Build the Border

Trinity Habitat’s Build the Border campaign concentrates on building homes on the Mexican side of the Texas/Mexico border.

 

Brigade Goals

 

• Cross cultural experience
• Fellowship and spiritual awakening
• Build homes

Join us in 2009
November 12 - 15	March 4 - 7 & 14 - 20
December 10 - 13	April 8 - 11 & 18 - 24
January 16 - 23	May 6 - 9 & 16 - 22
February 4 - 7 & 14 - 20	June 10 - 13 & 20 - 26

 

We offer a One- Week Mission Trip and Long Weekend Mission Trip, each type of mission trip offers two different packages:

 

One Week Mission Trip A - $988 per person

 

Sunday through Saturday, cost includes:

Lodging in either Hotel Colonial (Matamoras) or San Carlos Hotel (Reynosa) Hotel (can have single, double or triple occupancy) - Click on photos to see hotels.

All meals, transportation and a donation to the Mexico affiliate.

 

 

One Week Mission Trip B - $523 per person

Sunday through Saturday, cost includes:

Lodging at the Puentos de Cristos Camp (Reynosa) - with bunks or Nuns Retreat (Matamoras) - with bunks.

All meals, transportation and a donation to the Mexico affiliate.

 

 

Four - Day Weekend Mission Trip A - $693 per person

 

Thursday through Sunday, cost includes:

Lodging at either Hotel Colonial (Matamoras) or San Carlos Hotel (Reynosa) Hotel (can have single, double, or triple occupancy) - Click on photos to see hotels.

All meals, transportation and a donation to the Mexico affiliate.

 

 

Four - Day Weekend Mission Trip B - $388 per person

 

Sunday through Saturday, cost includes:

Lodging at the Puentos de Cristos Camp (Reynosa) - with bunks or Nuns Retreat (Matamoras) - with bunks.

All meals, transportation and a donation to the Mexico affiliate.

 

 

You will volunteer as part of the brigada internacional (international brigade) to work with Habitat para la Humanidad in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Marie Cooper Hoffman will be your group leader. Trinity Habitat has targeted this area with its international tithe, supporting the work of Enrique Flores, the Habitat chapter director in Tamaulipas. These 500 square foot homes cost only $8,000 to build, so Trinity’s support makes a miraculous difference in the poorest neighborhoods of Matamoros and Reynosa.

 

Our first brigade of 18 went to Tamaulipas in August 2007. The brigadistas on that Build the Border trip helped lay a cement roof. They also finished the four foot cinderblock foundation for a home and began constructing its walls.

Video Below

 

 

Brigades are encouraged to spend time at the end of each day discussing their spiritual journey. In addition to volunteering on the worksites, volunteers will have the opportunity to tour the city, dine in local restaurants, and experience Mexican culture.

 

Background: Habitat is truly a worldwide effort, with affiliates in over 90 countries. Every local affiliate is asked to “tithe” — to give 10 percent of its contributions to fund house-building work in other nations. This not only provides funds for international efforts, it also gives opportunities to enjoy the spirit of Christian partnership. In the past, Trinity Habitat has sent its tithe, as well as work groups, to such far-flung places as Hungary.

 

Trinity Habitat Executive Director, Gage Yager, took a trip to Tamaulipas, the northeastern-most state in Mexico. There he saw the impoverished neighborhoods where Habitat’s Tamaulipas affiliate is building homes. Families of six to eight, living in plywood shacks with dirt floors, are given the chance to apply for the funding of a 500 square foot cement block home. The difference this makes in their lives is truly amazing, bringing relief and dignity.

Build the Border was born. Trinity Habitat has decided to target its tithe money closer to home with our nearest international neighbor. We are also hoping that other Texas affiliates will follow suit, allowing us to partner with Habitat Mexico for enormous impact along the border.

 

How you can get involved? Trinity Habitat has already sent two “work brigades” to Matamoros in 2007. Our plan is to send six in 2008, working in both Matamoros and Reynosa. Please join us on one of these adventures in Christian partnership! You will experience community, the joy of serving, and have a meaningful cross-cultural experience. We work, we shop, we work, we sightsee, and of course, work some more. Zim Zimmerman, one of last year’s participants, says this about his experience: “We found such a strong sense of love and community in our work here. It was truly a joyful experience that has changed my life. I hope to return soon!”

 

Read the press release.

 

For general information, contact Marie Cooper Hoffman at 682-554-3815.

 

If you need a packet, contact Amy Williams at 817-926-9219 ext. 101.

 

Before booking one of our mission trips,
we recommend you read the State Department's Travel Alert.