US/MEXICO BORDER IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

Tour Leader: The Rev. Joel Hortiales a GBGM Missionary (Advance #3022410) is assigned to the California Pacific Conference to work with ministries and non-profit organizations who work with immigrants in San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. Part of his ministry is organizing and crafting immersion experience tours. He is in partnership with Susan Harriss (CalPac UMVIM Coordinator).

Purpose of an Immersion Experience: This draws a person or group into an asylum seekers environment and allowing them to feel completely engaged rather than just observing.

Potential Activities:

Border Crossing

Friendship Park – Tijuana (The border wall up close and personal)

Visit to Centro 32 (works with traumatized immigrants in shelters on their psychological and educational wellbeing)

Deliver Donations

Volunteer at a Shelter

A Feeding Program of the Mexican Methodist Church (Comedor “Juan 6:35”) (A feeding program in a low-income area.)

Help educators in the “Baby Bus” (working with traumatized immigrant children)

Interview Asylum Seekers

Lunch at Café de La Flor – Tijuana

The Costs: Transportation to San Diego on your own; lodging on your own or it can be arranged; meals; donations for the programs.

The length of your tour depends on the number of activities that you choose to do.

What to Do Next:

1. Contact Rev. Joel Hortiales at jhortiales@calpacumc.org and/or text 323-572-4228.

2. Set the day or days of your immersion experience tour. Include what you would like to experience. Rev. Hortiales will contact you with a proposed immersion tour and more information about costs.

3. Passport: It is critical to have a current passport with at least 6 months prior to expiring when you are scheduled to cross the border. You do want to be able to return to the USA.