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The Short-Term Missions experience
found through Eternal Love Ministries in Saltillo is among the most complete you will find anywhere. The
opportunities for ministry, facilities and organization are first rate while the cost is kept low. Consider Saltillo as your
destination for any type of missions team. We will set up a missions experience suited for your team's ministry experience
and abilities. Our desire is to see the local community and your team blessed during your time in Mexico. Puerto Escondido is now receiving missions teams! Follow this link for more information.
Ministry:
From our Saltillo base there are numerous opportunities for ministry. Your group’s schedule will be based on the information that you relay to us. Depending on your capabilities and desires you may be scheduled to teach in churches, evangelize, minister in mountain villages, evangelize children, work on a construction project, etc. We can schedule numerous types of ministry opportunities given sufficient advanced notice to plan with local pastors. Many groups arrive with prepared dramas or other evangelistic tools so that they are prepared to start ministry their first day. It is important that we know your capabilities so that your group’s potential is not lost. In the city the ministry needs vary widely from in depth teaching to basic evangelistic messages. There are both established churches and missions from newer impoverished areas of town. In Saltillo, there are opportunities for open street evangelism in housing areas and the busy markets and parks.  In the mountains you will arrive at large and small villages from 80 to several thousand people. One of our guides will take your group through scenic areas to your final destination where you will minister to their needs and depending on the village, material needs such as food, clothing, blankets, etc. might be distributed. Many of these small communities are very open to the gospel.
Accommodations:
Most groups will be in one of two facilities in Saltillo. The main guest house with a capacity of 36 or the Mexico house with a capacity of 18. The beds are mostly single size bunk beds. Housing for larger groups is also available. Kitchens are supplied with cooking and eating utensils. Your group should be prepared to cook and clean after each meal. Making menus and assigning duties during your trip planning is advisable. If you prefer to pay a cook for some meals, there is one available with ample notice. Group leaders are responsible to see that house and swimming pool rules are seen and understood by all. We try to keep these rules to a minimum so that the group leaders are at liberty with their group. In case of emergency while in Saltillo, your group may be reached at (254) 247-1990 or 011-52 (844) 418-0797.  Clothing and luggage: Be prepared for warm and cold because of the altitude here. If you are going to the mountains you should be prepared for cool nights with sleeping bags, jackets, etc. in the mountains. Everyone should bring comfortable walking shoes. While packing remember that the people in this area are generally conservative. Shorts are not used in churches or nice restaurants. Women should plan on bringing loose fitting skirts or dresses for certain ministry locations. Never have in your possesion a gun or amunition. Just having one bullet in your vehicle or suitcase is a felony.
Costs: Your approximate costs for a one week stay in saltillo are as follows: * $125 per person per week to eternal love ministries to cover expenses we incur on behalf of visiting groups (housing, maintenance, etc.). This is explained in more detail in the following section. * Your travel expenses would depend on your mode of transportation. When our vehicles are used, they will be rented to the group for $75 a day. The user pays gasoline, etc. The 4 hour round trip to the Monterrey airport has a cost of $150 per van. Groups also may desire to bring their own vehicles or rent vans in the United States. * Interpreters are paid for by the group. The usual cost is $20 to $25 per day per interpreter. * Food. Some teams that drive in bring their own food. Groups that fly, buy on the local economy. We now have a 2 large grocery stores 5 minutes from the house. * Most visitors bring extra money for offerings at churches and shopping at the local market. Souvenirs of different price ranges are available at the market.
What we need from you: To make your itinerary, we will need the following information: 1. Date and time of arrival and departure in Saltillo. 2. Type of ministry that the group will be capable of. 3. If the group desires to spend one or several nights in the mountains, or if the group would like to go and come back the same day. For youth, bringing sleeping bags and spending some of their time in the mountains is an excellent experience. 4. Number of interpreters that the group will bring with them. 5. Numbers of concurrent services your group could minister in. This is determined by the number of qualified teachers or ministries you have with you and whether you desire to split the group during ministry. 6. If a work project is desired, any skills and finances that could be put to use. 7. Mode of transportation. what type of vehicle(s) you will be driving or flight times. 8. Number of people in group and characteristics. (youth, couples, students, etc.) 9. Goals of your leadership in the ministry to Mexicans and what you want to accomplish in your team. If you need help in planning for your trip, please feel free to contact us by email eternal@prodigy.net.mx, Tel (254) 247-1990 or 011 52 (844) 418-0797. To avoid errors in scheduling, please transmit information and changes by email. To reserve your dates: * When you have proposed dates, email, fax or call us to check the schedule. * The dates will be reserved with a non-refundable deposit of $40 per person. These Payments may be sent to: Eternal Love Ministries PO Box 3 Buckholts, TX 76518 Or use the donate button on this website. Please mark your check "hospitality." The balance of the $125 per person per week will be payable upon your arrival in Saltillo or can be sent before you come to the address above. * Please contact us immediately if there are any changes in your plans. * This reservation procedure will be strictly adhered to during the summer. (May 20 - August 15)
Click here for driving instructions to Saltillo. New Passport Requirements for returning from Mexico. Click Here Border instructions: In packing for the border, don't make expensive electronics or anything that makes you look like missionaries real obvious. If you bring used clothes for distribution, pack them like the are your own clothes, washed and folded, in suitcases, etc. They are real touchy about this right now. Never have in your possesion a gun or amunition. Just having one bullet in your vehicle is a felony. For crossing the border, those under 18 will need notarized permission signed by both parents to travel with you into the country of Mexico. They will also need an original and copy of their birth certificate or passport. In special cases where one parent is deceased or divorced, please check with your closest Mexican consulate to be sure you have the proper documentation. Adults likewise would need identification such as birth certificate, passport, voter's id, etc. Passports are required for air travel back to the U.S. Personal visas now cost approx. $22 per person and this is paid in cash. You need not pay this fee for a stay of less than seven days. if you fly in, this cost is included in the price of your ticket. This is in addition to the $15 for the vehicle permit and the cost of copies for the permit. Vehicle Permits: If the title of a vehicle is in the name of a person, that person must bring in the vehicle and must have a mastercard, visa, diner's club or american express in his name and a drivers license. They will charge your credit card for approximately $15.00. That person will also need the original title or registration. They are not lenient about these rules. If you are using a rented vehicle, the contract must be in the name of the person who will take it across the border. The contract, credit card and drivers license must be in the name of this same person. Do not rent the vehicle in the name of the church or organization. If you are bringing more than one rented vehicle, the rental contracts must be in different names. If the vehicle is owned by a business or organization, a notarized letter on business letterhead giving permission for a person to take it into the country of Mexico is needed. This person will need the original title or registration plus a drivers license and credit card in his name. The driver may also need something that identifies him or her with the organization that is loaning the vehicle. Only one vehicle per person or credit card. Buy Mexican insurance for your vehicle or at the very least liability insurance. If you are pulling a trailer it must also be mentioned on the policy. There are many agencies on the U.S. side of the border where you can purchase the insurance. You can order the insurance by phone and they will send the policy to you or you can secure it online. There are many reputable mexican insurance brokers including SeguNet Insurance Brokers. They have served us well for may years and now support our ministry with every policy purchased if Eternal Love Ministries is mentioned in the purchase or with a cc in the email to our address. Email them at segunet@prodigy.net.mx or by phone (619) 407-7968.
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