Updates on the Arrest of President Zelaya in Honduras
from Rev. Kunz

Thank you for your concern for El Hogar and Honduras, and stay tuned for further developments. We will continue to post updates when there are significant changes to report.


Recent Updates

December 2, 2009
Dear Friends, I apologize for not doing an update for a while. Politically, we were in a kind of holding pattern. Nothing was actually advancing or being resolved. Meanwhile, almost every night there were one or two explosions set off by the "resistance", targeting places where votes were stored, or polling places, or one of the evangelical churches, or government buildings. Fortunately, these attacks were amateurish, and caused little damage. The main intent was to intimidate the population so that they would think it too dangerous to go out and vote. There was definitely a sense of tension over everything.

But election day dawned clear and beautiful. I can see one of the polling places from my window, and the turnout was robust. There was almost a festive atmosphere to the whole endeavor. I had been advised not to leave my apartment that day, but by mid morning it had become clear that things would be fine. The process was peaceful and orderly, with very few disruptive incidents reported. They had set up a system of reporting from cell phones, so by a little after 7pm it was clear that Pepe Lobo had won a decisive victory.

There are some disputes about how heavy the turnout was. The government is claiming over 60%, which is significantly higher than in the last election. Zelaya is claiming less than 35%, and has declared the election invalid. The outside observers seemed to give this election their stamp of approval, and the US has said it will recognize Lobo as the next president. You will read that in the affluent areas the participation was much higher than in the poorer areas. I am sure that is true, but it is always true in every election, so does not necessarily indicate support for Zelaya. Brazil and Venezuela and Nicaragua have all vowed not to recognize the results of this election, arguing that elections held by an illegitimate government cannot produce legitimate results. (There is clearly a logical problem with this argument.) But the people of Honduras feel good about the election, and look forward to putting this whole incident behind them and trying to tackle the very real problems this country has. The next step politically is for the Congress to decide whether or not to restore Zelaya for the last weeks of his term. He is saying he will not come back unless the elections are declared invalid. The agreement both sides signed calls for the establishment of a unity government for the transition period. We will see how that goes!

Meanwhile, at El Hogar we were faced with personal tragedy. Tito Romeo Urquia, head of the workshops at the Institute, and with 24 years of service our senior teacher there, was shot. Apparently, he had been to the bank. As he was stopped at a light, two men on a motorcycle came up to his window. No one knows exactly what happened next, but they sped off after shooting him. He called Lazaro from his car, and Lazaro got help to him immediately. He was taken to the best hospital in Tegucigalpa, but after four days of surgeries and intensive care, he died. He has a wife and four children. Over 300 people attended the funeral, which was held in a church in Comayagua that was built in 1550. This is a huge loss to us. Just two years ago we were able to offer our employees life and health insurance. I feel blessed that that was in place.

At the same time that Tito was in the hospital, we had our prospective students for next year come to the Institute and the Agricultural School. Once again, we have many more applicants than we can accept. It is always hard to say "No" to someone who clearly has both the need and desire to be part of our programs.

Right now we are in that period of ending one school year and preparing for another. We are working on budgets, home visits, hiring, evaluating and planning. Classes are out, and the Institute and Agricultural School are closed for a while, but El Hogar never gets to close. Thank you so much for keeping us in your prayers. As we look toward the end of this year, I am very grateful for all God's blessings on us, and for having the support and good will of such a large community. Next year also looks as if it will have lots of challenges, but we are hopeful that in the midst of all the challenges and sorrows we will also experience God's presence and blessing.


November 2, 2009
You have probably read that an accord has been signed by the two sides in our political conflict, brokered by the United States. This is a very hopeful development, but it has been met with a low key response by most people I have talked to in Honduras. There are several reasons for this response. First of all, most of the country has already "moved on", in that they are involved in the process leading to the next election. Therefore, both Micheletti and Zelaya have ceased to be very important to them. They are looking forward to the next president, who will be elected later this month, and will take office in January.

Another reason is that there is a certain amount of ambiguity built into the agreement, so that not everyone agrees about what has been agreed upon. The agreement provides for a reinstatement of Zelaya, under a "unity" government, with the establishment of a truth commission. It also stipulates that both parties will honor the outcome of the next election. And, in accordance with the Honduran constitution, during this time of election and transition, control of the armed forces is transferred to the election commission. The decision of whether or not to restore Zelaya to office now rests with the congress, which will take the matter up tomorrow.

What is a little unclear is what will happen if the congress decides not to restore him. Some people seem to assume that congress is being asked to ratify an agreement and a path to restore Zelaya to power. More accurately, however, it seems that the agreement has given congress the opportunity to decide who should be president, and both Micheletti and Zelaya have agreed to abide by their decision. In any case, I am told that even before they decide, the unity cabinet will start to be formed.

What is most important is that this clears the way for the international community to recognize the upcoming election, resume financial aid to Honduras, and begin to normalize relations again. In many ways, in my opinion, this agreement is more for the sake of international relations than for the sake of determining who runs Honduras. The followers of Zelaya are still insisting on his restitution as necessary, as are a few places like Venezuela. But most countries have expressed their satisfaction that this agreement puts Honduras on a good path again.

The US, which has been trying to hold to two seemingly contradictory points (Removing presidents at gunpoint during the night without trial is a bad thing, and Zelaya therefore must still be recognized as the legitimate president vs. Zelaya was violating the constitution and trying to lead Honduras into a close alliance with Chavez, and therefore we want to limit his power and see him leave as soon as possible.) seems to have achieved both if this agreement holds. It has come out strongly against coups, while brokering an agreement that limits Zelaya to, at most, less than three months of seriously curtailed power.

There is still quite a lot to be worked out, and demonstrations continue, but it does appear that Honduras is moving out of its political crisis.

One of the reasons the congress is not willing to consider Zelaya's restitution today is that this is All Souls' Day. On this day, many Hondurans go to the cemeteries to decorate the graves of their loved ones. Flowers and paper wreaths are on sale everywhere. Sometimes the gravestones are painted bright colors. Families will have picnics there. Young boys race from family to family, offering, for a small contribution of food or money, to say an "Our Father" for the deceased. It is a day of remembrance of those who have gone before.

For El Hogar, this is a busy time of preparation. This weekend we have our graduation at the Agricultural School, then the next day is a reunion of past graduates for all three centers. The next weekend are the graduations at the Institute and at El Hogar. Teachers are getting final grades in, and those students who did not do so well on their final exams have another chance to retake the exams. It is an exciting time for students and for their families.

At the same time, we have a large list of names of children and young people who would like to be part of El Hogar next year, and we will be beginning the process of selection this month.

On a personal note, Barbra McCune and I had the privilege of enjoying a celebration of our marriage at the Institute this past Saturday. We had a service of thanksgiving, with lots of the children and staff there, followed by a lunch of Chinese food and a delicious cake. It was a wonderful day!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as the details of the political agreement are worked out, and as our students move into this important time of transition in their lives.



October 23, 2009
I apologize for neglecting updates for a few weeks, but I took some time off to get married and go on a honeymoon! Barbra and I both feel blessed by the prayers and good wishes that have come from so many of you. Thank you! Back here in Honduras, it is campaign season. The length of the campaign is regulated here, so it does not go on forever. Elections are scheduled for November 29. These elections were scheduled and organized well before the government changed. Many countries are threatening not to recognize the results, but most Hondurans I have talked to are looking forward to the election and installation of a new president as the resolution to this present crisis.

Right now, some "high ranking" US diplomats are in town, pushing for a negotiated solution prior to the elections. Zelaya is still in the Brazilian embassy with about 35 supporters and 5 journalists. He is pushing his re-institution as the solution to the crisis, and Micheletti is rejecting that. Micheletti is suggesting that they both resign making way for a third person, and Zelaya is rejecting that. So no solution seems forthcoming.

The streets are much more quiet, since the laws for public gatherings are a bit different during campaign season. So, things seem more tranquil than when I left. On the other hand, there have been a number of suspicious acts directed toward the present government. A few days ago, Micheletti's nephew was found executed. Earlier this week, the 81 year old father of one of the army security officers was kidnapped. The "resistance" claim they have nothing to do with these events, but not everyone believes them. They state that their resistance is peaceful, but at the same time are threatening both to boycott and disrupt the elections.

El Hogar Projects has somehow weathered recession, curfews, street demonstrations and riots, H1N1, and everything else, and is preparing for graduations beginning on November 6. The public school students missed 100 days this year, but everyone is being passed to the next grade anyway. El Hogar missed just one day, and that was for the national celebration on achieving a place in the 2010 World Cup Tournament in South Africa!

We have a reunion of graduates scheduled for November 6 at the Institute. Claudia has managed to get some free TV coverage on one of the channels here, and it is also being advertised on the radio, so we are hoping for a good turnout.

It is a huge blessing for me to come back after being gone for so long and to find all the centers functioning so well! The Honduran leadership is the key to making El Hogar such a special ministry. They are amazing people.

Thank you all for your continuing prayers!



September 23, 2009
Things in Honduras continue to be very unpredictable and tense. The government extended the curfew into a second day, then relaxed it for five hours so that people could buy food and other necessities. This resulted, of course, in long lines at the stores, with crowds of nervous and hassled people. The curfew is assumed to be imposed again starting early this evening.

The Institute is still not able to offer normal classes, as all the teachers have to travel there from a distance, and the roads have been closed. There is a small skeleton staff which is organizing activities for the boys, feeding them, and making sure they are all safe. Lazaro was hoping to get there today during the lifting of the curfew.

El Hogar is holding classes as usual, but it was not an easy night. In the evening, a group outside El Hogar gathered in defiance of the curfew. Nominally, they were part of the "resistance", but Claudia said it was clear that they were gang members trying to take advantage of the situation. They threw stones, some of which came into El Hogar, and scuffled with police. There was tear gas fired, and some shots were heard. Inside the gates, the staff moved the cars away from the area closest to the street. Because of the disruption, Claudia was unable to get home, and spent the night at El Hogar, as did several of the staff. Our wall and gate escaped graffiti, but Dona Tona, who lives across the street, now has" Viva Mel" painted on her gates. Claudia organized everyone into four groups, and they took turns "on watch". Claudia learned today that many of the neighbors had come out of their homes to tell the demonstrators not to touch El Hogar. Nice to know that we are held in some regard by our closest neighbors.

The group eventually moved on past El Hogar and into the neighborhood called Pedregal, where they looted a grocery store, an appliance store, a cell phone store, and several other smaller business, blockaded the street, and lit small fires.

Things at the Agricultural School were quieter, but their travel is restricted, and many boys worry about what is happening with their families.

Zelaya has repeatedly asked to be able to talk with Micheletti, the current president. Micheletti has said he is willing to talk with Zelaya if he will commit himself to recognizing the results of the coming election. Zelaya has refused to do so. So, the stalemate which has existed for for almost three months still continues. Zelaya is isolated in the embassy of Brazil, and his next move is anyone's guess.

From what I can gather, Zelaya's approval rating has reached a new low. Most people seem to be ready to have the election and move on, hoping that eventually the rest of the world will recognize the results of that election.

Needless to say, the teachers who are at the core of the "resistance" have again suspended classes. There are many students who will not be able to pass on to the next grade because so much time has been lost. Even if provision is made for them to pass, it will be without learning much. Meanwhile, at all our sites, we are completing the school year as scheduled. That is no small accomplishment, and I give credit to an amazing staff, whose true character is being revealed in the middle of this crisis.

I received email from a friend who is traveling in a different part of Honduras. From what he says, most of the tension is localized in the cities, and especially in Tegucigalpa, the capital.

Please continue to keep the children and staff in your prayers.


September 21, 2009
As you probably have heard from the news reports, Zelaya has slipped back into Honduras with the help of the Brazilian embassy, and is now in their complex. Last night, when the announcement went out, several thousand people gathered around to celebrate his return. The present government imposed a sudden curfew, and most people rushed home to avoid arrest. However, a large crowd ignored the curfew, and settled in around the embassy. In the middle of the night, the police came to disburse the crowd. The reports of what happened are vague and conflicting, but everyone agrees there was teargas, destruction of property, and injuries. The morning paper featured a police truck overturned and burned. There are rumors of one or two deaths, but they are not confirmed. The crowd is now, apparently, dispersed. The curfew has lasted all day, and most people anticipate it being continued into tomorrow.

