Greetings from Honduras!
Our rains continue to slow reparations from the big
rains of Nov. and Dec. The bridge is out again and
someone else has been swept away trying to cross the
river on a horse. The horse survived, but the rider
has not been found. A New Years Eve fight gave birth
to a shooting in revenge two weeks later. Here in
rural Honduras law and order is only at times, and
rarely in order. Offending persons frequently move
long distnces to hide from the families of their
victims. An aura of anticipation pervades my
community now, - uneasy days and nights for many,
because many are affected by the malevolence of one or
two persons.
The opening of school and colegio is about to happen
the first week of Feb. Students are scrambling to
secure necessary blood tests and photos and birth
certificates, all necessary to begin the year.
Uniforms, school supplies and back-packs are also
necessary annually. There are numerous children and
teens who do not enroll for lack of funds to outfit
their eductional opportunity. Some just stay at home
and help with the daily work. Others who are old
enough to find work, do so, but rarely return to the
world of studying. There is much illiteracy here,
especially in the forty-and-up age group.
The health clinic and library which were built a year
ago are both very active. Patients come from various
villages and some need to be referred to more
specialized facilities for treatment. A number of
cerebral palsy children benefitted from a physical
therapist from Florida who was down visiting family
over the holidays. Eye patients are referred to a
distant clinic that seeks to help the poor. I am
planning to build another library/clinic complex in an
adjacent village when funds are available. The
proposed clinic will be equipped for dental and eye
care. One lot has been purchased and an adjacent one
is needed for the building site to be of sufficient
size. Some of the needed equipment for the clinic is
available, having been retired from the U.S. If you
or your group have interest in helping with this
one-time building project, or if you are aware of
businesses that would like to help with the literacy
and health needs here in the Third World, please pass
the word. I do not know how to look for grants for
such cause, but perhaps some of you do.
Many students are in need of financial help with their
school year - either a one-time gift, or monthly
correspondence with financial help. My mailing
address is A.P.D. 458, La Ceiba, Honduras, and my
e-mail address is above.
During your times of prayer you may choose to remember
the following:
1. The teens who will be invited to participate in the
weekly discipleship group - tht they would take
seriously their roles as examples and friends to their
fellow students.
2. Amado, in his last year of study, that he would
show responsibility and wisdom in his daily choices.
His daily life, heretofore, has been one of deception.
3. The family of Israel, that some will realize te
emptiness of such intense `living for self`.
4. For so many families rich in good health and
numerous opportunities, that they would realize an
appreciation and love for each other, and the older
siblings set good examples for the younger ones. I
recently explained to some older teens (with numerous
younger siblings) that when I was a young teen I
sincerely wished for my parents to have more children
(for me to help raise). I urged the teens to spend
time with and teach their younger brothers and
sisters, and they would not forever have these
opportunities. I believe that is why I so enjoy my
work - I see them all as my younger brothers and
sissters.
Thanks for reading this. I hope to hear from you.
love, Peter, in Honduras