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Destination: Samachique, Mexico. Located in the Copper Canyon area of the Sierra Madres. Traveling time from Juarez, Mexico is approximately ten hours.

Twofold purpose of trip: To construct a cistern water system for the children’s school. To construct staff housing for Samachique Bible Institute.
Who can go: Anyone in reasonably good health, both male and female. Basic construction skills are helpful, but not necessary as this involves a lot of basic manual labor. Women can assist in construction, cooking, or clothing distribution. Spanish speakers are needed to serve as interpreters in route and on the job site. Total group size will be capped at forty. Register early.
Where do we lodge? Lodging is in the dormitory at Samachique Bible Institute in bunk beds. The water is drinkable and there are hot showers. Bring your own bedding. Sleeping bags are suggested.
Weather: September and October are beautiful months with daytime temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s.
Altitude: 7,000 feet. Mountainous terrain.
Passport: You must have a valid and current U.S. Passport. No exceptions. It takes up to two months to get one and costs around $85.00. They are good for ten years. Get the application from a local Post Office. Many Post Offices can now take the photo as well.
Insurance: You will need to get Mexican auto insurance for any vehicle that crosses the border. This is best done before the trip. There are a number of companies that offer this type of insurance that can be found online. We use International Gateway Insurance Brokers, Inc at 619-422-3022. There is a well equipped hospital at Samachique for medical needs and we have access to an ambulance airplane for emergencies that cannot be handled there. Your registration with us includes emergency medical.
Schedule: Upon registration, you will be given information for meeting at a motel in El Paso on Oct. 5 We will proceed as a total group across the border on Oct. 6 and arrive at Creel, Mexico, for Saturday night. We will proceed on Sunday morning to Samachique Bible Institute, a two hour drive. After a devotional time and lunch, we will proceed to get set up for construction activities on Monday. We will leave on Friday, Oct 12, to arrive back at El Paso that evening.
Cost: Four hundred dollars is due at registration. This covers construction materials, room and board at Samachique, one night’s lodging at Creel, and emergency medical insurance from Springfield. All other meals, lodging, and transportation costs are in addition.
Registration: You will need to register as a group or individual with Rev. Buddy Bishop, at 1272 Sunrise Drive, Delta, CO 81416. You may also contact him at: 970-874-7264. You will be given a packet to fill out that will register you with the Missions Department in Springfield, give your church giving credit, and provide emergency medical insurance. If you are coming with a local church group, the group leader will need to fill out the Springfield packet for the entire group. It is important that this be done at least one month or more in advance of the trip.
What to bring:
Shorts and halter tops are not acceptable in the local culture
Comfortable work clothes for entire week.
Gloves
Group leaders will be given more information about tools.
Bottled water and toilet paper for travel within Mexico
Bedding, toiletry articles, towel, and wash cloth
Sunscreen lotion
Any special dietary items. We will be providing wholesome American type cooking for the meals, but we cannot accommodate any special requests.
We encourage you to bring an extra old suitcase with clothing to be given away. Children’s clothing and shoes are always needed. Adults tend to be smaller than the average American. School supplies are desperately needed and can also be placed in the suitcase.
Medical prescriptions should be brought in an original bottle showing the prescription.
Cell phones work in parts of Mexico and are charged at an international rate. Calls can be made from Samachique via a satellite connection at a small store. Both are expensive