Most of you know that Spanish does not have apostrophes. So we would say "John's house" but in Spanish you would say "the house of John" or "la casa de Juan."
So today we are packing like crazy. Dawn, Trey, Tee, Luke and myself are in Dawn's and my bedroom. We have duffel bags laid out and many items to put in them. We are weighing and re-weighing because we can only take 35 pounds a bag. We are putting things in a bag and taking them out and moving them to another bag and then it is, "Weigh this bag again, boys." It is pretty hectic when all of a sudden Dawn asks of everyone and of no one, "Where is the suitcase of Gabriel?"
Well we all turned and stared at Dawn. Timothy says, "Mom you just said Spanish but it was English." So we all had a laugh and went back to work.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friends/Leaving . . . Amigos/Saliendo
While we've been down here, I have made a lot of friends. Some of my best friends are named Rachael, Josh, Stephanie, and Rebekah. We have hung out with them for pretty much every single day for about three weeks. Whether it's hanging out at the park or having a movie night we are ALWAYS together and I am going to miss all of them a lot. And my Tico friend, Mario, who doesn't wear a red hat or have a mustache.
Last night Rachael (age 15) asked us if we were going to forget them. Just to keep from crying, I said "yes" but in truth I will NEVER forget them.
As everyone already knows, we are leaving for Honduras tomorrow! I am really excited about going but also really sad about leaving my friends here. I wish I could stay for maybe a month longer but we have got to move on to the "Promised Land." I already have some friends in Honduras, but only a few.
We still don't know where we are all going to school so please pray for that. Mom and Dad are going to check out the schools in Honduras but we might go back to homeschooling, too.
Well, I'm going to miss you, Costa Rica friends!!! =] And I will miss the food here, too!
Last night Rachael (age 15) asked us if we were going to forget them. Just to keep from crying, I said "yes" but in truth I will NEVER forget them.
As everyone already knows, we are leaving for Honduras tomorrow! I am really excited about going but also really sad about leaving my friends here. I wish I could stay for maybe a month longer but we have got to move on to the "Promised Land." I already have some friends in Honduras, but only a few.
We still don't know where we are all going to school so please pray for that. Mom and Dad are going to check out the schools in Honduras but we might go back to homeschooling, too.
Well, I'm going to miss you, Costa Rica friends!!! =] And I will miss the food here, too!
Final Goodbyes
I know we have blogged about goodbyes previously in other blog posts but we leave for Honduras tomorrow and we have been saying many "goodbyes." The goodbyes are, of course, harder this time. There are many people with whom we have spent alot of time during this past year. We know the trials they have faced, the disappointments, and also the victories. We frequently lift each other up in prayer. We know that many of these people we will never see again in this life so the final farewell is often "I will see you in heaven."
Jacob and Courtenay Folk hosted a goodbye fiesta last night and many of our friends dropped in to say goodbye and eat some pizza. It was good to see so many of our friends and the talk was centered around the big oral tests we took yesterday to place our level of Spanish, what days we are all leaving for the countries we are going to serve, packing, how to make deep fried oreos, etc.
Yesterday during chapel, all in attendence encircled another couple (whom are also leaving in the next few days) and us and we all had a period of prayer. It was a sweet time and many tears were shed.
One of the many great things about the Christian faith is the hope we have of Christ and heaven and knowing that we will see one another again at a time when there will be no stress, no pain, no tears, no disappointment and we will only experience tremendous joy at being able to worship our LORD 24/7.
So, it is goodbye to our friends in Costa Rica and hello to our new friends in Honduras!
Jacob and Courtenay Folk hosted a goodbye fiesta last night and many of our friends dropped in to say goodbye and eat some pizza. It was good to see so many of our friends and the talk was centered around the big oral tests we took yesterday to place our level of Spanish, what days we are all leaving for the countries we are going to serve, packing, how to make deep fried oreos, etc.
Yesterday during chapel, all in attendence encircled another couple (whom are also leaving in the next few days) and us and we all had a period of prayer. It was a sweet time and many tears were shed.
One of the many great things about the Christian faith is the hope we have of Christ and heaven and knowing that we will see one another again at a time when there will be no stress, no pain, no tears, no disappointment and we will only experience tremendous joy at being able to worship our LORD 24/7.
So, it is goodbye to our friends in Costa Rica and hello to our new friends in Honduras!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Who is the Cheaper?
