Question: Why would I attend Crossing Borders instead of another mission camp program?

Answer: There is room for many camps with different program priorities as we all seek to spread the good news of the Gospel of Jesus. At Crossing Borders, we intend to focus on three aspects. First, to help each participant discover and analyze his/her unique personal gifts, talents and heart in relation to his/her Christian service. Second, to train each participant in practical ways he/she can apply his/her talents in outreach evangelism. Third, to participate in hands-on servant evangelism in a foreign culture. Rather than do only one type of project during camp, Crossing Borders participants will take advantage of a wide variety of ministry activities—a sort of “sampler camp” for missionary work. Our prayer is that each participant will realize life-change—in his/her own life and in the lives of those to whom we reach out.

Question: What kind of historical experience does Crossing Borders camp have?

Answer: 2006 was the first year for this specific camp location and program—and it was a smashing success! Since then, we’ve continued with our week-long summer camp and we’ve added a winter-time shoebox ministry trip into Mexico. This camp also draws from a long history and connection with other related camps. Crossing Borders is a member of the international family of camps sponsored by Generations Ministry of Grace Communion International (GCI). GCI has been running camps every year since 1965, and currently has 18 regional camps across the U.S.—as well as camps in Canada, Africa, the Philippines, Europe and other countries. Crossing Borders camp operates under the supervision of Generations Ministry, so we have the benefit of over four decades of history and the combined experience of dozens of camp locations and thousands of camp participants.

Question: I’ve heard on news reports that there is a lot of crime and danger over the Mexican border. Will we be safe on our trips into Mexico?

Answer: Yes, there is some ongoing violence on the Mexican border—but it has calmed down a lot from previous levels in the Nuevo Laredo area (where our camp mission work takes place). In fact, the local news media (as of April 2009) reports that violent crime has decreased about 75% from what it was three years ago. One important point you don’t normally hear on the national news is that tourists, business people and missionaries are not the focus of the violence. Long-term missionaries operating in Mexico report that they are as free and safe to do their work as ever. The bulk of the violence is among and between factions of gangs, crime syndicates, and illegal drug dealers and the police. On the positive side, the Mexican government has responded to the problem by replacing hundreds of corrupt police, sending in extra law enforcement staff and rooting out the criminal base. The U.S. and Texas governments are also contributing resources, and the problems have greatly decreased. Of course, Crossing Borders camp uses wisdom and caution in our work in Mexico. Our ministry work will be with orphans, churches and families in public areas. We are being personally guided in Mexico by experienced Christian locals who live in the border region, are aware of the local situation and will take us to the safest areas. We will always travel and work in groups—never as individuals. We will stay away from any known areas of violence, and we will spend each night on the U.S. side of the border at our base camp.

Question: In the spring of 2009 we’re hearing a lot about an outbreak of “swine flu” that apparently has a focal point in Mexico. What are the chances of getting swine flu at this mission camp?

Answer: In early spring the swine flu outbreak was widely and frequently reported in the national news media. Health officials were warning that this disease might become a very deadly pandemic. However, as time has gone on it appears that this strain of flu does not (thankfully) pose the level of risk first feared. Several weeks after the flu first appeared there have been (as of May 2009) only 4 deaths in the U.S. and less than 30 deaths in Mexico (compared to a “normal” flu bug that kills about 35,000 people in the U.S. each year). In Mexico, the vast majority of swine flu cases have been centered around Mexico City—over 500 miles away from where we have camp in Nuevo Laredo. As of this writing, there have been NO confirmed cases of swine flu near the border area where we’ll be. Of course, we continue to monitor current border situations, but at this point it appears that swine flu is not a relevant concern for Crossing Borders program.

Question: Is a passport required for our camp travels into Mexico?

Answer: YES, a Passport or a Passport Card is required for any travel into Mexico. For more details about required documents, go to our “Travel” link.

Question: Are any special medical shots or vaccinations required to enter Mexico?

Answer: No.