DANGER in Honduras

    I know how much bad press has been generated lately over the situation in Honduras with violence and all the "children" fleeing to the states.  I just wanted to let all of you who know and love me that I am perfectly safe. I have been in Siguatepeque, San Pedro, Copan, Trinidad, Santa Barbara, Tela and Tournabe in the last several weeks and there have been no reports of violence in any of those places.  As I speak to people in the tourist industry, hotel and restaurant owners, the mayor of Trinidad and others I understand that the violent situations are in the bigger cities, San Pedro being one.  But like most bigger cities, there are simply areas where you just don't go.  All in all, things are quite safe, even there.  The tourist industry and the mission trip program of the Episcopal Church have both been hit hard by all the bad press, and it is certainly not helping the struggling economy here.

     It's good to remember that bad news sells and the more dramatic the better.  Sensationalized news is always better news.  I'm not trying to downplay the problems that exist.   They are truly horrible in many situations.  There is violence and the drug cartels still rule with an iron fist.   But the majority of the "children" that are fleeing Honduras and Central America are actually young adults in their 20's.  They are fleeing the failing economic situation and the lack of opportunity as much as the violence.  The news coverage here shows the freight trains they ride.  They call them La Bistial, the beast.  Most are young men in their 20's.  The situation is bad and all the bad press is hurting the economy which just exacerbates the problem.

     Still, there are so many beautiful places here that are perfectly safe to visit.  The clinic at Tournabe got off to a slow start, so Kat Dailey and I went out to walk around and stir up some business.  We were perfectly safe and met some wonderful people.  When I was there in May with my sister, I stopped to ask for directions and had a very large Garifuna man say, "I'll show you" and then he proceeded to get in the back seat.  No problems.  Copan, no problems even after dark.  And the Hondurans are always careful to look out after the skinny little bald headed gringo.  I'm fine...I'm really busy, but I'm fine.  Come visit!

     Please pray for the Diocese of Honduras.