The boss/jefe at the cargo company asked us that this morning. Our brains are a mix of Spanish and English--it's hilarious at times, then can be frustrating, too, when you can't think of the right word in English that you want, but the Spanish word is there. Anyway, I immediately began to rack my brain for a Spanish word that sounds like "cheaper" and couldn't come up with anything. Then I thought, "Maybe he wants to know which of us would want to pay less?" Tully said, in Spanish, "I am." So I laughed a little, and they both looked at me. It didn't make any sense. I thought--what on earth are they talking about? Then I figured out the boss was practicing his English and meant to say, "Who is the Shipper?"
It is fascinating learning a language--you appreciate the unique things in yours all the more--and you question, "Why do we say it like that?" And, you sometimes, okay, much of the time, ask, "Why do they say it like that?"
Of course, we also come across strange words or phrases in English we've never even thought about. For instance, a latino asked us the other day about the phrase, "Come back," in English meaning "Come to see us," or, "Come to the store, and . . ." He said, "I wonder where that phrase came from, because you don't normally want to see a person's back when they're coming to see you, you want to see their front."
So why not ask, "Come front?" Hmmm. Hey, I'm just happy I'm not the cheaper of the two of us. : )
It is fascinating learning a language--you appreciate the unique things in yours all the more--and you question, "Why do we say it like that?" And, you sometimes, okay, much of the time, ask, "Why do they say it like that?"
Of course, we also come across strange words or phrases in English we've never even thought about. For instance, a latino asked us the other day about the phrase, "Come back," in English meaning "Come to see us," or, "Come to the store, and . . ." He said, "I wonder where that phrase came from, because you don't normally want to see a person's back when they're coming to see you, you want to see their front."
So why not ask, "Come front?" Hmmm. Hey, I'm just happy I'm not the cheaper of the two of us. : )
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Ending of a Chapter in Our Missionary Journey . . .And Random Pictures
Trey, today, packing up--or hamming it up for the camera
OK, I wish I could say this is only a nightmare, but it's real life packing in my bedroom right now. : ) Actually, it looks better as of now, but still has much room for improvement over the next three days!
Carmen--anytime we get out a suitcase, she says, "OK--we going on a plane now?"
A Lincoln Log construction by three proud brothers
Luke, Gabriel, and Elijah have been making elaborate forts with multiple rooms for each person--girls included, even though the girls sometimes tear their rooms down accidentally.
The outside of the fort--you really can't tell how big it was by this picture! It was huge!
Well, we are wiped out but content after getting alot of packing done today. We are sending some of our things ahead of us to Honduras as cargo, which we needed to do as we came with 50 lbs per checked bag, and now must leave here with only 35 lbs per checked bag. So, tomorrow morning, Lord willing, the cargo company comes to pick up some of our things. Over the last few days, we have had goodbye dinners with friends here, and another one on Thursday night.
My mind and my heart are full of so many things right now--memories of this past year, all that God has taught us while being here, the friends we've made, the difficulties we've experienced, and of course, all of the Spanish we've learned. No other year will be like this one, where we were together with a large group of fellow missionaries, all with the same goal of learning Spanish in order to share the gospel of Christ with others all over Latin America.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
First Words
from Carmen on entering the door after being gone somewhere for a bit.
"EEee-LIiii . . . .I HOOoommme!"
"EEee-LIiii . . . .I HOOoommme!"
Friends from Home!
In June, we had the pleasure of having Bob, Kelly, Rebekah, and Anna Mae Lee come to visit. We had looked forward to this trip for so long and it meant so much to each member of our family. All of us had alot of fun planning out what kinds of things we wanted to show them and do when they were here, etc.
Although they were delayed by a day and a half due to some storms in Miami, we had a fantastic time. Now, looking back, I can't believe all that we crowded into those five days!!
They saw our school, some of downtown San Jose, we took a bus--that's always a cultural experience!! (This time it was very crowded and we had to stand up alot of the way!) We walked around in the central market where all the interesting meat salesmen are (among many other things!), and then we were off to Manuel Antonio beach where Rebekah and Anna Mae got to swim in the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Arriving at the place we stayed in the afternoon, we were just in time to see some monkeys playing in the trees nearby. On Saturday, we came back in time for both families to do some ministry in Cristo Rey (minus Carmen, Anna, who needed naps, and me--okay, maybe I took a nap, too!). Afterwards, just the adults were able to go out Saturday night for dinner. On Sunday, we took them to church with us, and then it was time for them to leave for the airport.
