Cooking & Eating Here are some great ideas for making food prep a breeze:
Breakfast Ideas Many groups have each person bring their favorite box of cold cereal for the week in Mexico. Milk and fruit can be brought with you, or purchased here in Mexico. This provides a quick, healthy breakfast with little cost and work. We should also mention, that it is best to purchase your main groceries in the States before crossing the border. Things like milk, bread and fruit can be purchased in Mexico if you like. Here's a link to a great shopping center for those flying in or wishing to purchase grocery items before crossing the border: http://www.missionstomexico.org/food4lessshopping.html
Lunch Ideas We provide an option (highly recommended) of eating the Sunday evening meal and the noon meals at the church you will be serving at (Sunday - Thursday). They are tasty meals that will be prepared and served by the women of the church. We prep the church so that meals are traditional, healthy, and prepared with the utmost care in cleanliness. This also is a wonderful way to save time (you won't have to return back to the base between work time and VBS as sometimes you might be 30 min. or more from the ministry base). It also saves money, and lets you get to know the people and culture of Mexico. It’s a popular hit among all groups and you will be hard pressed to buy and cook a meal for less than the recommended donation. It will be a highlight of your week and there's nothing that a Mexican treasures more than meals with friends. We recommend a donation of $3.50 per person per meal for this option. This amount also includes enough money so the Mexicans who are ministering with you can eat with you as well. For the five meals eaten at the church it would be a total cost of $17.50 per person.
If you choose the option of eating at the church where you'll be serving at, the schedule would look like the following:
Here are some dinner menu ideas that many groups use and make cooking a cinch!
Hamburgers (we have BBQ grills for your use)
Hot dogs
Precooked Lasagna from Costco or similar
Sloppy Joe's
Spaghetti
Chili
Irish Potatoes
Also, many groups like to grab a taco at some local taco stands (we know which ones). Fish tacos and Carne Asada are among the most popular. Each cost about one dollar per taco.
Your kitchen should have all the pots and pans you’ll need. It will also have two refrigerators, a freezer, two stoves, coffee pots, microwave, and other misc. items. If you plan on having special meals that are out of the ordinary, you might want to bring along some of your own utensils. You might plan meals for a few extra people. We as missionaries find it very helpful to be able to eat with the groups as well. Our schedules are very busy while your group is here and we find virtually no time for preparing our own meals (just for some lunches and/or dinners). It also provides us with a time of fellowship with your group. We recommend bringing disposable paper plates, bowls and cups for eating. This will save you a lot of time and work.
Following are some photos of the furnished kitchens and dining rooms on the base.
Suggested shopping list for items other than food Our hope is that while you’re on the ministry base with us in Mexico, you feel at home. Our mindset is that, "Mi casa es tu casa" (My house is your house). We don't operate like a hotel service, we basically loan you the base during your time here. Taking this in mind, here's a suggested shopping list for your time while in Mexico. It is best to purchase main items in the States before crossing the border (costs are less and selection is better). Please consult the website for a recommended shopping center close to the border. http://www.gomissionstomexico.com/food4lessshopping.html. Items like fruit, bread, and milk can be purchased locally if you wish.
Cleaning Items Several liquid hand soaps (anti-bacterial). Small bottle dish washing liquid Couple scrubber pads for pots and pans
Paper & Plastic Items for meals prepared at the mission base Small bathroom trash bags (10 gallon) Large trash bags (40 gallon) Paper towels for kitchen and bathrooms Toilet Paper Hand Soap Napkins Paper plates (we recommend using paper plates, bowls, cups & etc. for eating, this cuts down on work & time) Paper bowls Paper cups Plastic eating utensils Baby wipes for cleaning hands after V.B.S. and etc. (put in vans)
First Aid Kit & Medicines Neosporin Hydrogen peroxide Tylenol Imodium AD Sun block
What about purified drinking water in Mexico? We will have at the Ministry Base 5 gallon bottles of purified drinking water for your use at the base. These bottles can be filled with purified water at all grocery stores for .90 cents each. It will be your group's responsibility to purchase your own water. There is no need to bring purified water with you as the purified water is readily available and safe.