International

Mexico Safety Testimonies

March 19th, 2009

Mexico has been in the news a lot recently.  Drug cartels and violence are publicized frequently.  Yet, during these times and conditions, many are still choosing to take part in a short-term mission trip to Monterrey.  For those considering participating in the Back2Back missions experience, please read the following testimonies to gain a firsthand perspective on safety from former Back2Back mission trip guests.

"I recently led a group of 33 people to Back2Back ranging from the age of six on up.  At no time during our trip did we see anything that made us nervous or concerned about our safety.  Because of the recently publicity, we did become more serious about safety during our travels. Since we drive to Monterrey, we made sure that we crossed the border away from known hot-spots, took well traveled toll-ways to Monterrey and only drove during day light hours.

The Back2Back property is in a quiet neighborhood of "quintas" or vacation homes. The property has tall walls and security gates that are kept closed and a night-watchman. Other precautions that Back2Back takes are that all travel is done during daylight hours and missionaries don't leave the property without a Back2Back staff member with them.

Neither myself or anyone on my team would hesitate to travel to Back2Back again to live out James 1:27 in Monterrey."
 
-- John Steczkowski

 

"Our week in Monterrey was awesome, as usual.  God moved in so many ways, that I was just in awe.  I want to start by telling you what God did when four of our members decided not to go at the last minute (due to safety concerns) was incredible.  I was fascinated by the way that He worked to fill those slots within days of our leaving.  Schedules were cleared, vacations were granted, money flowed in from friends and relatives, and very quickly, we were back up to a full team.  I believe God knew exactly who He wanted to fill those slots and wasted no time in making it happen.  Each of the four new people had their own little miracle as to how they, at the last minute, were able to go with us.

As far as safety, I can honestly say that the violence issue seldom crossed my mind.  Back2Back staff met us at the airport before we even got out of customs and we were constantly chaperoned through out the entire week by someone who spoke both English and Spanish.  We always traveled by chartered buses that stayed the day with us wherever we were serving.  We never broke off nor ventured anywhere outside of the places we were serving and we never saw anything that caused us to be fearful.  We were housed in a beautiful campus that is walled and gated.  I even noted, as we left at 3AM to catch our flight home, that B2B actually pay men to stay up all night and watch the grounds of the campus just to be extra sure that nothing unexpected occurs.

As I thought about all the hype on the TV and media about the drug cartel and the violence they are causing, it reminded me of the riots we had a few years back in Cincinnati (where we live).  Many of my friends and family were calling us to make sure we were okay.  Although we live just outside of Cincinnati, we were not fearful as we knew not to go downtown at night, alone or in the worst areas at the time.  Back2Back has always taken extra precautions with their volunteers to keep them safe.  I felt secure during the whole mission trip and I figure that God is on our side.  I know that the drug lords can't say that!"

 -- Amy Tuell 

 

"My name is Jessica Fiorini and I am an eighth grader at Pleasant Run Middle School in Cincinnati, OH.  It was a privilege to serve with the Back2Back Staff during the March 2009 mission trip. One thing that really stood out to me was a little girl named Gloria from the Imperio de Amor Children's Home. She instantly came to me to toss a football with her. It was cool to see how God could connect people in such a short time. The news reports of unsafe conditions in Mexico made some of my family and friends worry.  I was able to share that I felt very safe and had no idea of any problems while there. 

Before my trip, I wanted to become a veterinarian and help animals. Although I will always have a heart for other creatures, I now am focused on going to school for a medical degree and continuing missionary work. This will allow me to serve the children in the orphanages and rios as a traveling doctor. When I become 16, I will be applying for a Back2Back summer internship. 

Thank you for a life changing experience."

