On Monday a delegation from the Organization of American States arrived in Honduras to meet with the de facto government, in the hopes of their acceptance of the mediation peace plan proposal developed mainly by President Oscar Arias (of Costa Rica). This delegation included representatives from Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. The proposed plan, which the delegation was hoping to persuade Honduras' interim government to accept, would include the reinstatement of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, and bump up the November elections to a bit earlier (to hold them in October).
This meeting concluded yesterday without success. Micheletti's government in Honduras rejected the proposal, saying that they will go ahead with elections in November, as planned, regardless of whether or not the international community recognizes the current government and whether or not they will recognize the future results of the November election. Micheletti has made it clear that the de facto government is not fearful of sanctions from other nations that have and may continue to ensue following the ousting of Manuel Zelaya.
According to BBC World News, after meeting with the delegation, Micheletti spoke:
"We are not afraid of an embargo by anybody. The country can carry on firmly and calmly without your support and that of other nations."
"Nobody is coming here to impose anything on us, unless troops come from somewhere else and force us."
The U.S. has announced that it will cease issuing visas from its embassy in Honduras as a result of the interim government refusing to accept the proposal.
The good news is that things are going well at the Hogar, and our children are safe and well. The incoming group of volunteers have now all arrived to Guatemala/Honduras for language school, and are gaining expertise in the language while beginning to get accostumed to the Central American culture. They will arrive at the orphanage mid-September.
Thank you all for your prayers. May we continue to ask for God's guidance and intervention during these difficult times in Honduras.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
In other words...
These "other words" is what we are waiting for.
The Organization of American States, following the consent of the de facto interim government in Honduras, has decided to send a delegation of chancellors to Honduras. The mission of this group is to insist on a negotiated solution to the national crisis this Central American country has been experiencing since the 28th of June.
According to BBC World News, "The OAS hopes Mr. Micheletti can be persuaded to accept a detailed plan proposed by the Costa Rican President, Oscar Arias. Under this, Mr. Zelaya would return to serve out his presidency and a government of national reconciliation would be set up. There would be an amnesty for political crimes committed during the crisis, and presidential elections would be brought forward to 28 October."
A date has yet to be set for this reunion to take place.
Meanwhile, on the ground in Honduras supporters of Zelaya continue to gather and make their voices heard. Jean Monahan, the mother of one of our current volunteers, who just recently returned from a visit to see her daughter in Honduras on Tuesday, offered the following observation:
“About an hour from the airport yesterday we met up with the marchers heading to San Pedro Sula, so we inched along with them -- quite an adventure. They were all calm and cheerful and the police even seemed to be enjoying themselves."
It is interesting that the current situation in Honduras continues to be referred to as a "national crisis." Interesting, because in the area where our orphanage is located, and the places where our children come from, the struggle to survive every day can - and should - be considered a crisis. Amigos offers children a respite from this crisis, a chance to be well-fed, educated, loved, and breathe a bit more easily. But that daily life crisis continues for so many.
Jean Monahan concludes her reflection with a beautiful note, a few poignant "other words" that we may let sit on our hearts:
"I would encourage any parents who can do so to go visit and they will be impressed by the peace and beauty of the people, even in their simple life. I am reminded of Mother Teresa's insight that loneliness is the greatest poverty.”
Let us continue to unite our prayers in hope for a restoration of peace to this beautiful Central American nation, and for an end to the daily crisis of all the children.
The Organization of American States, following the consent of the de facto interim government in Honduras, has decided to send a delegation of chancellors to Honduras. The mission of this group is to insist on a negotiated solution to the national crisis this Central American country has been experiencing since the 28th of June.
According to BBC World News, "The OAS hopes Mr. Micheletti can be persuaded to accept a detailed plan proposed by the Costa Rican President, Oscar Arias. Under this, Mr. Zelaya would return to serve out his presidency and a government of national reconciliation would be set up. There would be an amnesty for political crimes committed during the crisis, and presidential elections would be brought forward to 28 October."