As I said over and over, it was a ministry, a blessing, to us--that they came and wanted to see what we were up to here and experience the life we live, that we had a great reason to go to the beach, that we were with great friends from SC! We got to catch up, hear all the latest news from home and from their lives, and we created some special memories with our families. Bob, Kelly, girls, we had an awesome time! Thank you!
Vacaciones
The children in Costa Rica have enjoyed a summer vacation from school for the last two weeks. Last week, the government called for an extension of their summer vacation for another week because of the swine flu. Although the first vacation (of the last two weeks) did not apply to the children at our school, the second vacation of this week did--it was mandatory for all public and private schools to dismiss their students this week. No one in our school has had the swine flu, but we are glad they are taking this precaution to help stop the spread. The teachers and administration of the children's school are using this time to clean the children's buildings thoroughly and to paint.
The reason for the mandatory vacation is that scientists had determined that this week would be the peak week of the swine flu here and that during this week, the number of cases of infected people should level off and then begin to lessen.
Today we learned that the vacation is extended still another week. We are all having to juggle our schedules a bit to care for our kids, study, keep everyone happy with so much time inside the house, etc., but we are grateful for our health. This is a small inconvenience compared to a serious illness or even death.
Our hearts and prayers go out to families all over the world who have been affected by the swine flu and lost loved ones.
The reason for the mandatory vacation is that scientists had determined that this week would be the peak week of the swine flu here and that during this week, the number of cases of infected people should level off and then begin to lessen.
Today we learned that the vacation is extended still another week. We are all having to juggle our schedules a bit to care for our kids, study, keep everyone happy with so much time inside the house, etc., but we are grateful for our health. This is a small inconvenience compared to a serious illness or even death.
Our hearts and prayers go out to families all over the world who have been affected by the swine flu and lost loved ones.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Flying
Well, we are flying to Honduras now instead of taking the bus. In light of the current political situation, we did not have a peace about going by bus with two border crossings that could prove to be dicey in the coming days, and it would have been a hard trip for both us and the kids in what will be an emotional time for us with saying goodbyes and then hellos and transitioning culturally again.
August 1 is still the much anticipated day of our departure from Costa Rica, we already have our tickets and have many of our things packed. But as we pack, we watch from a distance and especially pray for the situation there right now.
August 1 is still the much anticipated day of our departure from Costa Rica, we already have our tickets and have many of our things packed. But as we pack, we watch from a distance and especially pray for the situation there right now.
Walkpooling
Our oldest boys have their very last youth group meeting in Costa Rica tonight. The youth group is in English but both ticos and gringos attend it, and, as many of the gringos are only here for a season and then off to another country for missions, the directors always have a special time of prayer on the last nights for the missionary kids. Trey was feeling a little apprehensive about going and being the center of attention for the prayer time and sendoff, but he went. I can't wait to hear about it.
Before they left, I learned a new word. Tee said that his friends and their parents were coming by to pick up Tully, Trey, Timothy, and their friend Mario to "walkpool" to the youth group meeting. I said, "What?" He said, "You know, instead of carpooling, we walkpool." Oh! Yes, we have done a lot of walkpooling here, as there is safety in numbers, and it's more fun anyway. But what a great word for it!
Before they left, I learned a new word. Tee said that his friends and their parents were coming by to pick up Tully, Trey, Timothy, and their friend Mario to "walkpool" to the youth group meeting. I said, "What?" He said, "You know, instead of carpooling, we walkpool." Oh! Yes, we have done a lot of walkpooling here, as there is safety in numbers, and it's more fun anyway. But what a great word for it!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Looking Forward
We have just three more weeks in Costa Rica! We are scheduled to leave for Honduras on August 1st. Yesterday I was thinking of things I am looking forward to in Honduras and two things immediately came to mind. The first is a car and the second is a cell phone. It has really been different living for a year without a car or a cell phone.
Without a car I have to walk most places. I occasionally take a bus or taxi if my destination is too far to walk. I have throughtly enjoyed walking this year and I am certainly in better shape than when I arrived in Costa Rica. It seems like yesterday that we arrived and the second day here Lynda Gregg (a fellow missionary with BMDMI) took me to get a copy and laminate made of our passports. The walk seemed to be three miles long and I thought it took more than 30 minutes. Today that same walk would be a crisp 8-10 minute walk that would be no bother at all.
