Cal-Pac United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) announces opportunities for personal tours of the facilities and activities associated with the conference ministries to asylum seekers in the San Diego/Tijuana border area. The tours will be led by Rev. Dr. Joel Hortiales for individuals or small groups up to 10 people by request. More information is below.
Tour Leader: The Rev. Joel Hortiales, a GBGM Missionary (Advance #3022410), is assigned to the California-Pacific Conference working with ministries and non-profit organizations supporting 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
Cost: Transportation to and lodging in San Diego on your own; meals; donations for the programs.
Timing: Tours are booked by request, the length of your tour will be customized for you and depends on the number of activities that you choose to do.
Requirements & how to get started:
- Contact Rev. Joel Hortiales at jhortiales@calpacumc.org and/or text 323-572-4228.
- Select the day or days of your immersion experience tour. Include what you would like to experience. Rev. Hortiales will contact you with a proposal and more information about costs.
- 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 so that you can return to the USA.