Zelaya says he is back to engage in dialogue with the present government, but also says he is back to regain power. Micheletti has said instead that Zelaya will be arrested and charged with crimes, and has complained to Brazil for harboring a person who is wanted for crimes in Honduras and busy inciting rebellion within the country. The atmosphere in the country is tense because no one knows what will happen next.

The extensive curfew is a hardship for the Technical Institute. It is on the main road, which is blocked right now, so the teachers were unable to get there. Lazaro has been keeping in touch via his cell phone, but there are almost 80 boys, and only two staff members. Fortunately, they went grocery shopping recently, so there is enough food.

Amazingly, at El Hogar, all the staff defied the curfew in order to show up for work. I talked, for instance, to the new administrative assistant, who simply said, "Well, I live nearby, so I could walk." Claudia was stopped on her way to work, but after explaining to the police where she was going, was permitted to complete her journey. It emphasizes to me the incredible commitment our staff have to this ministry. Claudia said that inside El Hogar it was impossible to tell that it was not another ordinary day, and that I should not worry! She also said that on her way she had seen many Hondurans walking to their jobs. She wants people in the US to understand that most Honduran citizens are trying hard to fulfill their normal responsibilities, looking forward to the elections, and wanting the world to understand their situation.

I was unable to contact the Agricultural School today. Balbino was sick, and their communication system is always a bit fragile.

This has been a challenging few months, and it looks like it is far from over.

I had some friends who wrote a book about community called " Living Together in a World Falling Apart". As we continue to try to carry on a faithful ministry during a year characterized by recession, inflation, H1N1, lack of volunteers, and disruptive political crises, that title strikes a chord in me. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.


September 17, 2009
I have begun my fall trip in the United States, and am writing this from Tullytown, PA. I cannot tell you how nice it is to be able to go out without first determining where the demonstration will be that day. It is a relief to drive someplace and not see "Golpista" spray-painted on almost every available wall space. And although it seems like this country is also suffering from some deep and bitter divisions, everyday life feels surprisingly peaceful here.

This is a week in which Honduras celebrates some national holidays. The 15th was Independence Day. Children's Day, which is a major holiday there, was officially last week, but the celebrations often get carried over. Today is Day of the Teacher.

As a result, the Institute and the Agricultural School have given their students a few days off. The seniors, meanwhile, are getting ready to take part in their internship placements. All of our graduating students are given the opportunity to work with a company for a month, to gain experience and in some cases turn their placements into permanent jobs. We have students working in large agricultural firms, in seed companies, for a cable company, for a German manufacturer of car parts, for a TV station, and in other places throughout the country. They will return in a few weeks to take their final exams and graduate.

El Hogar is celebrating the holidays, but most of those children are still at the center. Special activities are planned for them during this time.

Normally, there are elaborate Independence parades during September. This year they are smaller and more localized. The health department discouraged bigger parades, fearing they would be a venue for H1N1, a growing problem in Honduras, to spread. More pointedly, there were fears of violence from the "resistance", so the school participation in these parades was very limited.

Life in Honduras is trying very hard to get back to normal, but there are both internal and external pressures to bring Zelaya back. The US has now revoked visas for the acting president, all the members of the supreme court, the attorney general, and the foreign minister. They are planning to revoke more visas in the near future. Oscar Arias met with the presidential candidates to warn them that the results of the election might not be recognized internationally. They signed a very mild statement saying that the agreement Arias proposed might be an acceptable way to resolve the current crisis, but emphasized that they were simply candidates, not the government, and stopped far short of urging that Zelaya should return.

The "resistance", as they call themselves, continue to call for Zelaya's restitution, and, for that matter, for the rewriting of the constitution. They held a special event on Children's Day. They had pinatas of the current president, and urged the children to shout "Golpista" as they swung for the candy. The TV station that supports Zelaya had specials on Independence Day announcing that Micheletti had gone into the hospital with heart problems, including footage of someone being wheeled into the hospital on a stretcher. It turns out that the entire story was a fabrication, meant to sow worry and uncertainty. Students are averaging two to three days of classes a week, as the teachers are the core of the movement resisting the current government.

The effects of the cuts in aid and limits on travel to and from the US are hitting this already poor country hard. Hotels are barely occupied, and the Marriott has even gone to the effort to post a large "Yes, We are still open" banner on the front of the building .Bishop Allen has expressed his concern for the poor of the country, who inevitably will suffer the most. Although everyone hopes that a transparent and fair election process will lead to resolution, the months to come will certainly not be easy ones.

I am very proud of the staff of El Hogar for being able to maintain normal activities in the midst of all this. Everyone has made sacrifices and done extra work in order to continue to give the kind of care and opportunities to our students that allow them to leave El Hogar with changed lives.

I will conclude with some words of one of our third course students at the Agricultural School, commenting on the retreat just held for those students: "I finish with something which has marked my life in an extraordinary way:, the retreat we had at the Biological Reserve of El Chile, a camp in which I experienced something unlike anything else in my life. We had challenges to meet because the theme of the retreat was "Never say I can't". Everyone must have a purpose to complete in life, but we always feel the presence of our heavenly father who is camped along side of us, and thanks to Him, we live purpose."

Thank you for your continuing prayers and support!


September 8, 2009
Honduras broke into U.S. news again last week, with the State Department canceling some aid and announcing that it will revoke the visas of some government officials. In addition, the spokesperson indicated that the U.S. might not accept the results of the election in Honduras. This is designed as a way of applying pressure to the present government to accept the accords proposed by Arias, which would allow Zelaya to return (under some constraints) and would give amnesty to everyone involved. Despite this news, on a day to day basis life has pretty much gone on here.

The third year students at the Agricultural School went on a retreat this weekend. Those of you who have gone to the farm know that they are more or less in the middle of nowhere to start with. Balbino was telling me that for this retreat they were going to get away so that they could enjoy nature. He said, in typical understatement, that the road to where they were going was "a little bit difficult". Their destination was a place off in the mountains next to a waterfall. He wanted the boys to be there with nothing but what was necessary. The water there is clear and potable, and the setting apparently is beautiful. Our chaplain was going, and the idea was to take the boys away so they could think about what God has done for them during the last three years, and also pray about their future plans and goals. I have not heard yet how their weekend went.

The teachers at El Hogar also took a day of retreat this week. Working as hard as they do, it is important for them to be rooted in their faith. Otherwise, trying to serve so many children would quickly become a huge burden. This week they are fasting part of each day, and at the end of the week they will share in a vigil of prayer and song. Meanwhile Claudia is continuing to try to make local contacts in order to generate local support for El Hogar. A crew from Channel 8 came, and broadcast a segment about El Hogar on TV that night. With support from the US lagging this year, and prices rising, we are doing everything we can to try to make ends meet. One of the contacts Claudia has made is with a local judo school. They are offering free classes for some of our children, and the girls are joining in. The kids are quite excited about this opportunity.

The Technical School had its special activities last week, so this week everyone is back to regular classes and assignments. But we are already making plans for a few special activities coming up, like a reunion of former graduates from all the sites.

So El Hogar is continuing to move forward. We are anticipating a return to a regular schedule of volunteer groups, which will be a welcome addition to our life. And we are looking optimistically, but cautiously, toward next year. This year has been very tough financially, and has left us with no cushion at all. We are hoping that we do not need to dismiss teachers or admit fewer children in this coming year.

A few comments on the political situation:

Although the State Department announcement made headlines, much of what was cut had already been suspended. Some additional funds were targeted, including a project to improve the road from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula. This will, of course, increase the unemployment level here in Honduras. Hilary Clinton was careful to note that the situation here is complex, and because the legislative and judicial branches of the government were involved in Zelaya's removal, they are not considering this situation a military coup at this time. The U.S. military is still sharing a base here in Honduras with the Honduran military. From my point of view, the U.S. is pulling its punches, wanting to make a statement against forced removal of presidents, but doing so in a way that does not force Honduras into complying. Once again, we will see what the future holds.

It seems to me that as time goes on, opposition to Zelaya's return is getting stronger. There are several factors that enter into this. First, he has spent a lot of time and energy trying to get other countries to impose sanctions and sever relationships with Honduras. He says openly that he believes Honduras should be forced to accept him back. Patriotism is alive and well here in Honduras, and having a former president advocate international pressure against Honduras has resulted in a lot of anger. In addition, Zelaya continues to claim that hundreds have been killed in a blood bath here, and that hundreds of others are being tortured for resisting the new government. This is not true, and people resent his portrayal of Honduras in this way.

Meanwhile, his supporters here are not making a lot of friends. The core group that calls itself the "resistance" is composed mostly of teachers, and some union leaders. Each week, the teachers announce which two or three days they will hold classes, and then demonstrate the other days. This has parents up in arms, since the education of their children is being compromised. Most of the demonstrations are peaceful, but this past week they marched to an evangelical church where the pastor has expressed support for the new government. The church has a Christian school. While the children were in the school, the demonstrators surrounded it, shouted threats, threw rocks, and spray painted obscenities on the walls. (A few weeks ago they surrounded one of the school buses from this same school, and while the children watched in fear, screamed at them and covered the bus with graffiti.) I cannot help but compare these "teachers", who are willing to ignore their own students and terrorize others, with our teachers at El Hogar, fasting in order to be open to God using them more effectively. This past weekend some supporters of Zelaya in Choluteca converged on a rally of one of the candidates running for president, and threw rocks at those gathered there. Some were armed with machetes, and there were several injuries. They have also been systematically tearing down campaign signs. None of these things make people long for Zelaya's return.

And, finally, investigations continue into Zelaya's actions while he was president. I imagine that an unbridled investigation into any politician's affairs, both in the U.S. and here, might be able to dig up some dirt, but Zelaya appears to have provided some serious material to work with. The paper yesterday carried the results of one investigation by the accounting department, which has uncovered over $7,000,000 dollars of government money spent on personal expenses by Zelaya. This includes, in one month, $5,000 for cigars, fancy tack for his horse, jewelry for his wife, art work, and expensive suits. Makes it harder for him to press his claim that he is on the side of the poor.

So Honduras seems to be pressing forward. The campaign for elections in November has already started, and no one doubts that the intention of the present government is to hand power on to whomever is selected. The only fear is that Zelaya's supporters will do all they can to sabotage the process. Most people I talk to are extremely weary of the continuing controversy, and looking forward to the elections as a way of putting this all behind them.

The qualifiers for the World Cup continue. As of today, Honduras is in the first position, ahead of the U.S. There are two tough games ahead, but at a time when Honduras is feeling beleaguered and isolated, the accomplishments of their futbol team are especially treasured.

I leave this Wednesday for the U.S., and will be preaching and visiting in churches mostly along the East Coast. It will in many ways be a relief to be back in the Ol' US of A, but at the same time I am quite aware that I am leaving behind an amazing group of teachers, workers and students, who are a daily example to me of faith and love.
Please continue to keep them in your prayers.



August 31, 2009

The past week was a good one for El Hogar. It started with a wonderful celebration at St. Mary's Church on Sunday. It was the church's annual patronal festival. The Bishop was there to preach and celebrate, and the English and Spanish congregations combined for the morning. There were several confirmations. The Garifuna women presented the offertory, which included dancing to the altar with not only bread and wine, but also with traditional Garifuna dishes, including fish and platanas. After the Eucharist, lunch was served on the site of what used to be the Technical Institute, and now is part of St. Mary's Bilingual School.

This was also the week the Institute celebrated its 25th Anniversary. The celebration began with a Eucharist in the new chapel on Monday morning. Each day during the week there were special activities, with lots of soccer games. One of the games featured the teachers playing against the students. I will not report the outcome of that game, but only say that, miraculously, all the faculty were still able to walk with some help after the game was over. On Friday everyone went to a local park for a day long picnic. The park has a small pool, which the boys enjoyed. They also had two pinatas. Here in Honduras the pinatas move up and down and swing, and the person who has the baton is twirled around until he/she is dizzy and then blindfolded. The person who moves the pinata tries to keep it safe, but is not beyond trying to hit whoever is "it" with the pinata by swinging it at him/her. When it finally does get hit hard enough for the candy to fall out, there is an incredible scrum, with all the boys in a huge pile trying to grab at least some of the treats. Lots of fun! This year, to keep expenses as low as possible, Patricia and her kitchen crew cooked lunch, and brought it out to the park for the boys and the faculty. It was a wonderful day.