I especially like getting out and walking or jogging in the cool mornings and it is even better if there is a little breeze, which happens alot here at 3000 feet above sea level. So walking everwhere has been great.
Nevertheless, I am tired of constantly being on the lookout for potential thieves. We watch for men wearing hoodies or shoulder bags so they can hide a pistol, ball caps pulled down low, or men who change their gait when they get close to you. So when we get to Honduras we will get a van that can hold all nine of us. I will still exercise but I will miss the conditioning that walking everywhere does for my body. Overall, though, I will definitely be glad to have a car we can drive and take the family around easily.
Second, in some ways, it has been nice not having a cell phone and being free from frequent phone calls. When Dawn and I went to Honduras to look at a hospital ministry last month, our director's phone must have rung every ten minutes. He did not seem to mind or get flustered at all. I thought it would drive me crazy. So I have enjoyed having the freedom from the chirp of a phone but on the other hand I also will be glad to have a cell phone to where my children can reach me if I am not at home. Frequently if Dawn and I go to a store, the children have absolutely no way to contact us if there is an emergency. There are other students living nearby who can be here in seconds in the event of an emergency, and they are usually on standby. But, I will look forward to having a phone to where I can call Dawn or our home if I need to or they can call me.
Without a car I have to walk most places. I occasionally take a bus or taxi if my destination is too far to walk. I have throughtly enjoyed walking this year and I am certainly in better shape than when I arrived in Costa Rica. It seems like yesterday that we arrived and the second day here Lynda Gregg (a fellow missionary with BMDMI) took me to get a copy and laminate made of our passports. The walk seemed to be three miles long and I thought it took more than 30 minutes. Today that same walk would be a crisp 8-10 minute walk that would be no bother at all.
I especially like getting out and walking or jogging in the cool mornings and it is even better if there is a little breeze, which happens alot here at 3000 feet above sea level. So walking everwhere has been great.
Nevertheless, I am tired of constantly being on the lookout for potential thieves. We watch for men wearing hoodies or shoulder bags so they can hide a pistol, ball caps pulled down low, or men who change their gait when they get close to you. So when we get to Honduras we will get a van that can hold all nine of us. I will still exercise but I will miss the conditioning that walking everywhere does for my body. Overall, though, I will definitely be glad to have a car we can drive and take the family around easily.
Second, in some ways, it has been nice not having a cell phone and being free from frequent phone calls. When Dawn and I went to Honduras to look at a hospital ministry last month, our director's phone must have rung every ten minutes. He did not seem to mind or get flustered at all. I thought it would drive me crazy. So I have enjoyed having the freedom from the chirp of a phone but on the other hand I also will be glad to have a cell phone to where my children can reach me if I am not at home. Frequently if Dawn and I go to a store, the children have absolutely no way to contact us if there is an emergency. There are other students living nearby who can be here in seconds in the event of an emergency, and they are usually on standby. But, I will look forward to having a phone to where I can call Dawn or our home if I need to or they can call me.
Oh, The Ways We Have Grown This Year !
August, 2008:
KIDS (inside the house): MOOOooooM, WE FOUND A GECKO, WE FOUND A GECKO!!!
MOM: Eeeewwwww! Get him out--take him outside!!!
July, 2009:
KIDS: WE FOUND A GECKO, WE FOUND A GECKO--IN OUR BATHROOM!!
PARENTS: Leave him alone--don't anyone touch him--he likes to eat insects!
Of course, one of ours, who shall remain nameless to save embarrassment, couldn't leave him alone and transported him downstairs to show everyone gathered in the kitchen. The gecko promptly escaped and was last seen scurrying down a hole between two kitchen cabinets. The parents were practically giddy because now, in this location, he can eat all the fruit flies his little body can hold!
KIDS (inside the house): MOOOooooM, WE FOUND A GECKO, WE FOUND A GECKO!!!
MOM: Eeeewwwww! Get him out--take him outside!!!
July, 2009:
KIDS: WE FOUND A GECKO, WE FOUND A GECKO--IN OUR BATHROOM!!
PARENTS: Leave him alone--don't anyone touch him--he likes to eat insects!
Of course, one of ours, who shall remain nameless to save embarrassment, couldn't leave him alone and transported him downstairs to show everyone gathered in the kitchen. The gecko promptly escaped and was last seen scurrying down a hole between two kitchen cabinets. The parents were practically giddy because now, in this location, he can eat all the fruit flies his little body can hold!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Packing Up
I can't believe it's that time already. It seems we arrived, blinked our eyes, and now it's time to go again. Today I pulled out some of our trunks and began to pack some things. Going back through those things reminded me of how I felt when I was unpacking them--excited, incredulous that we were finally here, anticipatory of all things to come in this year of language school, and above all else, thankful to God for his love, protection, and calling.
