El BÚho
El Búho is a climbing ministry cafe in the world-wide destination, El Potrero Chico in Northern Mexico. It operates on a seasonal basis, usually from October thru March of the following year: a total of six months. Located in the small town of Hidalgo, it was created in 2010 and exists to fill locals and climbers alike with good coffee, good conversation, and the Living Word. Since its inception it has become a gathering spot for the hundreds of rock climbers that visit the area every winter to get internet, hangout, read books, and drink good coffee.
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It's difficult to explain how important the cafe is for those who haven't visited the area before. While some only visit El Potrero Chico for days at a time, those who spend weeks or months climbing in the area really see the cafe as a home away from home. Some semblance of familiarity and a solid community among international travelers in a foreign country. It's the spot that provides often transient climbers with solid ground they find comfortable.
This place is the ground on which climbers can experience the love we have from the Lord and the work that is being done is almost tangible. I've seen a slow change of heart for many returning climbers over the years since I first visited El Buho. Some are more tolerant or even open to conversations about religion and Jesus while others have even accepted Jesus. Whatever the change, however it happens, its awesome.
While El Búho serves as the climbing community hub for those in El Potrero Chico it also serves a huge role in the local community. In recent years, all profits from shop sales have gone towards constructing a middle school in a nearby town to Hidalgo.
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The town of Mission is the location in Mexico where El Búho is building a school in partnership with some of the local churches. The town is one of pieced together houses using debris or old doors as walls. It is also one of the main recruiting ground for the cartel in the area.
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Building a church backed middle school in that town is an effort to provide a better life for children growing up. Those serving at El Búho go to Mission multiple times throughout the winter along with other climbers to build this school from the ground up. After all, we did not come to be served, but to serve...so serve we do!
More Cool BÚho Stuff
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Short and sweet video about El Buho right here
(same one as on homepage)
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Every Tuesday night El Búho hosts a BBQ! Climbers and locals alike come to grill out and hang until late
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Every Thursday night there's a movie night to get the community together and provides something to do
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The shop is loaded with art for sale made by climbers
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Entire walls of the shop are covered with books
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El Búho's signature Oreo Frappe (or Magic) might be the best thing ever (besides Jesus)
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​El Buho on social media