Reasons to Join the Mano Amiga Program

Why this Mission Work is Important to You  

You help others
in a direct, personal and meaningful manner.

You enrich yourself
and come home fuller than when you left.

You bring back new attitudes,
experiences and spirituality to your communities.

You are changed
by the experiences, by the people, by your Higher Power

It's the right thing to do.

The Goal: 

To grow in understanding of ourselves, of other people and of our Higher Power. This is a spiritual program and one that has been life-transforming for past participants. There is ample opportunity to grow closer to God, opportunity to experience another culture, opportunity to interact with fellow workers and opportunity to serve others. 

The Experience: 

The experience in the Yucatán is intense. Almost every aspect of the trip is different if not foreign. Each day is packed with a variety of meaningful activities from the heavy construction work to the fellowship and fun in the kitchen to the thoughtful reflections during devotions to the common laughter when two people try to communicate without a common language to the quiet contemplation of God’s creation.

This is volunteer construction work using hand tools and muscles only. However, there is need for all levels of physical abilities. In the kitchen, taking photographs, playing music, etc. Our groups have ranged from a girl of eleven to people in their 70's. We stay in a Bible Camp about 100 yards from the Gulf of Mexico and sleep in hammocks. In Mexico we travel by bus across the Yucatán peninsula from Cancún to our temporary home in Chuburná, a small village northwest of Mérida. During our stay we will typically construct and complete between four and ten roofs. We will also have the opportunity to visit Mayan ruins, explore the colonial city of Mérida & meet and visit Mayan families.

Powerful Spiritual Program!

Includes daily devotions, frequent prayers and dedications, the opportunity to share your experiences, Sunday Worship Services, constant presence of the Holy Spirit.

Unsurpassed Cultural Program! 

Visits to major ruins via modern autobus;  extensive, daily contact with Mayan villagers including visits to their homes; archaeological & entomological talks & discussion; immersion Spanish, Mayan and Mid-Western language programs available. Traditional & contemporary architectural studies plus restoration workshops.

Intensive Physical Activity Program!

Includes: Bucket Toss & Bucket Twists, the Team Beam Carry, Stair Stepping, Power Walking, Upper Body Strength Training and the 5 & 10 K Montezuma Run.