How do I feel now? Hmmm. Excited, incredulous that we have been here for a year and that it's time to move on, and anticipatory of all things to come as we begin our ministry in Honduras. Above all else, I am thankful to God for his love, protection, and calling.
Trey was taking something out of the oven today and said, "Mom, we really need some better hot pads." They are a little on the thin side--some I had bought from a student who was leaving when we were arriving. I said, "Yes, I know, when we get to Honduras it will be home, and we won't be 'camping' so much like we've done here." We have a nice house here, lest anyone should think we have literally camped, but what I meant was that we have made do in many ways with what we had--most of our household things are secondhand, and in many cases, third-, fourth-, or fifthhand--purchased from previous students who sold their things before moving on. Trey looked at me and smiled and said, "But, you know, I really think that's one reason this year has been so much fun."
Thank you, Lord, for our kids' spirit of adventure--and for the great year we have had here in Costa Rica!
How do I feel now? Hmmm. Excited, incredulous that we have been here for a year and that it's time to move on, and anticipatory of all things to come as we begin our ministry in Honduras. Above all else, I am thankful to God for his love, protection, and calling.
Trey was taking something out of the oven today and said, "Mom, we really need some better hot pads." They are a little on the thin side--some I had bought from a student who was leaving when we were arriving. I said, "Yes, I know, when we get to Honduras it will be home, and we won't be 'camping' so much like we've done here." We have a nice house here, lest anyone should think we have literally camped, but what I meant was that we have made do in many ways with what we had--most of our household things are secondhand, and in many cases, third-, fourth-, or fifthhand--purchased from previous students who sold their things before moving on. Trey looked at me and smiled and said, "But, you know, I really think that's one reason this year has been so much fun."
Thank you, Lord, for our kids' spirit of adventure--and for the great year we have had here in Costa Rica!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Supporters of Democracy in Honduras
A picture from the Honduran newspaper El Heraldo. The caption read, "'Go (away) Mel, Go (away) Chavez' screamed a multitude in favor of democracy in Honduras."
Robbery
Dawn and I were walking home from taking the girls and Gabriel to school this morning for the summer camp program. We started to walk through a park that is our usual path going to and from school. Dawn saw a man with a hood and a baseball cap standing in the park and said to me, "Let's go straight--he doesn't look good." She just had a strong instinct that something was not right. So we walked straight instead of cutting through. I also saw a man, using a laptop, sitting on the edge of the street where we would have exited the park . A couple of people had previously warned him that he should not sit out there with a computer.
So we walked straight and turned left at the corner. That put us in the direction of the man with the computer. I then saw the man with the cap start walking, with a purpose, towards Dawn and me and the man with the computer. I touched Dawn on the arm and said let's turn around. I then saw he had pulled out a pistol. I yelled, "RUN" (which we did). The man with the gun grabbed the computer and fortunately started to run in the opposite direction. We were only 20 yards away from the robbery. The man who was sitting with the computer gave chase. The robber fired one shot, but the victim kept chasing him. Dawn and I ducked behind a car. Then the robber fired a second time as they turned the corner and this bullet broke the femur of the man doing the chasing. I went down the hill to help him. Several people came out on the street and someone called an ambulance. About 20 minutes later the ambulance came with only one Paramedic! So, I rode in the back of the ambulance to the hospital to help in any way I could. I held his leg still so it would not roll back and forth as we went around turns and hit bumps in the road.
While in the ambulance, I witnessed to the victim, who was not a Christian, and prayed for him. Only after I returned home did I get a little scared and shaky. We put our faith in the Lord and pray Psalm 91's protection for our family everyday. I thank God that the Holy Spirit warned Dawn today!
So we walked straight and turned left at the corner. That put us in the direction of the man with the computer. I then saw the man with the cap start walking, with a purpose, towards Dawn and me and the man with the computer. I touched Dawn on the arm and said let's turn around. I then saw he had pulled out a pistol. I yelled, "RUN" (which we did). The man with the gun grabbed the computer and fortunately started to run in the opposite direction. We were only 20 yards away from the robbery. The man who was sitting with the computer gave chase. The robber fired one shot, but the victim kept chasing him. Dawn and I ducked behind a car. Then the robber fired a second time as they turned the corner and this bullet broke the femur of the man doing the chasing. I went down the hill to help him. Several people came out on the street and someone called an ambulance. About 20 minutes later the ambulance came with only one Paramedic! So, I rode in the back of the ambulance to the hospital to help in any way I could. I held his leg still so it would not roll back and forth as we went around turns and hit bumps in the road.
