Streams in the Wasteland

• About the city…
• About the ministry…

Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México

Downtown Juarez

You cannot describe Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México without mentioning the other part of this unique metropolitan area: El Paso, Texas, USA. Nestled in a desert mountain valley and divided by the Rio Grande River, many will tell you that these two cities are one, simply divided by an international border. As a major port of entry and transportation to all of central northern Mexico, more than 60,000 people cross this border every day whether its to work or visit loved ones on the other side. It’s been named the largest border “town” in the world with a combined population of 2.5 million people. Juarez has 1.5 million people alone and is ranked one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Despite its size, you will still find much of the old world charm and friendly small town feel in many parts of this large but humble city. Apart from its friendly people and famous food and entertainment, the city has a growing industrial center which has been reported to be absorbing more real estate than any other North American city.

View of downtown El Paso with Juarez in the background

Soldiers patrolling downtown Juarez

All of the wonderful things about this city is unfortunately despite the fact that, at this time, neither can you describe Juarez without mentioning the growing violence. It plagues these fine people and continues to capture news headlines around the world. The root of this violence is the city’s other trade: its underground drug trade. Wars among rival drug cartels resulted in more than a quarter of Mexico’s drug-related murders in 2008 and has given Juarez the title of the deadliest city in Mexico. To see Mexican soldiers with guns patrolling the streets has become commonplace here. As the Mexican government increases its presence to stop the illegal activity, the violent backlash also increases from those that make their living through this trade. There is a sense of detectable lawlessness that continues to grow as predictions of the violence become grimmer. This contributes to many other forms of violence in the city including a sickening number of women murdered. Many Mexicans that are able are now leaving the city as the Americans which have contributed much to its economy are now choosing to stay away. Even those that govern this city are now commuting daily from the haven of El Paso. As a result, the border that has largely been merely a nuisance between these two sister cities is now becoming more of a distinct wall dividing them.

Emmanuel Ministries

As a refuge and beacon of hope set high upon a hill overlooking Juarez lies Emmanuel Ministries. The situation of the city this ministry exists to serve is very unique, being a border city. There are over 700 foreign assembly line factories. Many people from the south of Mexico where unemployment is a big problem come to Juarez hoping to find jobs and better life opportunities. Often those people end up working over 12 hours a day and making about 40 dollars a week. They are unable to provide proper housing for their families so they end up in the slums of Juarez where they built cardboard houses to live in and survive. Juarez is situated in the high desert where temperatures often exceed 100˚F in the summer and average in the 30s during winter.

A pieced together house in Juarez

A child from a poor neighborhood in Juarez

Emmanuel Children’s Home reaches out to Mexican children who come from different disadvantaged situations. Some children come from extreme poverty, broken homes where there is only one parent caring for them; others come from neglectful situations, physical and emotional abuse, and some from total abandonment. Children from 8 to 12 years old care for their younger siblings while their mother works long hours at factories to provide the basic needs for her family. Most of the time these children do not go to school and stay locked in their houses until the mother comes back from work in the night hours. Mexico has no state welfare system, so there is no government assistance that can help these single parents to provide proper care and supervision. A Christian ministry like Emmanuel Children’s Home is one of the few places these women can turn for help.

Where the kids play outside the home

The ministry began in 1961 after a visiting American chose to do something about the numerous kids wondering the streets alone. As their parents finished their long hours and would come looking for them, they would be directed to the spot of land amongst a landfill which the Mexican government donated. As the ministry grew, it was handed over to a native Mexican to take the ministry to its full potential. Today, Emmanuel Ministries is still maintained by the same Mexican family and is still cultivated by many visiting Americans. The mighty power and love of God has turned what was started on a trash heap caring for hopeless children into a fortress of hope overtaking the hill and training the most promising youth in Juarez, Mexico, and beyond. Along with the children’s home for about 100 boys and girls, the campus consists of a Christian school, a hospital, a dentist office, a dance academy, living quarters for missionaries, and a Christian church. Even as the climate of Juarez darkens, the many various people that make up the staff of Emmanuel Ministries press forward day after day emitting God’s Spirit of hope and love from the top of this hill that can be felt throughout this city and beyond.

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