Latest on the current problems in Honduras from Rev. Kunz, Director of El Hogar Childrens Ministries in Honduras
11 August, 2009
Today I got caught briefly in traffic backed up because of a demonstration. I was able to wind through some dirt roads and get to my apartment. I gave a call to Raul to warn him to stay away from Blvd. Fuerzas Armadas. He answered and thanked me and then said, "Too late! I am already stuck here!" I was trying to repay him for his warning two days ago not to go near the university, where a violent confrontation between police and demonstrators was breaking out. These little warnings from friends, coworkers, taxi drivers, and neighbors have gotten to be a regular part of coping with the continuing unrest here in Tegucigalpa. If we know where the demonstrations will be, we can pretty much avoid them, and go on with our regular work.
There does continue to be disruption here in Honduras. In my experience, most people just want to go on with life, but there is a core of people who are becoming increasingly aggressive in making sure things do not go back to normal. They continue to block roads, deface buildings (including churches), break windows, throw rocks, and even burn cars. Yesterday they targeted one of the cell phone companies. One of the unions involved has called a strike which will last indefinitely and involves the hospital for the poor. The military is now helping staff that hospital and protect those who are seeking care there. A group of nurses has announced that they will defy the strike and continue to take care of patients. (I still do not understand the logic of denying medical care to the poor as a political weapon for someone who claims to be their advocate.)
Claudia had to go to court the other day regarding one of our students. She told me she had talked with one of the teachers who was demonstrating. The teacher told Claudia that she did not want to be there, but that if she did not show up, she would lose her job. I suspect she is not the only one involved in these daily marches that is less than enthused.
Adding to the burden on parents, who have seen their children miss much of the past month of classes because of the striking teachers, the health department has closed all classes for eight days as a response to the spread of H1N1.
Meanwhile, as daily demonstrations continue, there are some people marching both toward Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. Tuesday is the day they anticipate arriving, and large demonstrations are planned. Apparently the groups marching are not as large as the demonstrators had hoped, but there is still a significant number.
The small union of weather forecasters for the airports (90 employees) has also announced a strike in support of Zelaya's return. Flight regulations prohibit flights over a certain size from landing without a current weather report, so this has temporarily grounded all international flights into and out of Honduras.
Meanwhile, the "peaceful militia" Zelaya was forming in Nicaragua has pretty much disbanded. Zelaya, after announcing that he was staying in Nicaragua to be with "his people" and help train this force, has left the area. He recently traveled to Mexico, and now also has trips scheduled to Ecuador and Brazil.
In an interesting development, the United States, which had avoided calling this situation a "military coup", which would have automatically put sanctions into place, has decided that it does not qualify as a "coup", and humanitarian aid will not be stopped. In addition, in a letter to Senator Lugar, the State Department stated that it was not supporting any one individual, but only a return to democratic order. Both Zelaya and Chavez are angry about this statement, and very critical of the Obama administration because of it.
In another interesting move, the Organization of American States has agreed to send a delegation to Honduras to meet with representatives of society here and work for a peaceful and negotiated resolution. Up until now, no foreign body has been willing to engage with this current government, arguing that they were not legitimate, and therefore could not carry out negotiations. This is, I believe, a step forward.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
The political situation in Honduras has been weighing heavily on our minds. the world's governments seem to be working on very different information than we have through our sources in Honduras. Recently the US appears to be softening their stance and perhaps taking the first steps to reducing it. In any event, here are three posts from the director of the Episcopal school for homeless children in Tegucigalpa. They paint a quite different picture from what we get through the newscasts in Canada.
From Rev. Rich Kunz
Executive Director, El Hogar Ministries, Honduras
3 August 2009
Those following the news in Honduras already know that the situation here is not resolved yet. Zelaya had put out a call to supporters to gather in Nicaragua to form a "peaceful militia" to escort him back to power. Several hundred folks answered that call, most of them poor farmers. They are doing exercises and learning to march, living on very little food and with scant shelter. These are people who believe that Zelaya is committed to helping the poor, and have made great sacrifices to join him. They have no weapons, and are a far cry from the well armed revolutionary groups that are still present in places like Columbia.
Zelaya, meanwhile, is no longer staying with them. He is back in Managua, preparing for a trip to Mexico this week.
Demonstrations continued on a daily basis last week, with one of them devolving into violence. Quite a few people sustained injuries, and one man, a teacher, was shot and eventually died. Once again, there is argument about how he was shot. The army claimed to be using rubber bullets, and this death was from a "real" one. On his way home from that teacher's funeral, another teacher was stabbed to death. This appears to be have been done by the gangs, however. The police now have a representative who is meeting with the demonstrators to come to agreement about the nature of the protests in order to prevent further violence from occurring. The government has announced it will no longer tolerate vandalism or the prolonged blocking of roadways. The demonstrators, many of whom are from one of the teachers' unions, have announced two protest walks. One group will start in San Pedro Sula, and one in Tegucigalpa. Each group will walk to the opposite city, a trip that will probably take at least five days. They have promised to walk on the side of the road, and not down the main roadway.
The U.S. suspended the diplomatic visas of four government leaders, and Spain has announced that it will not recognize the government that results from the November elections, since the elections are being held by an illegitimate government. A lot of foreign aid has been canceled, and the road blocks and the dearth of international visitors have left the country more impoverished than ever.
The present President has asked Arias to send a representative to Honduras to listen to the different groups here, including church officials, business people, human rights activists, etc., so that a more informed solution to the crisis can be found.
Quite a few people are coming to the conclusion that no matter what happens, it will be a tough six months for Honduras. No one believes that Zelaya is pushing so hard to return just to serve out the last few months of a lame duck presidency. They believe if he returns, no matter what he signs, he will continue to push hard for constitutional changes and closer relations with Chavez, and that he will use the groups that are demonstrating now to pressure the country into going along with those things. On the other hand, if he does not return, the diplomatic and economic sanctions that have already begun will just get worse.
There is lots more, of course, but I write this to give you a general idea of the background in which we are operating. It is also important to say that often it feels like things are totally normal. The level of protest activity has fallen considerably, and most Hondurans are just trying to go about their lives. Last night Barbra and I went out for our Sunday evening ice cream at the Baskin Robbins across from the Presidential Palace. The place was crowded with families and couples. There were a few soldiers patrolling across the street, but even that close to the center of government, things seemed pretty routine.
>>>>>>>>> (Information on life at the school omitted)
So, we begin another week, hopeful that a peaceful and just solution can be found to the current crisis, and thankful for all God's blessings on us in the midst of it! Please keep up your prayers!
July 29, 2009
The focus of the political crisis in Honduras has really shifted away from Tegucigalpa for the time being. Zelaya has set up a kind of headquarters in a little mountain town in Nicaragua, close to the border, and says he is gathering supporters for his next step. The towns in the department of El Paraiso are feeling the impact of this, laboring under a curfew that some days has amounted to a type of house arrest. There are stories about people hiking through the woods to join Zelaya, and sleeping with little food or shelter on both sides of the border. Depending on the sources, there are either thousands, or about three hundred, of these supporters.
Here in the city things are settling into a routine. Every day a group, largely composed of the teachers who have still not returned to their classrooms, forms and then marches to a designated point in the city. Yesterday it was Mall Multiplaza. The marches have been largely peaceful, although every day some tires get burned, and the demonstrators leave behind buildings defaced with graffiti.
I had a blessedly normal day yesterday. I was able to drive out to the Institute without any incident, and saw that classes were functioning very nicely. There were two women from an agency that offers technical assistance to schools, and I got to meet them and hear about some of the curriculum materials they had available. (They were very impressed, BTW, with our Institute!) At El Hogar things were bubbling along very nicely, with the children all in their classes. I did not get to the farm yesterday, but I am hoping to visit there tomorrow. They are far enough outside the town of Talanga that they have had very little disruption during this past month.
Politically there is a lot going on behind the scenes. The congress and the supreme court are looking carefully at the agreement proposed by Arias. An investigation is underway to determine the meaning of the mysterious list of organizers and dollar amounts, along with the signed receipts. The US has revoked the diplomatic passports of four prominent government officials. (Apparently their tourist visas are still valid.) Zelaya's wife, having passed on the offer the military made to fly her to her husband, is still trying to journey across the border. The economic costs of road blockages and canceled aid and closed borders are being tallied. Restaurants, taxis, hotels, and shops are all feeling financial strain.