-- Jessica Fiorini

 

"This past February was my third trip to Monterrey and the second trip for Lifepoint Vineyard. Prior to this trip, we had heard of the unrest and drug cartel situation but because of our past experiences with B2B never gave it serious consideration. I have always felt completely safe and have never felt threatened or have felt like I have put my team in compromising situations. I believe one of the main reasons for being able to be relaxed both in and around LDM, and on trips to the children's homes and the Rios is the professionalism of the entire staff of B2B. I have not been with a captain that didn't have an understanding of both the political/social situation as well as knowledge of the neighborhoods we would serve. The captains know where we can go and where we shouldn't. This trip was no different in regards to safety than those taken in the past. In fact, and I know we are not suppose to compare this trip to others, was the best yet. Yes there was drug cartel, political unrest, yes there was evil and we even encountered spiritual warfare at the Rio. But then again what were we thinking! This is a mission field in a third world country. Never did we feel in danger and we walked the Rio freely. Feedback from our group was that the trip was phenomenal and that safety was not a concern."

-- Tim Anderson

 

"The weeks leading up to our trip to Monterrey were filled with media stories focusing on escalating violence in Mexico.  The message were even as specific as saying that college students should not visit Monterrey.  Since the majority of our group was college students, we had a lot of worried parents calling and expressing concern about their children's safety.  We took those concerns seriously and discussed the situation with our pastors, Back2Back staff, and the Department of State.  We decided to move forward with our trip, but encouraged those parents to discuss it with their child and make a decision as a family.  Although we could not give an absolute guarantee of anyone's safety - I can't guarantee their child's safety walking around on campus in East Lansing...it's just not possible - we did feel that our previous experiences with Back2Back made us confident that we would be as safe as possible while in Monterrey and that if there were a threat, they would make that known to us and protect us to the best of their ability.

I think our students were nervous about safety issues until we had spent about 1 day in Mexico.  Once they got to Back2Back's property and saw the tall, gated wall, and the number of people on campus at all times, they relaxed quite a bit.  Back2Back has developed some new security guidelines, including bringing everybody back to their property before dark, and everybody was instructed to stay on campus or with staff at all times.  From the campus, we only left in a large group, accompanied by B2B staff.  I personally felt completely safe the entire time I was there.  I didn't see any sign of the violence that the US media makes sound as though is happening on every street!  I've heard the same reaction from the members of our group, that they didn't feel uncomfortable or scared about any of the places we went, or that they were ever in any danger.  By the time we left, I was only hearing "I am SO glad I came."

While there are certainly things going on in Mexico that pose a risk to any person's safety, I think the main thing to be aware of is that traveling alone, going into unsafe areas of any town, flashing expensive items, being drunk, etc, draws attention to Americans and makes easy targets.  Going as a large group, traveling together, being with staff who speak Spanish and know which areas are safe, make it a much safer experience than college students (or anybody) traveling to Mexico alone or in small groups. 

After spending a week in Monterrey with Back2Back, I would not hesitate at all to return."

-- Susan Rickert

 

"I have been to Monterrey 3 times in the last year with my wife and our 5 children.  We were there last month with our 7 year old son and his older brothers and sister.  I heard about the safety issues in Mexico and did some research.  What I found was that the current safety issues were in border areas.  Monterrey is a safe city and I saw nothing this time or the last 2 times that led me to believe anything has changed.  I would not put my wife and kids in harm's way.  Back2Back does a fantastic job of keeping you safe.  Frankly I have felt more concerned in over the rhine area of Cincinnati than Monterrey."

-- Scott Phillips

 

"I have traveled to B2B twice over the course of the year.  My last trip was in February.  I had a friend call me who was concerned about safety issues at this time.  Back2Back is built as a compound with closed gates.  Travel is done on buses from a bus company which B2B has a longstanding relationship.  The buses come into the compound and groups travel to and from the children's homes, field trips with kids, and communities on the Rio.  I have never experienced a situation whereby I felt my safety was compromised or threatened.  We did not see any such activity in Monterrey nor have we heard of any in Monterrey.  I hope and pray that the awesome work of B2B continues to move forward drawing more and more people and may it work in the hearts of participants, the children, and the families in the Rio community."

-- Jenny Phillips