Balbino and Wilman returned from their ERD conference with lots of new ideas and also some new tasks suggested by the ERD staff. The conference had over 30 participants from 11 Latin American countries. It was at a beach, but the schedule hardly allowed for the chance to enjoy it. They come back with a fuller understanding of the partnership ERD would like to have with El Hogar, and a new relationship with the staff assigned to work with them. This was also a week when weather and timing were right for planting. The fields are now sown with frijoles and corn. We are trying to grow as much as possible to offset some of our food costs this year.

School continued at El Hogar this week. Our recycling program is still going strong, and the classes on Saturdays in which adults can learn to read, taught by our older students under the supervision of our teachers, are still attracting some very motivated parents and even staff members. There is some new furniture in the dormitory, bought with money raised by our staff. The "logical consequences" approach to discipline is going well. When I stopped by this weekend, the kids were relaxing and having a great time.

The political situation remains unresolved, but, like many Hondurans, we are going on with life, albeit against an uncertain backdrop. Just a few reflections on that political situation...

Today is the official kick-off of the campaign for the next president. Elections are scheduled for November 29, with the new president scheduled to take office on January 27. Something like 500,000 new voters have registered to be able to vote in these elections. There is a lot of hope that completing transparent elections will be a way out of the current crisis. But there are signs that it might not be so easy. Yesterday, one of the police officials assigned to protect the election process was murdered, and his papers that gave him that assignment were left in a prominent place at the scene of the crime. This indicates that there are those who are looking for ways to subvert the voting process. Several countries, including Spain, have already announced that they will not recognize the new president, as the current situation has not been resolved, and therefore in their opinion the electoral process will not be legitimate.

The actions of the US are still mixed. I get asked often, "Why is the United States acting in this way?" It is a good question, and there is no simple answer. This morning, looking at the U.S. press on the internet, I found two editorials on the situation here. One was criticizing Obama for encouraging "leftist thugs" by pressuring Honduras to reinstate Zelaya. The other was criticizing Obama for undermining democracy by NOT pressuring Honduras to immediately reinstate Zelaya. Obviously there is room for interpretation. On reflection, I think this is because the U.S. is pursuing two goals that are in tension with one another.

In the past, the United States has been criticized, often with justification, for meddling in Latin American politics for its own interests, without regard for the people of Central and South America. This has led to some deep resentments, and people like Chavez have used those resentments to grab power for themselves, blaming almost all ills on "Yankee Imperialism". The current administration seems determined to diffuse that, seeing that past stances have often proven counterproductive. So, for instance, I think if the US had immediately recognized the current government, the situation here would have been interpreted as yet another example of US meddling, and would have become a cause celebre for leftist governments to rally around. So, the US is trying to be part of an international team.

At the same time, the US recognizes that the direction of much of the hemisphere has become anti-American, and has no interest in yet another leader taking his or her country in that direction. Zelaya is seen as a trouble maker and a friend of Chavez. No one is really anxious to have him return.

The result is that the US is outwardly supporting the Organization of American States in seeking a "return to democracy" in Honduras, and imposing some sanctions. So far, however, it is coming short of imposing sanctions that would in effect force Honduras to comply. This has led to the rather strange situation in which Chavez is calling for more US intervention. It has also, paradoxically, made the US a key player in this crisis.

I am not smart enough to predict where this is all going, or what the US will do next. The acting President has presented a proposal by which he would be willing to resign if Zelaya also resigns, both doing so for the good of the country. In that case, the person next in line according to the Constitution would assume power, and the Congress would grant Zelaya amnesty for political crimes he has been charged with. The Organization of American States has rejected that proposal.

In the meantime, there is still a group that carries on regular protests, but much of the country is carrying on with life as usual, and energy is focusing now on who the next president will be. But the political situation has had and is having an effect on people and agencies here. This morning's paper carries the story of one institution that has been serving teenagers who are trying to recover from involvement with drugs and alcohol and gangs, and is now considering closing down because of lack of funds. We feel blessed that we so far have been able to continue to do our work, but are also feeling the effect of the combination of US recession and political crisis. Please continue to pray for us as we seek to keep this refuge, this "Hogar", open to those in need.



August 25, 2009 -

It has been almost two months now since Mel Zelaya was bundled out of his house and taken out of the country, and the situation is still not resolved. Some of the early fears, such as a civil war breaking out, or an invasion by foreign troops, are no longer an issue. In many ways life is proceeding in a normal pattern again, especially outside of Tegucigalpa. There are regular demonstrations, but the core group still advocating for Zelaya's return is not very large, and there has been enough public outcry over the vandalism and violence of some of the earlier marches that the demonstrations have toned down considerably. After two months, they are taking on a pattern. The participants are mostly teachers and some union members, who gather around 10am and march someplace and then disperse around 3pm. It is usually possible to find out where they are going and avoid those places. On the other hand, world pressure is still intense. All the European countries have withdrawn their ambassadors, and several South American countries have done the same. Much foreign aid has been frozen, and loans not granted. Honduran ambassadors in other countries are no longer recognized, so there is a sense of isolation. These pressures are not as immediately visible, but will have a long term effect.

Meanwhile, lots of conversations are taking place. Last week a human rights delegation from the Organization of American States came and had hearings in Honduras. Since the OAS has been very clear in its refusal to recognize the current government, expectations were not high for a fair hearing. Still, the initial report was better than hoped for here. They did document instances of brutality and indiscriminate arrests by both police and military personnel, but discounted the claims by Zelaya that there were scores of deaths and hundreds of injuries and thousands of people held in jails. They also noted the instances of vandalism and crowd violence, and the withholding of education from students.

Yesterday another OAS delegation arrived. It is composed of foreign ministers from 7 different countries. They are here hoping to present the case for ratifying the agreement proposed by Arias, but also, more importantly, to listen. They are meeting with religious and business leaders, representatives from the armed forces and the current government, union officials, teachers, and even the candidates for the next election. I think this is a crucial step. The general feeling here is that countries jumped to conclusions about what had happened here without any real understanding of the situation. Having this opportunity for Hondurans to tell their side of the story is crucial if there is to be any agreement that has "buy in" from the people here.

Once again, how this will all play out is still a mystery. Next week marks the official beginning of the campaign period for the next government. Elections are still scheduled for November, with the new president due to take office the end of January. Most people are hoping that having orderly and fair elections will ultimately resolve this whole issue.

The paper today had an article outlining some of the challenges for the next government. It mentions, among other things, that, despite promises from many different governments to address the issue of poverty, over 50% of households still exist on less than $1 a day, and 73% of the population is below the poverty level. The murder rate increased 25% last year, and currently in Honduras there are 373 murders each month, or an average of 12 a day. The index of violent death in Honduras is 48/100,000, as compared to the average in Latin America of 7/100,000. The economy is in a shambles, with foreign reserves being reduced by a third in the last eight months. These are daunting problems, and the current political crisis has put them all on the back burner.

Meanwhile, El Hogar Projects are still moving forward. This is anniversary week at the Institute, and it is being marked by special activities. Yesterday there was a Eucharist to give thanks for what God has done there. Friday, there will be a picnic at a local park. Each day there will be a soccer game, a special presentation, or some other activity to make the week memorable.

Balbino and Wilman have just returned from a conference given by ERD. They will be implementing new ideas they learned from the ERD staff and the other participants. El Hogar celebrated Lempira Day last week. It is a holiday devoted to reminding Hondurans of their indigenous heritage. Each grade was assigned a different tribe, and built a shelter, prepared food, had children dress up, and gave a brief presentation of the customs, religion, and way of life of that tribe.

Please continue to remember and pray for us.



August 17, 2009 -

Since the outburst of violence last week, with the burning of a bus and a fast food restaurant, things have gotten much quieter. Yes, during the middle of the night someone tried to burn down the offices of one of the newspapers that has been most critical of Zelaya by lobbing some Molotov cocktails into the lobby. But generally, on the street during the day, things have been more peaceful.

I think Hondurans have been so upset and outraged that this kind of political violence could take place in their country, that there has been a reaction against the demonstrators. The supporters of Zelaya have gone to great pains to try to distance themselves from the violence (even though it was clearly done by their group), and now they are demonstrating without their faces covered for the first time.

Last week there were estimates of up to 10,000 demonstrators in the capital. The latest marches have drawn only about 1000.

This week an international human rights organization has come to study the situation here in Honduras. The supporters of Zelaya have said they would have forceful demonstrations during this time to drive home their concerns. We will see. As I understand it, this commission will be looking at both "sides".

Sadly, I think there has been violence against the demonstrators by both the police and the military. I believe that the demonstrators were hoping to provoke a violent response that could be characterized as oppression. Therefore, they were willing to torch a bus and several cars and break windows and do other acts of vandalism. But ultimately this worked against them. There is more tolerance now toward the actions of police and military, because people perceived the situation to be getting out of hand, and resented the destruction and intimidation. But this is far from a police state. For example, the police followed some of the more violent demonstrators onto their campus, and found a stash of Molotov cocktails there, which they confiscated. The courts have ruled that they entered the campus without a proper warrant, and therefore the Molotov cocktails may not be used as evidence.

Behind the scenes a lot of talking is going on. Last week a group went to D.C. to meet with Insulza, head of the Organization of American States. They announced that talks had been very positive, and another group is heading to Washington today. The OAS is still putting together a delegation to come listen to the concerns of people in the business and religious communities here, in order to move toward a peaceful and negotiated resolution. I also heard about a smaller gathering, pulled together by a mediator, of people from all possible political approaches here. Apparently the first two hours were very tense, with each person stating his/her viewpoint in the most passionate terms possible. By the end of the day, however, they were all hugging and expressing affection. "We are all Hondurans, and we all love our country. Our children go to school together. We have worked together for years. We need to find a way to come together to resolve this crisis." This is a good sign.

One thing I have learned over the last few weeks is that I never know what will happen next. That is still true. I think that daily demonstrations will continue, but get the sense that, for now, they have lost some of their momentum. I think the momentum will probably be more and more toward some negotiated solution.

In the meantime, El Hogar is doing what it usually does. The boys are still thrilled about Honduras' win over Costa Rica. Over the weekend some of the moms came to El Hogar to get their weekly lessons in how to read and write. Balbino and Wilman are now at a conference run by ERD that puts together all those in Latin America doing projects for development. The first couple of computers are installed at the Institute. I spent a significant portion of last week filling out forms and applications, not really my favorite part of this job. God has been very good to us in the midst of this crisis, and we continue to move forward.

Thanks once again for your prayers and support. It means a lot to know we are part of a larger community of love.



August 13, 2009 -
The summary version of what is below is this; the political situation is still not resolved, and there have been more instances of violence in the last few days, but El Hogar is still plugging along.

Balbino and Wilman (our outreach worker for the agricultural school) are preparing to attend a conference sponsored by ERD (Episcopal Relief and Development) in the Dominican Republic. This will give them a chance to meet and exchange information with other people in Latin America who are working on projects to enhance the lives of the poor. It will also put them into direct contact with the wonderful folks who work at ERD like Abigail Nelson and Karla Avila. Balbino and Wilman will be presenting the work of the agricultural school to the group gathered there. There has been a lot of filling out of forms and organizing in order to prepare for this meeting. Meanwhile, the work of completing the update of the wiring for the school is nearing completion, being done beautifully by two graduates from the technical institute.

It has been a relatively quiet week of classes at El Hogar. Claudia and Raul were able to finally get a few days off, which they well deserved. H1N1 has become a concern in Honduras, and we are taking steps to prevent any spread on our campus. So far, we are blessed in that none of our children has evidenced symptoms. We are hoping to keep it that way!

At the Institute the students are working hard as they near the end of the school year. For those in their third year, this means they soon will be going off to do internships arranged for them with businesses around the country. It also means taking their final exams, which will determine whether or not they can graduate.

We were all saddened at hearing of the death of Earl Crawford, from Ohio. Earl and his wife have been very good friends of El Hogar, and were among those who hosted our boys when they visited Ohio. Earl also donated and managed to ship a pipe threading machine for the use of the Institute. Please keep his family in your prayers.

