Do I need a passport?
(as of right now, no. But, you'll need a photo I.D. and birth certificate. Read on)

LATEST UPDATE: As of November 2007, the U.S. State Department says that passports will be required for entering the U.S. by land (vehicle or walking) beginning in SUMMER 2008. Until that time, a passport is not required, either to enter Mexico or to re-enter the U.S. Until that time, you are required to show a valid U.S. picture I.D. (e.g. a driver's license), along with a stamped, official copy of your birth certificate (see below).For minors who do not have a valid driver's license, an original copy of their U.S. birth certificate is required (and some form of picture I.D. is recommended). While a passport is not currently required to re-enter the U.S., we recommend that you should apply for and get a U.S. passport.

More info here:
Latest Status on Passport Requirments, U.S. State Department
U.S. at U.S. Customs & Border Protection
U.S. State Department
Apply for a passport

Birth Certificates Required
Starting Feb 1, 2008, you'll need a birth certificate to get back into the U.S.

Original Birth Certificates will now be required in addition to other ID (except for those who already possess passports, Sentri, Nexus and FAST documentation.)  All those who have one of the above will not be required the birth certificate also. For all others though, you'll need to bring a birth certificate, IN ADDITION to your valid I.D.
 
This is NEW news that just came to our attention. The Department of Homeland Security continues to make the requirements to get back into the U.S. from Mexico a moving target. You can find out the very latest by going to the U.S. State Department website.

As of right now, passports are not yet required. 

What Does It Cost?
Each volunteer must pay tuition of $65 (adults), $55 (under 14 yrs.). Tuition covers the cost of most of your food, accommodations, car insurance and a cool t-shirt. In addition, each team must raise the money to pay for materials for their home and latrine ($6,200.). This breaks down into approximately $300 per person. Learn more by seeing "Fundraising" below.

If you are participating through a church or organization OTHER than Canyon Hills, please see your team leader for tuition cost details.

Who and When Do I Pay?
For both tuition and fundraising, make all checks payable to Canyon Hills Church. Please make sure to note "Project Mexico" in the memo, and your team number (if you know it). Tuition is due upon signing up (you're not considered "signed up" until you pay).

As for fundraising, we must raise all monies before the trip. This means that the first half of your fundraising is due 4weeks before the trip, and the balance is due 2weeks before the trip.

If you are part of another church or organization OTHER than Canyon Hills, please see your team leader regarding details on who checks are made out to, when you pay, etc.

Fundraising
Each team must raise the money needed to pay for materials for their home ($6,000). This breaks down to about $300 per volunteer. If you've never raised money for something like this before, don't sweat it. It's a piece of cake. We've got materials to help you raise funds (download the Sponsor Form & Brochure, PDF 1.5 MB), and email is a great way to get the word out! Once you get the word out, you'll usually find that friends, family, neighbors and co-workers will get behind your effort, and sponsor you willingly! Make sure and see 'Who and When Do I Pay?' for details. [see more about Fundraising here]

Who's Involved?
Project Mexico is a ministry of Canyon Hills, and is volunteer led and staffed. Canyon Hills works with Baja Christian Ministries (BCM), a non-profit organization that helps facilitate groups like ours in building homes in Mexico. BCM helps us with selection of families, acquisition of materials (nearly everything is purchased in Mexico, to support the local economy), and with on-site construction needs.

Canyon Hills often teams-up with other churches and organizations, collectively making an even larger impact in the lives of impoverished families in Mexico. These have included other churches, businesses and relief organizations.

Each team is led by 2-4 volunteer leaders that will guide your team through the preparation, planning and construction process.

I have never done construction work before, can I still participate?
Absolutely! In fact, most volunteers are construction novices, and have never done anything like this before. You only need a few basic tools and personal items (see What To Bring, PDF 40k), and our leaders will show you the way!

What can I bring?
See our What To Bring list, for everything you personally need to bring. The list is basic. In addition, your team will organize the tools and equipment needed to build the home. Your team will likely organize a "house-warming" basket, with practical household items for the family you're building for. You can contribute to this with new items (make sure all items are NEW, and with tags—no used items). You can also bring snacks and drinks for yourself. Make sure though, and read the "What CAN'T I bring", below.

Also, you MUST bring valid I.D. For kids, make sure you have a copy of their birth certificate. The U.S. border patrol has been carefully checking I.D. of everyone entering the U.S. Passports are recommended.

What CAN'T I bring?
The Mexican border guard is VERY particular about what you CAN'T bring across. It is critical that you not bring any of the items below, as it can jeopardize your freedom (you could end up in jail), your vehicle (it could be confiscated), and the future success of Project Mexico.

Please don't bring any of the following:

- Guns, weapons or ammunition of any kind.
- No used clothing of any kind (to give away)
- No beans (Pinto, refried... seriously!).