But Hondurans are very resilient, and are doing their best to carry on with life as normal.
Once again, I am grateful to our dedicated staff, who have managed to hold normal classes at all three centers almost every day. When I compare that with the prolonged closure of the public schools, I am doubly grateful to our staff, who see this not as just a job, but as a ministry in which they share. Please continue to hold us in your prayers, and pray for a just and peaceful resolution to this crisis.
22 July, 2009
At our staff meeting yesterday, the directors were joking that last week there were only three educational institutions open in all of Honduras; El Hogar, St. Mary's Institute, and the Agricultural School. It is not so far from the truth. The teachers' unions here in Honduras have devoted themselves in the past few weeks to demonstrating on behalf of the deposed president, and have provided much of the person-power for those demonstrations. Many people here feel that it is one thing to strike for better pay or educational conditions, but a very different thing to strike in order to press a political position. They feel that the children and young people of Honduras have been used as pawns in a political power struggle. Our teachers have shown their dedication and resourcefulness in the last few weeks, consistently showing up and providing an education for our students. I have talked with some of them, and their political opinions cover the full range, but whatever their individual views, they are following through on their commitment to our children and young people.
This week, for the first time, we are suspending some classes. The Institute is located off of one of the main roads in Honduras, and that road has been shut down repeatedly by demonstrators. Those organizing for the return of Zelaya have announced a general strike and a shutdown of the country for Thursday and Friday this week. We decided together that we do not want to put either teachers or young people at risk by trying to get them to the Institute those days. This afternoon, when classes have finished, those students who live close by will go to their homes for the weekend. Those who live far away will stay at the Institute with a skeleton staff. A few who have nowhere to go will come and stay at El Hogar. At El Hogar, the teachers that need to travel are being invited to temporarily move into the volunteer house, so they do not have to be out on the streets. Classes there will continue as normal. We are still in discussion about the best course for the Agricultural School. They are more isolated, and the teachers stay there anyway, so it is not as much of an issue. But we do not want anyone having to travel during this time.
It is hard to say what the next few days will bring. The general strike and shut down which has been announced is of concern. I have heard from a few people to avoid going out on the streets during such a strike, as the potential for violence is real. This is especially so if, in fact, outside agitators have been brought in to provoke confrontations. So far, the military and police have been remarkable restrained in their responses to protests. I have seen them circulating through the crowds, greeting people, smiling, and enjoying snacks they bought from the local vendors. One thing that Hondurans are clear about is the right to peaceful protest, and this present government, although under great pressure from within and without, has pledged to preserve that right. (This is in contrast to what Zelaya continues to tell the world - that there s currently a repressive bloodbath going on in Honduras.)
There are conflicting reports about whether negotiations are on or off, whether Zelaya is returning today or Friday or once there is a settlement, and about almost everything else. Lots of posturing is taking place by both sides. I think the one certainty is that there is a lot of talking going on behind the scenes. Late last night the current government approved a budget (something never produced by Zelaya), which I take as a good sign. I think Zelaya will be eventually returned to office, but under constraints, such as having to conform to the budget which has been approved.
Zelaya continues to indulge in colorful rants. He claimed yesterday that he would return today, by a route he would not divulge. He said, "Only God can stop me now, and he will not, because He is not on the side of the coup mongers! God is on my side, and my return will be spectacular!" He is also claiming that the full sized statue of himself, and the twice-life-sized oil portrait, were not his doing, but were gifts. There was an interview with the artist who did both, who affirmed that Zelaya was, in fact, the one who commissioned both works, but that he still owed money on both.
Humor is starting to catch up with this situation. One email is a proposed farewell tribute, thanking Zelaya for what he has accomplished. It mentions, among other things, that before him most Hondurans had never read the Constitution, and now they have. It also thanks him for bringing together, for the first time, the Roman Catholic and Evangelical churches, who put out a joint statement in opposition to his policies.
After our staff meeting we stopped by some of the El Hogar classes. The Prep students were working on learning mechanical drawing as a way to teach angles. Jose Arturo had his English class learning to tell time. Another teacher had her spelling classes out on the sidewalk, divided into teams, writing the words she called out with sidewalk chalk. Also, yesterday was the birthday of Dona Tona, who has been the cook at El Hogar for 30 years. We took her out for some good Chinese food.
Please cherish, and do not take for granted, the peace you enjoy in the US and Canada! And keep us in your prayers.
July 20, 2009
No villain need be. Passions spin the plot,
We are betrayed by what is false within.
George Meredith
As we enter the fourth week of the political struggle here in Honduras, there is still no resolution in sight. The weaknesses and oversights and self-interest of all sides are becoming more obvious as time goes on. The present government, of course, was wrong to simply remove the president by force in such a theatrical way, without affording him due process. This method of confronting his illegal actions cost them the support of the world community. The Organization of American States and other world bodies were wrong to cast this as just another military coup, and demand Zelaya's unconditional restitution, as if he could simply step back into office as if nothing had happened, and as if Zelaya held no responsibility for the actions leading up to his ouster. Their stances had less to do with the welfare of Honduras than with their own political fortunes. Much better if, at the beginning, there could have been a more measured response, calling both sides to account for their violations of due process.
You have probably read that the talks broke down yesterday with no agreement reached. Arias had presented a proposal. Apparently some good discussion came out of this, but without an agreement being reached. Zelaya's side claimed that he agreed to the proposal, although in a news conference he himself rejected two key conditions:
that he form a "reconciliation" government made of participants from all sides, and that he desist from trying to change the constitution. The present government has rejected Zelaya's return to power with amnesty for all political crimes committed. They want him either out of power, or willing to be put on trial for what he has done. They also want any agreement to go through both the supreme court and the congress, since what is at stake is the constitution. They argue that an extra-constitutional process is not the answer to a constitutional crisis.
Arias has asked for three days to meet with the present government's delegation, and hopes to restart bilateral talks on Wednesday. Zelaya's delegation has declared that the talks are over, and that he is planning his return to Honduras regardless.
His supporters in Honduras are meeting today to plan their strategy for the week. Their announced intent is to block roadways, paralyze commerce, and "shut down" the country on Thursday and Friday.
Meanwhile, investigations continue to uncover misuse of funds, etc. by Zelaya's government. I must admit that in a country where one out of four children is suffering from malnutrition, and the hospital has not been able to pay its electric bill, it breaks my heart when I read of the millions of dollars spent illegally. I have a huge pothole in front of my building (David Letterman jokes about a pothole so big it has its own convenience store.) which has grown in size and depth for months. (The neighbors have piled large, brightly covered objects in it to warn oncoming motorists! I recently found out that also in my neighborhood there was a phone center set up to push the illegal referendum. This operated for over a year with government monies supplies illegally, and had fifteen full time employees making calls. A tiny fraction of that money could have bought some asphalt to fill our pothole.
Perhaps the funniest thing to be uncovered so far is the life-sized fiberglass statue of Zelaya that he himself commissioned to be set with four other similar statues of great Honduran heroes.
Although people are trying to live their lives as normally as possible, and there are times I have to shake myself to remind myself all this is real, the stress is wearing people down. The demand for psychiatric services has tripled since this began. This has been disruptive enough that business owners are suffering, and people are in turn losing their jobs or seeing decreases in their incomes. Parents are struggling to take care of children that would normally be in school. (That includes the El Hogar staff, many of whom have children in the public school system.)
Our classes have been disrupted because teachers cannot get to their jobs. Our volunteer program, which provides relationships for our children and teachers, valuable person-power, potential new sponsors, and financial support, is on hold. We are eager for a resolution, but live with anxiety because it is so close to turning violent.
So, each day we set out to do as much as we can on that day. Young Cristian, who had surgery just a week ago, is back in class, looking very hardy and healthy. On Saturday, I stopped and saw some of our students helping some of their elders to learn to read as part of our adult literacy program. Other children were playing soccer, or launching homemade parachutes made of plastic bags with sticks tied to them. Others were listening to an impromptu guitar concert by one of our teachers. Some of the children were able to go out to a park yesterday, since demonstrations were on hold for a day.
