Flower Mound United Methodist Church contact for Proyecto Abrigo: Mike Farrer at mfarrer@searshc.com

Please email Mike with questions and/or to register for the next trip.

Next Trip: November 6 to 9, 2008

Flight Details: Outbound - American Airlines #1033 - November 6 - departs DFW at 5:35pm, arriving El Paso at 6:25pm
Return - American Airlines #468 - November 9 - departs El Paso at 3:20pm, arriving DFW at 6:05pm

Informational Meeting: TBD; Flower Mound United Methodist Church Library

About Proyecto Abrigo (Project Shelter)

Proyecto Abrigo was founded in 1996 by Jose Luis Portillo in Tierra Nueva, Mexico. Since then, thousands of team members have built houses for hundreds of families in the poorer communities outside of Juarez, Mexico. These families are literally living in cardboard box / wooden crate / dirt floor homes held together with chicken wire.

The houses, built of cinderblock, measure 11’ by 22’ and have a cement floor. Each team is aided by “maestros,” who show the team how to mix the mortar and cement and lay the blocks. The family, when able, often helps the team with the building of their new home. At the end of the week, the team and family participate in a house dedication. Trips usually end with a trip to the market and dinner at a local restaurant.

Teams stay in cinderblock dorms built similarly to the houses they are constructing. Bunk beds with foam pads line the large sleeping rooms. Running water, toilets, and showers are available in each dorm (However, please note that you should not ingest the water. Also, toilet paper should not be flushed due to fragile sewage system.). Bottled water is also provided for the teams. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the dining hall at the dorms everyday. The food is well prepared and safe for consumption. Wireless internet is also available at the Proyecto Abrigo dorms.

Learn more here:

http://proyectoabrigo.org/proyecto/index.htm

How does Flower Mound United Methodist Church support Proyecto Abrigo?

Twice yearly, in the spring and the fall, the church sends a team to provide labor to build the cinderblock homes. The size of the team will determine how many homes are built during each trip. The church pays Proyecto Abrigo for the materials required to build each home (cinderblocks, cement, mortar, doors, windows, and the like). These funds are from the church's missions budget.

How long are the trips?

Typically, three days and three nights. The team will leave late on a Thursday or Friday afternoon, returning Sunday evening or Monday evening, respectively.

How does the team get to Proyecto Abrigo outside of Juarez?

The team flies together from DFW Airport or Dallas Love Field to El Paso, Texas. The team is picked up there by representatives from the mission and driven across the border to the Proyecto Abrigo compound. The compound has the dorms where the team sleeps and the dining hall where the team eats. Usually there are other teams from other churches all over the country sharing the compound.

How much does the trip cost?

Airfare plus $80 per person. The $80 per person covers food, lodging, and round trip ground transfers! Please make checks payable to Flower Mound United Methodist Church and designate “Proyecto Abrigo” in the memo field. These can be mailed to the church or dropped in the church's offering plate on Sunday mornings.

Do I have to have special carpentry skills to participate?

No. None. Period!

Is there an age limit?

Not really. Children as young as six years old have participated on up to able-bodied seniors well into their 70s!

Do I have to be a member of Flower Mound United Methodist Church to participate?

No. Visitors are more than welcome!

What do I bring?

It's all right here!

http://proyectoabrigo.org/proyecto/packing.htm

How do I sign up?

Again, please email Mike Farrer with questions and/or to register for the next trip.

Are there pictures available from past trips?

Coming soon!!!

If you are REALLY interested in learning the details of what is involved in building the cinderblock homes, check out these PDFs:

HowToManual.pdf is an eight-page document in 8.5 x 11 format.
HowToBooklet.pdf is the same document in 4.25 x 5.5 booklet format.