Safe
Recently, there has been much news about the security of Honduras. The Peace Corp pulled out of Honduras in December to reevaluate the safety of their volunteers. There were several specific incidents that caused concern. In our area of La Moskitia, the Peace Corp pulled out years ago.
Additionally, there is the new information published about San Pedro Sula being the most dangerous city in the world. This is not good news, but I have not heard of one US missionary family leaving San Pedro Sula. Their work exists in San Pedro Sula.
Because of the Peace Corp pull out, a group from North Texas that was coming to to La Moskitia to build a Habitat for Humanity house, canceled their February trip. They consulted their security firms and decided not to risk it.
Another group of college students (also from North Texas) decided to come anyway. They built a secure, dry home for a single mom in our town and had a wonderful week. As an aside, I have a cool connection to this group. The campus Pastor that brought the team down was my camp counselor when I was a teenager! Years ago, this lady had a true impact on my growing faith and here, 20+ years later, she brings a team to our remote area to serve with Habitat. I had not seen or talked to her in all of those years. The world is small.
So, back to safety. You need to know that Peace Corp volunteers are typically placed alone in a small, remote community. Unlike small groups and missionary families, they do not have a 'team' of folks to rely upon. Our family evaluates our safety every day, in every situation... just like we did in the US.
We have not seen any changes to our safety in La Moskitia. The narcotrafficking industry is alive and well. We stay out of their way and they stay out of ours. If anything, I hope they can see how dedicated all of the US missionaries that live and visit here are to their people.
There are some basic things to remember no matter where you are... don't leave your purse open on a countertop or you can expect something to be missing. Don't leave your camera hanging from your backpack or you can expect it to be taken. Don't leave your backpack laying in the back of a pick-up or you can expect it to be no more.
We have never had a personal safety problem with groups visiting here. Dr. Tom Brian has been traveling in and out of Honduras for 20 years and has never had a problem.
That being said, it is important to remember that we are really not 'safe' anywhere on the globe. We live in an illusion of safety; but the reality is that cancer, addiction, disease, theft, murder, disaster exists in every corner of our world.
We love and appreciate your concerns for our family and your prayers on our behalf. Please know that we feel right in the middle of God's will for our family. Even when the days feel impossible, we rest in His quiet leading. This is the safest place to be.
Additionally, there is the new information published about San Pedro Sula being the most dangerous city in the world. This is not good news, but I have not heard of one US missionary family leaving San Pedro Sula. Their work exists in San Pedro Sula.
Because of the Peace Corp pull out, a group from North Texas that was coming to to La Moskitia to build a Habitat for Humanity house, canceled their February trip. They consulted their security firms and decided not to risk it.
Another group of college students (also from North Texas) decided to come anyway. They built a secure, dry home for a single mom in our town and had a wonderful week. As an aside, I have a cool connection to this group. The campus Pastor that brought the team down was my camp counselor when I was a teenager! Years ago, this lady had a true impact on my growing faith and here, 20+ years later, she brings a team to our remote area to serve with Habitat. I had not seen or talked to her in all of those years. The world is small.
So, back to safety. You need to know that Peace Corp volunteers are typically placed alone in a small, remote community. Unlike small groups and missionary families, they do not have a 'team' of folks to rely upon. Our family evaluates our safety every day, in every situation... just like we did in the US.
We have not seen any changes to our safety in La Moskitia. The narcotrafficking industry is alive and well. We stay out of their way and they stay out of ours. If anything, I hope they can see how dedicated all of the US missionaries that live and visit here are to their people.
There are some basic things to remember no matter where you are... don't leave your purse open on a countertop or you can expect something to be missing. Don't leave your camera hanging from your backpack or you can expect it to be taken. Don't leave your backpack laying in the back of a pick-up or you can expect it to be no more.
We have never had a personal safety problem with groups visiting here. Dr. Tom Brian has been traveling in and out of Honduras for 20 years and has never had a problem.
That being said, it is important to remember that we are really not 'safe' anywhere on the globe. We live in an illusion of safety; but the reality is that cancer, addiction, disease, theft, murder, disaster exists in every corner of our world.
We love and appreciate your concerns for our family and your prayers on our behalf. Please know that we feel right in the middle of God's will for our family. Even when the days feel impossible, we rest in His quiet leading. This is the safest place to be.
Comments
It turns on a dime no matter where we are. I think we just need to be very deliberate to live fully, and never neglect to show our love to those most precious to us--a life with no regrets!