Down by the River Side

"Bordos" are what Americans might refer to as shanty towns. These communities--made up of homes constructed from discarded planks, fencing, particle board, concrete blocks, and corrugated tin--hug the banks of the rivers in San Pedro Sula. Thousands of the cities poorest residents, at least half of them children and youth, live here. Dust is everywhere. . .except when it is turned to mud in the rainy season. Contamination of the river and environment cause serious health issues for the vulnerable residents. In these communities, where the situation looks pretty hopeless, CASM (Mennonite Social Action Committee) provides a variety of educational and job-training programs to improve the lives of children and youth. CASM staff, and the pastor of God is Our Refuge Church, spoke passionately about their work here and expressed deep appreciation for the material aid (canned meat, school kits, health kits, etc.) they receive from MCC. It was another day of soaking in many things. . .

Breath-taking

Yesterday, the many sights of extreme human need almost took my breath away.  Today, it was the amazing variety and beauty of God's creation that was breath-taking.  We visited a national park/reserve dedicated to preserving a mangrove forest.  These trees send feeder roots down from the branches into the river, so we toured the area by boat.  The park was SO lush!  We saw a wide variety of flowers, birds, and butterflies as well as bats, crocodiles, a manatee, and monkeys!  After lunch we had time to swim in the Caribbean Ocean!

Tomorrow, back in San Pedro Sula, we'll learn about another MCC/Honduran Church project.

La Ceiba Experiences

We arrived in La Ceiba, on Honduras's northern coast, on Sunday afternoon.  After a  warm welcome and church history overview at the Central Mennonite Church of La Ceiba, we were delivered to our host families, whom we stayed with for two nights.

Monday was a day to learn about two programs--PREP (Project of Reconciliation and Forgiveness) and the Peace and Justice Project.  PREP grew out of the need to address divisions in the country and church following the 2009 "coup."  The Peace and Justice Project carries on several ministries including a prison ministry, community reconciliation, and a holistic program addressing the needs of children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Today--Tuesday--was a day we will not forget!  We accompanied Matt Kaiser to Los Laureles, a community of approximately 2000 people (up to 1000 children!) living on and around the city landfill.  Matt has developed trust and close relationships with the people and leads a variety of programs for the children and youth.  Despite their very poor conditions, everyone we met was genuinely welcoming and open to our questions.  A woman suffering from a severe infection in her hand invited us into her crude home to lay hands on and pray for her.  What a powerful, humbling experience!  There is not enough room here to say everything about this day, so ask one of the group when we return to Kansas.

Here, Hot, and Humid

We arrived safely in San Pedro Sula, late last night (Friday), after an hour delay in Houston, waiting for a "first officer" to pilot the plane!  The first thing I felt as we stepped out of the airport terminal was humidity--similar to walking into a steamy bathroom while someone is taking a hot shower.  It immediately reminded me of Taiwan, where I grew up.  This feeling continued today with the intensifying heat (37 deg C this afternoon) and humidity, as well as the tropical trees and flowers; and the "white knuckle," lay on the horn traffic! :)
 
We learned a lot today about Honduras and had an introduction to the various programs MCC supports, some of which we will visit in the next several days.

Here's a picture of the unique restaurant where we ate lunch today--delicious!  There was a huge mango tree across the street, and someone was picking a few with a net-bucket on a long pole.  That made me hungry for mango, so I bought two at the market we visited after lunch!

TWO!!

Only two nights before departure!  Time to make sure I have everything on the recommended list of items to bring.  Tomorrow is packing day!

It was an encouragement to hear a friend pray for me and the Learning Tour during a prayer group this evening.  I--and I believe everyone on this trip--desires that the experience be covered in prayer.  May we be open to what God has in mind for us during these 10 days and be thankful in all things!

A quote related to "2" (good to keep in mind on the tour):
"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak."  ~Epictetus (Greek philosopher)

Honduran fact related to "2".
The country has two major mountain ranges, which run east to west and divide it into halves.

Judy Reimer

THREE!

Today, I purchased the last few items for the trip to Honduras, including granola bars for snacks and Pepto-Bismol to treat any "surprise" stomach ailments.  (I'm praying I won't need the latter!)

Daily, I've been reading information about Honduras, and, the more I read--the more concern I feel for the people and the greater my desire to learn how MCC and the Honduran churches are ministering to the human need there.  A question I hope will have some answers by the end of our Learning Tour:  How can I . . . and how can our team's congregations in Kansas and Texas. . . be involved in this work?

Some Honduran facts* related to "3."
-Bananas accounted for roughly 30% of the export value before the country was devastated in 1998 by Hurricane Mitch.  The storm destroyed about 70% of the country's total agricultural production, including many banana and coffee plantations.
-Honduras has 3 railroads.  Two are owned by banana companies!
-The three major ports are on the Caribbean coast.

*From:  Seligson, Mitchell A. "Honduras." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Grolier Online http://gme.grolier.com/article?assetid=014068-0 (accessed April 17, 2012).

Judy Reimer

FOUR!

