PURPOSE

CrossRoads Missions Mexico seeks to glorify Christ by raising up ministries in Piedras Negras to meet the needs of our city. We do this through construction projects and outreach programs by providing affordable home ownership, education, immigrant care, and other ways of sharing the love and compassion of Christ in Piedras Negras.

History

CrossRoads Missions has been present in Piedras Negras, Mexico, for more than thirty years. Construction projects have included churches, schools, an orphanage, and a neighborhood of single-family homes with a community center. Our outreach programs have included soup kitchens, hospital feeding and care, immigrant care, and education.

Our team works in all of the areas of our ministry year-round; we invite and encourage groups to come serve alongside us. The extra help, skills, and resources that volunteer teams provide allow us to serve in different and even better ways than we can on our own.

Piedra Angular (Cornerstone) is a neighborhood of more than 30 Christian families on the west side of Piedras Negras. The homes were built by churches and volunteer groups beginning in 1998. The purpose of this neighborhood is to provide quality affordable housing to families that are actively involved in ministry in our city so that they would be able to use their homes as opportunities to do ministry as well as build a community within our city that looks and acts different because of the shared bond of Christ. There is a large community center at the center of the neighborhood that serves as the base of operations and offices for our ministry as well as hosting a local church and housing our volunteers while they serve with us.

About Piedras Negras

Located on the northern border of the state of Coahuila, Mexico, Piedras Negras sits across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass, Texas, and is about 150 miles southwest of San Antonio. The city’s population is approximately 300,000 and continues to grow.

DETAILS

Construction Projects:

Construction projects are primarily aimed toward finishing homes in the remaining lots in Piedra Angular and the expansion of CrossRoads facilities. There are also opportunities to work on projects out and about in Piedras at homes and facilities of friends, churches, and other ministries. CrossRoads staff, interns, and local professionals will supervise and guide volunteers in work projects including concrete, drywall, tile, roofing, painting, and more.

Piedra Angular Projects: Piedra Angular is the longest running project within CrossRoads, and there is still a lot of work to be done before it is finished. We currently have several homes under construction that our groups will work on. Almost all of the work that goes into these houses is done by our volunteers. Future construction plans for the neighborhood include a large addition to the community center and filling the remaining lots with houses.

City Projects: The city projects that our groups are involved in can vary greatly but they’re all opportunities to serve and bless people as well as local churches and ministries. They also give our groups a chance to get out of the neighborhood and see more of the city. One of the greatest benefits we have seen in our city projects has been in the opportunities for our staff and volunteers to share the gospel and why we do the things that we do with people that are curious about what we are doing.

Outreach Programs:

Our groups will have the opportunity to serve in the various outreach programs that our ministry is involved in. That may include helping teach English at the English House in the evenings, hospital visits to share food and pray with patients and their caregivers, and preparing and sharing meals with immigrants that we are caring for.

Immigrant Relief: As a border city, immigrants and refugees have always been part of Piedras Negras and the ministry of CrossRoads Mexico. However, in recent years we have seen a drastic increase in the number of immigrants in our city. Much of this is a result of turmoil and oppression in Central and South America. In response to this immense need, we threw ourselves into finding ways to serve and care for this hurting and vulnerable population.

Since involving ourselves in refugee and immigrant relief we have worked with thousands of people from many different countries and even continents. We began by supporting a local shelter and have since branched off into many other ventures including a soup kitchen, grocery deliveries, and transportation. The needs of these people are constantly changing based on different nationalities, circumstances, and politics. We are very thankful for the opportunities that we have been blessed with to provide for their physical and spiritual needs and show them that true hope and peace are only found in Christ.

The English House: The English House offers opportunities for people of all levels to learn English with native speakers as teachers. It is our goal to help guide our students on their English learning journeys in a way that builds confidence in their abilities to make the most of the many opportunities that come with being bilingual. By emphasizing our use of native speakers as teachers we can go beyond technicalities and focus on the flow and feel of language that can be so elusive. Our hope for the English House is that it would be a valuable tool in connecting the people of our city with us, our ministry, and ultimately to Jesus.

Hospital Ministry: Hospital outreach has been a part of our ministry for many years. Now we are working on making it more regular and consistent. This ministry involves bringing food and basic care items to people staying in the social security hospital as well as their caretakers. Extended hospital stays can take a great toll on patients and caretakers alike, and we want to be able to come alongside them to pray for them and share the hope and peace of Jesus.

Cultural Immersion

Our groups will have a day where they are able to experience more of the city itself led by one of our local interns. This will include: a brief lesson about Spanish, the city, and Mexican culture, followed by a trip into the city to visit the market and eat at a local restaurant ending with a house visit with a neighbor in Piedra Angular to hear their story and how God is working in their life.

COST

The participant fee covers supplies for construction, outreach, lodging, meals and supplies for worship and devotions. This DOES NOT include travel meals or lunch on Sunday at the Market.

• Pickup in Eagle Pass, TX $600
• Pickup in San Antonio, TX $675