When I drove out to the farm yesterday I passed a new kind of demonstration. Outside one of the schools, a large group of parents and of children dressed in their school uniforms had gathered. They were holding signs up to the passing traffic that said, "We want our education. Please let us have classes."

The teachers have been at the heart of the demonstrations in support of the return of Zelaya. Most public schools have been closed for six weeks, and it is looking more and more as if the children will lose the entire year, since they will not be able to take (or pass) their final exams. Those who were looking forward to graduation are particularly concerned. May of the teachers are quite upset about the strike and would like to continue normal classes, but they have received threats, and those who have tried to hold classes have often been harassed, as have the students who have tried to attend. There are multiple instances of teachers meeting in private homes in order to try to give their students a chance to finish the school year. One of our graduates, Carlos, tells us that they need to meet secretly, and cannot wear their school uniforms, for fear of being discovered. Many of the school buildings are being used to house out of town demonstrators, or to provide food for them. In light of all this, the simple fact that at El Hogar Projects we are finishing the school year on time without having missed any classes is a huge achievement.

Although for a while it looked like things were settling into a more normal routine, the last few days have brought more turmoil. Thousands of demonstrators from around the country have converged on both Tegucigalpa (the bigger group) and San Pedro Sula. I am sure that many of these protesters are true fans of Zelaya, or simply believe that the democratic order has been disrupted, and are sincere about their protests. Unfortunately, theirs is not the predominant voice. There is a much smaller but more radical group that is turning the "peaceful" protests into something else entirely.

My apartment looks out onto the Teachers' College, which is where most of the protests are organized. The other afternoon I saw clouds of thick black smoke blowing past my window. I initially thought tires were being burned, but the clouds were much bigger than usual. The protestors, after blocking the major street outside the college, attacked a bus at random, and threw a Molotov cocktail into it while it was still full of passengers. Panicked parents were handing their infants out the windows to people who gathered to help. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but the bus was burned completely. At about the same time, demonstrators converged on Popeye's. The costumers inside were startled to suddenly see a large group of young men, all with their faces covered with red bandannas, shattering the windows with large rocks. The woman who worked at the checkout counter rushed to help parents who were trying to get their children out of the indoor play area and out of the store. (As she did this, she watched the demonstrator raid the cash register.) Others customers huddled temporarily in the rest rooms. Meanwhile, another cocktail was thrown into the play area, and the entire restaurant was burned. All the customers escaped, but some were nursing injuries. At another gathering yesterday, the vice-president of the congress was attacked physically. Zelaya, who was in Brazil the other day, has made no comment to distance himself from these actions, or to call on his followers to be peaceful.

I have lived in Honduras for five years now, and have come to appreciate the Honduran people for their gentleness and generosity and graciousness. The instances above are not in any way typical of the Hondurans that I know. In fact, I think that this kind of violent action is very counterproductive. As I talk to people about the political situation, what I hear is that this kind of extreme action makes it much harder to consider the return of Zelaya. They feel that if he is able to return, those carrying out these violent demonstrations will feel empowered, and be ready to return to tactics of intimidation if Zelaya calls upon them to do so. I think it signals some hard days ahead. Whether or not Zelaya returns, there is now a hard-core group, full of anger, not really focused on any cause in particular, who are willing to intimidate and destroy in order to have their influence felt. Many people in Honduras are calling for careful dialogue in order to resolve the complex situation in the country. Having folks that are dedicated instead to disrupting things is not a help in any way.

Still, having said all this, it is remarkable that most Hondurans are simply going about their daily responsibilities. The demonstrators, although quite vocal, are a small minority.

There was welcome relief from all of this yesterday evening. The Honduran soccer team rolled over the team from Costa Rica in a game held at the stadium in San Pedro Sula. This puts Honduras into third place out of the six teams from this region competing for a chance to play in the World Cup in 2010. And to have it be a 4-0 victory over the team in first place was especially sweet! Just for perspective's sake - although there are large demonstrations going on in the city, the front page of all the papers was devoted instead to the results of the soccer game. It was much-needed good news for the country.

Thank you for your continuing prayers and support! Please keep praying for a just and peaceful resolution of the crisis here, and for the ongoing lives of the children and young people who are in our care.



August 7, 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.

In the midst of all this, El Hogar has been remarkably normal. Our staff are often experiencing some hardships, but they are finding ways to continue to care for our children and young people. One of the teachers at the farm, who lives in Talanga, was telling me how, with the road blocks and restrictions on trade, many things in Talanga are getting harder to find and therefore more expensive. Balbino spent two weeks away from home, since his village was in the area in which a stict curfew was imposed, and he could not do his work and still get home in time.

But none of this has stopped the creative work being done at all three centers. At the farm four students at one of the local higher education institutions are about to begin their prefessional practicum. They are majoring in ecology and the environment, and will be teaching about water use, sanitation, conservation, and organic fertilizers. Two of these students are actually former graduates of the Agricultural School. Our outreach programs in five rural communities are going very well. One of our graduates from the Institute has been hired to upgrade our wiring system, and is almost done that work.

We just bought our first few computers for the Institute. We are hoping this is just the beginning of a regular computer education program there, since knowledge of computers has become a prerequisite for many jobs in Honduras. The students have been working very hard at the Institute, and on August 20 we will be celebrating our 26th anniversary!

A group of students at a college for medical technicians is doing their professional practicum at El Hogar. They are doing lab tests for all our students there, screening them for things like anemia and parasites. They are also working with the students and giving them education around health issues. Claudia has had several sales lately, and is using to money to be able to buy some things needed both for the school and the dorm. The recycling program is a hit. The money that is being raised by recycling is being used to buy little snacks and treats that the children can purchase with credits they get for good behavior. Therefore, the students are motivated to do the recycling so there are always "goodies" available, and are motivated to good behavior so they can buy them.

Thank you for your continued prayers and interest! God continues to be good to us!



August 3, 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.

At El Hogar, life goes on. On Thursday I had the opportunity to go with Wilman, our outreach teacher at the agricultural school, to visit one of our rural projects. It involved traveling over some pretty questionable dirt and mud roads, and then some steep climbing, but it was great to meet some of the project participants, and to see the tomatoes and potatoes growing nicely! While there, we stopped into the small, two room school. The two teachers there said that they had not honored the strike, since they believed their children should not be hurt for political reasons. They have continued to hold classes every day. On the way to the project, Wilman stopped to pick up his father, who was going the same direction. He is also a farmer. As a city boy, it is interesting to travel with people who know about farming! As we drove past fields, I saw "fields". They saw quite a bit more. "Look at those tomatoes! They look like X breed. They are great because they grow will without a lot of water." "Look how far apart that person has planted his platanas! What a waste of space! He should be growing something else in the area between his plants!" " Notice that field with plastic put out under the plants. That farmer must have a lot of money to be able to afford that." It was yet another reminder to me of how little I know!

Friday I went to the Institute where we met to go over a few recommendations from the last audit. (BTW - the audit was fine and in order! But we were given some suggestions to make it even clearer in the future.) Saturday the boys from the Institute had an informal soccer tournament with the youth from Santa Maria church, which included a picnic lunch. Each group won one game. Several of our graduates, who still attend the church, played against the Institute with the church group.

Another week of classes went by at El Hogar, which brings us close to the end of another trimester. They are beginning the planning for election of class officers. This is a chance for the children to learn something about democracy in action, and the importance of transparency in elections. (The last elections featured one of our volunteer groups serving as foreign observers.) Claudia feels that, though this year is hard, in some ways it has been the best one yet.

On Sunday after church, one of our graduates was looking kind of sad. Barbra and I stopped to talk with him. He was, first of all, feeling a little sick. But he also went on to tell us that his mother had just moved in with a new boyfriend, who had little time for him. He is trying to finish the next stage in his education. He had held a part time job, but with the recession, that job was ended. He goes off to school every day without having had any breakfast, and worries about the expenses that come up during the month, like notebooks and school supplies. He shares his tiny house with his sister, and says the neighborhood is full of gang members who carry their guns around all the time. He travels to school on his little bike, which at that point had no air in one of the tires. We were able to help him out with this month's expenses, but it was a reminder of how vulnerable so many lives are here in Honduras.

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.



July 28, 2009 -
My apartment is situated so that it overlooks the Teachers' College, which is on the other side of the highway. The teachers in Honduras have been at the core of the protests trying to get Zelaya back as president, so many of the marches and protests form at the university. Yesterday, as I was at my desk doing some paperwork, I could hear them gathering, and not long afterward, could see their procession as they marched down the highway, chanting in support of "Mel". Not long after that I got a call warning me that the road was blocked by the protesters. I waited a while, hoping they would march on, then got in my little car for the short (less than 2 miles) trip to El Hogar. I headed off in the usual direction, but was less than halfway when I realized that the road was blocked. I managed to do a U-turn and went in the opposite direction. Since the main road was blocked, lots of others were doing the same thing, so the traffic was horrible. I finally found a place I could turn off, wound through two or three neighborhoods, and was able to approach El Hogar from the other direction. The trip, which normally takes 5 or 10 minutes, was over half an hour.

I was to meet Balbino there, but he had to face the same traffic situation I did, but coming from the opposite direction. He finally arrived almost two hours later, having also had to face several military checkpoints, plus the construction on the road to the farm. He told me he had not been home for four days because his little village is near to the border, and is therefore subject to the extensive curfew that has recently been imposed on the border towns.

One of the teachers had walked to El Hogar yesterday morning, since the traffic was not moving at all. She arrived late, and very hot, but she arrived!

Everyday life was never exactly easy in Honduras, but this current situation has made it even more of a challenge. It wears you down.

The congress of Honduras met yesterday, and set up a commission to study whether or not it was possible to accept the proposals put forth by Arias. Some of the decisions were deferred to the supreme court. So the Honduran government has not rejected the accord, and is still debating it. Zelaya had been invited to the US for a meeting today, but sent word to Hillary that she should send someone to Nicaragua if she wanted to talk. He has set up a "headquarters" there. Meanwhile, a complaint has been brought to the court in Nicaragua against Zelaya , asking that he be asked to leave the country. Zelaya himself has asked the world to consider the followers he has gathered as political refugees. There are stories of some very humble and poor folks who have traveled days because they believe he is on their side, and will help bring social justice to Honduras. I disagree with their read of the political situation, but you can't help but admire the sacrifices these people are willing to make for what they believe in.

Not everyone makes such sacrifices. Yesterday one of the leaders of the protesters was stopped, and in his car there was a ledger and a book of signed receipts for amounts given to the leaders of the protests. The amounts were in dollars, and each one was signed by the recipient. The amounts ranged from $3000 to $20,000. When questioned, one said that the money was to provide food for the people in the marches, but it had never been delivered. Another said that money had never changed hands, and he had no idea where this ledger and accompanying receipts had come from.

It can all become very discouraging. But then I ran into one of our graduates on the street. This is Ivan, who was a student at the Agricultural School. He saw me getting out of my car, and rushed over to say "Hello". He has been working for two years now with a social agency that helps the rural poor. He is their technical consultant for agriculture. He was telling us about how much he like his job, and how happy he was, and what good memories he had from the farm, and what a good preparation it had been for him. He was literally hopping up and down in his enthusiasm. He was well dressed, and looked great. He is living with an aunt, and hoping to get his own place some day. He shook my hand about five times, and then went off toward his home. The word we translate as "angels" is actually "messengers" in Greek. Ivan was, in that sense, an angel for me, a reminder of why El Hogar exists, and why it is all worth it. So, today, we will once again try to navigate around the demonstrations, listen to the news, and hope for a peaceful and just resolution to this present crisis. Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes!



July 27, 2009 -
We are now beginning our fifth week of political turmoil. I am happy to report that El Hogar continues to function, giving our children and teenagers a safe haven, an education, and a chance for a good future.