While in the ambulance, I witnessed to the victim, who was not a Christian, and prayed for him. Only after I returned home did I get a little scared and shaky. We put our faith in the Lord and pray Psalm 91's protection for our family everyday. I thank God that the Holy Spirit warned Dawn today!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Honduras
An excerpt of an e-mail we received today that helps to clarify the situation in Honduras.
Dear friends of the Mission,
I know you have heard on the news about the recent change in government in Honduras. I am writing in an effort to address the questions and anxieties you may be experiencing concerning the safety of our missionaries, staff and teams in Honduras.
The Honduran President was forcefully removed from office by command of the Honduran Congress and Supreme Court. For many months, the Congress and Supreme Court warned President Zelaya to refrain from specific activities which were deemed to be illegal and unconstitutional.
Last week, Zelaya fired the commander of the armed forces and the chief of the national police because of their unwillingness to assist Zelaya in carrying out the very activities that the Supreme Court and Attorney General deemed unlawful and unconstitutional. (Many understood these firings as Zelaya’s attempt to force change within the government at any cost.) Later, the Congress reinstated the leaders of these armed forces and the Supreme Court affirmed that reinstatement.
Unfortunately, the international media is portraying these events a military coup d’etat. However, it is absolutely clear that the Congress and the newly appointed President are in control of the government – not the military. In forcefully removing the ex-President, the Honduran military acted at the request of the Congress and Supreme Court. The Honduran government has clearly and plainly announced that if ex-President Zelaya returns to Honduras, he will be arrested and put on trial for eighteen outstanding warrants for crimes and treason he has committed against the country of Honduras.
I want to assure you that all of us missionaries feel that neither we nor our teams have been placed in any danger. We are evaluating the situation daily and will not permit any team to come to Honduras if we feel that they are in imminent danger. As of today, (Wednesday, July 1) business in Honduras is pretty much as usual; most schools and businesses are open and operating as normal. Public transportation is moving as well, although some highways have been closed due to damage by some of Zelaya’s supporters and/or due to some demonstrations in localized areas. For the most part, these demonstrations have been peaceful.
Please pray for Honduras, that tomorrow and all of the coming days would be peaceful.
Dear friends of the Mission,
I know you have heard on the news about the recent change in government in Honduras. I am writing in an effort to address the questions and anxieties you may be experiencing concerning the safety of our missionaries, staff and teams in Honduras.
The Honduran President was forcefully removed from office by command of the Honduran Congress and Supreme Court. For many months, the Congress and Supreme Court warned President Zelaya to refrain from specific activities which were deemed to be illegal and unconstitutional.
Last week, Zelaya fired the commander of the armed forces and the chief of the national police because of their unwillingness to assist Zelaya in carrying out the very activities that the Supreme Court and Attorney General deemed unlawful and unconstitutional. (Many understood these firings as Zelaya’s attempt to force change within the government at any cost.) Later, the Congress reinstated the leaders of these armed forces and the Supreme Court affirmed that reinstatement.
Unfortunately, the international media is portraying these events a military coup d’etat. However, it is absolutely clear that the Congress and the newly appointed President are in control of the government – not the military. In forcefully removing the ex-President, the Honduran military acted at the request of the Congress and Supreme Court. The Honduran government has clearly and plainly announced that if ex-President Zelaya returns to Honduras, he will be arrested and put on trial for eighteen outstanding warrants for crimes and treason he has committed against the country of Honduras.
I want to assure you that all of us missionaries feel that neither we nor our teams have been placed in any danger. We are evaluating the situation daily and will not permit any team to come to Honduras if we feel that they are in imminent danger. As of today, (Wednesday, July 1) business in Honduras is pretty much as usual; most schools and businesses are open and operating as normal. Public transportation is moving as well, although some highways have been closed due to damage by some of Zelaya’s supporters and/or due to some demonstrations in localized areas. For the most part, these demonstrations have been peaceful.
Please pray for Honduras, that tomorrow and all of the coming days would be peaceful.
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