The city of Juárez, Mexico is like a war zone. It has recently been named the most violent city in the world. As of September 2009, there have been more than 1,700 homicides in the city, mostly related to the drug cartels. But the cartels are not the ones affected by the violence. Each of the victims had a family. Parents, spouses, and children – along with friends and neighbors – tragically lost someone this year. These 1,700 victims multiply into thousands of people who have lost a loved one in a violent way this year. Some were involved in the drug trade, but many were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The violence is affecting everyday life in the city. Normal citizens are afraid to go to the mall or out to dinner; stores have closed or relocated because the owners are unable to pay bribes to the cartels; thousands are unemployed because their jobs no longer exist. Tourism, a major economic force in the city, is way down as foreign tourists are advised to stay away. According to local authorities, the unemployment levels in Juárez are among the highest in the last 13 years as a consequence of the violence. The cost to society because of unemployment includes poverty, crime, political instability, health problems, and a crash in the local economy.

YWAM has been serving in El Paso-Juárez since 1981 and has 27 staff at present. In addition to running Discipleship Training Schools and other, Bible Training programs in two languages, they run a rescue home for children at risk and usually host mission teams year-round, some working in their “Homes of Hope” community-building project. However, the growing violence has meant that most short-term teams this year have cancelled their visits.

YWAM El Paso-Juárez is joining with churches throughout the city for 40 days of prayer and fasting from Friday, October 2 through Tuesday, November 10. “We choose not to be dominated by a spirit of fear but to trust in the Lord. We sense in prayer that God is ready to move, and we are excited to be able to partner with Him in the place of prayer to see His new reality created here,” said Mary Beth Maifeld, the Director of YWAM El Paso-Juárez.

Mary Beth goes on to say, “We have also felt challenged by the Lord to give out Bibles in the city – we want to distribute ten Bibles for each person who was murdered this year…that means our first goal is 34,260 Bibles!”

YWAM El Paso-Juárez is inviting anyone to join them in prayer for their city. To be added to the bi-weekly update list, please email : prayforjuarez@gmail.com