The supporters of the deposed president had promised to "shut down" the country last Thursday and Friday with a general strike, as Zelaya made his own preparations to return to Honduras. At El Hogar, considering the potential violence, and the impassibility of the roads, we made our own contingency plans. As it turned out, the "general strike" was not all that general. Most people still went about their normal business. The teachers, once again, refused to give classes, further disrupting an educational system that is considered the worst in Central America. Supporters of Zelaya managed to shut down the hospital for the poor here in Tegucigalpa, as well as the other hospital for people who qualify for government health care through their work. (Somehow, to me, it makes little sense for a movement claiming to be on the side of the poor to strike a "blow" to the present government by denying health care to the poor for two days.) There were threats to shut off the electricity, and the TV station that is most supportive of Zelaya even ran announcements that it would be off the air because of cutting off of power, but, fortunately, that never happened. Major roadways, however, were blocked for hours.

On Friday Zelaya, who had asked his followers to gather at the Nicaraguan border, briefly made an appearance on Honduran soil. He gave a short speech, then went back to Nicaragua. He apparently was hoping to have thousands of supporters greet him and escort him into the city, but only a few hundred followers and an equal number of journalists were there. The military had set up roadblocks to keep people away, and far fewer made the journey than he anticipated.

He announced that he was setting up a camp on the border, where there would be tents and water and food, and put out a call for his supporters to join him. Those who did respond to that call have found that they are without any of those things, stranded without shelter or food. Zelaya has now set up headquarters in a little town in Nicaragua, and is "planning" his next move.

Sadly, there were some confrontations between the military and supporters of Zelaya. A few injuries were reported by the Red Cross. Also, the body of a young man who had been tortured was found in a field close to where the confrontation had taken place. Demonstrators claim this was the work of the police, who say that they had nothing to do with it. It is hard to tell, in a country where there are so many murders of young males, who was behind this. At the funeral yesterday, the crowd gathered for the burial spotted two police officers, chased and beat them, and burned their car.

This situation is putting strain on both the military and the police. Individual members of both forces hold a variety of political opinions, and there is some internal division about the role they are now playing. The military issued a rare public policy statement this weekend, saying expressly that they were in favor of talks continuing in order to resolve the present crisis. It is clear that they do not want to be perceived as an oppressive force, but rather as servants of the civilian government.

A word, BTW, about protests in Honduras. The right to protest against the government is one that is highly valued here, even above what we practice in the U.S. For instance, although people get angry and inconvenienced, no one argues that it is not the right of the protesters to block major highways, or even to shut down the hospital. Perhaps coming from a history in which governments were imposed by force, they have decided to allow the people to have the right to resist the government in whatever way they choose, short of violence. I have been amazed at the tolerance of the police and army. There was a "marathon" vigil to rally support for Zelaya, held on Blvd. Morazon, one of the major city roads. For two days the army steered traffic away from the demonstration and provided protection for those who were gathered there.

Here in Tegucigalpa life seems in many ways very normal, but the tension under the surface is real. I talked to one of our teachers on Saturday who spoke of having nightmares. Others are worried that a civil war will break out. Others are very frustrated that, as they see it, the ambitions of politicians are causing ordinary people to lose income and peace of mind. Others are convinced that Zelaya offered a chance to break out of the patterns that have kept this country poor for so long. Others are seeing this as Honduras's maturing as a democracy, standing up to the kind of political manipulation that Chavez represents for them. But for most people I have talked with, the situation has worn them down emotionally, and for many, it has also had an effect financially.

Last night there was a soccer game here in Tegucigalpa between the two best-known teams. The game ended in a tie, but as the crowd began to disperse, a group of "fans" stood up and began firing weapons at fans of the opposing team. Before it was over, there were at least two deaths, and around fifteen people injured. This was a horrible incident, but I think it shows the level of tension and frustration simmering below the surface here.

We are trying to make sure our young people understand what is going on in their country, and using the situation to teach about the constitution and the form of government, but most of our younger children are blissfully unaware of what is happening. When I stopped by the other day, some of the girls had turned the outdoor grill into their little house, and set up rooms underneath it, and were talking and arguing among themselves with great animation. Six little boys were on the three see-saws, bobbing up and down, and tossing a small stuffed animal from one person to another as they moved, adding an extra challenge to their activity! Two of our boys were tutoring some parents, helping them learn to read. Some other boys were gathered around one of the teachers, watching a news report of current events, and expressing their own opinions. And, of course, there were at least two soccer games taking place in intersecting parts of the campus. In short, they were kids being kids, which is what we desire for them.

Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to hope and wait for a peaceful and just resolution of this crisis.



July 22, 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. May 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.



July 17, 2009 -
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water....!

For a few days, with talks scheduled in Costa Rica, and demonstrations getting smaller and less frequent, it looked as if this present crisis was moving toward a peaceful resolution. That is no longer the case.

From various countries where he is traveling to present his case, Zelaya has called on his supporters to block roads, disrupt commerce, and in various ways press for his return. He has even on several occasions talked of their right to insurrection. He has also clearly said that he sees the talks only as a chance for his opposition to surrender unconditionally, and if that does not happen by Saturday, he will resort to "other methods."

Yesterday Zelaya's foreign minister announced that, in fact, Zelaya is already on his way back to Honduras, and will set up an alternate seat of government in an unannounced location and prepare for the "final battle" against the "usurpers".

Meanwhile, army and police officials have announced they have uncovered a plan called "Operation Caracas". This indicates there are already armed foreign operatives from Venezuela and Nicaragua in place who are planning to block roads, occupy the airports, disrupt communications, set fire to cars, and provoke violent demonstrations, during which they have instructions to create confusion and shoot some of the demonstrators in a way that makes it appear as if it was the army who did the shooting. In a country where the media are all owned by people in the government, it is hard to know whether to give credence to any of this, but at the very least it is an indication that tensions are mounting.

Also during this time, investigation of Zelaya's administration continues. It has come to light that he spent 128 million Lempiras of government money to publicize the referendum that the courts and the congress had already ruled were unconstitutional. Some of that money went directly to reporters and TV and radio personalities. Some of went to pay for mariachis. Investigators have also found the offices where the results were to be tabulated. They showed reporters an example of a form already filled out with the number of votes for and against the referendum from one precinct. They also found several boxes full of ballots already completed. They are not claiming fraud yet, but are continuing to investigate the possibility that these pre-filled ballots and pre-compiled results were perhaps "training materials".

The current president has offered to step down on the condition that Zelaya does not come back as president. That has been rejected by Zelaya, but also by the mediator, Oscar Arias, and by the US. According to them, any compromise must include Zelaya's reinstatement as president. There has been some discussion about the institution of a "Government of Reconciliation", with Zelaya as president, but working with the present cabinet. That has also been rejected by Zelaya.

So, once again we are in a holding pattern, not sure what the immediate future will bring.

This is probably more Honduran politics and drama than any of us would want to know about, but it has become the daily background of life here. It weighs on the minds of most of us, and takes up much too much time and effort. It also has immediate effects.

Yesterday Lazaro went to the Institute early. That was good, because protesters blocked the road shortly after he passed through, and the faculty were not able to get to the Institute. The end result was that Lazaro and one counselor spent the day with over 90 boys. I asked Lazaro whether he was going to try to teach ALL the classes. He laughed and said, "No. I think we will go to the chapel and sing and pray a lot. Then we will watch a movie or two, and play some futbol." Today, the teachers made it out to the Institute, but the road is blocked again, and we are not sure how or when they will be able to get back.

El Hogar is in town so travel to and from is not quite so difficult. We do have parents from around the country very concerned about their children, as they hear about the unrest in Tegucigalpa on their little transistor radios.

The other huge effect this has had is that our program of volunteer groups has come to a halt for now. Some of you have asked if the volunteers are a net gain or a net drain on our energies. It is true that it takes a lot of time and effort to work with the groups, but now that they are not here, we miss them a lot! We bought some supplies for the groups that were to come, and they are sitting unused. And the kids keep asking when the next group will come. Those of you who visit have become an important part of our life here, and we hope you will not give up on us, but will come again when it is more safe. We miss you!

The summary to all this is that no one knows what will happen next. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and we will continue to do our best to take care of the children and young people who have come to us for a new opportunity in their lives.


July 15, 2009 -
Most of the day to day activities here in Honduras are now back to whatever "normal" is. The curfew has been lifted for a few days, the demonstrations have been much smaller, and although there is still increased security on the road, I have not been stopped by the police all this week.

Yesterday I went to the Institute and sat in on a teachers' meeting there. I was able to thank the teachers and staff for their faithfulness during this time. I think I have mentioned that the public school teachers have been on strike demanding the return of Zelaya. (While he has president, they were often on strike against him for not paying what he had promised. Go figure!) For over two weeks the children and young people of Honduras did not have classes. Yesterday a portion of them were able to return to the classroom for the first time. During all this turmoil, El Hogar has had only two mornings of delayed classes because of transportation problems. Teachers have had to make special provision to get to and from work, but they continue to show up and provide our children and young people with an education every day. That may not sound spectacular, but in a situation where all around us things are falling apart, it is a significant accomplishment. El Hogar continues to be a refuge.

Nothing is officially happening in terms of negotiations on the governmental level, but there is lots of action from both sides. Zelaya and Chavez continue to talk of Zelaya's imminent return, although this time not directly to Tegucigalpa. They also both talk about the right of the people to rise up against this present government. The U.S. spokespersons keep urging Zelaya not to set arbitrary deadlines, but to allow the process to unfold. Meanwhile, the government here is making sounds about compromise in terms of amnesty, but still insisting that Zelaya cannot return to office. They are also uncovering questionable and illegal practices of the former President. In one operation, the Investigative Police raided a house where neighbors had noticed people from Venezuela and Nicaragua congregating, and found a cache of government checks, some copies of the presidential seal, some firearms, a safe filled with jewelry, etc. The papers here are owned by folks that don't want Zelaya back, so one always has to be careful to take news with a grain of salt (sometimes with the whole box). But it doesn't sound very good. They also have found that out of 400 people on the payroll of the presidential palace, only 100 actually have jobs, and that the amount Zelaya claimed for paying salaries was only a third of what was actually paid out. It all means that, if he is to return, there are some things to work out first.

Saturday is the day scheduled for talks to begin again, so we have a brief respite. The weather has been beautiful, and everyone is looking forward to resolution and a lifting of the uncertainty about the future.

Many of our work teams have, understandably, canceled. We miss them! And some of the jobs we had planned are not getting done. But I am sure we will get through this crisis.


July 14, 2009 -
Yesterday was blessedly peaceful. Yes, there was a demonstration that blocked a major highway for two hours, but long before this present political turmoil developed demonstrations like that were common. The number of people involved in demonstrations on both sides has fallen in the last few days. If Zelaya were to try to return again, I am sure that would change, but with talks scheduled, and both sides giving at least passing lip service to their importance, the passions are not as high.

The teachers' unions met yesterday, and at least the primary teachers are now returning to their classrooms, after a two week absence. That is a wonderful thing for children and parents, but it also takes thousands of former demonstrators off the streets.

Most people are back to their routines, but there is still a sense of uncertainty and worry. Zelaya, in a broadcast yesterday, said clearly that if the talks did not soon allow him to return to the presidency with no conditions, he would declare them null and void, and return his own way. He went on to call for insurrection if that were to happen. Micheletti continues to insist that a return to office by Zelaya is out of the question.

In the meantime, both sides are making their cases. Zelaya seems to be traveling the hemisphere pumping up support for himself. The present government is digging into the records and books trying to strengthen their case against him. The latest revelation is that there were 300 "ghost employees", for whom checks were written each month, but who did not actually have jobs.

El Hogar continues to function as usual. A group from one of the universities who study clinic biology came yesterday and gave a workshop to our little kids about things like germs and parasites. This college has offered to do our lab work for us without charge, in order to give their students experience in doing tests. The outreach projects in the rural communities surrounding the Agricultural School are looking very good, with nice, healthy crops. Exams are over at the Institute, and the next semester of classes has begun.

So it seems Honduras is in a holding pattern, waiting to see what will happen next. In the meantime, we continue to try to do our work here to the best of our abilities. Thanks again for your prayers!


July 13, 2009 -
Sunday was a pretty quiet day in Tegucigalpa. There was a demonstration in support of Zelaya held in the downtown area, but it drew only about 300 participants. The curfew has now been lifted, which will be a relief for restaurants, etc. We were able to have our first service for the English speaking congregation in three weeks. (All four of us!) Because of the uncertainty of travel, the boys from the Institute did not come to church in the morning.

