(Adorable Children Everywhere you go)
There was a lot missing this month. September here in Honduras contains three big holidays. “Dia Del Niño”, Independence Day, and The Day of the Bible. Due to the political situation parades were prohibited. There normally would have been lots of parades for “Dia Del Niño” which is a holiday to celebrate children. Thankfully there were still parties and Piñatas for the children in their school, houses and neighbourhoods but there were not nearly as many as past years. Not only was there no parades for “Dia Del Niño” but there wasn’t even parades for Independence Day which was September 15. Where I live in Catacamas you could not even tell that it was Independence Day. Unfortunately the Government banned most events that were to happen that day. I heard many people say how upset they were because there is usually so much excitement and celebration but this year there was almost nothing. The third holiday was “Dia de la Biblia” which is the Day of the Bible. This takes place on September 27 each year where Christians all around the country are united in prayer and celebration. Usually there would have been all kinds of parades, parties and celebrations but once again because of the political situation anything where there would be very large groups was prohibited. It was very sad for me to be missing out on all these worthy celebrations that people speak so highly of here. I heard so many wonderful things about how much fun and how marvelous these celebrations are. People would literally prepare for weeks ahead of time for these celebrations. Along with The Day of the Bible we had a day of Prayer and Fasting. This was announced in churches all of the country and thousands of Hondurans either gathered in groups or prayed individually and fasted as well. This was something the government would and could not stop. They stopped the parades but they can not stop prayer. Please keep praying for Honduras.
I went to multiple different communities where communities had loaned beans to plant by the government. Nearly everywhere that this bean was given out it turned out very poorly. The farmers were only getting about 10-25 percent of norm and also the beans were very poor quality. It made me realize how the people know their own zone so well that they know which seed is the best for that zone. So when someone comes in and gives them something new to try it can actually hurt them more than it helps. It is important to work with the farmers to help them develop, not to come in and develop for them.
I visited two communities that are way out in the middle of nowhere. La Puerta and Las Lajitas are two very poor communities that do no have running water, no electricity and no out-houses. Here I saw the very first step of the community development program. It is exciting to see people so far away in the middle of nowhere get excited because they see an opportunity to develop. I think they really see this program as something that can help and I think they will be willing to organize themselves to do what they need to do. I will be exciting to come back to this community in a few years and see how far they have come.
I went to a meeting in Valle de Angeles with many partner organizations. I learned a lot from the many different speakers that there were there and I learned a bit about the political situation. It was a good reminder of how complicated it is. Not only are people suffering from this situation but organizations are as well. One organization that was there used to have a staff of 12 but now because of cut fund are down to 3. Since there is not much I can personally do to help solve the political situation I will keep praying daily and I encourage all of you too as well.
Well I have to say that I miss home a lot. If you are reading this that probably means you are one of the people I miss because I know you care enough to take time out of your day to see how I am doing and to read about what I have been up to. You are probably one of the people I will talk with most when I come home because you are probably more interested than others. I hope that you are all doing well. I am doing great here and yes I do miss home but at the same time it will be hard to leave. I appreciate you reading this. Here are some more pictures of those creepy crawlies you live with here.
I went to multiple different communities where communities had loaned beans to plant by the government. Nearly everywhere that this bean was given out it turned out very poorly. The farmers were only getting about 10-25 percent of norm and also the beans were very poor quality. It made me realize how the people know their own zone so well that they know which seed is the best for that zone. So when someone comes in and gives them something new to try it can actually hurt them more than it helps. It is important to work with the farmers to help them develop, not to come in and develop for them.
I visited two communities that are way out in the middle of nowhere. La Puerta and Las Lajitas are two very poor communities that do no have running water, no electricity and no out-houses. Here I saw the very first step of the community development program. It is exciting to see people so far away in the middle of nowhere get excited because they see an opportunity to develop. I think they really see this program as something that can help and I think they will be willing to organize themselves to do what they need to do. I will be exciting to come back to this community in a few years and see how far they have come.
I went to a meeting in Valle de Angeles with many partner organizations. I learned a lot from the many different speakers that there were there and I learned a bit about the political situation. It was a good reminder of how complicated it is. Not only are people suffering from this situation but organizations are as well. One organization that was there used to have a staff of 12 but now because of cut fund are down to 3. Since there is not much I can personally do to help solve the political situation I will keep praying daily and I encourage all of you too as well.
Well I have to say that I miss home a lot. If you are reading this that probably means you are one of the people I miss because I know you care enough to take time out of your day to see how I am doing and to read about what I have been up to. You are probably one of the people I will talk with most when I come home because you are probably more interested than others. I hope that you are all doing well. I am doing great here and yes I do miss home but at the same time it will be hard to leave. I appreciate you reading this. Here are some more pictures of those creepy crawlies you live with here.
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