What if I'm NOT a U.S. citizen? Can I still go?
Make sure you have valid I.D. and VISA (or other official documentation stating that you can legally enter the U.S.). EVEN IF YOU ARE A U.S. CITIZEN, you STILL need to bring valid I.D. with you.

Where do we stay?
On our upcoming trip, we'll be staying at Rancho Solo, located in the southern reaches of Tijuana, about 20 minutes south of the border. There are separate sleeping quarters, bathrooms and showers for men and women. There's 2 small kitchens, dining area, and plenty of Tijuana charm. The accommodations are rustic, but hey... it'll keep the rain off your head (pray for NO rain, though!). And for those of you who just CAN'T get away from email, there's an small internet café. [learn more about accommodations]

Where exactly are we building?
We'll be building in a community called San Bernardo. This is a new community, made of nearly 300 families, most of whom lost everything in flash floods last winter. San Bernardo is located along the southern edge of Tijuana, near the coast, and about 45 minutes south of the San Ysidro border crossing.

How safe is it?
All things considered, it's pretty safe. There has been much mis-information about the dangers of traveling in Mexico. We've had few problems, and driving in Mexico is pretty much as it is here in the states. Of course, we're in a foreign country, so you gotta use lots of caution and common sense.

While building the house, you will be on a construction site. There will be power tools, and people working overhead. You'll need to use MUCHO caution, wear a hard-hat, and only use power tools once you've received proper instruction.

The community of San Bernardo does have inherent dangers, especially to children. There are drop-offs and unexpected holes in the ground (often for latrines). There may be exposed electrical wires (please avoid these), and please, DO NOT FEED OR TOUCH ANY DOGS. Local dogs are not vaccinated, may carry rabies, and may bite (even the cute ones). If you are bitten by a dog, you pack your bags and go home, and seek medical attention in the states, right then and there. Best to stay away from the cute puppies.

Can I bring my kids?
Sure. We encourage famillies to participate. Just remember, you'll be responsible to watch them on and around the job site. There are hazards around our job site, including power tools, people working overhead and more. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure the safety of their child. Please see "How Safe Is It?", and "Other Cautions" below.

How do we get there?
We'll caravan in carpools, which will be organized at your team meetings. If you're able to drive, please let your team leader know. We'll caravan on Friday to San Ysidro (meeting at Denny's), then cross the border together, driving to Rancho Solo. We'll then caravan to San Bernardo.

What about food and drinks?
Most meals are provided (breakfast Saturday & Sunday, dinner on Saturday), and are delicious! Our food crew really goes all-out. Your team will organize lunches on-site, as well as dinner on Friday. You may want to bring snacks for yourself, and definitely water or drinks for yourself at the worksite.

How are the families that we build for chosen?
Colonia de San Bernardo was initially developed to provide a place for refugees to live. During times of heavy rains and storms,  families can lose their home and everything in it. This was the case for the first families of San Bernardo.

The Mexican Government provides a list of refugees who it deems most need a home. We work with Baja Christian Ministries, who have close local ties to Mexico, in defining who these families are. In addition, there are many other families who may not appear on the government list, but also desperately need a home. Baja Christian Ministries (BCM) works with us to follow up on all families who ask for housing. BCM then conducts a series of background checks, in an effort to determine the truly needy. A number of requirements exist, including:

1. The family must own the land that we're to build on
2. They can't own any other property in Mexico
3. Ideally, they have lived in San Bernardo for at least 6 months. We want to build for families who are going to stay in San Bernardo, and help build into this community.

If families meet this criteria, they are then selected based on need. Even so, the selection process, as with most things in life, is not perfect. BCM goes to great lengths though to determine families in greatest need, and ones that meet basic criteria, to build for.

Will my cell phone work in Mexico?
Probably. However, you must first check with your cell phone service provider, and may need to request activation in Mexico. Note that most carriers charge premium rates for calls made and received in Mexico. We recommend you bring a cell phone if you have one.

Other Cautions
This is stating the obvious, but we're on a construction site with power tools, people working overhead, etc. As such, you'll need to stay very aware of your surroundings, and use extra caution at all times.

STAY AWAY FROM THE DOGS! There are many. Typically, they're nice and won't bother you. These dogs typically DON'T get shots, which means there always the possibility of rabies if you get bit. Please don't pet the dogs, don't hold them, and expecially don't feed them. If you get bit, you will need to leave and go home immediately, and begin rabies treatment (6-8 weeks of treatment). Best to stay away from the dogs altogether.

Why don't you make building trips more frequently?
A few reasons, really. The primary reason though, is that 2 trips a year is the maximum bandwidth Jon and Sophia Hall can sustain, while holding down a full-time job (by Jon), homeschooling and running a budding business (Sophia), and keeping some reasonable state of balance in life. Baja Christian Ministries, through whom Project Mexico partners with, does assist groups like our nearly every weekend. Got a hankerin' to try leading your own group? We'd be happy to give you all the guidance we can.

Do you have any other questions? Send an email to Jon Hall at jon.hall@canyonhillschurch.org.