Real Life Ministries, P.O. Box 909, Bonita CA 91908

General Information for your Adventure In
Mexico Missions Ministry

Housing Arrangements
While in Ensenada

Eating, Food, Cooking, and Preparing

Meals: Your fee will cover your Fresh Authentic HomeDinner and your cooks fee, but you will need to dudget your cost for your breakfast and lunches. Each group is responsible for providing the food and preparing their Breakfast and Lunch. The Cooks for Dinner will take care of all the food purchasing and preparations, you will simply need to provide plates and eating utencils. Your cooks Love Offering is included in your fee and that will given to you to give to the cook at your request. Remember that all of your meals are prepared with fresh food and at times meals require more than one day of preparation. Some Groups want to bring their own cooks; this is welcomed, but only for Breakfast and Lunch. Weekend groups must request a cook as most groups prefer to eat out on short visits. For weekend groups the kitchen is also available for you to use for all of your cooking needs.

Other useful information:
1) Before crossing the boarder there is a Costco close to the freeway as well as large supermarkets. (Hours are similar at all Costco stores; most supermarkets close at midnight). Please Click here for locations.
2) Ensenada has very large U.S. style supermarkets as well as a wholesale store with prices and large quantity size products very comparable to the U.S. There is now a new Costco in Ensenada to help you with your shopping needs.**Prices are usually higher here in Ensenada**
3) Paper products and plastic cutlery are cheaper in the States.
4) Safe bottled drinking water can be purchased in Mexico although each team member needs his/her own bottle they can refill. Our facility has fresh processed drinking water on site and it is there for your use.
5) Kitchen has a refrigerator and electricity.
6) There is a commercial 6 burner style gas stove - basic pots and pans for cooking are in the kitchen, but due to many of our items getting lost, or taken home we have a limited supply, so our advice is to bring your own kitchen pots, pans, utensils... 7) RLM has coolers if needed.

General Travel Information

Travel Insurance
Mexican auto insurance is necessary and can be purchased at AAA or there are a number of Agencies in San Diego. We prefer on Located just off the Inter State 805 and E St, Mex-Insur (a Burger King is located next Door, as well a Chevron Gas Station). Rates will very depending on the year and type of Vehicle-----Remember, Auto Insurance is not a money saving option, It is Mandatory

Directions to the Meeting Place (If needed and available)
(Please Communicate with Ken Small to see if this a Meeting Place is needed)
Follow I-5 South to the I-805 Freeway South. Continue on I-805 South through San Diego to the exit called E Street/Bonita Rd. Turn to the Right and immediately enter into the parking lot of Mex-Insur (Denny's is directly across the street).
Travel Time to Ensenada
From the border crossing at San Diego, travel to Ensenada takes approximately 1½-2 hours by a very scenic, well-maintained toll highway. There are three toll booths on the way at a cost of $2.30 each per vehicle, per toll booth.

House Building
We now only construct 12' x 20' and the is $3,000.00 (Subject to change quarterly) Each home will have a concrete floor, electrical romex wiring, outlets, switches, sheetrock on the walls and ceiling, light fixtures, Heavy Duty Exterior Door, and windows. Every home has a Cement Plastered exterior, with a metal roof. Every home is built with the vision being able to build an addition to it. We encourage each group to attempt a two year commitment to the family in order to in total provide a house that is 20'x24'. This gives the family a one large room (12x20) and two small rooms @ 10'x12' (bedroom). The funds for the project will not only pay for Raw materials needed to build the house but also for fuel/ware and tear for the Ministry Vehicles that will transport the materials. For more information visit 10) If you plan on arriving on Saturday, then plan on leaving on Friday.