I ask your continued prayers for us in the week ahead.
Rev. Rich Kunz, Executive Director, Honduras
From Rev. Rich Kunz
Executive Director, El Hogar Ministries, Honduras
3 August 2009
Those following the news in Honduras already know that the situation here is not resolved yet. Zelaya had put out a call to supporters to gather in Nicaragua to form a "peaceful militia" to escort him back to power. Several hundred folks answered that call, most of them poor farmers. They are doing exercises and learning to march, living on very little food and with scant shelter. These are people who believe that Zelaya is committed to helping the poor, and have made great sacrifices to join him. They have no weapons, and are a far cry from the well armed revolutionary groups that are still present in places like Columbia.
Zelaya, meanwhile, is no longer staying with them. He is back in Managua, preparing for a trip to Mexico this week.
Demonstrations continued on a daily basis last week, with one of them devolving into violence. Quite a few people sustained injuries, and one man, a teacher, was shot and eventually died. Once again, there is argument about how he was shot. The army claimed to be using rubber bullets, and this death was from a "real" one. On his way home from that teacher's funeral, another teacher was stabbed to death. This appears to be have been done by the gangs, however. The police now have a representative who is meeting with the demonstrators to come to agreement about the nature of the protests in order to prevent further violence from occurring. The government has announced it will no longer tolerate vandalism or the prolonged blocking of roadways. The demonstrators, many of whom are from one of the teachers' unions, have announced two protest walks. One group will start in San Pedro Sula, and one in Tegucigalpa. Each group will walk to the opposite city, a trip that will probably take at least five days. They have promised to walk on the side of the road, and not down the main roadway.
The U.S. suspended the diplomatic visas of four government leaders, and Spain has announced that it will not recognize the government that results from the November elections, since the elections are being held by an illegitimate government. A lot of foreign aid has been canceled, and the road blocks and the dearth of international visitors have left the country more impoverished than ever.
The present President has asked Arias to send a representative to Honduras to listen to the different groups here, including church officials, business people, human rights activists, etc., so that a more informed solution to the crisis can be found.
Quite a few people are coming to the conclusion that no matter what happens, it will be a tough six months for Honduras. No one believes that Zelaya is pushing so hard to return just to serve out the last few months of a lame duck presidency. They believe if he returns, no matter what he signs, he will continue to push hard for constitutional changes and closer relations with Chavez, and that he will use the groups that are demonstrating now to pressure the country into going along with those things. On the other hand, if he does not return, the diplomatic and economic sanctions that have already begun will just get worse.
There is lots more, of course, but I write this to give you a general idea of the background in which we are operating. It is also important to say that often it feels like things are totally normal. The level of protest activity has fallen considerably, and most Hondurans are just trying to go about their lives. Last night Barbra and I went out for our Sunday evening ice cream at the Baskin Robbins across from the Presidential Palace. The place was crowded with families and couples. There were a few soldiers patrolling across the street, but even that close to the center of government, things seemed pretty routine.
>>>>>>>>> (Information on life at the school omitted)
So, we begin another week, hopeful that a peaceful and just solution can be found to the current crisis, and thankful for all God's blessings on us in the midst of it! Please keep up your prayers!
July 29, 2009
The focus of the political crisis in Honduras has really shifted away from Tegucigalpa for the time being. Zelaya has set up a kind of headquarters in a little mountain town in Nicaragua, close to the border, and says he is gathering supporters for his next step. The towns in the department of El Paraiso are feeling the impact of this, laboring under a curfew that some days has amounted to a type of house arrest. There are stories about people hiking through the woods to join Zelaya, and sleeping with little food or shelter on both sides of the border. Depending on the sources, there are either thousands, or about three hundred, of these supporters.
Here in the city things are settling into a routine. Every day a group, largely composed of the teachers who have still not returned to their classrooms, forms and then marches to a designated point in the city. Yesterday it was Mall Multiplaza. The marches have been largely peaceful, although every day some tires get burned, and the demonstrators leave behind buildings defaced with graffiti.
I had a blessedly normal day yesterday. I was able to drive out to the Institute without any incident, and saw that classes were functioning very nicely. There were two women from an agency that offers technical assistance to schools, and I got to meet them and hear about some of the curriculum materials they had available. (They were very impressed, BTW, with our Institute!) At El Hogar things were bubbling along very nicely, with the children all in their classes. I did not get to the farm yesterday, but I am hoping to visit there tomorrow. They are far enough outside the town of Talanga that they have had very little disruption during this past month.
Politically there is a lot going on behind the scenes. The congress and the supreme court are looking carefully at the agreement proposed by Arias. An investigation is underway to determine the meaning of the mysterious list of organizers and dollar amounts, along with the signed receipts. The US has revoked the diplomatic passports of four prominent government officials. (Apparently their tourist visas are still valid.) Zelaya's wife, having passed on the offer the military made to fly her to her husband, is still trying to journey across the border. The economic costs of road blockages and canceled aid and closed borders are being tallied. Restaurants, taxis, hotels, and shops are all feeling financial strain.
But Hondurans are very resilient, and are doing their best to carry on with life as normal.
Once again, I am grateful to our dedicated staff, who have managed to hold normal classes at all three centers almost every day. When I compare that with the prolonged closure of the public schools, I am doubly grateful to our staff, who see this not as just a job, but as a ministry in which they share. Please continue to hold us in your prayers, and pray for a just and peaceful resolution to this crisis.
22 July, 2009
At our staff meeting yesterday, the directors were joking that last week there were only three educational institutions open in all of Honduras; El Hogar, St. Mary's Institute, and the Agricultural School. It is not so far from the truth. The teachers' unions here in Honduras have devoted themselves in the past few weeks to demonstrating on behalf of the deposed president, and have provided much of the person-power for those demonstrations. Many people here feel that it is one thing to strike for better pay or educational conditions, but a very different thing to strike in order to press a political position. They feel that the children and young people of Honduras have been used as pawns in a political power struggle. Our teachers have shown their dedication and resourcefulness in the last few weeks, consistently showing up and providing an education for our students. I have talked with some of them, and their political opinions cover the full range, but whatever their individual views, they are following through on their commitment to our children and young people.
This week, for the first time, we are suspending some classes. The Institute is located off of one of the main roads in Honduras, and that road has been shut down repeatedly by demonstrators. Those organizing for the return of Zelaya have announced a general strike and a shutdown of the country for Thursday and Friday this week. We decided together that we do not want to put either teachers or young people at risk by trying to get them to the Institute those days. This afternoon, when classes have finished, those students who live close by will go to their homes for the weekend. Those who live far away will stay at the Institute with a skeleton staff. A few who have nowhere to go will come and stay at El Hogar. At El Hogar, the teachers that need to travel are being invited to temporarily move into the volunteer house, so they do not have to be out on the streets. Classes there will continue as normal. We are still in discussion about the best course for the Agricultural School. They are more isolated, and the teachers stay there anyway, so it is not as much of an issue. But we do not want anyone having to travel during this time.
It is hard to say what the next few days will bring. The general strike and shut down which has been announced is of concern. I have heard from a few people to avoid going out on the streets during such a strike, as the potential for violence is real. This is especially so if, in fact, outside agitators have been brought in to provoke confrontations. So far, the military and police have been remarkable restrained in their responses to protests. I have seen them circulating through the crowds, greeting people, smiling, and enjoying snacks they bought from the local vendors. One thing that Hondurans are clear about is the right to peaceful protest, and this present government, although under great pressure from within and without, has pledged to preserve that right. (This is in contrast to what Zelaya continues to tell the world - that there s currently a repressive bloodbath going on in Honduras.)
There are conflicting reports about whether negotiations are on or off, whether Zelaya is returning today or Friday or once there is a settlement, and about almost everything else. Lots of posturing is taking place by both sides. I think the one certainty is that there is a lot of talking going on behind the scenes. Late last night the current government approved a budget (something never produced by Zelaya), which I take as a good sign. I think Zelaya will be eventually returned to office, but under constraints, such as having to conform to the budget which has been approved.