Today demonstrations continue, and, from my apartment, I can hear one taking place at the teachers' college. The leaders of the movement supporting Zelaya have vowed not to let up their activities until Zelaya is restored to office. The teachers' union is meeting today to consider whether or not to resume classes. I finally got out for my dreamed-of ice cream cone (chocolate chocolate chip) , but found as we left that the soldiers had cordoned off the block, and had to wait for them to open the fence they had put up across the road.

At El Hogar Claudia held the mothers' meeting which had been canceled the week before, and explained our new approach to discipline. She is trying to institute a "logical consequences" approach with the children. (For instance, one boy who was found playing with a box of matches had to put up posters in each room warning of fire dangers.) Weekends are the times when children can go home for a short visit, or the relatives can come by El Hogar and visit there. It is always nice to see the children with their parent, or grandparent, or brothers and sisters.

I had a chance to talk with some embassy workers, who, although being appropriately discreet, indicated that there are people working behind the scenes to try to bring all of this to a peaceful conclusion. Honduran politics have been corrupt for a long time, and, as in the US, both sides have an investment in misrepresenting the other. But as of now, both sides seem willing to continue the process being led by Oscar Arias of Costa Rica. We are all hoping that with patience, Honduras can get through this present crisis as soon as possible.

July 12, 2009 -
There were two significant demonstrations in Tegucigalpa yesterday, both peaceful. The supporters of Zelaya marched to the airport to hold a memorial for the young man shot and killed in the earlier demonstration. He has become a symbol of resistance for those who are pressing for Zelaya's return. At about the same time, there was an interdenominational gathering In Villa Olimipia to pray for peace for Honduras. This was organized by those who feel the present government is legitimate. The size and intensity of the demonstrations have been diminishing in the last few days. With talks being scheduled, and nothing scheduled to happen over the weekend, there is less urgency. Yet, Zelaya has announced his intent to return next week, so there is still an underlying sense of tension.

I convinced Barbra to take advantage of this little lull to get out of the city, and go to Valley of Angels for the afternoon. Except for the usual traffic problems, and an extra roadblock on the way, we had no problem getting there, but it seemed more crowded than we had anticipated. It turned out that we arrived as a demonstration was winding down. There is some irony here, in that for two weeks we have avoided being at such demonstrations, and now, in an attempt to relax and get away, we landed up in the middle of one. This was a demonstration in support of the present government. Lately these have taken the form of celebrations of democracy in Honduras. Although I was quite leery of being in the vicinity, when we got to the central square the air was quite festive. There was a marimba band playing, and a few of the attendees were dancing. The actual demonstration had ended and the participants were having their coffee or sitting in the restaurants around the square. The children had balloons and flags, and lots of folks were still carrying hand made posters. There were four police officers circulating through the crowd, taking time to talk with the children. The members of the Roman church were selling treats from in front of the church. We sat there taking it all in. It was a relaxed and hopeful gathering.

In talking with some of the shop owners, they said how difficult this has been for them. Until yesterday, they have had virtually no customers. Few mission groups are in the country right now, and the folks from the city have been reluctant to go that far. Those that I talked to have no idea how the situation will be resolved, but are hoping for the best.

For those who have been following his case, Cristian came through his surgery successfully. He will be in the hospital this week. He is not supposed to eat anything solid for a few days, so he is on IV's. While he is there, so other tests are being done on his overall health. I talked to him on the phone, and he said he was not in pain and sounded cheerful.

Thanks again for all your prayers and for remembering us.

July 11, 2009 -
It has been two weeks since the country braced for possible violence the day before an illegal referendum was to be held. Instead, the President was arrested and taken out of the country. The time since then has been full of conflict and drama, and the situation is still not resolved.

Yesterday the delegations from the two sides met, and talked for hours, and apparently came to no agreement. It sounds as if everyone is still in the "I want to state the rightness of my case" stage. Both sides did agree to continue to meet at a place and time designated by Arias, but neither place nor time has been chosen yet.

The road leading out of the city toward the north was blocked for several hours yesterday by supporters of Zelaya, who have vowed to continue to disrupt things until he is restored to power. That is the road that leads to St. Mary's Technical Institute. Ephrain, who drives our teachers out there each day, had to take an alternate route that follows an unfinished highway and then descends through one of the worst neighborhoods of the city. It took him over an hour to get to the Institute, so classes were a bit late. But everyone arrived safely.

I believe demonstrations have been scheduled today for both sides, but I also feel as if this is a day for everyone to take a deep breath. It should be clear by early next week if there is true investment in these talks. For now, we have the gift of a weekend without any obvious confrontation. In my experience, people are taking advantage of the "normalcy".

My friends in the embassy tell me the official position of the US government is still that they have no contact with this present government. The embassy is still advising US citizens to postpone travel to Honduras. It is advising those of us who live here to limit ourselves to day trips and to be aware of possible road blockages.

We are looking at a relatively normal weekend at the three El Hogar sites, but without venturing outside the grounds, and without any volunteers. At all three sites, BTW, jobs we were hoping would be done by volunteers are piling up, so we are hoping that this situation stabilizes soon. We have work to get done!

We feel blessed and protected so far. Thank you for all your prayers!

July 10, 2009 -
Attention yesterday was focused on Costa Rica, where talks between the parties began. Arias met first with Zelaya, and afterwards with Micheletti. Neither of the Presidents are willing to meet with one another at this time. Zelaya continues to say that he is there only to listen to his usurpers explain how he will return. Micheletti says he is in agreement that Zelaya should return to Honduras, but directly to the judge to answer for his crimes. Clearly Arias has his work cut out for him.

Both men were asked to appoint delegations of four people to carry on talks, and those groups are meeting today. There is no word on their progress so far. The good thing is that talks are happening at all.

Meanwhile, Zelaya's supporters have vowed to continue to disrupt commerce until he is restored to full power. The Teachers' Union has also vowed not to return to classes until he returns. Yesterday they blocked the main road going to the south of the city for several hours.

Chavez, in his usual understated way, is calling for Hondurans to take to the streets to demand Zelaya's return. In his most recent speech, he claims that the talks in Costa Rica are a sham, and are a scheme foisted on Honduras by the US, and especially by Obama, a "little black man who knows nothing about Honduras." He says the US will pay for this.

Most people are using the opening provided by these talks to go back to their regular routines. The crisis is on everyone's mind, however. There is anxiety about what will happen if the talks fail, and no one seems to have a good picture of what a successful outcome would look like. Or if they do, the different outcomes are mutually exclusive. The embassy staff here have orders to have no contact with the present government. People are hopeful, but there is also a sense that the fragile peace could fall apart any day.

At El Hogar we are continuing to care for all our kids. Today, Cristian is having his final surgery. Classes continue. Daisy, who has been our receptionist and secretary, is leaving to work in a new business out of her home, so we are having a farewell party for her this afternoon. Martha, our new secretary, is fitting in well. (And she speaks some English, which will help when folks phone in.) At the farm, repairs are continuing to the electrical system. There has been so much rain that some of the planting has had to be delayed. That has also delayed work on the septic system.

Please keep us in your prayers. I think this crisis has had an effect on all of us. Maybe not overtly, but it leaves us with a sense of emotional exhaustion.

We will all be glad when it is resolved.

July 9, 2009 -
Can This Marriage Be Saved?

The Ex-President's Turn:

"I was working hard for the poor of the country, and there were people who did not like that. They came for me in the middle of the night while I was in my pajama's and flew me out of the country without ever presenting charges against me or going through any legal channels. All I was trying to do was to hold a survey to see what the people of Honduras wanted. Now, I am going to Costa Rica not to negotiate, but to hear how they will arrange to bring me back to office. Michelleti is a gorilla, and to negotiate with him would be like having discussions with someone who has violated members of your family. My goal is to make sure that Michelleti pays for his miserable treason! I am only participating in these talks because Hilary Clinton asked me to."

The Present-President's Turn:

"I want a peaceful resolution to all of this, but that will not include Zelaya's return to power. We may be willing to drop some charges against him, though. How can he possibly think he can return when the Congress, the Supreme Court, the army, the Attorney General and his own political party have all declared that he is subverting the constitution? Plus, we are finding out that he literally carried suitcases full of money out of the bank in order to finance his unconstitutional referendum, mostly to buy votes with. My goal is to have him be legally accountable for the many crimes he committed in his abuse of office. I did not grab power from him. I was legally appointed by the Congress, and it is my concern to protect our constitution."

Today it is the Counselor's turn! Oscar Arias has agreed to meet with both parties in his home to try to come to some resolution. Hillary seems to be the one who has made it possible for the talks to happen. She conspicuously avoided insisting that the resolution must include Zelaya's return to office at her press conference. Meanwhile, as of last night, Nicaragua was refusing air space to the plane that would carry Michelleti and his delegation to the talks.

Despite the deep differences between the two sides, most of the people I have talked to here are very hopeful that there will be a peaceful resolution soon, and are eager to go back to normal life. There are pro-Zelaya demonstrators who claim they will continue their resistance, but their numbers are greatly reduced right now. What I hear from quite a few folks is, "This fighting and turmoil is not the real Honduras! Hondurans are peace-loving and friendly people. We respect the laws, and want a just government."

I would not want Arias' job, but I believe he is a very smart and accomplished man, and I am hopeful he will lead them to an agreement.

Meanwhile, El Hogar still moves ahead! I am planning to visit the Agricultural School today. Yesterday Claudia was able to buy some new tables and chairs for the classrooms with money she got by selling furniture donated by a local store. Cristian's last surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. Some of the boys at the Institute are "under the weather", but other than that, classes are proceeding as normal.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers!

July 8, 2009 -
Yesterday new hope entered the picture. Attention here was turned to Washington (Well, also to Jackson's funeral!) as Zelaya met with Hilary, and a contingent from the congress also tried to get a hearing. In the meantime, here in Honduras, demonstrations continued. The supporters of Mel marched to the US Embassy. Supporters of the present government rallied in the central squares of many of the towns. Here in Tegucigalpa the rally took the form of a festival to celebrate democracy. There were some speeches, but also lots of music and dancing. Both demonstrations were peaceful.

Zelaya went into his meeting with Hilary boasting that he would be back in Honduras in a few hours. He left announcing that he was willing to accept the intervention of Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, and meet with the acting President Micheletti. I would love to know what was said to him during that meeting! The talks are scheduled to begin on Thursday. People here are more hopeful now that the two sides are talking, although both sides, naturally, are saying that their demands are non-negotiable, and that the purpose of the talks is simply to get the other side to comply. I think there are enough outside pressures on both to lead them to some sort of compromise.) I also suspect that the fact talks are taking place will take some of the "oomph" out of the demonstrations, although Zelaya's supporters are saying they will not desist.

Officially the mood was lifted somewhat. The airport, which had been closed until this weekend, has been reopened. The curfew, which had been from 6:30pm until 5:00am, is now 10:30 pm until 4:30am.

The only one who seems extremely unhappy about these developments is Chavez, who continues to call for the people of Honduras to rise up, violently if necessary, against the current government. The Cardinal here called on Chavez to keep his hands out of Honduras.

Yesterday I was free to drive to portions of town which had really been off limits because of the violent gatherings there. It is upsetting to see the extent of the vandalism by supporters of Zelaya. Somehow, the combination of demonstrations purportedly to restore constitutional order, and the looting, burning, window-breaking, defacing and general destruction left behind, do not seem to fit together. The city is now blanketed with graffiti, much of it quite crude.

This is a chance for those of us in El Hogar to take a deep breath! It is true that the talks may fail, but folks here are hopeful. I think we are all worn down emotionally by what has taken place, and wanting to turn our full attention back to caring for the children and young people in our charge, a hard job to begin with.

Please don't stop praying yet! We very much appreciate being remembered during this time. The staff here believe that El Hogar is God's ministry, and are very much aware that we cannot do it without God's help, and the help of those who keep us in their hearts, and support us in so many ways.

Thank you!

July 7, 2009 -
First of all, let me say that I am SO ready for all this to be over. Anyone who thinks that going through a "coup", or whatever this is, is in some way glamorous or exotic, is misinformed. It is, instead, boring, frustrating, scary, bothersome, confusing, disruptive and stressful. None of those are things I would seek out in a life experience. It could be that the organizers of the various marches and protests are having the time of their lives, but most of us just want to get back to "normal". It is wearing folks down.

