Who operates Welcome Home/Casa Hogar Bienvenidos? A group of Christian individuals from southern California formed a Board of Directors and a 501(c)(3) corporation more than twenty years ago to oversee the Welcome Home facility and operations. These committed people are not backed by any single church or sending agency, but represent a number of different churches. They love the people of Mexico with the love of Christ, and they want to see children given an opportunity to be nurtured in a Christian environment in their formative early years. Back
Does Welcome Home receive any government funding? No funds are received by Welcome Home from either the Mexican or the U.S. governments. All funding comes from concerned individuals, churches and organizations. Back
Does Welcome Home have a child sponsorship program? Yes, our AMIGOS Child Sponsorship program is for individuals (or families, groups, churches) who choose to identify and sponsor one (or more) of our Welcome Home children. AMIGOS contribute $100 per month per child to help underwrite the cost of our preschool program. AMIGOS receive photos of their child(ren) and updates about their progress, and pledge to pray often for their special boy or girl. Click here for more information. Back
How many people can Welcome Home house for short-term missions ventures? Welcome Home has accommodations for up to 45 persons. Back
What kind of accommodations may we expect? Single beds (some bunks) in dormitories are provided for team members. These beds have blankets and pillows, but guests are encouraged to bring their own sheet(s) and/or sleeping bags as well. Bathrooms have running water, flush toilets and warm (usually) showers. All dorms are upstairs, but there are two guest rooms furnished with queen beds that are located on the ground floor for those who might require special accommodations (by reservation only). Back
What is the cost to stay at Welcome Home? Room and board rate is $12 per person per night. This fee includes sleeping quarters, clean restrooms, plus breakfast and lunch meals each day. Welcome Home Partners rate is $9 per night. Back
Is there a dress code? Yes, and it is important that team leaders relay this information to their team members. American Christians visiting in Mexico should dress modestly in keeping with the customs of this culture. That means no tank tops or halter tops, no bare midriffs, no excessive cleavage, no exposed underwear or buttocks, please. For cultural reasons, Welcome Home expects all team members, both men and women, to wear long or capri-length pants for any sponsored activity outside of the Welcome Home compound (i.e. worship services, farm camp visits, etc.). Bathing suits should be worn only when at the beach (one-piece suits only). On construction sites, Welcome Home requires that all persons wear long pants and close-toed shoes (work boots or tennis shoes). Absolutely no sandals or shorts on construction sites. This is for your own safety. Workers may want to bring a sun hat, sunscreen and gloves for construction. Back
I am a vegetarian; will I be able to eat the meals at Welcome Home? Unfortunately, the Welcome Home kitchen is not equipped to provide vegetarian or other special dietary meals. However, meals offered often include non-meat choices such as frijoles (no lard is used), rice, vegetables, pancakes, hot cereal, eggs, etc. A person with very strict dietary requirements should plan for him/herself accordingly. Back
What about dinner? Teams are welcome to use the large kitchen facilities and dining hall at Welcome Home to prepare their own dinners. We can also recommend several good eating establishments in the area. Dining out may run anywhere from $1 for a wonderful taco to $12-15 for steak dinners. Our town offers options such as pizza, Chinese food, American hamburgers and fries… and even Mexican food! Back
What kinds of things might a visiting missions team do? Short-term missions teams may choose to build a house or complete a house for a family. However, not all groups build houses. Maintenance projects at the WHO facility, children’s ministries in migrant camps, Bible teaching, puppet or drama ministry, food and clothing distribution, evangelism, medical and/or dental clinics – there are many possibilities. Teams will have the opportunity to visit churches, rehabilitation centers and elder care homes in our community. Back
What kinds of things can be distributed in migrant camps? Food and clothing are basic necessities that can be distributed. Food staples like beans, rice and flour can be purchased locally and packaged for distribution at a cost of approximately $10 per family. Groups may wish to collect and bring good, usable clothing and shoes to distribute; children's and small adult sizes are most needed. Back
How much does it cost to build a house for a family? The cost to build a house will be $3,500. This provides for a 16’ x 24’ cement block house (no plumbing, no electrical), with two to three windows and one door. Your group may wish to bring additional project money to assist the family with some furnishings. Back
When and how do we pay Welcome Home? Your group leader will receive a Statement of Account about eight weeks prior to your team's arrival. Payment for room & board should be received by Welcome Home about four weeks prior to your trip. Payment should be made to Welcome Home Outreach Ministries, PO Box 1471, San Clemente, CA 92674; these instructions will be included on your Statement as well. All construction, special project and other funds (i.e., for small projects, food distribution, etc.) should be brought with the team in cash. Back
How are visiting missions teams scheduled at Welcome Home? Groups interested in booking a date should Contact Us to discuss dates and arrangements. Summer weeks fill up quickly, but we encourage groups to consider missions trips throughout the year. Back
Do I need a U.S. passport to travel to and from Mexico? The U.S. State Department website (www.state.gov) is the place to find the most up-to-date information about document requirements. Information on the State Department website now indicates that passports will be required for ALL travelers beginning June 2009. Back
Do I need to exchange currency prior to arriving in Mexico? There is no need to exchange currency. U.S. dollars are almost universally accepted in Mexico. Back
What if I need more cash while in Mexico? Bank ATM machines are available in Vicente Guerrero. Withdrawals will be in Mexican currency, the peso. Back
What is the currency exchange rate? The exchange rate varies day to day (see www.xe.com for up-to-date rate quotes). Any ATM or credit card transactions will be calculated at the exact exchange rate in effect the date of the transaction. Back
What about the weather is it going to be HOT? Vicente Guerrero lies just 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The weather is mostly sunny and warm, but not unbearably hot. Summer temperatures may reach the upper 80s, but evenings cool down. You should bring a sweatshirt or light jacket for evenings/mornings. Back
Who or what are “WHO Partners?” WHO Partners are churches, groups or individuals who are committed to supporting the general operating budget of Welcome Home at a level of $2,400 or more annually (or $200+ monthly). Short-term missions teams from Partner churches receive a discounted room and board rate when visiting Welcome Home. Back
How are visiting missions teams scheduled at Welcome Home? Groups interested in booking a date should Contact Us to discuss dates and arrangements. Click here to view and print our Reservation Form. Summer weeks fill up quickly, but we encourage groups to consider missions trips throughout the year. Back
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