Today, two ordinary activities prompted me to wonder about what I'll experience in Honduras related to these things.
1.  Stars.  During my 5:30 a.m. walk, the stars were beautiful!  I asked, "What constellations will I see in Honduras?"
2.  Water.  I drank a tall glass of cold water after my walk, straight from the tap.  I wondered, "What challenges do Hondurans face to have clean drinking water?"  I hope to learn about this during the trip.

I have not found a Honduras fact related to "4," so I'll share a 4-word Spanish sentence I am memorizing to share with my host family:
Que Dios le bendiga.  (May God bless you.)

Judy Reimer

New journey for me

Judy has been faithful in writing for this blog so I thought I'd do some as well.  Going on this trip for me is an experience I have anticipated for quite some time.  Having never been out of the country, I thought it would be good to have an experience to see how others in the world live.  Leading a rather "sheltered" life, I know this experience will be an amazing one for me and one in which I will grow in my faith journey.  Honestly, I never would have chosen to go south but I feel this is meant to be.  I look forward to being "stretched" in many ways and being more appreciative of the work of MCC.  I am on sabbatical as associate pastor of Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton so I am thankful for this time.  So, the packing begins!  God be with us.  -Karen Andres

FIVE!

Today, I'm experiencing a few twinges of worry about the trip.  Questions like, "Will we be safe?"  "Will I be robbed?"  "Will I get sick?"  "How much 'culture shock' will I experience?" are cropping up.  I will pray over these during my time of devotions before bedtime tonight.  I'm also reminded of a quote a friend recently shared, "Don't tell God how big your 'mountains' are.  Tell the 'mountains' how big your God is!!"

A couple of Honduran facts related to "5."
1.  The flag has five blue stars.  These stars represent the member states of the former Federal Republic of Central America--Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
2.  Honduras' agriculture-based economy is sometimes referred to as a "dessert economy" with its five major products being pineapple, bananas, coffee, melons, and sugar.*

*Information from MCC's fact sheet.

By Judy Reimer

SIX!

As I write this post, severe weather--thunderstorms and tornadoes--are battering the state of Kansas.  In fact, a tornado passed within 5 miles or so of our home!  This made me wonder about the climate in Honduras.  Here's a bit of what I learned:

Like most tropical countries, Honduras has a rainy and a dry season.  Lucky for us on the MCC Learning Tour, the rainy season is generally from May to November in the central part of the country and September to January along the north coast.  Neither include April!  However, even though it might not be rainy during our visit, the weather will be warm-to-hot and very humid.  The average April temperature is around 90 deg. F with about 70 per cent humidity!!

Just one Honduran fact related to "6."
Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere.  About 65% of the population lives in poverty! 

I remember how the poorest people lived in Taiwan, during my time as a "missionary kid."  I wonder what we will see in Honduras. . . .

By Judy Reimer

SEVEN!

One week from today, seven persons from Kansas and Texas will depart for 9 days of seeing, listening, and learning about MCC's work in Honduras and about the history and ministries of the Honduran Mennonite churches.  Here is who we are:
Karen Andres
Ron and Sandy Flickinger
Clint Litsey
Caley Ortman*
Thelma Nunez*
Judy Reimer
Those marked with an * speak Spanish, for which the rest of us are extremely grateful!  I have a little apprehension about our home stay, where the hosts may speak very little English; for I know virtually no Spanish!  However, these quotes--from Mark Twain and Mother Teresa--encourage me that spoken language is not always necessary.
"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."

One Honduran fact related to "7."
Honduras has had seven consecutive democratic elections, beginning in 1985.  The current president is Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo.

By Judy Reimer

EIGHT!

In addition to learning about MCC partner programs in Honduras (more about this another day), there is the possibility we will have time to visit some Mayan ruins.  That would be great!  I will have to revisit topics from middle school social studies to re-gain my knowledge about this unique civilization.

A few Honduran facts related to "8."
1)  The population is approximately 8.1 million with an estimated growth rate of 1.8%
2)  Honduras gained its independence from Spain in 1821, but the current
      constitution was not adopted until 1982.
3)  Honduran trade is lopsided toward imports.  2010 estimates show
      approximately $8.9 billion in imports, but only $5.9 billion in exports.
      The United States is Honduras' primary trading partner.

By Judy Reimer

NINE!

Nine days until departure!  I'm beginning to gather appropriate clothes and shoes for the trip. :)

A few Honduran facts related to "9."
1)  Compulsory education, in Honduras, is through grade 9.  Literacy rate is 84%*
2)  The average temperature in April is 90 degrees F!
3)  90 per cent of the population is mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European)*

By Judy Reimer

*Facts from the U.S. Department of State

Countdown!

In 13 days I will embark on a trip I anticipate will be a blessed adventure!  I will be part of a "Learning Tour," sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to Honduras.  What will I see, hear, experience, and learn?  Where will I see God at work?  Who will I meet and learn to know?  This blog will be used by me--Judy Reimer--and others of the Learning Tour group, to share our experiences and reflections.  In all, we strive to glorify Christ as we learn more about God's redemptive, restorative work in the world and how we can be a part of it.