Yesterday was relatively quiet. A large march in support of Zelaya formed at the Teachers' University near my apartment, and went to the Presidential Palace. (It is, BTW, not a palace, but the office building of the president.) Meanwhile, a contingent from the new government went to D.C. hoping for a hearing, and the U.S. State Department announced a possible meeting between Zelaya and Hilary. The same day, sources leaked the frustration the U.S. has with Zelaya, who has so far refused to follow their advice, and Obama mentioned in a speech that he supported Zelaya not because he agreed with him, but because he had been elected by the people of Honduras. So, I think a more balanced approach is forming. Yesterday also a bomb went off in the offices of the Liberal Party, starting a fire that burned all their records. There was pro-Zelaya grafiti left on the walls of the building. The irony, of course, is that Zelaya is from the Liberal Party, who have almost totally turned against him.

I spent some time at El Hogar. The children were in small groups with various teachers. Some were in class, others were playing games. It was relaxed and happy. I talked with a few of the older boys, who were eager to share their own political opinions, which are not necessarily the opinions of the management! Joel, a recent graduate was there, helping with the younger boys. He is not in classes at this point, because the teacher's union, which has come out in support of Zelaya, has announced that all teachers are on strike until he is reinstated in office. (The union has also been accused of providing housing for agitators from Nicaragua in the empty classrooms. So far, almost 100 Nicaraguans have been arrested for their roles in the demonstrations.) Jose Daniel was also there. He left El Hogar six years ago, dropping out at the behest of his mother after undergoing brain surgery for a large tumor. He is partly crippled because of the surgery, and somewhat limited mentally, but he often comes to El Hogar seeking food or clothing. Claudia had him doing some simple jobs in order to earn his keep there. Cristian's mother is still at El Hogar, helping to care for him, but also helping with the cooking and cleaning. Pedro Sosa was balking about doing his work today, so his name was temporarily taken off the Caudro de Honor. I am sure it will be back up there by lunchtime. Then, of course, there are the teachers and the children. Unlike the public school teachers, our teachers have adjusted their schedules and their lives to continue to care for our children during this difficult time. And our children, while aware of the tension and fear surrounding this time, also know they are loved and protected and that they have a refuge in El Hogar.

Even during hard times, good things happen. A local furniture store had donated some furniture to the new dorms, including quite a few beds of various sizes, from full to king. Claudia wrote and asked them if we might be able to sell the beds, as the children are in bunks, and they wrote back saying that would be fine. Claudia prepared a list of what was available, set low prices, and invited the teachers to be the first ones to bid on them. Within a half hour all the beds were claimed! The teachers ended up being able to acquire nice beds for a very good price, and El Hogar ended up with 20,000 Lempiras. That money will go to buy new desks and tables for the school. In addition to that, one of our graduates came by and donated 5000 Lempiras for the purchase of 20 new smoke detectors for the grounds. The local fire department will come soon and give instruction on what the children should do should there be a fire or an earthquake. Finally, one of the younger boys, who has been acting out to the point that we thought he might have to leave, is doing much better. Claudia had him talk to another boy who a few months ago went through a similar period. As of now, the two boys have become inseparable, and are doing fine.

So, even in the midst of craziness in the city, El Hogar, upheld, I believe, by so many of your prayers, is still a place where God's grace and mercy can be experienced vividly.

Last night the curfew was changed from 6:30 to 10:00 pm. After being cooped up in my apartment every evening for over a week, I saw my opportunity, and talked Barbra into going out with me. My fantasy was to have a relaxed meal in a nice restaurant and forget all the political turmoil for a few hours, as well as to have a change of scene. We left a little before 7:00pm. As some of you have experienced, even in good times driving through Tegucigalpa at night can be a little jarring. I sometimes expect to see Batman brooding over the city. You will also remember that, being close to the equator, we do not get long summer nights, so it was already dark when we left. Our route took us past where some of the demonstrations in support of Zelaya have taken place. We witnessed quite a few buildings with their windows either broken or boarded up. Graffiti was everywhere, and there were signs of vandalism. Many places were already dark, as the curfew had been changed late in the day, so many businesses had planned to shut down early. We finally came to the little cafe where we planned to eat, and were pleased to see that it was actually open. Well, barely, though. There was one table occupied when we arrived, but they left soon afterward, and we were the only two customers. Once our food came, the waitresses began stacking the chairs and locking the place up. We realized that, even though the curfew did not begin until 10, for many of the people working, they still faced a long trip home on the buses, so they needed to leave much earlier. Meanwhile, the radio, playing Oldies from the US, was taken over by the acting president. I felt like I was a character in a novel by Orwell. We ate quickly, after hearing our waitress tell how afraid she was to travel through the city, and how worried about what was happening.

Afterward, in a fit of misplaced optimism, I insisted on driving by the ice cream place, thinking to get some to go. It just happens to be across from the Presidential Palace, but it was clear that there was not a demonstrator in sight. On the way, we passed the Marriott, only a block from the Palace. Not a light was on in the entire building, and soldiers were stationed out front. Many of the buildings near the Palace had been defaced or vandalized. Looking closely, we realized that there were heavily armed soldiers in the shadows of all those buildings. The streetlights were out. It was very creepy. My craving for mint chocolate chip suddenly went away. We were both thrilled and relieved to arrive back at the apartment building. It was only 8:00 pm.

To me, the contrast between those experiences shows how important a place like El Hogar is. Ever since working in inner-city Pittsburgh, one of my favorite verses is "Blessed be God, who has shown me his love in a besieged city." God has done that abundantly. Claudia graciously said to me the other day, "Rich, I know this is not your country, and this is hard, but we are thankful you are here. Please know that you are not alone -- we are your family here." I was moved by that, and realize that that is the same message we are trying to give to all the children and young people in our care. Please continue to pray for us as we go through another day. Thank you!

July 6, 2009 -
Yesterday was a turbulent day in Tegucigalpa. Zelaya, the deposed president, had announced his return to the Tegucigalpa airport, scheduled to be around noon. In the morning, crowds of his supporters gathered at a school very near where I live, and then began a march down one of the main roads towards the airport. This march took them a few hundred yards from my apartment, so I was able to watch from my window. Almost as in a parade, the march was led by dozens of motorcycles. (The press reported this morning that each rider received 300 Lempiras for participating.) The crowd of demonstrators was about a mile long.

Meanwhile, the airport had been "militarized". All the roads leading to it had roadblocks which denied entry to vehicles. No one was allowed inside, and the army blocked all the entrances.

Around 1pm Zelaya announced that he would arrive about 4. Around 4 a private jet landed to great excitement, but apparently did not contain the president, and it soon took off again. About 5 Zelaya, who was traveling in a Venezuelan plane with the Telesur television crew (the pro-Chavez station from Venezuela) began speaking to his followers over the radio. Speakers had been set up on the ground so people could hear his message. Shortly after that, his plane came into view and circled the city several times. Meanwhile, the army had parked military vehicles on the runway, making it possible for the plane to land. It finally flew off, landed briefly in Nicaragua, and then went on to El Salvador, where he gave a press conference.

During the afternoon, of course, tensions mounted. At one point, some of the demonstrators made an attempt to break through the fence and get onto the runway. There was stone throwing and tear gas and confusion, and also some shots. Sadly, a 19 year old was shot through the head and killed. There are reports of several other deaths, including one of a woman hit by a motorcycle, but there is some confusion about how many, and about how many injuries were sustained. Fortunately, the flare-up was brief, and the demonstrators remained peaceful for the rest of the time.

Those of us trying to keep tabs on what was happening were often frustrated. Frequently the present government took over the airwaves, blocking all other news. And when news was on, it was amazing to me just how much coverage Michael Jackson got. As the columnist Gail Collins said, the networks seemed to plan to spend most of the weekend reminding us that yes, he is still dead.

Those who were not demonstrating pretty much stayed at home yesterday. Because of my location vis a vis the demonstrators, I was able to get neither to church nor to El Hogar yesterday A Mothers' Meeting was scheduled at El Hogar, but because most buses were not running due to road blockages, that meeting was canceled.

Claudia told me that El Hogar at that point was a refuge, for her and for the children there. She was describing to me how, with all the tension and anger and uncertainty going on in the city, she was watching as the children played and smiled. Some of them were very concerned about their families, and asked Claudia to call and make sure they were OK. An older man who makes food deliveries stopped, and asked Claudia if it was possible that, should things get worse in the country, he could take shelter at El Hogar for a few nights. She, of course, said "Yes". I believe that the prayers of many which are focused on El Hogar have helped it to be a place of peace and safety in the midst of a difficult situation.

The curfew yesterday went from dusk to dawn. What will happen today is unclear. Zelaya announced that he will try to return to Honduras today or tomorrow.

I am hopeful in an odd sort of way. I think yesterday, if nothing else, showed everyone that this situation will not be resolved by one side overpowering the other. I continue to think that there is a lot of room for compromise on both sides. I will feel better if there is some framework set up for talks to occur, and I think that may well happen. If it does not, I think we have already seen just how volatile the situation is, and what a premature return of Zelaya will be like.

The Institute and the Agricultural School are planning to have classes as usual today.

Please continue to keep us all in your prayers. — Rich

July 5, 2009 -
Last night in a meeting that went quite late, the Organization of American States voted to suspend Honduras from membership. The only other country that has been removed in this manner was Cuba years ago. (That country is being readmitted). At the same time, they did not impose any sanctions. Several of the members made an appeal to Zelaya, the deposed president, not to return to the country today, as did the Roman Catholic cardinal, but Zelaya announced that he would return, and called on his supporters to come to the airport to greet him. He is planning to return today, accompanied by several South American heads of state. The government here says he will be arrested when he returns. A large demonstration in support of the present government of Honduras is also planned for today at the airport.

It does not take a political genius to predict that this has the potential to be a chaotic and sad day.

Often when I read history it becomes obvious that there was a point where, with a little more patience, or a bit more flexibility, catastrophe could have been avoided. But instead some decision was made to press ahead, and once that action was taken, events seemed to move inexorably out of control, with results no one could have predicted. It is a very helpless feeling to watch us approach that point in Honduras today.

There is room for negotiation and compromise in this case. Both sides have acted in ways that were less than admirable. And the stakes are not high. Zelaya is a lame duck president with only a few months left in his term. The present government, which the media insists on calling a "military backed coup", is not a group of usurpers fighting to hold onto power, but the government democratically elected by the people of Honduras. They removed Zelaya because he was no longer operating under the provisions of the constitution. If they had not resorted to arrest in the middle of the night, there might be no problem.

In some ways Honduras has become a pawn in a new game of politics in this hemisphere. Since Honduras has no atomic weapons, or oil, or strategic importance, other nations can say whatever they want without fear of consequence. Who, after all, is concerned about a pineapple shortage?

So Hondurans wake up this morning with the anxiety of knowing a confrontation is looming. So far, there has been no loss of life in this political conflict. Few believe that will be the case by this evening.

Please keep us in your prayers today.

At El Hogar we are staying close to home, as to preserve the safety of the children and young people in our care. — Rich

July 4, 2009 -
Yesterday was yet another day of competing demonstrations. I was out trying to do some needed errands in the city, and frequently had to change either plans or course to avoid getting stuck in the middle of large crowds. Once again, the largest gathering was in support of the new government, but there were also peaceful demonstrations in support of Zelaya.

I talked to a friend who lives way out in the country. He thinks the sympathy of many of the people there is with Zelaya. He says that, having been victimized by various governments for decades, they see Zelaya now as a victim, and naturally identify with that status. It is not so much a nuanced political stance as a natural inclination to care for someone who seems persecuted. And, of course, Zelaya was arrested and taken from the country without any prior due process, which is why the world has rallied to his support.

In the afternoon the head of the Organization of American States came to Tegucigalpa. He announced beforehand that he was not coming to negotiate, but to present the demands of the OAS personally. He met with members of the supreme court and congress, but not with the new president. He also met with the Roman Catholic Cardinal, with the US ambassador, and with representatives of a labor group that supports Zelaya. The new government has refused to comply with the OAS demand that Zelaya be restored today, and has basically resigned from the OAS. They say that the OAS is not a court, and that, in any case, the new government has not had a chance to present to that assembly its reasons for not complying.