Zelaya continues to indulge in colorful rants. He claimed yesterday that he would return today, by a route he would not divulge. He said, "Only God can stop me now, and he will not, because He is not on the side of the coup mongers! God is on my side, and my return will be spectacular!" He is also claiming that the full sized statue of himself, and the twice-life-sized oil portrait, were not his doing, but were gifts. There was an interview with the artist who did both, who affirmed that Zelaya was, in fact, the one who commissioned both works, but that he still owed money on both.
Humor is starting to catch up with this situation. One email is a proposed farewell tribute, thanking Zelaya for what he has accomplished. It mentions, among other things, that before him most Hondurans had never read the Constitution, and now they have. It also thanks him for bringing together, for the first time, the Roman Catholic and Evangelical churches, who put out a joint statement in opposition to his policies.
After our staff meeting we stopped by some of the El Hogar classes. The Prep students were working on learning mechanical drawing as a way to teach angles. Jose Arturo had his English class learning to tell time. Another teacher had her spelling classes out on the sidewalk, divided into teams, writing the words she called out with sidewalk chalk. Also, yesterday was the birthday of Dona Tona, who has been the cook at El Hogar for 30 years. We took her out for some good Chinese food.
Please cherish, and do not take for granted, the peace you enjoy in the US and Canada! And keep us in your prayers.
July 20, 2009
No villain need be. Passions spin the plot,
We are betrayed by what is false within.
George Meredith
As we enter the fourth week of the political struggle here in Honduras, there is still no resolution in sight. The weaknesses and oversights and self-interest of all sides are becoming more obvious as time goes on. The present government, of course, was wrong to simply remove the president by force in such a theatrical way, without affording him due process. This method of confronting his illegal actions cost them the support of the world community. The Organization of American States and other world bodies were wrong to cast this as just another military coup, and demand Zelaya's unconditional restitution, as if he could simply step back into office as if nothing had happened, and as if Zelaya held no responsibility for the actions leading up to his ouster. Their stances had less to do with the welfare of Honduras than with their own political fortunes. Much better if, at the beginning, there could have been a more measured response, calling both sides to account for their violations of due process.
You have probably read that the talks broke down yesterday with no agreement reached. Arias had presented a proposal. Apparently some good discussion came out of this, but without an agreement being reached. Zelaya's side claimed that he agreed to the proposal, although in a news conference he himself rejected two key conditions:
that he form a "reconciliation" government made of participants from all sides, and that he desist from trying to change the constitution. The present government has rejected Zelaya's return to power with amnesty for all political crimes committed. They want him either out of power, or willing to be put on trial for what he has done. They also want any agreement to go through both the supreme court and the congress, since what is at stake is the constitution. They argue that an extra-constitutional process is not the answer to a constitutional crisis.
Arias has asked for three days to meet with the present government's delegation, and hopes to restart bilateral talks on Wednesday. Zelaya's delegation has declared that the talks are over, and that he is planning his return to Honduras regardless.
His supporters in Honduras are meeting today to plan their strategy for the week. Their announced intent is to block roadways, paralyze commerce, and "shut down" the country on Thursday and Friday.
Meanwhile, investigations continue to uncover misuse of funds, etc. by Zelaya's government. I must admit that in a country where one out of four children is suffering from malnutrition, and the hospital has not been able to pay its electric bill, it breaks my heart when I read of the millions of dollars spent illegally. I have a huge pothole in front of my building (David Letterman jokes about a pothole so big it has its own convenience store.) which has grown in size and depth for months. (The neighbors have piled large, brightly covered objects in it to warn oncoming motorists! I recently found out that also in my neighborhood there was a phone center set up to push the illegal referendum. This operated for over a year with government monies supplies illegally, and had fifteen full time employees making calls. A tiny fraction of that money could have bought some asphalt to fill our pothole.
Perhaps the funniest thing to be uncovered so far is the life-sized fiberglass statue of Zelaya that he himself commissioned to be set with four other similar statues of great Honduran heroes.
Although people are trying to live their lives as normally as possible, and there are times I have to shake myself to remind myself all this is real, the stress is wearing people down. The demand for psychiatric services has tripled since this began. This has been disruptive enough that business owners are suffering, and people are in turn losing their jobs or seeing decreases in their incomes. Parents are struggling to take care of children that would normally be in school. (That includes the El Hogar staff, many of whom have children in the public school system.)
Our classes have been disrupted because teachers cannot get to their jobs. Our volunteer program, which provides relationships for our children and teachers, valuable person-power, potential new sponsors, and financial support, is on hold. We are eager for a resolution, but live with anxiety because it is so close to turning violent.
So, each day we set out to do as much as we can on that day. Young Cristian, who had surgery just a week ago, is back in class, looking very hardy and healthy. On Saturday, I stopped and saw some of our students helping some of their elders to learn to read as part of our adult literacy program. Other children were playing soccer, or launching homemade parachutes made of plastic bags with sticks tied to them. Others were listening to an impromptu guitar concert by one of our teachers. Some of the children were able to go out to a park yesterday, since demonstrations were on hold for a day.
I ask your continued prayers for us in the week ahead.
Rev. Rich Kunz, Executive Director, Honduras
Monday, March 23, 2009
Wed., 18 Mar. - The fire apparently died overnight and we could not see any indication of it from this distance.
More water problems. We had not had water from the city for over a week and people were starting to run out, us included. Thank goodness for the well that ‘Living Water International’ drilled here a couple of years ago. I filled the tank, (gravity feed system), from the cistern on Tuesday. Half way through Wed. morning there was no more water. It appears a tap someplace has been left on but I can’t find it and I don’t want to use up all the water in the cistern filling the tank just to have it drain away. We will turn on the pump to fill containers when we need water.
Tuesday afternoon there were some booths set up at this end of the football field next door. The city was sponsoring a presentation against violence. In an effort to attract people they had some giant puppets ‘dancing’. Later there were speeches and music, rather pleasant and not too loud. They wrapped things up about 8 pm.
Giant dancing puppets at the city’s presentation
Things seem to be slowing down as we approach the end of our stay and we are looking forward now to getting home and seeing our family
Thurs., 19 Mar. - Eva has had a sore throat for the last 3 days and has been finding it difficult to teach. We were able to get some menthol throat tablets today that are helping.
These “Mototaxis” have started to appear around El Paraiso. They are operated like a motorcycle and have a motorcycle engine. They can carry 2 adult passengers and are quite cheap to hire with driver.
Fri., 20 Mar. -This morning we went to Cristo Rey to meet Dean Alejandro and Jeannie, then on to the deanery meeting in Jacaleapa. Alejandro told us that there are about 6000 people, mostly single mothers, in the Danli area who are now out of work. The church will do what they can, however most of their members are from the poorer groups who are themselves struggling
A common sight, increasing as ‘Semana Santa’ (Holy Week), approaches is the police, with military backup, checking vehicles for registration and violations, particularly impaired driving
Eva’s last class was this evening, those who could already carry on a conversation in English. We now have to clean everything up and get ready to leave.
I don’t know what happened, but this afternoon when we got back, we had water in the taps from the tank. I don’t think I’ll question it any further.
More water problems. We had not had water from the city for over a week and people were starting to run out, us included. Thank goodness for the well that ‘Living Water International’ drilled here a couple of years ago. I filled the tank, (gravity feed system), from the cistern on Tuesday. Half way through Wed. morning there was no more water. It appears a tap someplace has been left on but I can’t find it and I don’t want to use up all the water in the cistern filling the tank just to have it drain away. We will turn on the pump to fill containers when we need water.
Tuesday afternoon there were some booths set up at this end of the football field next door. The city was sponsoring a presentation against violence. In an effort to attract people they had some giant puppets ‘dancing’. Later there were speeches and music, rather pleasant and not too loud. They wrapped things up about 8 pm.
Giant dancing puppets at the city’s presentation
Things seem to be slowing down as we approach the end of our stay and we are looking forward now to getting home and seeing our family
Thurs., 19 Mar. - Eva has had a sore throat for the last 3 days and has been finding it difficult to teach. We were able to get some menthol throat tablets today that are helping.
These “Mototaxis” have started to appear around El Paraiso. They are operated like a motorcycle and have a motorcycle engine. They can carry 2 adult passengers and are quite cheap to hire with driver.
