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from Cossondra Sister Cities International was Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to promote global educational, business, and cultural exchanges. He hoped that more understanding would build better relationships and, ultimately, more peace. I guess he believed that connection makes us stronger. Mobile has had many sisters -- I found 26, more than even Birmingham, Alabama's largest city. It isn't surprising that most of these sisters are also port cities focused on international trade and business. While some relationships seem more active than others, they all begin with the desire to increase trade and cultural exchange. In recent years, one of the most dynamic relationships has been with Ichihara, Japan. The cities have been sisters since 1993. The Mobile-Ichihara Sister City Association keeps an active cultural exchange program alive, or did until Covid threw some kinks into the works. A former sister city relationship with Malaga, Spain, began in the 1960s, and Spanish Plaza Park was created to honor Malaga and the considerable influences of Spanish culture on Mobile. Located on Government Street, a short walk from downtown businesses, the park features craftwork from several Spanish cities. There are 12 cement benches from 12 cities, each declaring their friendship with Mobile. These benches are works of art, covered in mosaic tiles, some with messages in both Spanish and English. Even though the official sisterhood has been dissolved, the City of Mobile desired to refurbish the park to continue to honor Mobile's Spanish heritage. As a result, in 2021, the City renovated the park with new lighting and updates to the tile-covered Spanish Plaza Central Fountain. Dr. Leida Javier Ferrell, a professor at the University of South Alabama who helped with the plaza project, said although the lights and the tiles are important, what is most important is the reminder of our historical roots and connections. Even dissolved relationships are significant. They are part of our history and frequently leave us with connections. Malaga and Mobile may no longer be official sister cities, but that doesn't erase history. There is the Malaga Inn, a hotel named in honor of the Spanish sister, and a replica of a statue in Malaga stands in front of the Mobile Civic Center. These are markers of remembrance and honor, not only of Malaga but of the centuries of Spanish influence on Mobile. There are several mentions of markers of remembrance in the Bible. In Genesis 28, Jacob wrestled with an angel and received a remarkable vision. The experience so impacted Jacob that he wanted to commemorate it, always to remember what God had given him. So he set a stone marker as a reminder. There are other instances in Joshua 4 and 1 Samuel 7 where markers are placed to remind subsequent generations that God is powerful and the maker of miracles. It is good to be reminded of our history, especially if our relationships are not as strong as they once were. Mobile's relationship with Ichihara is more recent, and it is likely to be renewed and will soon again be active. Relationships with Russian cities may never be active again. And, Malaga will probably always be a part of Mobile. Each relationship is different. Do you have relationship markers? Of course you do. Maybe they are tangible, like a ring or a place. Maybe they are a strong memory. It may even be a person -- a child or neighbor. But we all have markers of relationships. Some may remind us of the power of God to unite people. But, on the other hand, some may remind us of the power of God to deliver us. President Eisenhower believed that good relationships would lead to peace. That is often so. But, if you have relationships that bring war instead, talk to God about them. Do you need to start a restoration project? Share ideas or find things in common? Or, do you need to set a marker and move on? Having God lead you is the best thing you can do. He can show you how to find peace across the seas or across the table.
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