Zelaya now says he will be returning on Sunday instead of today. He is in Nicaragua as of last report, meeting with Ortega and Chavez. Chavez, as usual, is not a moderating influence. Zelaya has indicated that he is willing to drop his effort to change the constitution and extend his term. Chavez has said he will not stop until the changes are made, and if they do not come peacefully, they will come with violence. Not a big help at this point!

As this situation develops, and emotions cool a little, I am hearing more talk of compromise and negotiation. Even CNN, whose coverage of this situation has had a strong pro-Zelaya bias (The reporter covering this story is married to a Sandinista.) presented an interview with someone from the Brookings Institute that basically said that for Zelaya to return right now would be like putting gasoline on a fire, and that he should not return until there is some accord reached between all parties. There was one of those cheesy instant on-air polls run by one of the local TV stations asking people whether or not they were hopeful that Honduras would emerge from this in a peaceful way. 95% said "Yes".

Lazaro has sent as many boys as possible from the Institute home for the weekend, so they can be with their families whatever happens. The other sites are simply continuing their normal activities, being careful to avoid being on the roads.

Once again, this weekend will probably be crucial in this process. If Zelaya returns, who knows what will happen! If he does not, I think it probably indicates that he knows things will not go back to the way they were, and he will not come until there is some agreement reached between all the parties.

In the meantime, we are all adjusting to "the new normal". Life goes on for most folks. Everyone has an opinion on these issues, and I would have to say that freedom of speech and assembly prevail. No one seems to be reticent about expressing his of her opinion, including our kids at all three centers. It is kind of reassuring to see them take and defend stances, arguing in a logical way. Makes me feel good about the education we are giving them. One of our main goals is to raise up responsible citizens for Honduras, and this makes me feel like they are on the way to being just that.

July 3, 2009 -
Yesterday demonstrations continued to take place around the country. They were, by and large, peaceful ones. The larger demonstrations have been in support of the new government, and have taken on the nature of patriotic gatherings, with Hondurans celebrating their independence and democracy. The demonstrations in support of Zelaya are, as you would expect, more confrontational and angry. Yesterday seven people from Nicaragua and El Salvador were arrested for their role in fomenting these demonstrations.

Meanwhile, most people are trying to get back to their normal lives. We all try to keep track of where the demonstrations are taking place, and then take a different route to where we want to go. Schools have still not begun classes, but most businesses are open. There is no military presence evident on the streets except in those areas right by the demonstrations. The curfew is scheduled to end after tonight. It is strange to hear the city so quiet at night, but one of the side effects is that the murder rate is down 50% .

Our volunteers came from the farm very early in the morning yesterday, and were checked into their flight while things were very quiet. As the day went on, the security at the airport increased, but by then the volunteers were shopping and enjoying coffee and hamburgers. The groups that were scheduled to arrive this week have canceled, which I think is very smart.

The country is, in a sense, holding its collective breath as it waits to see what will happen tomorrow. The deposed president has announced his intention to return. He is supported by the US, the UN, the OAS, ALBA, the European Union, and it seems everyone else in the world. Meanwhile, the government here has solidified its opposition to Zelaya, who is accused of subverting the constitution and also financial irregularities. The latest is that the present treasurer has tracked down 600 million Lempiras which were spent from petty cash in order to finance the publicity for the referendum on changing the constitution. It is hard for me to imagine any sort of effective restoration of Zelaya's presidency. Once again, the rest of the government is intact, and his own party is against his return. The continuous use of the phrase "military coup" is probably not helpful in conveying the situation here. A representative from the Organization of American States is scheduled to be here today. He says he is not coming to negotiate, but to lay down the conditions Honduras must follow.

The paper also reports that taxi drivers have been offered 3000 Lempiras ($160) if they would transport people to greet Zelaya on his return. There is an investigation to track down exactly where that money will come from.

So, although there will be demonstrations today, in some sense this day may be the calm before the storm. Please keep us in your prayers!

July 2, 2009 -
Yesterday the demonstrations continued in Honduras. Large crowds gathered in many cities to support the new government. Smaller crowds gathered in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula to oppose it. Yesterday little violence was reported. The ex-president had planned to return to Honduras today, but now has changed that to "this weekend". I believe quite a few demonstrations are still on the schedule for today.

Meantime, life goes on at El Hogar. The boys at the Institute are in exams right now, so the larger political problems of the country have temporarily taken a back seat. When I visited, however, they all had lively opinions about what was happening. They are informed and engaged. Classes are going on as usual at El Hogar. There have been some changes to the coming and going of staff, so that none of them are put in the position of having to travel when it may be difficult. They are talking about the political situation with the students, but are also settled down for the usual work in Math, Spanish, History, etc.

Raul and I went out to the Agricultural School yesterday. We stopped first to pick up 23 pizzas, and drove there without incident. We got to visit with the staff and the boys, but also with the volunteers. The farm is out in the country, so much of what is happening in the country does not have a huge effect on them. It does restrict travel, however. One of the teachers had to see the doctor, but did not go into the city to see her regular doctor, as she was uncertain about getting around once there. But, overall, everyone was in good spirits. The volunteers have had a great week. They are scheduled to leave today, a day early, but some of them were asking if, since the next group has canceled, they could stay another week.

The country is still waiting to exhale. Although things are tending to go back to normal here, and most people feel that this has not been a coup, but a return to proper democracy, that is not the opinion, it seems, of the rest of the world. Chavez, especially, has continued threats against the government here. The government has compiled 18 charges against Zelaya, and made it clear that if he returns, he will be arrested and tried for these things.

I have been thinking about the situation, and trying to imagine it happening in the US. What if Obama decided he wanted to change the constitution, but not in the way stipulated by the constitution. What if he called for a referendum giving him the authority to change it, and most specifically to stay in office past his term? Imagine the Supreme Court, Congress, the Attorney General, and the Democratic Party all finding his actions illegal and unconstitutional. And what if he then denounced them all as the wealthy who were against this because they wanted to preserve their own power? And what if he then turned to a foreign government and had that government print the ballots and finance the publicity for this campaign? And what if he tried to dismiss the head of the military for, at the behest of the Supreme Court, refusing to carry out the referendum? At some point, I think someone would take action to reign him in. Would that be considered a coup?

So, to sum up, there is still a sense of uncertainty, with disruptions in ordinary life. But things at El Hogar have been calm, and we have tried to provide a refuge for out students. We are hoping that after this weekend we will have a clear idea of what comes next, and apologize to the groups that are planning to come next week for not being able to give a clear answer yet. We really value the love and help the groups bring, but do not want to be irresponsible and bring groups into a potentially dangerous situation.

Keep us in your prayers! Rich

July 1, 2009 -
Yesterday we held classes as usual at El Hogar, and at the Institute the boys began their exams, which had been delayed a day. We continue to have a volunteer group from Maryland at the farm, although they plan to leave tomorrow.

In the center of the city there was a massive rally in support of the new government. This rally was peaceful, and the interim president addresses the people who had gathered, assuring them that their democracy would continue. Many of the signs carried by the people there referred in some way to the restoration of democracy in the face of the threat of dictatorship. Many others called on the world community to try to understand more fully what had happened here. The gathering was a cross section of the population, many dressed in the blue and white which are the Honduran colors.

At the same time, in front of the presidential offices, there was a rally in support of Zelaya. I could not help but notice the contrast between the two groups. This was a rougher looking group. Many were wearing masks, and carrying baseball bats or other weapons. They vandalized some of the surrounding businesses, hurled rocks, and burned tires. Reporters who tried to cover their protests had their cameras confiscated and destroyed, and some were beaten. There is general agreement here that these protests are being instigated by some of the operatives that had been brought into the country by Zelaya before he was arrested. There is no way to substantiate that, however.

There are other internal groups that intend to keep up protests against the new government. Many actions are planned for tomorrow, and there is an attempt to gather people from around the country to come to the capital for that purpose.

Mel was scheduled to make a return to Honduras on Thursday, accompanied by several heads of state and a representative from the UN. The Organization of American States has given Honduras 3 days to find a way to reinstate Zelaya as president, and he has now announced that he will honor that waiting period and not return until the weekend.

Meanwhile, the acting president and the attorney general have announced that, if he returns, he will be arrested. Besides his constitutional offenses, they are also saying that he has been in collusion with the shipment of drugs through Honduras, and under investigation by the US for these activities. The Drug Enforcement Agency declined either to confirm or deny that report.

So, things remain confused and uncertain. Hondurans are worried for the future, and distressed at the response of the international community. They are worried that having Zelaya imposed again as president will put them firmly under the influence of Chavez. They feel isolated from the world, but determined to preserve their sovereignty.

The curfew is continuing this week, and is being honored. Today looks like it will be relatively "normal", as everyone takes a deep breath and prepares for whatever the weekend will bring.

June 30, 2009 -
Yesterday there were demonstrations in front of the Presidential Offices, with some injuries reported. Stones were thrown, tires were burned, and tear gas and water cannons were used. This is what most of you saw on the news. Meanwhile, in the rest of the city, life began to return to normal. A curfew was imposed during the night, with no violations or incidents reported. Today there are more demonstrations in favor of the deposed president scheduled. Yesterday, most of those were peaceful ones.

The sense I get from most of the people I talked to is that of relief. They believe that their young democracy has met a test and endured. They feel that the deposed president was acting far outside of his constitutional powers, dragging the country toward dictatorship, and that the proper balance between the branches of government has been restored. They look forward to having the regularly scheduled elections in November, something Zelaya was trying to avoid. They are perplexed at what they see as lack of understanding from the international community.

Clearly we are not out of the woods yet. The deposed president has declared his intention to return to the country, which will provoke a confrontation. Chavez seems to be backing off from his threat to invade, although he is still declaring his determination to overthrow the present government. This is only the third day of this present situation, so it is not yet clear how extensive and determined the demonstrations against the new president will be.

We continue to closely monitor the situation here, and are acting on the cautious side, so that no harm comes to our children, our staff, or our volunteers. Still, to give some perspective, I walked from my apartment to the local plaza yesterday afternoon to get my coffee. (The things addictions will drive one to!) If I did not know about the news, there is no way I could have told that anything was wrong. Hardest of all is the uncertainty about what is coming.

Please keep us in your prayers, and I will update the website as I
know more.



June 29, 2009 -
Sunday the military, apparently at the request of the Supreme Court of Honduras, arrested the President, Mel Zelaya, and transported him to Costa Rica. By the end of the day, a new President had been installed, following the order of succession stipulated by the constitution. As far as I know, no one was injured or killed in this process.

The President had been pushing a referendum on the constitution, which would allow him to stay in office beyond his term. He is very close with Chavez of Venezuela, and was following the same course he did. The referendum was scheduled to take place yesterday (Sunday). The Supreme Court, the congress (including members of his own party), and the Attorney General had all found his actions illegal and unconstitutional, but he refused to back down. In addition, there was pressure put on many citizens to back the referendum. For example, there were published reports of people being denied medical care if they would not sign a petition in support of the referendum. The situation here was very tense, and people were bracing for conflict. In addition, there were reports of operatives entering the country from Venezuela and Nicaragua to back the President in the referendum.

The abrupt arrest of the President prevented the referendum from taking place. This is widely seen here as a victory for democracy, with the rule of law being rescued from a single individual who was trying to change the structure of the country in order to consolidate his own power. At the same time, it has been roundly condemned by the international community, including the U.S., as a return to the era of coups and military takeovers.

So far, things have been pretty peaceful here in Honduras, and everyone at El Hogar's three sites is fine. We even have a group of volunteers from Maryland who are out at the farm, and are enjoying their time there. There are expected to be protests by Mel's supporters today, and we will only be going out for essential travel. No one knows how strident and large the protests will be. There was a curfew last night, which will be repeated tonight. There is still some worry about outside interference, chiefly from Venezuela, and questions about how neighboring countries will respond to this crisis.

Please keep us in your prayers. There was one group that was scheduled to arrive yesterday in the midst of this coup, who wisely decided to stay at home. We are expecting, however, that within a day or two things will return to a more normal pattern.




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