Fri., 20 Mar. -This morning we went to Cristo Rey to meet Dean Alejandro and Jeannie, then on to the deanery meeting in Jacaleapa. Alejandro told us that there are about 6000 people, mostly single mothers, in the Danli area who are now out of work. The church will do what they can, however most of their members are from the poorer groups who are themselves struggling
A common sight, increasing as ‘Semana Santa’ (Holy Week), approaches is the police, with military backup, checking vehicles for registration and violations, particularly impaired driving
Eva’s last class was this evening, those who could already carry on a conversation in English. We now have to clean everything up and get ready to leave.
I don’t know what happened, but this afternoon when we got back, we had water in the taps from the tank. I don’t think I’ll question it any further.
Monday, March 16, 2009
One of the chairs for Jacalapa purchased with the donation from Western CanadaSun., 16 Mar. - they have been working on the sewer installation all week. First they dug the trench and put in the pipes, then filled it in. Then they dough holes over the pipes they had just covered up to build the junction/clean-outs. Then they dug a trench from each house to put in a connecting pipe and covered it in. Then they re-dug a hole at the end of the each pipe by and in front of the house to build a brick and concrete connection box which will later be connected to the household system, replacing the septic tank. I haven’t been able to figure out why they didn’t do all the digging and lay all the pipe at once then cover it in leaving only the holes where they were going to build the junction/clean-outs and connection boxes. At least it created a lot of jobs in this time of higher than the normal high unemployment.
During the Pilgrimage, Eva (in English) shares the Gospel reading with Rev. Dean Alejandro (in Spanish)
We ran out of water in the holding tank Sat. morning but decided not to fill it until Sunday as we were afraid it might be drained with all the people expected Sat. night. The cistern is also low and we don’t expect water from the city until the end of construction on this street.
Yesterday we took the bus downtown to meet Jeannie and collect the refund we were able to get from the Hotel Kyros. We were still charged more than quoted last year and didn’t get the 25% discount, probably because there was only one room used. We then had lunch, did some shopping and came back.
Last night, Sat., there was a concert at the church. Music and vocalists were provided by several churches in the area. It was very loud, too loud for me so I sat outside on the balcony as the sound was just as loud in the apartment. Eva and Jeannie joined me after about an hour. They had a very good turnout. Tickets were 20 L and they were selling food and beverages. I expect they did well financially.
The ‘Focon’ or wood stove used by the restaurant where we ate breakfast in Yuscaran.
This afternoon I noticed a little smoke on a hillside 2 or 3 miles away. This evening we could first see a glow and as the fire proceeded up the far side of the hill it got redder until now, at 7:30 pm, we can see the orange of the flames and the visible progression up the ridge. It’s too far away to get a good photo.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tues., 10 Mar. -
The garden of the Humuya Inn from the dining area.
The Humuya Inn is beautiful. All the reception people speak good English and have been well trained by Scott, the American manager. The rooms are spacious, the beds comfortable, and there is free internet, (with 3 computers for guest use just off the garden/restaurant area). About 5:30 pm on Thursday we arrive back at the hotel. Long term friends of us all, Josefina Santos and Claudia Zuniga were invited to dinner and we had a wonderful visit.
Josefina Santos, Claudia Zuniga and Hugh Rowlinson
Friday we went first to the Project Office to meet with Sandra Herrera and her assistants to learn of the activities of ‘Anglidesh’ (Anglican Agency for the Development of Honduras). Sandra spoke of the Credit Union, aid to small communities to improve life and sanitation by helping build toilets, efficient ‘fogons’ (wood burning stoves), cement floors in houses, and ‘pilas’ (water storage tanks). Another important project is helping parishes with plans for fund raising businesses. These businesses are designed to not only help the parish become self supporting but to help people in the community. Anglidesh provides assistance in preparing a business plan, startup funds, and management training and oversight through the first 3 years of the project.
Bob buys bread from one of the students
After our meeting we dropped into the class downstairs on making specialty breads. We were warmly received and had an opportunity to buy some of the breads for a later snack. Delicious!
Next we headed about 30 km north of Tegucigalpa to the small village of ‘Reventón’ where Lay Pastor Rudy Velasquez serves.
Bob and Rudy eat lunch in the home in Reventon
They meet in the home of a very poor family who cannot afford to send their children to school. On special days, when everyone shows up, like Easter, they hold services in the local school. We shared our picnic lunch with the family.
On to our next stop at ‘Santa Cruz, Arriba’. This is the church where Rev. Gladys Velasques, (now in El Pedregal), was ordained last year and we had the opportunity to be her lay sponsors.
One of the girls displays the cushion cover she is working on.
They have a successful project hand embroidering table cloths, cushion covers and alter linen. Twice a year an American comes to collect the output and take it to the US for sale.
A street in Villa Nueva. The road is about 45 degrees and required low gear and brakes to descend.
Our next visit was to the East of Tegucigalpa in the community of ‘Villa Nueva’. This community is built on the side of a hill and has been the site of a congregation for several years. They have over the years built a large facility attached to the church with classrooms, kinder garden, kitchen, dormitory, workshops and meeting rooms. The community itself is very poor and the majority of residents are either unemployed or earn very little. This has caused the church to have to suspend many of the programs until they can find more funding.
Returning to the hotel about 4:30 we were able to have a rest before we met Rev. Dean Maria Consuelo and her husband for dinner at the hotel and a final wrap up of out visit to the Deanery for Francisco Morizan.
Saturday morning we left the hotel about 9 am for the airport. We left early because we had to make final arrangements for our flight home on 27 March and the TACA Airline counter is closed from 10 am to 5 pm on Sat. While Eva arranged that, I turned in the vehicle. Bob and Hugh went through security about 10:30 and we headed over to Patty’s home. After dropping off our things we walked over to the ‘Mall Multiplaza’ for shopping and lunch.
I will be in contact with ‘National Car Rental’ representative when I return on 26 Mar. regarding settlement of the damage to Bob and Ann-Marie’s clothes from what appeared to be battery acid someone had spilled on the seat before we rented the vehicle
For supper at Patty’s we ordered pizzas. There were 9 of us, (4 teens, 3 adults and 2 children), so we ate a lot. We were very grateful to be able to stay in town the night rather than have to drive back to Danli then return to Teguc. Sunday to pick up SAMS US missionary Jeannie Loving who was returning from 3 weeks in the US.
Sunday morning we met Jeannie’s flight and went to the ‘Cascade Mall’ for lunch and so she could stock up on groceries. Then back to Danli.
Monday Eva had classes in the afternoon and evening.
City workers installing the sewer junction in front of the church. They build a round tube with bricks then plaster with concrete.
City workers have been installing sewer lines in the area. Monday afternoon a backhoe arrived outside the church and proceeded to dig a large hole. They had to put in a junction where 2 streets joined. The job continued into Tuesday. It was interesting to note that practical every schoolchild on the way home ducked under the safety warning tape, (which didn’t survive the night), to have a look.
The garden of the Humuya Inn from the dining area.
The Humuya Inn is beautiful. All the reception people speak good English and have been well trained by Scott, the American manager. The rooms are spacious, the beds comfortable, and there is free internet, (with 3 computers for guest use just off the garden/restaurant area). About 5:30 pm on Thursday we arrive back at the hotel. Long term friends of us all, Josefina Santos and Claudia Zuniga were invited to dinner and we had a wonderful visit.
Josefina Santos, Claudia Zuniga and Hugh Rowlinson
Friday we went first to the Project Office to meet with Sandra Herrera and her assistants to learn of the activities of ‘Anglidesh’ (Anglican Agency for the Development of Honduras). Sandra spoke of the Credit Union, aid to small communities to improve life and sanitation by helping build toilets, efficient ‘fogons’ (wood burning stoves), cement floors in houses, and ‘pilas’ (water storage tanks). Another important project is helping parishes with plans for fund raising businesses. These businesses are designed to not only help the parish become self supporting but to help people in the community. Anglidesh provides assistance in preparing a business plan, startup funds, and management training and oversight through the first 3 years of the project.
Bob buys bread from one of the students
After our meeting we dropped into the class downstairs on making specialty breads. We were warmly received and had an opportunity to buy some of the breads for a later snack. Delicious!
