News stories have suggested that Mexico may not be a "safe destination" for U.S. citizens to travel, whether as tourists or as mission workers and volunteers. Stories have surfaced about violence along the border areas, such as gun battles on the streets of Mexican cities and outright war between the large drug cartels and government soldiers and police. So the question is raised: Is it safe entering into Mexico and, specifically, is it safe to plan a mission trip into Matamoros?

We want to be clear in our answers and honest in responding to any concerns:

• Yes, there is an increase in violence, but the over-whelming number of violent incidents are in the cities further West along the Mexican border—cities such as Laredo, Juarez, Nogales and Tijuana. The violence is among drug dealers and law enforcement authorities.

• Matamoros, the border city with Brownsville, Texas, is the least affected of the larger border cities by this recent violence. In fact, it appears that Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, or Austin could be labeled as much or more "dangerous" given their current rate of crime. Mostly, we want to share that, in all our years of service to the poor of Matamoros, including about 60 groups who have shared there in the past 18 months, we have not had even one incident of concern about safety with our groups. We visit and work during safe hours and in safe locations. All youth workers are carefully supervised. Our ministry depends on volunteers knowing that we would never put these groups in circumstances which might lead to harm.