Chiapas, Mexico In-Country Visit in Review
This September, several friends of the Academy traveled to Chiapas, Mexico, to meet the local members, participate in a chapter support group, visit local member businesses, and mentor members of the Academy. Participants who traveled on this tour included:
Barrie & Kathy Kay Brewer
Roger & Mimi Beattie
Mike Robinson
Rachel Hale
Rex Hale
Emy Shaffer
Volunteers & Staff:
Mindy Jo Choate
Paty Ramirez
Ruben Gutierrez
Carlos Del Toro Martinez
Sergio Cerdio
John & Xóchitl Chavez
“The format of the SCOPE tour was really neat because it was anything but dull and long, drawn-out meetings,” says Mike Robinson about the trip. “We did a two-hour workshop, and then there was an activity on how to sell and trade up [and] opportunities to meet individual business on a one-to-one. I was very impressed with the work ethic of all the people there. We just get to be a part of helping them get the tools, learn the principles, and then help them get on the path to self-reliance. No one there bats an eye when you say work on your business for 10 hours a day.”
One special experience that stood out to Mike was meeting an Academy member named Sergio, who runs and operates his international trade business, “Punta Exporta”. The day before Sergio was to present his business to the visitors on the trip, he felt impressed to deliver his presentation in English. When he shared this with his wife, she was very concerned. However, Sergio had the faith to do so and felt it was a step he should take. Mike reported that Sergio did an excellent job, gave an amazing presentation, and everyone was able to understand his message. This is an incredible example of the miracles that take place in our members’ lives when they use their faith to implement business principles.
Rex Hale, another attendee on the trip, shared his experience visiting Lucero and Carlos Del Toro, owners of De Toro Engineering. The brothers gave a tour of their business and then invited the attendees into their home. As Rex and his wife listened to Lucero and Carlos speak, Rex noticed that his daughter, Rachel Hale and Academy’s photographer, Emy Shaffer, were conversing with Carlos’s son in sign language. Born deaf, their oldest son, Del Toro, speaks both Spanish and American Sign Language. This moment served as a witness to him of the deep relationships friends of the Academy form with the members.
“I’ve been working with nonprofits for many years and have been on many nonprofit boards,” says Rex. “In each of those cases, I’ve never stopped to ask how many people we have helped. When I came across the Academy, my dollars went further. The balance of volunteers to paid staff is maintained in a way that my contributions are helping more people—and not just individuals but businesses with [employees] and their families. I like to bring my children [so they] and their spouses are aware of how [their] dollars are going to work in the world.”
When asked about how he feels about SCOPE tours (now renamed as In-Country Visits), Rex shares, “It’s an excellent opportunity to really see how the Academy works. You get to see businesses of graduates. You get to see students who are learning [and] trying to become graduates. There isn’t any other way to show people really what ACE does. You need to see it in action to really understand it.”
In-country visits are a balanced mix of visiting member business, seeing the Academy in action, and seeing the unique things of the world in the area.
Upcoming In-Country Visits
Join us for the experience of a lifetime! If participating in a meaningful, international, immersive Academy experience appeals to you, please reach out to learn more about how to join an in-country visit today!
These tours are intended for new and established supporters of the Academy to experience firsthand the Academy’s impact around the world.
Contact Mindy Jo at (405) 924-0755 or mindy.choate@the-academy.org for more information.
March 2024 | Davao, Philippines