Next we headed about 30 km north of Tegucigalpa to the small village of ‘Reventón’ where Lay Pastor Rudy Velasquez serves.
Bob and Rudy eat lunch in the home in Reventon
They meet in the home of a very poor family who cannot afford to send their children to school. On special days, when everyone shows up, like Easter, they hold services in the local school. We shared our picnic lunch with the family.
On to our next stop at ‘Santa Cruz, Arriba’. This is the church where Rev. Gladys Velasques, (now in El Pedregal), was ordained last year and we had the opportunity to be her lay sponsors.
One of the girls displays the cushion cover she is working on.
They have a successful project hand embroidering table cloths, cushion covers and alter linen. Twice a year an American comes to collect the output and take it to the US for sale.
A street in Villa Nueva. The road is about 45 degrees and required low gear and brakes to descend.
Our next visit was to the East of Tegucigalpa in the community of ‘Villa Nueva’. This community is built on the side of a hill and has been the site of a congregation for several years. They have over the years built a large facility attached to the church with classrooms, kinder garden, kitchen, dormitory, workshops and meeting rooms. The community itself is very poor and the majority of residents are either unemployed or earn very little. This has caused the church to have to suspend many of the programs until they can find more funding.
Returning to the hotel about 4:30 we were able to have a rest before we met Rev. Dean Maria Consuelo and her husband for dinner at the hotel and a final wrap up of out visit to the Deanery for Francisco Morizan.
Saturday morning we left the hotel about 9 am for the airport. We left early because we had to make final arrangements for our flight home on 27 March and the TACA Airline counter is closed from 10 am to 5 pm on Sat. While Eva arranged that, I turned in the vehicle. Bob and Hugh went through security about 10:30 and we headed over to Patty’s home. After dropping off our things we walked over to the ‘Mall Multiplaza’ for shopping and lunch.
I will be in contact with ‘National Car Rental’ representative when I return on 26 Mar. regarding settlement of the damage to Bob and Ann-Marie’s clothes from what appeared to be battery acid someone had spilled on the seat before we rented the vehicle
For supper at Patty’s we ordered pizzas. There were 9 of us, (4 teens, 3 adults and 2 children), so we ate a lot. We were very grateful to be able to stay in town the night rather than have to drive back to Danli then return to Teguc. Sunday to pick up SAMS US missionary Jeannie Loving who was returning from 3 weeks in the US.
Sunday morning we met Jeannie’s flight and went to the ‘Cascade Mall’ for lunch and so she could stock up on groceries. Then back to Danli.
Monday Eva had classes in the afternoon and evening.
City workers installing the sewer junction in front of the church. They build a round tube with bricks then plaster with concrete.
City workers have been installing sewer lines in the area. Monday afternoon a backhoe arrived outside the church and proceeded to dig a large hole. They had to put in a junction where 2 streets joined. The job continued into Tuesday. It was interesting to note that practical every schoolchild on the way home ducked under the safety warning tape, (which didn’t survive the night), to have a look.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Mon., 2 Mar. - Sunday we had Bob, Hugh, and Anna Maria, (the Peace Corps worker who will be translating), to our place for breakfast. We had had trouble finding a restaurant that we knew would be open for Sun. breakfast. We served a ‘plato tipico’ consisting of scrambled eggs, refried beans, queso fresco, (fresh cheese), avocado, tortillas and coffee. We had planned on fresh cantalope but when I cut it open, it was green inside even though it appeared ripe from the outside. Fortunately we had some pineapple juice in the refrigerator. We visited, got acquainted, then went to Cristo Rey for the morning service.
One of the children in Jacaleapa sitting at one of the tables in one of the chairs donated from western Canada through SAMS
After a picnic lunch with Dean Alejandro and discussions re the deanery, we went to Jacaleapa for an afternoon service. Following the service, one of the congregation made an excellent presentation to the congregation and us re proposed projects that they felt they could accomplish. These projects were to provide income for both the church and those working on them. The proposals will now be submitted to ‘Anglidesh’, (Anglican Agency For The Development Of Honduras), for approval and seed money. Eva then presented to the congregation the Sunday School chairs and tables that had been bought with part of a donation from western Canada. We will also be making presentations in Oropoli and Talanga later in the week.
Today we met at 8:30 and headed for Juteapa. This town to the west of Danli is one of the central locations selected to open a preaching point this year. Unfortunately, the local church leader, Yenia Banegas, the public school principal, had to be in Danli today so we didn’t get to meet her. However, we were able to tour the school and talk extensively with the vice principal, learning a lot about the town, the school, and the children. For instance, she mentioned that 90% of the students leaving primary school go on to high school, quite a high percentage here. Juteapa was very hard hit by the rains in Oct. with extensive crop loss and flooding of homes.
We then went back through Danli and south to San Matias, another location planned for opening a preaching point this year. The local leader here, Alicia Valerio has been a member of the church for several years and has just completed the pre seminary training. We visited her in her home and learned about her the community and their plans for starting a congregation.
From San Matias we went to El Paraiso city to visit Rev. Deacon Hilda Lagos and her church ‘La Resurrection’. Hilda, a long time friend of us all, had a delicious chicken and rice dinner waiting for us. Following dinner we talked about the parish and their plans. We then did a quick tour of the area she covers, visiting the community of El Rodeo, (1 ½ km away), and the area surrounding the site for a proposed second area church, San Alerio, (2 ½ km in another direction). The church already has the land and will need about $5000 US to put up a building.
Arriving back in Danli we split up agreeing to meet 1 ½ hours later for supper. When we got back together we discovered that there is a problem with the SUV we rented. Bob has had 2 pair of new pants disintegrate in the seat, and Anna Maria had a pair of jeans begin to rot in the seat. Both of them had been sitting in the back seat. We compared notes and checked the car to find there has apparently been something like battery acid spilled on the seat and it was affecting the cotton pants but not the material of the seat which is probably polypropylene. I notified National and will straighten it out when we turn the car in. In the meantime I bought large heavy duty plastic bags to cover the seat and will put a blanket over them.
Wed.,4 Mar. - Tuesday morning I woke up with diaorrhea. I took some medication but continued frequent visits and took more. Things finally settled down and we headed downtown to pick up Bob and Hugh. Then off to Yuscaran where we checked into the Colonial Hotel. This is a rather large colonial building facing the main square and was renovated 2 years ago. It is in excelent condition. Not as luxurious as the Kyros Hotel in Danli, the 4 rooms are rather plain but in good repais and very clean. The biggest drawback is the bathroom door, actually the lack thereof. Not even a curtain. But the showers are hot, which we don’t have at the apt. in Danli.
After checking in we drove to Oropoli. There were several others gong to so Dean Dagoberto drove as well. We met Rev. Deacon Lourdes and her husband Heriberto, (pastor of Oropoli), at the house they use to hold services. Over the next half hour other members of the congregation drifted in and they finally decided to get started with the meeting. I was beginning to feel quite ill and went to lie down in the SUV. At the meeting the needs, dreams, and plans for the church were discussed. These included renting a location to set up as a church or, preferably, buying land and building. Another plan is to conduct a training course in electricity. The government will supply an instructor if the church can provide a location and about $500 for supplies. They can train about 30 students. Following the meeting, lunch was served. This was a typical meal of rice, potato salad and a little beef with, of course, tortillas and soft drinks.
Members of the congregation in Oropoli with the Hymn books donated through SAMS
Before we left we had the pleasure of preseting to Lay Pastor Eriberto 20 hymn books. They are a collection of 749 songs in this collection published by the Dioces of Honduras. This was the second part of the donation from western Canada.
After lunch we returned to Yuscaran, arriving about 4. We then took it easy until the meeting we had with some of the people of the Yuscaran church to hear about their needs, plans and dreams. Following this we went to the restaurant next door for Honduran Tacos, m m good.
Tuesday night was unseasonably cold. We had only 1 blanket and were barely able to keep warm. The 4 of us went to ‘Comodor Lilas’ for breakfast where we ran into Bruce and Jane Ergood from the US. We have worked with them for several years. They have been conducting workshops for the health care workers in the deanery and Bruce has been teaching at the university in El Zamarano.