Evangelism Outreach

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is our main form of outreach. We attempt to schedule the VBS at the church where the family attends, or we have it at the Church of the individual(s) that are sponsoring the project. We will hold three programs (each 1 ½ hour) for local children that you tailor to your youth's abilities. A lesson is prepare by our VBS Coordinator and the lesson is sent to you along with a list of Craft Items to bring, a description of your role in the VBS, Snack suggestions, and Prize suggestions. We will provide translators if needed. Contact Debbie Hollenbeck by e-mail at,debbieh@ltpalmas.org
Be Prepare to attend one or even two evening services. It is very important that everyone ware appropriate clothing, and each group should have "Practiced" Testimonies ready to share along with some songs or music. If you have individuals that have special talents then plan on them sharing them with the church. PLEASE!!!! No Over heads with songs written in English!!!. Please Plan ahead and if you plan on using them and have them translated.

Clothing and Food distribution. For different reasons we have decided to not participate in this type of outreach. Due to the quality of clothing that is donated we have also tried to stay away from this type of ministry as well. We do however encourage coordinated neighborhood services that can include BBQ cook out followed with a service planned by your Group. This could mean providing food for 100-200 individuals if not more. Please communicate with Dennis in regards to Mid-Week Ministry opportunities.

Dress Attire

This is one area that we can do most harm to our own testimony. We have standards set in the area of clothing because with in the Christian community here in Ensenada they have high standards. There is also the culture that exists in different areas, and we must always be sensitive to the culture. This is one area the Ministry Staff of Real Life Ministries can not be flexible with. If individuals wish not to respect the Standards then they will not be invited to participate in Ministry.
1) Everyone must wear long pants on the construction site for safety. Your daily attire will and can include Long Jeans, and T-shirts, or Sleeveless shirts for Girls (not to be confused with tank-tops) NO TWO PIECE BATHING SUITS ALLOWED. Guys, No Muscle Shirts, and a T-shirt must always be worn on the job site. Girls must ware shirts that do not expose their mid-section!! Leaders, raise the standard for your youth during this week, if you don't, we will--sorry, it's getting out of hand as far as what young ladies are allowed to ware.
2) No Flip-flops or sandals on construction site.
3) Other times - long shorts (touching the knee) are acceptable - NO short shorts.
4) For Church on Sunday, or Mid week Service: Skirts for the gals or nice clean dress pants, collared shirts and long pants for the guys (ties are not necessary.)

What to Bring and What to leave at HOME. Adult learder do not apply to #1. Music is allowed and encouraged during free time, meals and worship, and MP3 divices can be used. However, PLEASE apply the rules to your youth.

1) NO CELL PHONES, No radios, MP3 players, CD players, hand held game devices, Personal CD's, cell phones, Drugs, Cigarettes (no Smoking on Ministry Grounds allowed) please. If you group is using a Portable Sound device for VBS, please just use it for it's intended purposes such as VBS, or Worship time within your own group.
2) Bring you own sleeping bag, bathroom items (soap, shampoo, tooth paste..) and your own towels.
3) Nail aprons, gloves if desired, cordless drills and dry wall drivers will be very helpful on the job site, hammers are not needed. We have plenty, but if you prefer on using your own tools then feel free to bring them, as a ministry however we can not be responsible for your Personal tools.
4) Friday will be a free day to visit the "La Bufadora" (world's largest blow hole) and do some souvenir shopping. Swimming at the beach (modest one piece swimsuits only, please.)
5) Money can be changed in Mexico. Most large established stores now take Visa and Master Card, Travelers Checks can be a nightmare, and some gas stations also take credit cards.

Suggested Daily Schedule of Events

These times can Very depending on circumstances that may arise, or preferred times of evening study and worship.
6:30 am: Rise, get dressed
7:00 am: Devotions
7:30 am: Breakfast
8:00 am: "Let's Load the Truck and trailer!!"
8:30 am Meeting time then leave for the Job site, time to work!!
12:30 pm: Lunch at site
1:00 pm: Continue working
2:30 pm: Prepare VBS (a small crew of 5-8 will continue to work on the house)
6:00 pm: Dinner time, then free time
7:30 pm: Group Bible study and sharing
8:30 pm: Free time
11:00 pm: Lights out