PEACE IN JUAREZ PART OF CHURCH'S 24-HOUR VIGIL

El Paso resident Pat Nance arrived at the Western Hills United
Methodist Church on Saturday morning with a solemn purpose.

She prayed for peace in Juarez.

Nance was one of hundreds of people who attended a 24-hour prayer
vigil that started Saturday morning at the church on Thunderbird Drive
on the West Side.

Ten prayer stations were set up around the altar and guided people in
prayers for families, the community, the nation, the world and peace
in Juarez

At the Juarez station, maps were cut into smaller areas and people
were asked to take a piece of the map and pray every day for that
particular part of the violence-plagued city.

Nance, a member of Western Hills United Methodist Church for more than
12 years, said people can help bring peace in Juarez just by praying.

"We're so close but so far away from all the violence," she
said.

People in El Paso are very fortunate to live in a safe place, Nance
said.

An average of 10 people are killed in Juarez every day. More than
6,400 people have been killed since the Sinaloa and Juarez drug
cartels began fighting in 2008.

Heriberto Segovia also prayed for those who suffer in Juarez because
of the violence.

Segovia, who grew up in Juarez, said he remembers the friendly and
quiet atmosphere of the city.

"It was quiet. We used to live in peace and we used to play in the
streets, but all that was changing until the present," he said.

"In Juarez, people are prisoners of their own homes," he
said.

Segovia said he is Catholic but he wanted to show his support and pray
for Juarez, the families and world peace.

Church member Deedee Hardin volunteered her time to welcome the
worshippers. About 200 people were expected to participate in the
vigil, Hardin said.

Anne Bush, another church member, said there had always been a station
to pray for the needy in Juarez at the annual vigil.

But Saturday, prayers were directed at ending the violence that has
taken hold in the city.

"We have a lot of faith and God is going to help us," she said.