Merida, Mexico

Centuries before the arrival of the Spanish, the Yucatan Peninsula was the heart of the great Mayan civilization.  Today, Mayan traditions continue in small villages throughout the Yucatan.  Familes live in thatched huts, women still wear the traditional “huiplies” and Mayan is the language of preference.

But the Yucatan today is also a world of contrasts.  On the west coast of the peninsula, Cancun is one of the world’s primary tourist destinations.  On the east coast, the city of Merida maintains its colonial flavor even as it emerges to be a major metropolis.

Our Mission Adventures outreaches focus on impoverished areas outsite the city of Merida, and small Mayan villages within 2 hours of the city.  We’ve been with churches in this region for over 20 years.  Teams work alongside our partner churches in children’s ministry, evangelism, construction  and community development.

Teams have the option of taking day exursions to the nearby Mayan ruins, or Yucatan beaches.

In certain areas of Mexico, particularly the northern border, safety has become a concern for travelers to Mexico.  The city of Merida is over 1000 miles away from the closest ‘troubled areas’.  Tourists continue to pour into the Yucatan by the tens-of-thousands every month, and the area remains a safe place for travel and outreach. 

 

DATES:

• June 7-16
• June 21-30
• July 5-14
• July 19-28
• August 2-11

* These dates include training at our YWAM campus (“outreach-only” trips are also available).

COST:

• $70 per person per day
• $630 per person (9 days - includes training)
• $490 per person (7 days - outreach only)

* Price does not include airfare, travel insurances, or “free day” activities

CONTACT INFO:

 name: Bjorn Hawes

e-mail me

phone: 763-477-6777 ext. 235

web: www.ywam-mn.org

Comments

[Deb Reinisch]

Our family is looking for an opportunity to serve on a short term mission trip. I see the dates listed above. What would we need to do to get more information?
We went to tijuana with a group from our church last April for a home build with the Casa de Esparanze YWAM program based out of San Diego. It was a life changing experience.
Thanks,

[Bjorn Hawes]

Thanks for the post. How cool to see families who are involved in missions!

Feel free to call me at 763-477-6777 or e-mail at ma@ywam-mn.org for more information.

Thanks,
Bjorn Hawes

[Marcia Hall]

I happened on this website because my 17 year old daughter, who will graduate high school in June, has decided to take me up on a challenge I made several years back. I encouraged her to find some place that God was working and get involved BEFORE college (later, I learned that in the UK, this is called a Gap Year :-). She's very interested in the Yucatan because her father and I have done projects out of Merida in previous years. She's still gathering information, but I'm strongly encouraging her to focus on the Yucatan.

For any family conisdering a mission trip, I highly recommend the Yucatan, and especially Merida. Compared to the rest of Mexico, which is unfortunately in the grip of uncontrolled thuggery, the Yucatan, which shares no borders with the USA, is much safer, not only for visitors, but for its residents. There are problems, to be sure, but in terms of overall peace, saftey, and therefore freedom for visitors to interact and learn from locals, this is an ideal spot. If you go, bring enthusiasm and an open heart, ready to learn! This is a beautiful part of Mexico, full of rich history (who wants to read about Mayan civilization when you can see it firsthand?) and warm, friendly people glad to share their city and their faith with you.