After breakfast we went to the towns of Moroceli, Cacao, and Ojo de Agua were we met the priest or pastor and learned of their plans and dreams. In Morocoli we also inspected the property they are purchasing, probably Friday. It already has a large concrete block building on it which will make an excellent church, a smaller building which will house the computer lab they plan to establish, and is surrounded by a 10 ft wall for security, (a big thing here). All this is costing only $25,000 US and the money has just arrived at the deanery office in Tegucigalpa. The son of the Priest, Carlos, Alvarada is a computer technician and they have made arrangements of 15 computers. At Ojo we had lunch before the meeting.
Bob Burns joins Rev. Dean Dagaberto and Rev. Raphael in an impromptu sing-along at Corral Quemado
Leaving Ojo we went to Corral Quemado, a favorite community of many former visitors to this area. Corral now has electricity so no more generator at night if a group is staying there. Rev. Rafael, Dean Dagoberto’s brother is still in charge there. Before and after the meeting Dago and Rafael treated us to short concerts of music and song, first with the 3 string base and guitar and after with Rafael on the violin and Dago on the guitar. We had planned to visit Rancho Obispo, another of Rafael’s churches, but we were all getting weary and there was little to be gained so we returned to Yuscaran.
We got back early enough that Eva and I were able to get to the Credit Union where we have had an account for 3 years, and close the account which we no longer need. We could also feel it cooling rapidly as the day ended and obtained extra blankets for the night.
At 6:30 we met again with Dean Daboberto and translator Anna Mariea for dinner and a final wrapup and disussion of the deanery’s priorites.
Thurs., 5 Mar. - We are now in Tegucigalpa, staying at the beautiful Humuya Inn. We left Yuscaran at about 8 am and headed for Ojo de Agua were we were to meet Dean Maria Conduelo and Maria del Carmen who will translate. We first went to Villa Sanfrancisco and met Rev. Gladys Valasquez, a long time friend who we had the honour of sponsoring at her ordination as priest last year. Gladys showed us the new ‘Coporativa’, (Credit Union) opened in Feb. by the church. They are a new branch of the church’s Credit Union which accepting deposits and in future assisting members with loans for small businesses and buying homes. We then received a tour of the lovely church.
Pilgrimage member Bob Burns in at the church in El Pedrigal with Rev. Dean Maria Consuelo, Rev. Gladys Velasquez and 3 of the local children
Next we went to El Pedregal. SAMS Canada has been assisting with the support of whichever pastor is serving El Pedrigal ever since the team from Knowlton Quebec arrived there as an evangalistic brigade and the congregation began. We visited the church building and learned of their hopes and dreams.
It was then on to Telanga, some 50 km north where Canadian missionary Kara Thompson Mejia and her Hondran husband Nelson Mejia first served. (Both are now ordained and working on the Bay Island of Roatan.) The current pastor is Hector Salgado who also serves in Guiamaca, a further 40 km away, where we also visited. Before we left Talanga we made the final presentation from the gift, 10 bibles, 5 to each of the churches under his leadership.
After Guiamaca we returned to Ojo de Agua where Rev. Dean Maria and Maria del Cammen transferred to their own vehicle and we both headed to Teguc.
One of the children in Jacaleapa sitting at one of the tables in one of the chairs donated from western Canada through SAMS
After a picnic lunch with Dean Alejandro and discussions re the deanery, we went to Jacaleapa for an afternoon service. Following the service, one of the congregation made an excellent presentation to the congregation and us re proposed projects that they felt they could accomplish. These projects were to provide income for both the church and those working on them. The proposals will now be submitted to ‘Anglidesh’, (Anglican Agency For The Development Of Honduras), for approval and seed money. Eva then presented to the congregation the Sunday School chairs and tables that had been bought with part of a donation from western Canada. We will also be making presentations in Oropoli and Talanga later in the week.
Today we met at 8:30 and headed for Juteapa. This town to the west of Danli is one of the central locations selected to open a preaching point this year. Unfortunately, the local church leader, Yenia Banegas, the public school principal, had to be in Danli today so we didn’t get to meet her. However, we were able to tour the school and talk extensively with the vice principal, learning a lot about the town, the school, and the children. For instance, she mentioned that 90% of the students leaving primary school go on to high school, quite a high percentage here. Juteapa was very hard hit by the rains in Oct. with extensive crop loss and flooding of homes.
We then went back through Danli and south to San Matias, another location planned for opening a preaching point this year. The local leader here, Alicia Valerio has been a member of the church for several years and has just completed the pre seminary training. We visited her in her home and learned about her the community and their plans for starting a congregation.
From San Matias we went to El Paraiso city to visit Rev. Deacon Hilda Lagos and her church ‘La Resurrection’. Hilda, a long time friend of us all, had a delicious chicken and rice dinner waiting for us. Following dinner we talked about the parish and their plans. We then did a quick tour of the area she covers, visiting the community of El Rodeo, (1 ½ km away), and the area surrounding the site for a proposed second area church, San Alerio, (2 ½ km in another direction). The church already has the land and will need about $5000 US to put up a building.
Arriving back in Danli we split up agreeing to meet 1 ½ hours later for supper. When we got back together we discovered that there is a problem with the SUV we rented. Bob has had 2 pair of new pants disintegrate in the seat, and Anna Maria had a pair of jeans begin to rot in the seat. Both of them had been sitting in the back seat. We compared notes and checked the car to find there has apparently been something like battery acid spilled on the seat and it was affecting the cotton pants but not the material of the seat which is probably polypropylene. I notified National and will straighten it out when we turn the car in. In the meantime I bought large heavy duty plastic bags to cover the seat and will put a blanket over them.
Wed.,4 Mar. - Tuesday morning I woke up with diaorrhea. I took some medication but continued frequent visits and took more. Things finally settled down and we headed downtown to pick up Bob and Hugh. Then off to Yuscaran where we checked into the Colonial Hotel. This is a rather large colonial building facing the main square and was renovated 2 years ago. It is in excelent condition. Not as luxurious as the Kyros Hotel in Danli, the 4 rooms are rather plain but in good repais and very clean. The biggest drawback is the bathroom door, actually the lack thereof. Not even a curtain. But the showers are hot, which we don’t have at the apt. in Danli.
After checking in we drove to Oropoli. There were several others gong to so Dean Dagoberto drove as well. We met Rev. Deacon Lourdes and her husband Heriberto, (pastor of Oropoli), at the house they use to hold services. Over the next half hour other members of the congregation drifted in and they finally decided to get started with the meeting. I was beginning to feel quite ill and went to lie down in the SUV. At the meeting the needs, dreams, and plans for the church were discussed. These included renting a location to set up as a church or, preferably, buying land and building. Another plan is to conduct a training course in electricity. The government will supply an instructor if the church can provide a location and about $500 for supplies. They can train about 30 students. Following the meeting, lunch was served. This was a typical meal of rice, potato salad and a little beef with, of course, tortillas and soft drinks.
Members of the congregation in Oropoli with the Hymn books donated through SAMS
Before we left we had the pleasure of preseting to Lay Pastor Eriberto 20 hymn books. They are a collection of 749 songs in this collection published by the Dioces of Honduras. This was the second part of the donation from western Canada.
After lunch we returned to Yuscaran, arriving about 4. We then took it easy until the meeting we had with some of the people of the Yuscaran church to hear about their needs, plans and dreams. Following this we went to the restaurant next door for Honduran Tacos, m m good.
Tuesday night was unseasonably cold. We had only 1 blanket and were barely able to keep warm. The 4 of us went to ‘Comodor Lilas’ for breakfast where we ran into Bruce and Jane Ergood from the US. We have worked with them for several years. They have been conducting workshops for the health care workers in the deanery and Bruce has been teaching at the university in El Zamarano.
After breakfast we went to the towns of Moroceli, Cacao, and Ojo de Agua were we met the priest or pastor and learned of their plans and dreams. In Morocoli we also inspected the property they are purchasing, probably Friday. It already has a large concrete block building on it which will make an excellent church, a smaller building which will house the computer lab they plan to establish, and is surrounded by a 10 ft wall for security, (a big thing here). All this is costing only $25,000 US and the money has just arrived at the deanery office in Tegucigalpa. The son of the Priest, Carlos, Alvarada is a computer technician and they have made arrangements of 15 computers. At Ojo we had lunch before the meeting.
