Border Safe Houses-Human Trafficking

Background:

There is a situation that has been developing for several years on the frontier of Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, but recently has reached crisis proportions.  As you know, there is a flood of humanity flowing north from Central and South America fleeing conditions of desperate poverty trying to make their way to the United States for a share in “the American dream”.  For many women and girls, however, this dream for the future becomes a nightmare when they reach the border of Mexico with Guatemala or Belize.

Lured with the promise of a better life, girls and women often reach this border and then find it impossible to go any further north in to Mexico.  The United States government has been very effective in working with the Mexican government in stopping people on the southern Mexico border.  If South and Central Americans cannot make it in to Mexico, they can’t get to the United States.  Most are not deported and returned to their home countries, however. Often they are robbed of the few belongings they have, raped by Mexican officials or border gangs, and then left at the frontier destitute in a “no man’s land” unable to go north and unable to go back to their homes. Recently President Bush was in Latin America promoting his immigration and narcotics interdiction policies.   His presence has highlighted the need to act in behalf of these women and girls existing in dire circumstances along these volatile frontiers.  The need is apparent, but help is far from coming.

These women and girls trapped at the border are usually from a rural village and are often illiterate with no marketable skill.  With no safety net, no money, and no hope for the future they become easy prey for individuals involved in human trafficking for sexual exploitation. 

We have a vision to establish “safe houses” on these frontiers that offer food, clothing, and a temporary refuge.  More important, as Christians we will also provide spiritual guidance and a hope for the future through new life in Christ.  The pictures scrolling here were taken at the frontier on a recent visit.  We have talked with women at the border caught in the circumstances mentioned above, and there is a sense of urgency developing to proceed with the vision.

The focus of Maya-Mesoamerica Mission is spreading the “good news” of new life in Christ and planting churches.  However, we minister to the “whole person” through ministries of “helps” as we share the love of Christ.  We are calling partners to help with our Lord’s harvest.

Then they signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. The men came, and together they filled the two boats so full that they both began to sink.

(Luke 5:7 CEV)

Proposal:

Develop “safe houses” in the border areas of Mexico/Guatemala and Mexico/Belize.

Cost:

Monthly

Facility rent-$350.00/month

Utilities-$50.00/month

Food & Supplies-$500.00/month

Salary for staff person to oversee mission-$400.00/month

Total monthly expense-$1,300.00/month

Start-up one time expense

Laundry equipment-$700.00

Stove-$300.00

Propane cylinder and regulator-$100.00

Refrigerator-$400.00

Furniture (beds, tables, chairs, dressers, etc.)-$1,000.00

Total start-up cost-$2,500.00

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

(Romans 12:1-2 MSG)

Contact us at www.info@mayamission if you, your church or small group, business or civic group would like to partner in a frontier border safe house.

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