LOT'S OF GUITARS AND DRUMS AT CHURCH

Hi Everyone, Yesterday was Sunday. The group took a bus to a quaint little town called Via de Angeles. The weather has been unseasonably cold. That's right I said "COLD". I was so counting on heat. Oh well. For the most part it's been pretty pleasant but none of us brought enough long shirts and sweaters. Driving in the bus we passed all the shacks and dumpy, crumbling cement hovels that yes, people live in!! It's pretty hard to imagine what they look like inside but you know it wouldn't be pretty. Their is always laundry hanging out on their fences and clothe lines, and lots of mangy dogs milling around. Later that afternoon we attended the Reformed Christian Church in what used to be the most dangerous city in Tegucigalpa, Nueve Suyapa. AJS has done alot of work in that neighborhood. The two head honchos of the group who started the organization both live in that neighborhood and have for the past 25 years. One is a Honduran along with a man and his wife, from Michigan. They are all very devoted to the country and the people. The couple from Michigan are both gringos of dutch heritage and have raised their children right there in that neighborhood. We attended church in the neighborhood. Their were lot's of loud drums and electric guitars. Pretty interesting! They constantly talk about how we need to be "brave Christians".They are actually an extremely attractive couple. Because of the work they done the crime rate and the murder rate have really gone down. It's pretty impressive. It really makes me want to continue to support them and try to get other people who have ties or family members in Honduras to become aware of their work. Today we had great lectures on Security issues in Honduras. The lack of a trained police force who is honest, lectures on abuse and what is being done, peace and justice issues. The University President of the main University here (who is appointed and welds a lot of power just lost her son. He was murdered by some bad police. Anyway I think things are going to be changing, maybe not quickly, because of this high level crime. I have loved being here and hope that somehow I can make a difference. Poco y poco (little by little). One of the staff fell and hurt her neck. She got muscle relaxants from the local pharmacy without a prescription. I said, "If one were to seek out such a drug, what would one ask for?" Everyone howled with laughter. We've sure have enjoyed each other. Love to you all, Bonnie

Hi everyone, What a day, I am exhausted. Got my computer up and running so all is good. After breakfast we met together with a social worker and a very sharp woman attorney whose specialty is land rights. Not to bore you with too many facts but only 24% of people owning property actually have a land title in their possession. So often other corrupt people come in with false documentation and say the land is theirs. So it's been heartbreaking for a lot of people and a big problem for the government. It was very interesting. So far AJS (association for a more just society) has helped 70,000 people obtain offical titles for their properties. And it is a very slow, tedious process as you can imagine. The second half of the day was spent in a very under priviledged neighborhood with a lot of at risk youth. AJA has become involved with a group called "impact". They set up clubs throughout the country for at risk youth. The kids decide what projects they want to get involved in within their community, they share their problems with each other and with the adult leaders. They also do a lot of crafts, so it really helps to keep them off the streets. I scored a lot of points with groups by mentioning that I had adopted a boy from Honduras and because of that I considered myself a "contracho" which means a Honduran. They would scream and clap and they LOVED it. I only wish that kids from the states could see how these kids live. They would be so full of gratitude--as am I. We start every day with a worship service and a prayer and a thought. Tomorrow we will be visiting a charming little town called, Via de Angela (Valley of the Angels). Then later in the day we will be attending the Reformed Christian Church of Christ. I think that is what it is called. They used to be quite strict about no alcohol and no dancing but I've heard a lot of talk about beer. And yes, I had my first swig of beer down here. It was in my little fridge here in my room. I thought it was a gingerale!! Help! Hope you are all well. Much love, Bonnie

Honduras 2013!!

Hi everyone, Arrived in Houston last night, stayed over and caught the plane to Honduras at 9 am. Had a rough landing as they had high winds. It was such a choppy , frightening landing that everyone applauded the piolet after we landed! Had lunch in the offices of AjS, association for a more just society. 7 other people came ion on another flight. 3or 4 engineers and several ministers of a church called, Christain Reformed Curch. \\\they all seem fairly devoted. So as it turns out they are all members of the Christian Reformed Church! When they learned I was from Utah their leader said, "you're not Mormon" question mark. I said "I am Mormon and I hope you won't hold that against me. And by the way I am Christian!! Alot of them had dutch sounding names so I ask them if they were all "durchmen" They laughed because most of them were. They are a very friendly, fun group. The facilitators down here are women and from the states so that makes it nice. Got off the plane and looked at lots of faces directing the planes that looked and reminded me of my Tom and it brought a tear or two to my eyes. Am not having any luck on my own laptop but think there is a gal down here that is going to see if she can get it going. If I Have a busy day planned for tomorrow. And yes it is true, Hondujras now has the reputation for having the highest crime rate in the world!!! I'll say more about that later. We do have lots of police and armed gaurds at the hotel and at the offices. Anyway having a great time and know I will be making lasting friendships. Much love, Bonnie can I make start blogging again. ThaT BLOG IS HOLA DE hOINDURAS.BLOGSPOT .COM.