From Honduras

¡Feliz Navidad! and Merry Christmas! (and Happy Chanukah!) It's Christmas again in Honduras.  It's time for parades, fireworks and eating tamales.   The Christmas ta male   is something new for me.  A tamale is    made from  various vegetables, rice and meats, placed inside a masa (corn dough) dumpling. The dumpling, itself, is wrapped in corn leaves and steamed or boiled.   It is an ancient food of th e Mayas, Lencas and other indigenous people, and a tradition, which continues today.   Its connection with Christmas is obscure, but everyone makes them this time of the year.  They have become, in a way, a   New World offering to the Christ Child.  Again this year, I went with Father Roberto on his tour of the countryside on Christmas Eve Day (December 24) to celebrate the end of Advent and the beginning of Christmas. This year we had several  baptisms at both the Church of the Annunciation and at San Isidro.   And, of course, we brought presents for the ki

No distance    by Theophane the Monk     I stumbled upon  this  story from Tales from the Magical Monastery (1), which  has been helpful to me for my spiritual journey.   It is told as a parable, and, in it's peculiar style, raises questions about our response to Jesus' coming to us in this Christmas season. The story, told by Theophane the Monk , begins: "I asked each of  the monks I met this question: 'What great blunder have you made?' One answered, 'There was a stone in my room and I did not love it.' Another said,  'They called me a Christian, but I did not become Christ.' I asked the first, 'What do you mean?   I don't understand.  You didn't  love that stone....'  'I just didn't love it.  I was so close to redeeming the  whole world, but I looked down on that stone.' I asked the second, 'You did not become Christ?  Is one supposed to become Christ?' 'I kept putting

Christmas presents for the kids Again this year we bought presents for kids living in the campo (countryside) around Tegucigalpa.   These may be the only presents that some of these kids receive. The kids at San Isidro dig into Santa's bag to select their Christmas present.   Fr. Roberto stands by to make sure that no fights break out .   The kids, in spite of their excitement, were actually very well behaved. Alejandra and friend show us their presents at the Church of the Annunciation. Two boys at San Isidro with their presents.

While Fr. Roberto and I have been visiting churches in New England, the work progresses in Santa Maria.

While Fr. Robert and I have been visiting churches in New England, the construction team in Santa Maria have also been busy with the churches new foundation.

Here is the street elevation for our new church in Santa Maria.    The design is by Mark Parlier, RA, in Lakewales, Florida.   The graphics are by me. The pre-construction meeting in Santa Maria. ( Right to left) the Architect - me, the Mason/ Contractor- Rodiney and  the church senior warden, Alexander.   We are meeting in Alexander's adobe house, where the church currently holds its services.

We began excavating for the foundation of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Santa Maria, Paraiso this week.  All excavation work is being done by hand.

A good article explaining how the criminal elements are taking advantage of the poor and generating this border kid crisis.  As part of their marketing to poor families, the coyotes (front-men for the cartels) are taking advantage of a Bush era law that sends back Mexicans immediately, but gives Central Americans the right to a judicial hearing. Article from Daily Beast " No doubt the criminals interested in recruiting border crosses have emphasized to families that kids face better odds in the U.S.—and so the children keep on coming."  ---Caitlan Dickson

A good article describing life in the crime-ridden cities and also why so many are fleeing the Honduras for the US.   In the countryside, where a large share of the population lives, the crime isn't as intense, but the poverty is. New York Times Article

Dick leading the work team at the Church of Annuciation, in Rincon de Dolores.  Randy and Wendy  are to his right.   I am the one, who is probably giving too much  free advice, when I should be dumping more dirt on the pathway. Nandi hard at work. Julie and Jeannie. Alex and Jack visit with the local kids and discover that mission is more about relationships than tasks.  Unwinding at the end of day,  as we wait for our cold beer. Julie, Wendy, Jeannie and Cynthia also relaxing  at the end of the day. Evening meal at San Matias. Malcolm and Edy talk theology, while Fr. Roberto and others wait for the group picture.     Group pic of Gringo Missionaries and Honduran Christians with our new path below. Cynthia teaches rug-weaving with the women of San Fernando Rey, Omoa. Nailah painting the church.   Edy supervising. Father Malcolm teaches church leaders at the Muchilena Retreat Center.   Ana  translating. Sa

Which of the following schemes do you like best? Scheme 1 - Small windows and cross. Scheme 2 - Large windows and cross. Scheme 3 - Large windows and painting ( to be done by local artist). And for reference here is the exterior.

Click here for Christianity Today article. A good article with a discussion of the many grey areas.   In Honduras we have a no bribe policy and have paid the price with one of our housing project..   We lack an environmental permit and in spite all our efforts we cannot get one.   It is clear that someone one is waiting for a tip.

Click her for: Atlantic Magazine Article Dr. Pilar Mateo

¡Feliz Pascua de la Resurrecciòn! Happy Easter! and a Joyous Passover!    This  week Tegucigalpa has closed down for Semana Santa (Holy Week).  The custom in Honduras is that everyone heads for the beach.  If you can't make it to the beach, then go to the river.   If you can't make it to the river, buy a plastic pool. (They are selling them down the street under the bridge.)    Semana Santa has become the secular equivalent of our Christmas in the north.  For many, Christmas means vacation and presents. Only  a few follow the spiritual journey of the season.  The same can be said of this week in Honduras.    However, at Santa Maria de los Angeles, our cathedral in Tegucigalpa, we are celebrating the passion and resurrection this week. A few others  and I have been attending.    Regarding the mission work,  progress is being made toward building the new church 'Buen Pastor' in Santa Maria.  We have just finished installing the security fence around t

In Honduras, all property has to be protected by a fence against thieves and burglars. This comes as  a shock for many first time visitors to the country. Nevertheless, because of the prevalence of crime,  its omission is not an option.  For the architect, the challenge is how to make the church look friendly and welcoming and still keep the criminals out.     Along the side and back  is a chain-link fence  with concertina wire  (the razor wire that comes in coils and often is used by the military).  The concertina wire is  a visual curse but a necessity  for security.  To improve the appearance we will plant trees and flowers (see the picture below).  The front wall.  The blocks will be covered with polished stucco.    The fence above will be painted. No concertina wire here. Church members and missioners from Florida working on the  church  vegetable garden.   In the background is a plantain tree,  one year old  lime trees and avocados.