Here is a list a list of frequently asked questions for your convenience. If your question is not answered here please call us at (830) 620-0224.
Q: What is Strategic Alliance’s policy about team safety?
A: Please visit our STRATEGIC ALLIANCE SAFETY POLICY page to view STRATEGIC ALLIANCE'S official statement about our procedures in REYNOSA.
Q: What measures have you taken to keep groups safe in Mexico?
A: In close alliance with our Mexican staff, local pastors and government officials we consistently monitor the safety of the area where we work. Upon arrival at the border all Strategic Alliance teams will be escorted across the border to the El Camino Hotel. Vehicles will park in a secure, guarded parking lot at the hotel. Our teams will travel to and from the work site during daylight hours. Ministry vehicles will not be allowed to leave the work site during work days except to travel to and from the hotel. Vehicles will not be allowed to leave the hotel after dark. There will always be an experienced Strategic Alliance Staff Member at at the hotel during the outreach. Teams will be escorted back into the United States the last day of the outreach.
Q: Does Strategic Alliance have an evacuation plan, if necessary?
A: In case of an emergency, here is our plan of action:
Strategic Alliance staff will communicate to the outreach leader the reason for the evacuation.
Strategic Alliance staff will provide the outreach leader instructions for the evacuation and the time the team will leave the worksite. (return directly to the El Camino Hotel.)
Strategic Alliance staff will remain at the work site until the team has vacated the site.
All Strategic Alliance Mission Outreach team members will be accounted for at the hotel.
All Strategic Alliance Mission Outreach team members will be escorted to the U.S. border, if deemed necessary.
Q: What should be our greatest concern while serving in Mexico?
A: Our Mexican staff who lives in the community where we work, the pastors that also live in the community and the government officials that advise us, say that the greatest risk of exposure to violence is because of personal involvement with illegal drug activities.
Q: Has Strategic Alliance or its ministry teams experienced violence while serving in Mexico??
A: No, Strategic Alliance nor their ministry teams have witnessed violence in its 22 year history in Mexico. That’s not to say that bad things haven’t happened. (e.g. a van was stolen in 2002, an unsecured briefcase with several hundred dollars was stolen during an outreach)
Q: What is the current U.S. State Department Advisory on travel in Mexico?
A: U.S. travel warning's change frequently. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for specifics on travel warnings and other travel information in regards to Mexico.
Q: Should families feel safe bringing their children?
A: That is a decision each family needs to make on their own or as a team. Keep in mind that we serve families that have children and live in the area where we work.
Q: What would have to happen for Strategic Alliance to stop teams from going to Mexico?
A: Strategic Alliance Staff living in the areas we work constantly monitor the activities in the community. That combined with input from government officials enables us to make intelligent decisions about the security of our teams. If, at any time, we determine that our safety would be compromised we will suspend activities. Otherwise, we will continue to take teams to serve the needy.
Q: Are we allowed to travel alone to go to the store or pick up supplies while in Mexico?
A: Never travel alone in Mexico. The “buddy system” is always in effect. Please take extra care to plan ahead before crossing the border to bring everything you will need during your Strategic Alliance Mission Trip. In the event that you still need to pick up additional supplies, you may shop in designated Strategic Alliance work areas. Please let your Strategic Alliance Team Leader know where you are at all times. All travel must be done during daylight hours.
Q: May we visit the families we’ve built for in the past?
A: If the families live in the area are we are working and the area has been deemed safe by Strategic Alliance you may visit the families provided that you travel during daylight hours and return to the hotel before dark. Always communicate to our staff your plans to visit the family.
Q: Can we still leave the hotel at night to eat at the street vendors.
A: Strategic Alliance mission teams are not permitted to leave the hotel after dark and must stay at the hotel in the evenings. There is one exception: groups of two or more can visit the Seven Eleven across the street with permission of your group leader. It is the responsibility of the team leader to know where each team member is at all times.
Strategic Alliance has always been diligent in providing for the safety of our teams. For the past 23 years, Strategic Alliance has labored to provide secure work sites for our teams to build and minister. Strategic Alliance considers the safety of our teams its utmost importance.
We aggressively implement procedures that secure the safety of our teams. Security and safety is our first priority.
Strategic Alliance has built strong relationships (strategic alliances) in Mexico over these past 23 years. Through excellent cooperation with the police, the local government and the communities we serve we are very well equipped to handle any safety issues that might arise.
Guidelines for the Safety of our teams in Reynosa Strategic Alliance ministry teams partner with local churches to provide a unique ministry experience. Every outreach is different, every home unique and every team member and family they serve are blessed!
In order to limit exposure to known risks, we ask that groups work within our outlined recommendations to travel and labor safely while in Reynosa, Mexico.