AeC Juarez Security Plan
Over the last decade, Amigos en Cristo Ministries has truly experienced God's grace over the many mission trips undertaken in Juarez, Mexico. Over this period, there have been no serious injuries or threats to our well-being, and that can only be because of God's grace in protecting us and answering the faithful prayers of the people who support the many ministry activities of Amigos en Cristo. Although we pray for God's continued mercies, we also take all prudent actions and precautions to ensure that we are doing everything we can reasonably do to minimize risks and to develop advance plans to deal with medical and situational emergencies.
No security plan can anticipate every eventuality or preclude the possibility of illness, injury, or risks to safety. However, regular adherence to the following rules is essential to maximize the safety of everyone serving as short-term missionaries for Amigos en Cristo:
- Prior to each short-term mission trip, an appropriate number of Team Leaders will be designated based on the number of trip participants. There should be enough Team Leaders to ensure that at least one leader is always present at every work site being served on that trip.
- Each Team Leader will give regular direction over the work being performed at the work site, and will ensure adherence to this security plan by all trip participants.
- Team Leaders will be familiar with the Anapra area of Juarez and be capable of driving Team vehicles without assistance to and from the Amistad and New Beginnings Community Centers, and the Frank Amorosi Art Center. Team Leaders will also be able to drive without assistance if necessary to the Santa Teresa port of entry, and either the Bridge of the Americas ("free bridge") or the Pasa Del Norte ("pay bridge") port of entry to the United States.
- Team Leaders will always have a cellular telephone with them, pre-programmed with the telephone numbers of all other Team Leaders on that trip and the U.S. telephone numbers of the above-listed ports of entry.
- No trip participant will leave the La Paz Missions Center or the Amistad and New Beginnings Community Centers unless a Team Leader accompanies them.
- Whenever possible, AeC vehicles will travel together, obeying all traffic control devices and being operated in a manner which will not attract unnecessary attention. Trip participants will ride inside the passenger compartments of vehicles and not in the open beds of pick-up trucks.
- Whenever possible, AeC vehicles will operate only in daylight.
- Alcohol and tobacco products are not to be used on any of the Amigos en Cristo properties.
More important than any set of rules we can devise is our faith in God's protection. We believe that God has been faithful to protect past mission trips to Juarez, and that He will continue to bless our work if we faithfully trust in Him. Working in Juarez has some inherent risks, but we believe God calls us to serve His people in all parts of the world, not just in those places which are pleasant and safe. We are committed to the work that has been started in Juarez, and to taking all precautions which are prudent and advisable.