Bob Burns joins Rev. Dean Dagaberto and Rev. Raphael in an impromptu sing-along at Corral Quemado
Leaving Ojo we went to Corral Quemado, a favorite community of many former visitors to this area. Corral now has electricity so no more generator at night if a group is staying there. Rev. Rafael, Dean Dagoberto’s brother is still in charge there. Before and after the meeting Dago and Rafael treated us to short concerts of music and song, first with the 3 string base and guitar and after with Rafael on the violin and Dago on the guitar. We had planned to visit Rancho Obispo, another of Rafael’s churches, but we were all getting weary and there was little to be gained so we returned to Yuscaran.
We got back early enough that Eva and I were able to get to the Credit Union where we have had an account for 3 years, and close the account which we no longer need. We could also feel it cooling rapidly as the day ended and obtained extra blankets for the night.
At 6:30 we met again with Dean Daboberto and translator Anna Mariea for dinner and a final wrapup and disussion of the deanery’s priorites.
Thurs., 5 Mar. - We are now in Tegucigalpa, staying at the beautiful Humuya Inn. We left Yuscaran at about 8 am and headed for Ojo de Agua were we were to meet Dean Maria Conduelo and Maria del Carmen who will translate. We first went to Villa Sanfrancisco and met Rev. Gladys Valasquez, a long time friend who we had the honour of sponsoring at her ordination as priest last year. Gladys showed us the new ‘Coporativa’, (Credit Union) opened in Feb. by the church. They are a new branch of the church’s Credit Union which accepting deposits and in future assisting members with loans for small businesses and buying homes. We then received a tour of the lovely church.
Pilgrimage member Bob Burns in at the church in El Pedrigal with Rev. Dean Maria Consuelo, Rev. Gladys Velasquez and 3 of the local children
Next we went to El Pedregal. SAMS Canada has been assisting with the support of whichever pastor is serving El Pedrigal ever since the team from Knowlton Quebec arrived there as an evangalistic brigade and the congregation began. We visited the church building and learned of their hopes and dreams.
It was then on to Telanga, some 50 km north where Canadian missionary Kara Thompson Mejia and her Hondran husband Nelson Mejia first served. (Both are now ordained and working on the Bay Island of Roatan.) The current pastor is Hector Salgado who also serves in Guiamaca, a further 40 km away, where we also visited. Before we left Talanga we made the final presentation from the gift, 10 bibles, 5 to each of the churches under his leadership.
After Guiamaca we returned to Ojo de Agua where Rev. Dean Maria and Maria del Cammen transferred to their own vehicle and we both headed to Teguc.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sat., 21 Jan., - Thursday we met with Dean Alejandro and drove to Jacaleapa to check with the carpenter to find out how much it would cost to have wooden tables and chairs, similar to the type used in the schools, made. They are much sturdier than the plastic ones. LP Marlene wasn’t at the church so we couldn’t get a sample, but we went to his shop and described what we were interested in. He will check with Marlene and get back to us. We also gave Alejandro the 800 L, ($52), to purchase the 2 tables and 6 chairs from the school currently on loan. Back in Danli we drove to the supermarket and stocked up since we had Jeannie’s car.
Being a woodworker myself, I found the carpenter’s shop very interesting. His table saw was homemade using 12 in carbide tip blades. The table was made out of 2" lumber as was the rip fence. It was very sturdy. There was also a handmade wood lathe on which an assistant was turning spindles. The only other electric tools I saw were a commercial jointer and a router. One tool one doesn’t see often was a 16" hand plane. Several pieces of wood to be incorporated into projects appeared skillfully crafted.
Just before sunset yesterday we had a rather heavy rain followed by a lovely double rainbow. I now know where that pot of gold is located, I think.
During the day Thurs. there was a truck driving through the community with a loudspeaker system announcing a Veterinarian clinic for dogs on Friday. Friday morning there were a lot of dogs on leashes going by the church. This is a common form of getting information out. They also use it to announce the many evangelistic services, that the truck driver is selling fruits, veg. etc., and anything else. (As I write there is a pick up truck going by with a freezer in back announcing they have fresh chicken.) There was an outdoor evangelist Thurs. and Fri. nights just a block from us with, of course, BIG speakers. Unfortunately for him, it started to rain heavily about 45 minutes after he started. The crowd melted away.
The vegetable garden that the Texas team put in a month ago is growing tremendously well. The radishes are almost ready for harvest, tomatoes are 6 to 8 in. tall, and the squash, cucumbers, and watermelon are about to send out runners. Even the carrots, generally slow starters, are doing well.
Mon., 23 Feb. - Yesterday we drove to El Paraiso city to visit Rev. Hilda Lagos and her husband, Hector Zuniga whom we have known for 12 years. Hilda’s church is very large, built from a quonset hut, about 40 x 80 ft. this includes the sanctuary and other rooms for Sunday school and other uses. One of those uses is a program to teach sewing and dress pattern design. This is government sponsored and they have 20 treadle sewing machines. Last Friday they also had a workshop on how to make donuts.
After the church service we drove Hilda to El Rodeo, a small, very poor community, to check the blood pressure of one of her parishioners. She has been trained as one of the ‘Guardianas’ or
El Rodeo home
‘Health Care Workers’ by the Honduran church. Presently she is a deacon and is attending a school for working adults on Sunday morning to obtain her high school diploma which will allow her to be ordained as a priest.
It continues to be cool and rain a lot, almost every day. When we first started to come to Honduras in 1998 we might not see rain for three months at this time of year. This has changed drastically over the past 4 years. But even in the rainy season, June to August, they don’t get the frequent overcast skies of this year.
Being a woodworker myself, I found the carpenter’s shop very interesting. His table saw was homemade using 12 in carbide tip blades. The table was made out of 2" lumber as was the rip fence. It was very sturdy. There was also a handmade wood lathe on which an assistant was turning spindles. The only other electric tools I saw were a commercial jointer and a router. One tool one doesn’t see often was a 16" hand plane. Several pieces of wood to be incorporated into projects appeared skillfully crafted.
Just before sunset yesterday we had a rather heavy rain followed by a lovely double rainbow. I now know where that pot of gold is located, I think.
During the day Thurs. there was a truck driving through the community with a loudspeaker system announcing a Veterinarian clinic for dogs on Friday. Friday morning there were a lot of dogs on leashes going by the church. This is a common form of getting information out. They also use it to announce the many evangelistic services, that the truck driver is selling fruits, veg. etc., and anything else. (As I write there is a pick up truck going by with a freezer in back announcing they have fresh chicken.) There was an outdoor evangelist Thurs. and Fri. nights just a block from us with, of course, BIG speakers. Unfortunately for him, it started to rain heavily about 45 minutes after he started. The crowd melted away.
The vegetable garden that the Texas team put in a month ago is growing tremendously well. The radishes are almost ready for harvest, tomatoes are 6 to 8 in. tall, and the squash, cucumbers, and watermelon are about to send out runners. Even the carrots, generally slow starters, are doing well.
Mon., 23 Feb. - Yesterday we drove to El Paraiso city to visit Rev. Hilda Lagos and her husband, Hector Zuniga whom we have known for 12 years. Hilda’s church is very large, built from a quonset hut, about 40 x 80 ft. this includes the sanctuary and other rooms for Sunday school and other uses. One of those uses is a program to teach sewing and dress pattern design. This is government sponsored and they have 20 treadle sewing machines. Last Friday they also had a workshop on how to make donuts.
After the church service we drove Hilda to El Rodeo, a small, very poor community, to check the blood pressure of one of her parishioners. She has been trained as one of the ‘Guardianas’ or
El Rodeo home
‘Health Care Workers’ by the Honduran church. Presently she is a deacon and is attending a school for working adults on Sunday morning to obtain her high school diploma which will allow her to be ordained as a priest.
It continues to be cool and rain a lot, almost every day. When we first started to come to Honduras in 1998 we might not see rain for three months at this time of year. This has changed drastically over the past 4 years. But even in the rainy season, June to August, they don’t get the frequent overcast skies of this year.
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