Earlier this summer, staff, volunteers, friends, family and migrants gathered to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the Centro de Recursos para Migrantes (CRM) in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. The name translates in English to “Migrant Resource Center,” and for 18 years the people of this joint project of the Presbyterian and the Catholic churches have been providing food, clothing, first aid, information, and a safe place for traveling migrants to rest for a while. Since 2006 the CRM has served over 200,000 migrants. One reason the CRM continues to operate is because the staff and volunteers give careful attention to the needs of the people coming through its doors. In the early years, that was mostly young Mexican men returned to Mexico by US Border Patrol. They wanted a cup of coffee, something to eat, and for many, first aid attention for the blisters on their feet. In recent years families – not always Mexicans – looking for asylum have found their way to Agua Prieta and the CRM. Now there are also clothes and toys for the migrant children.
On the night of the celebration everyone participated in a time of celebration that included a biblical reflection on showing hospitality to strangers, prayers of thanksgiving, recognition of volunteers, presentation of new accompaniment vests, and singing Una Plegaria de Paz – a Song of Peace, and eating a meal prepared by the CRM director.
May peace unite us
May peace bring us together as brothers
Peace in heaven
May there be peace on earth
Let there be peace between people
Peace to humanity
May peace unite us
May peace bring us together as brothers
Let’s build a world of peace
We are children of the Creator
Molded by His love
If we follow the truth
We will seek a world of peace
From our heart
The prayer has already started
We don’t want anything else
Than to live in a world of peace
Peace in heaven
May there be peace on earth
Let there be peace between people
Peace to humanity
May peace unite us
May peace bring us together as brothers
