Amor Ministries

I have been a part of Amor ministries in the past, and the profound effect it had on me is, in essence, why I have chosen to blog about it. Now, I know what you're thinking...this is one of those organizations that pushes an overly-religious agenda...and you know what, maybe that is somewhat true. Yes, I am religious, and yes I have conviction in my beliefs, but before I continue let me just say, it doesn't really matter what an organization is founded in, as long as it is doing good. At least that's my selling point for this.

What it does

"Jesus calls us to a continuous life of service. Therefore, we choose to serve with love. Join Amor Ministries in our efforts to change the world, one family at a time." The goal of Amor ministries is invested in love, not necessarily Christian love, although it is strongly encouraged. The mission is two-fold: by building homes for impoverished families in Tijuana and South Africa, individual congregations get a taste of spiritual fulfillment, and through building new relationships, families who desperately need new living conditions acquire them. The Amor team has a variety of recruitment sessions with both family and church ministries. All the building materials are provided (via a small fee, well worth it) and once there, hard work takes over. The process takes about a week, and it is truly a humbling experience. I will never forget seeing the mom of my family sweeping her freshly poured concrete floor as if it was the most expensive mahogany.

How it works

The organization is truly targeted as a grass roots approach to issues that God calls his followers to acknowledge. You go with your friends, and you do what Peter outlined in his lecture: You chill out. That isn't to say you don't work. I look at the process almost like a ritual routine. By the end of the trip fatigue and exhaustion usually get the best of you, but what is more shocking is that people live in these circumstances every day. As Peter says, they don't just live, they LIVE, and they learn to enjoy what they have. As members of the UCLA community, based in Southern California, Tijuana is so close...we don't have to go to Africa to spread love and quality of life. It's here in our own backyards.

Recently, the organization has grown tremendously, as the need for housing has become more and more acknowledged by the global community. In the last 50 years, orphanages in Mexico have experienced huge growth...I originally attributed this to crime and unwanted pregnancies, but what I found was astonishing. Parents gave-up there children in order to give them better lives. What I had seen as a lack of love was actually an overabundance of it. Often times, first hand experience goes unparalleled, and in this circumstance, I can't say I would have recognized the ability to LOVE, to AMOR without face-to-face contact.

You don't have to be super religious to participate, Amor is always looking for interns and participants, however a degree of spirituality is essential. As it is for a fulfilled life.

Amor Ministries Global Headquarters

1664 Precision Park Lane
San Diego, CA 92173 U.S.A
Phone: 619.662.1200