2026 Mexico Missions trip

We’re taking a trip to Mexico! We’re partnering with an organization called 1Mission in Puerto Penasco to build a house for a family in need. We’re going in late-May, early-June (the dates will depend on which track you go on). This is the fourth trip that Madison Church has taken with 1Mission to Mexico since 2018. We know how to do the trip right, we know the people that we’re partnering with, we know how to do this trip safely, and we’re so excited for you and/or your teens to come along with us!

To learn more about the trip you really need to select a “track.” see details below and learn more by clicking on the button for each track.

Trip Details

No matter what track you go on. We’ll do ALL of the Mexico stuff together. Here is what you can expect

• we’ll drive from Phoenix to Puerto Penasco on the afternoon of Thursday, May 28th. (we’ll stop at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument before we cross the border)

• We’ll do construction on our house for three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) while we stay at 1Mission basecamp (more on that below)

• We’ll attend a local (Spanish language) Church service with some of the 1Mission staff on Sunday morning

• We’ll have a little beach time just before sunset on Sunday Evening after construction is complete

• we’ll drive back to Phoenix from Puerto Penasco on the morning of Monday, June 1st

• Track-1 will do 2 days (Monday & Tuesday) of recreation in Arizona (more on that below). Track-2 will have the option to join us for these two days (more on that on the Track-2 page)

• Check out the video highlights of our previous two trips to get a sense of what you’re in for

1Mission - Work - Basecamp

• 1Mission is a great organization that does a whole range of community work for God’s Kingdom in Puerto Penasco in addition to building houses. The families that we will build for have volunteered hundreds of hours in 1Mission’s community projects to be eligible for a new house. here is their website. I’ve taken 3 groups down with 1Mission, they have been fantastic to us. When you get there you will really have a sense for how committed 1Mission’s staff are to the great commission and to serving their community.

• 1Mission provides all of the tools and supplies we will need for construction.

• in Mexico, we will sleep at 1Mission’s “Basecamp” which is a compound a few miles north of Puerto Penasco they have big bunkhouses for both men and women, and you could also stay in a tent if you wish. They sometimes host 300 people on their base camp at a time, but our trip is late in their building season so it will not be that crowded. The last time we were there this time of year with 1Mission, there were about 40 other people there with us.

  • the bunkhouses and Basecamp have warm showers and plumbing, they are very comfortable

  • Basecamp has a pool!

  • the food at basecamp is… Mexican food! it is AWESOME - they have staff that oversees food prep and many volunteers who are logging hours for a new house who prepare the food. it is SO GOOD! We have never had any trouble with getting ill from eating anything at 1Mission.

• 1Mission has a bilingual foreman who meets with you at the compound each morning and drives out with you to the Jobsite, remains with you through the day, and drives back to the compound with you when you’re done working.

Recreation

• (Both Tracks) On Thursday, May 28th, the day that we cross the border into Mexico, we’ll plan to stop at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Huge cacti, beautiful landscape, all in a 1-mile loop trail. This stop is dependent on the time we’re making after phoenix, as we will do our very best to arrive at 1Mission Basecamp before sundown to avoid nighttime traveling in Mexico

• (Both Tracks) On Sunday, May 31st, the last day of construction, we’ll stop at the public beach which is at the resort-area of Puerto Penasco for a little ocean swimming as long as daylight allows. There are some trinket shops here which is the closest we’ll get to a “market” The picture that you see here is our 2018 group arriving at this beach.

• On Monday, June 1st (after we cross the border that morning), we’ll spend the afternoon into early evening at Slide Rock State Park in Sedona, AZ. This is a really fun swimming spot where the river forms a natural waterslide that is quite long. there are cliff-jumping opportunities there. The highest cliff to jump from is 25 feet. if you watch the video of our 2018 or 2022 trip above you can see us taking the plunge

• We’ll arrive at Mather Campground on the south rim of the Grand Canyon on the evening of June 2nd, spend the day exploring there on June 3rd, and depart from there on the morning of June 4th. We have reserved several adjacent group campsites there. We’ll stay in tents. Our plans for the day include hiking the south Kaibab trail (into the canyon - many switchbacks) to Ooh Aah point - which basically anyone can do, and giving the option to continue to Cedar Ridge which is a little more of a test of one’s fitness, and then drive to Desert View Watchtower for the evening & sundown.

Combined Daily Itinerary

• Tuesday, May 26 - depart Iowa, and arrive at Countryside Christian Church (Kearney, NE) to eat supper and sleep.

• Wednesday, May 27 - drive from Kearney to Gallup NM

• Thursday, May 28 - drive to Phoenix, switch vans (if renting), and Drive to Puerto Penasco, Mexico (we’ll stop at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the way there)

• Friday, May 29 - workday #1

• Saturday, May 30 - workday #2

• Sunday, May 31 - worship at a local Church in Puerto Penasco before work starts, then workday #3 - end the day at the beach (Gulf of California)

• Monday, June 1 - Drive from Puerto Penasco (stop in Phoenix) to Slide Rock State Park, AZ for recreation, then on to Mather Campground on the south rim of the Grand Canyon to sleep

• Tuesday, June 2 - Grand Canyon day, South Kaibab trail (to Ooh Aah Point and even Cedar Ridge if you’re ambitious) and Desert View Watchtower

• Wednesday, June 3 - drive to Glenwood Springs, CO (with a quick stop at Monument Valley in Utah to take pictures)

• Thursday, June 4- drive home

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need a Passport?

  • YES! and if you’re applying after Jan 15, 2026, I would strongly suggest paying for an “expedited” passport application

• Does my cellphone work in Mexico

  • Probably. Check with your carrier. Verizon and US Cellular phones that we have taken there in the past have worked well

• Can I bring children?

  • Yes - in fact, children under 12 can go at a discounted rate - because their 1Mission program costs are lower. small children should not plan on participating with track-1 (really long van rides) as it would probably be too much car time for them.

• Is it safe?

  • Yes. Puerto Penasco is a popular vacation/beach town for Phoenix and Tuscon residents. The highway we travel in Mexico has a unique security status as designated by the Mexican government to ensure safe travel. 1Mission does a great job of taking care of us when in Puerto Penasco. No one who has traveled in the first three trips felt unsafe at any point while in Mexico.

Ask a question about the trip here: (will be emailed to Joel Nielsen, Pastor at Madison Church of Christ)