national pastor. A well meaning American group in Ensanada found that out a few years ago. It's not a new law, it's just that Americans seem to think that Mexico is the same as America and it isn't! If you have an outdoor meeting and no one complains or the cops don't hassle you, your off the hook BUT if they do, you are in deep yogurt. Another fact. Most Mexicans are Catholic and don't like American evangelicals coming down doing "feed 'em and save em" programs. They can make trouble. The PAN party (in power) of Mexico (and Tijuana) is the official Catholic party.

On occasion I have had to remind eager gringos that Mexicans speak Spanish and we can't win them speaking English. Relationships and example carry the weight in Mexico. Have you ever thought what the Mexican poor think of our programs and translated testimonies? it might be good to think it over at some point. We are seen as rich Christians from rich pampered north America and they are poor tough Mexicans living in squalor and we are telling them how we were saved and delivered from sin and drugs and problems, etc. There are normally three reactions from the audience. (1) What have these rich protected Gringos got to tell me or (2) If I get saved maybe God will make me rich like them or (3) what can I gain from listening to them and can I make an influential contact here that can help me in the future? The teen boys and men will be there simply to check out the girls, especially those dressed (or undressed) like non-Christians. Helpful tip: we must humbly make our testimonies simple and relevant to where they are at. Do it through a good church with a good reputation in the community.

PLAN SIX: We are planning on doing medical or dental work with the poor in Mexico.

CAUTION: Lots of need here in Mexico BUT understand that in Mexico the law requires that you as a doctor or dentist be under the umbrella of a Mexican national doctor or dentist. Don't simply go down there and do your thing. If the local doctors or dentists get wind of what you are doing they can make plenty of trouble. NOTE: Most Mexicans, even the poor, don't trust a doctor that they don't know. Relationships are more critical then credentials in Mexico. Most Mexican woman do not feel comfortable with an unknown American male doctor. Consider going through a credentialed Mexican American medical agency.

PLAN SEVEN: We are planning on going across the border and distributing Bibles.

CONSIDER: Sounds like a great idea until you think it over. Are the Bibles in Spanish? Many Americans hand out English Bibles to Spanish speaking people which is sort of dumb. Also a gift like a Bible or New Testament may have little or no value. Some take the Bible and keep it while others take or grab the Bibles and plan to sell them ... and others use the Bible you have given to them as toilet paper. What? Yes, I have seen this very thing, a well used Bible in the outhouse. Why? Well meaning people just didn't think this over and evidently thought the poor in Mexico were on the same track as us rich in America. No wonder we get laughed at. Any thing irresponsibly given out in quantity has little or no value to the individual be it in Mexico, Brazil or India. We like to make them earn their New testaments and later, their Bibles. That way they have a value. Suggestion, work through a good church or reputable established mission.

PLAN EIGHT: We are planning on going to an orphanage and helping them.

CONSIDER: Are you planning on just popping in? On a holiday weekend? Formula for disaster. (See plan one.) What are you going to do to help? What in fact can you do? Can a bunch of well meaning Junior Highers really "help" an orphanage. Truthfully it might be better just to plan on a visit and make a bunch of kids happy. Always contact the orphanage BEFORE you pop in, even then there may be another group there (Three day weekend?) or the whole orphanage group may be gone somewhere. In Mexico plans change like the wind. In Mexico the immediate always takes precedent over the calendar. Most orphanage directors will pretty well let you do what you want which ends up in some pretty shabby work. They will want to please you and keep your relationship. The directors often allow you to do what they really don't appreciate but that's the "polite" Mexican. Think your projects over and don't always take the Mexican "yes" as meaning a true agreement. Don't go into a dirty orphanage to "clean it up" or change it! Incidentally, checking out the bathroom will generally give you a true picture of the condition of an orphanage.

NOTE: All orphanages are not necessarily honest and good ones. Orphanages can be a way of life and an economy for the directors. Orphanages that have been going for a long time and still are poor and shabby with dirty little kids running around are a signal that support or donated money and items (sometimes even the kids) are being abused and or misused. An orphanage like that has probably created the poor and dirty environment to gain American support. The gold comes from the north and they know it. New orphanages that are struggling are a better bet. Good established orphanages generally have adequate support and a lot of gifts for Christmas. Bulk food is a good bet for giving orphanages or clean children's clothing. Or paying an electric bill or water bill. Best keep away from giving cash unless you are sure it will be used properly. Don't ever give the little kids money and don't take the kids away from the property. Some tips here: Always ask for permission from the director to take photos. Watch when you are giving out candy, if it is near meal time you won't be appreciated and if it is in the evening the candy will wire up the kids. When in doubt, ask. Remember you are a guest at the orphanage. Common sense thinking is what counts here. NOTE: Don't come with any idea of adopting kids. Don't plan as an American to work full time or part time at an orphanage run by Mexican nationals ... it doesn't work. Be a good visitor.

You might read more about this under the heading of "working at an orphanage" on our website.

PLAN NINE: We are planning on building a house for a poor family.

CONSIDER: Often we mean so well but haven't done our homework. Where did you find the name? Who are these people? Ask some important questions before committing to building a house. Does this poor family have another house somewhere and simply wants you as gringos to build them another that they can rent or sell? Does the family own the property you will be building on or will someone kick out the family and take it away as soon as you have it built? Are you willing to just build a simple small start of a house and not a large "U.S. type" house? Did you know that if the house you build will look better than any other house in the neighborhood you will be causing real and lasting problems for the occupants. They will be hassled and verbally abused by their jealous neighbors. We have seen all of these things happen in a course of years. Americans mean so well but they are so ... well, dumb. You must know what you are doing and know the culture. Be sure the poor family invests something in their new house, like making the cement foundation. That way you keep their dignity intact and they can display some responsibility. Best bet is to ask counsel from an organization that has been doing this type of thing for a while. Please don't ever wear rubber gloves or face masks while working in Mexico. (We have actually seen people doing this) ... what an insult. Don't leave your tools laying around if you want to keep them. If something is stolen, don't make an issue of it. If you are careless, consider your mistake a gift to Mexico.

PLAN TEN: We are planning on staying in the neighborhood overnight.

CAUTION: Bad planning. If it is a typical poor neighborhood in Tijuana I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you have a group of teens. Dangerous and foolish. Even if you bed down in a local church it isn't wise. You and your group should be out of the area and in a safe area by sunset. You may have heard of other groups doing it or you may have done it yourself, it's still risky. Don't push your luck. Drugged men or teens can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Most of the teens and men in a poor neighborhood will have a gun or knife available if necessary. I remember well a group of U.S. teens being forced to lay on the floor with guns to their heads while the girls were trying to keep from being raped. The cops were called but they said ... "it's too risky for us." This took place in a neighborhood in Tijuana. I had warned this group against staying overnight in the area. Some people never learn.

OH, AND BY THE WAY ... be careful in taking photos. Don't take photos of adults or older people without their permission. Don't take photos of poverty or bad conditions. Boys don't mind having their pictures taken but girls are a little shy. Babies and mothers seem to take it well. If you want to take photos of the bad conditions just line up a few boys in front of the photo you want to take so it looks like you are photographing the kids and you will get your shot ... just a little common sense advice.

I hope you find this helpful.

— Von