There is life in this city

Over the past 4 years Juárez, México has been plagued with negative headlines that have deteriorated the image and livelihood of this city.  Being deemed as one of the most dangerous places to live removes all potential for growth and overflows into every area of life for those that call this home.  In an effort to turn this around and shed a positive light on the city, an event called Juárez Competitiva is taking place from October 13-28th. Over these 16 days artists, athletes, politicians and speakers from Mikhail Gorbachev to Rudy Giuliani will visit and share innovative thoughts and ideas in hopes to bring a new light and hope to Juárez.

Kicking off this event was a concert performed by popular Latin rock group Maná.  For these few hours, Juárez was not the violence capital of the world, but rather alive, and filled with voices singing for everyone nearby to hear.  Surrounded by 30,000 people celebrating Juárez, we felt privileged to be a part of this.

The city hasn't changed, it has always been filled with this spirit.  For far too long however, this spirit has been squelched.  Now the people of Juárez are fighting back, refusing to give in to the pressures that push in around them.  They are fighting for peace, they are fighting for justice, they are fighting not to be silenced by evil anymore. As the border patrol helicopters circled above, the streets filled with voices as the crowds sang out below.

United for a reason other than violence, the city of Juárez is joining together.  Will you join with them?  Please pray for Juárez.  Pray that life would return to this city.  Pray that the livelihood that once flourished here would come back stronger than ever. Pray that this event would bring businesses and arts back to this city.  Pray that the world would start to accept this city again, to welcome it back into their arms, and see it the way that those living here always have.

(check out Juárez Competitiva's FaceBook page for photos from all of the events and the video for a clip from the show)

Photo: Tony Skarlatos