Brothers and Sisters,
I am soooo glad we came. I spoke to Eleana, our liason here in the Diocese of Honduras yesterday. I asked here what persent of mission groups had cancelled. She told me that of 8 groups scheduled for July and August, only one came. Our only inconvenience from Zelaya´s craziness was today when a street was blocked by a demonstration, so I made a U-turn and took Rev. Han directly to the airport rather than to meet a Korean pastor on the far side of San Pedro Sula. I didn´t get close enough to see what side was demonstrating nor for Charles to get a picture. The other symptom has been local merchants (souvenier vendors) dying to do business with us. They give discounts without being asked. Ask the price on two items, they will quote a discounted price on each. Tell them that you will take both, and they knock something off the total even though you´ve already committed.
I´m already seeing some signs of isolation. The people are very fearful of losing our (U.S.) friendship, but feel that 1)They are a sovereign nation and we shouldn´t tell them how to run their country (¿remember when a banana republic was not a store?) 2) We should be glad that they´ve found a way to put a stop to the Chavez freight train.
Regardless of the politics, they´re a friendly people, and it`s a great place to be. The level of need is tremendous. Already the poorest country in Latin America, now theyve had`bad sprindgstorms, an earthquake, and their foreign aid cut off.
On a pleasant note, we went on a road trip. The furthest that I´ve gone from Tela. Very different country in the interior. We went to Santa Barbara and picked up parts for 20 Ecostoves. Most cooking in this country is done with in wood stoves. These ecostoves use much less fuel. Calculated reduction in carbon emissions is 2 tons per year per stove. This means severs reduction in asthma and other lung diseases, less cutting of trees, which means less erosion, etc. There is the possibility of selling carbon credits, but I understand that the red tape involved is tremendous for a small, third world, non-profit. There are already some towns here with ecostoves in every home. The parts that we picked up will be used to build the first ones in Tela.
Maria Adda`s graduation is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26. Leo Ko has helped her through normal school (high school for teacher candidates). She wants to go on to the "Pedagogica", the national teachers college. The school is free except for a two hundred dollar registration fee. However, she would need $150 per month for transportation to San Pedro Sula, an hour and a quarter ride away. The kids from Tela take that ride (or to La Ceiba) and back five days a week for four years to get a college degree. We figure that it will take about $2,000 dollars per year for all expenses. Some of you will be hearing from us about this.
We leave tomorrow. It will be nice to have air conditioning and the comforts of an American home, but I hate to leave this place. There is so much to do.
Peace, Len