A date has yet to be set for this reunion to take place.
Meanwhile, on the ground in Honduras supporters of Zelaya continue to gather and make their voices heard. Jean Monahan, the mother of one of our current volunteers, who just recently returned from a visit to see her daughter in Honduras on Tuesday, offered the following observation:
“About an hour from the airport yesterday we met up with the marchers heading to San Pedro Sula, so we inched along with them -- quite an adventure. They were all calm and cheerful and the police even seemed to be enjoying themselves."
It is interesting that the current situation in Honduras continues to be referred to as a "national crisis." Interesting, because in the area where our orphanage is located, and the places where our children come from, the struggle to survive every day can - and should - be considered a crisis. Amigos offers children a respite from this crisis, a chance to be well-fed, educated, loved, and breathe a bit more easily. But that daily life crisis continues for so many.
Jean Monahan concludes her reflection with a beautiful note, a few poignant "other words" that we may let sit on our hearts:
"I would encourage any parents who can do so to go visit and they will be impressed by the peace and beauty of the people, even in their simple life. I am reminded of Mother Teresa's insight that loneliness is the greatest poverty.”
Let us continue to unite our prayers in hope for a restoration of peace to this beautiful Central American nation, and for an end to the daily crisis of all the children.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Hacia adelante... Moving forward!
Yesterday it was estimated that a few thousand supporters gathered in the streets of Tegucigalpa in support of the reinstatement of President Manuel Zelaya. Smaller groups of people came together in San Pedro Sula (the country's second largest city) in support of the same.
Today, Zelaya was set to meet with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil, "to analyze the situation of this Central American nation, victim of the military coup which took place on the 28 of June" (translated from today's article in www.telesurtv.net).
In other news, things at the Hogar are continuing well. The boys are healthy, and we have just brought on board a new director for our school who comes with a great deal of experience and knowledge in education, so hopefully this will be a good step for Holy Family School at Amigos.
About half of our incoming volunteers have arrived in Guatemala and begun language school. We would ask for your prayers for one of our volunteers who has unfortunately suffered a bit from the change of culture, diet, etc., and could use some intercession to get her health back on the right track.
The rest of our volunteers are headed down to language school in the next week and a half, and our prayers are with them as well as they prepare for their departure.
Finally, remember to mark your calendars!
On Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm Amigos de Jesús will be having a community picnic complete with food, games, events and FUN! A few of our boys will be coming up from the Hogar to meet and spend time with you, Amigos' generous and faithful supporters.
We would love for you to come to noon mass and then stay for the festivities!
Mass will be at St. Patrick’s Church in Malvern, PA and will be followed by the picnic at Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA. All are welcome!
Be on the lookout in our next newsletter for more information and an RSVP form! We hope you will be able to join us for this exciting event!
Today, Zelaya was set to meet with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil, "to analyze the situation of this Central American nation, victim of the military coup which took place on the 28 of June" (translated from today's article in www.telesurtv.net).
In other news, things at the Hogar are continuing well. The boys are healthy, and we have just brought on board a new director for our school who comes with a great deal of experience and knowledge in education, so hopefully this will be a good step for Holy Family School at Amigos.
About half of our incoming volunteers have arrived in Guatemala and begun language school. We would ask for your prayers for one of our volunteers who has unfortunately suffered a bit from the change of culture, diet, etc., and could use some intercession to get her health back on the right track.
The rest of our volunteers are headed down to language school in the next week and a half, and our prayers are with them as well as they prepare for their departure.
Finally, remember to mark your calendars!
On Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm Amigos de Jesús will be having a community picnic complete with food, games, events and FUN! A few of our boys will be coming up from the Hogar to meet and spend time with you, Amigos' generous and faithful supporters.
We would love for you to come to noon mass and then stay for the festivities!
Mass will be at St. Patrick’s Church in Malvern, PA and will be followed by the picnic at Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA. All are welcome!
Be on the lookout in our next newsletter for more information and an RSVP form! We hope you will be able to join us for this exciting event!
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