It’s not just a taco, it’s a higher calling.
The parishioners of the Kailua-Kona mission of La Luz del Mundo — Spanish for the Light of the World — Christian church are serving food every Friday and Saturday night with a purpose — to raise enough money to create a permanent place of worship.
The worldwide church — based in Guadalajara, Mexico — has a long tradition of parishioners raising money to build churches.
“We call them monuments of our faith,” parishioner Jesus Reyes of Kailua-Kona said.
So for the past two years, members of the local church have turned a Kona Sunset Plaza parking lot into Kailua-Kona’s home for Mexican street food — at Tacos2Day. The church’s current mission is in a suite in the office building next to the tent.
Under the canvas, the church members serve tacos, mulitas (tortillas stuffed with copious amounts of cheese and meat) and quesadillas. Customers can choose a variety of meats including chicken, carne asada, pork, shredded beef, chorizo and beef tongue. Diners can add freshly prepared condiments such as hot and mild salsa, guacamole and onions to their comestibles.
The recipes all come from past and present church members. The preparation is taught by church pastor and taco stand supervisor Alejandro Lopez, who is from Michoacan state in Mexico.
“Right here is where we learned everything,” Reyes said. “This is our school.”
Lopez teaches all members of the church all aspects of the business.
That’s because the members of the small congregation were sent here by the worldwide church as missionaries and they could get a different assignment.
“That’s why everybody has to know everything, because they can be moved at any time,” Reyes said.
Reyes, for example, has been in Kona for about eight months, while Lopez has been in the area for about two years.
“When we come in we learn something and when we go to another island we share our experiences,” said Reyes, who is from Toluca state in Mexico. Other parishioners who serve up tacos are from the mainland — California and Arkansas, specifically — and El Salvador.
And while the workers are mostly new to cooking they are dedicated.
“The main ingredient — as always — is love,” Reyes said.
Customers to the stand appreciate the workers’ dedication.
“It’s so fresh, authentic and delicious,” said Dard Aller of Kailua-Kona, during his third visit to Tacos2Day. “My wife loves the chicken, and I love the shredded beef.”
Louise Hawkins of Keauhou expressed a similar sentiment.
“If you want an opinion — it’s wonderful,” she said.
Hawkins was enjoying tacos at the stand on a recent day with Dee and Gary Timlin of Keauhou.
“We’ve referred a lot of friends and they all love it,” Dee Timlin said. “I hope they stick around.”
Reyes said not all missions serve tacos, of course. Other places sell tamales, Mexican bread or other goodies.
“Here we make tacos because they sell,” Reyes said.
The small denomination has raised $18,000 for the church so far.
Tacos2Day is open from 4 to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. On social media, you can find the group at facebook.com/tacos2day.
