My name is Juan, and I grew up in the vibrant but often tumultuous streets of Ciudad Juárez. Life here has always been a delicate dance between opportunity and danger, with the shadow of the cartel looming over every neighborhood. From a young age, I learned to be cautious, yet temptation and survival sometimes blur the lines.
My teenage years were marked by a false sense of power that drew me into the cartel's web. By the age of 17, I was running errands for them, too naive to understand the depths of darkness I was entering. 'We offer protection and a future,' they said, but all I found was fear and emptiness.
One night, while in the Barrio Alto, everything changed. I was caught in a crossfire, a terrifying ordeal that left me questioning everything. As bullets pierced the night, I cried out for salvation, not even sure to whom I was praying. I just knew I needed a way out.
A few days later, while walking near the Iglesia Cristo Redentor, I was approached by Ana, a woman with a warm smile and a peaceful aura that was rare in our part of town. 'Would you like to join our gathering for some prayer and music?' she asked. Initially hesitant, something in her voice urged me to say yes.
That Sunday evening, I stepped into the small church, not knowing it would change my life. The songs were filled with hope, and the testimonies of others spoke to my soul. When Pastor Carlos shared his message about Jesus offering true freedom and peace, I felt a stirring in my heart. 'Jesus can break any chain,' he said, 'and He can transform any story.' At that moment, I surrendered. I whispered, 'Jesus, if you're real, I need you now.'
From that day on, I began to see the world with new eyes. It wasn’t immediate, but there was a growing peace, replacing the fear that had gripped me for so long. I distanced myself from the cartel, a move that came with its own dangers, but my newfound faith gave me the courage I desperately needed.
I started attending church regularly, eventually joining a group that helps young people find alternatives to gang life. My heart was on fire to share the hope I had found. 'Jesus saved me, and He can save you too,' I often tell those I meet.
It’s been a year now, and while the journey isn’t without its challenges, I can firmly say that my life belongs to Jesus. In Ciudad Juárez, where fear often reigns, I have found unwavering peace. 'Con Cristo, todo es posible,' I remind myself daily. I am no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God.
