General Guidelines for America Mission Teams
We have been called by God to help the people of Reynosa, Mexico. We have come to love them and wish to share the Gospel with as many as possible. They are wonderful people with many needs, and that is why we are glad you are considering a mission trip here. We are praying for everyone who comes to Camp Piedra Angular. Our facility is dedicated to God’s work, and is prayed over by many people every day, so we are very careful of our conduct and the impressions the participants make on the Mexican people. For this reason, we have several things we would like you to consider before finalizing your team. Some of these are cultural and some of these are due to camp limitations, but all are servanthood related. The time you spend here is a time to put aside “self”, and focus in on the needs and culture of those around you.
- We allow no smoking or any other tobacco usage on the camp.
- No alcohol or drug usage is allowed.
- Modest dress and appearance are required at all times. We allow no tank tops, halter tops, short tops or hip-hugger pants. T-shirts and “fingertip length” shorts are proper dress at the camp.T-shirts must have intact sleeves, not rolled up. By fingertip shorts, we mean they should be no shorter than mid-thigh.
- Wild hairstyles or coloring, extreme tattoos and body piercing (ear lobes for females excepted) are not acceptable. If you have any questions about any of these things, please contact us to discuss it. Please do not bring anyone who may violate the restrictions and hope to deal with it when you get here.
- We cannot cater to individual dietary desires such as vegetarianism. You will be served a variety of food, including meat and chicken, and we expect all participants to eat what they are served, and not just fill up on what they “prefer”. We plan our meals based on equal portions of everything for all participants and we don’t want anyone to go without their share because someone has overindulged in one area. It is also very important that everyone get enough to eat when working all day in the hot sun. However, if anyone in the group is on a medical diet as prescribed by a doctor please let us know in advance, with verification, and we will do the best we can to accommodate.
- We ask that you not play non-Christian music or videos. We tell you this now so that you don’t have to pack any of these things.
- Meals are served “family style”, so all participants need to be in the dining hall 5 minutes prior to meal time for table selection and prayer. Our cooks have been trained to provide hot meals on time. Please be sure all members of your group are on time. Remember, a few people straggling in late is culturally offensive.
- If, for any reason, your group or anyone in your group is off camp in the evening, they must be back on camp by 10:00 PM. We have camp workers and residents in the ranch area that don’t need cars and vans coming and going all night. 10:00 PM is “quiet time” on camp. All group members must either be in the dining hall or dormitory after this time
- Once you have left camp for your worksite, please do not bring anyone back to the camp unless they are sick enough to be bedridden. Kids who are just hot, or tired can rest at the worksite.
- All kids returning or left at camp must have an adult leader of the same sex remain with them.
- It is the responsibility of group leaders to ensure adherence to these policies or send any habitually offending person home.
- We ask that if you have people who cannot adapt to these restrictions for a week, please have them remain at home.