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MONTE SINAI – ACUÑA

Welcome to Monte Sinai (Mount Sinai), a local church pastored by Ruben Solis Gamez. We hope you enjoy your stay.

Facility Info

AC/Heat

Mini-Split AC/Heating Units

  • Use the remote controls to turn them on and off.
  • Turn off the units each time you leave.
Bathroom
  • This facility has six showers and eight toilets.
  • Do NOT flush the toilet paper (use the waste basket instead).
  • Do NOT drink the tap water or use it to brush teeth (use the provided purified water instead).
  • Take military showers to conserve water.
Cleaning

Before you leave…

  1. Remove all of your personal belongings.
  2. Take out the trash.
  3. Sweep the floors.
Kitchen

Upstairs is the kitchen and large dining room.
There is no mini split for the dining area, but there are plenty of fans.

Lights
  • Light switches are located inside each room.
  • Turn off the lights each time you leave.
Safety

Follow these guidelines and see our Risk Plan for more details.

  1. Don’t drive after dark.
  2. Stay together as a large group at all times.
  3. Make sure your missionary and team leader know where you are at all times.
  4. Keep all valuables, including passports, on your person at all times.
  5. Keep a close eye on your belongings.
  6. Don’t touch the animals.
  7. Don’t give monetary gifts to anyone.
  8. Dress modestly (no tank tops, short shorts, leggings, or tight-fitting clothing).
Services

Church Service Times:

  • Sunday 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM
  • Wednesday 7:00 PM
  • Friday 7:00 PM

Please pick up your belongings for church services.

Store

Casas por Cristo has merch that you can buy to help support our cause. Ask your Casas missionary to take you to our physical store during your trip or shop online when you get home.

Supplies

If you are using the Casas meal plan, supplies (trash bags, utensils, soap, hand sanitizer) will be provided. If not, please bring your own.

Trash

Trash bins are located outside of the gate to the church.

Valuables
  • Do NOT leave anything in vehicles overnight!
  • Do NOT leave anything valuable at the facility.
  • Keep all valuables on your person, including your passport!

PEOPLE YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER

Vice President of México

Acuña Field Manager

Acuña Site Coordinator

CIUDAD ACUÑA

 

  • Pronunciation: syoo-DAHD ah-KOO-nyah
  • Name Origin: In honor of writer Manuel Acuña
  • Population: 160,225
  • Founded: 1877
  • Location: On the Rio Grande south of Del Rio, Texas (about 160 miles west of San Antonio, Texas)
  • Elevation: 291 m
  • Climate: Hot semi-arid

 

CITY PROFILE

Hidden behind the banks of the Rio Grande lies the city of Acuña, México, which borders Del Rio, Texas. It has over 160,000 inhabitants. Because of the growing number of factories springing up in this border town, many people come here in search of work.

Those familiar with the border town of Juárez may be surprised by the smaller feel of Acuña. It is a commercial and manufacturing center for agriculture where cattle and sheep are raised and wheat and nuts are the primary crops. The climate is extremely humid with temperatures reaching their peak near 100 degrees in the summer months. Children and adults alike can be seen utilizing the local rivers and lakes as a way to escape the summer heat.

A typical family in Acuña earns $60 a week, oftentimes being employed by a local factory or maquila. With an average family size of four, this income is barely enough to survive and provide for their most basic needs. Public education is not free, causing families to struggle to provide the money needed for uniforms, books, and tuition. Due to the lack of income, there is rarely any money left over to purchase materials to help build adequate housing. For this reason, the homes in Acuña are similar to what can be seen in many border towns. Families utilize scrap materials and anything that they can find to build homes to shelter their families. There is a vicious cycle that is created due to a lack of job opportunity and income that prevents a family from being able to provide for even their most basic needs. Through building homes, our ministry helps relieve this burden of housing so that families can focus their income towards providing food and education for their family in order to help break this cycle.

Check out our México Culture Guide for more info!

CASAS POR CRISTO

Casas por Cristo exists to open the door for local pastors and churches to share the love of Jesus Christ by serving. Our mission is to build and serve. Check out our story to learn more.