There has been quite a bit in the news over the past 48 hours or so regarding the political situation in Honduras. Manuel Zelaya (the ousted president) returned to the country on Monday (after living in exile in Nicaragua for the past three months), and is currently staying at the Brazilian Embassy (please note: neither the Organization of American States [OAS] nor Brazil played any part in planning and executing the return of Zelaya). As a result of this, a curfew was put into place for the entire nation (due to expire this evening). However, many citizens disregarded this curfew on Tuesday and flooded the streets of Honduras in support of Zelaya, and subsequently were dispersed last night and this morning by police. Many schools and offices closed since the return of Zelaya, though our boys continue to go to class and have lessons at our on-site school. Right now continued accessibility to food and other resources is one of the more prominent concerns for Honduran natives, according to BBC (though Ubil, our Honduran director, has been conscious of this from the beginning and at this point it is not an immediate issue for the Hogar).
The majority of the action – as has been the case since the beginning of this on June 28 – is taking place in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital. While airlines have cancelled flights to Honduras for today, and many for tomorrow as well, the most recent reports say that the streets all over are quiet now. Roberto Micheletti (the current de facto president of Honduras) has said that he will step down after Honduras’ national elections in November; however, Zelaya continues to demand his own reinstallation to presidency prior to the elections (noting he would then hand over the presidency in January when the presidential change takes place), and the international community is continuing to support him. According to the Honduran news source, Telesur, Insulza (the president of the OAS) sees Zelaya’s return as a possible golden opportunity to move forward and solve this national crisis and come to a peaceful agreement; for now, news reports say that the nation of Honduras is purely watching and waiting to see what will happen next.
Our children, our staff, and our volunteers are safe and sound; again, Macuelizo (the town where our orphanage is located) is many hours from Tegucigalpa and where the main demonstrations are happening. Ubil and our Honduran staff continue to take any necessary measures to ensure the well-being of our children and the Amigos family.
Right now we ask for your thoughts and prayers, as the nation of Honduras continues to struggle in the fight for stability and peace. Our Honduran friends have yet to lose hope or faith, despite the difficulties this country has faced for years, and in an intensified way for the past three months. We are called, as Christians, to offer them thoughts and prayers of solidarity and peace in these days. Thank you for your support.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Cancelled: Amigos de Jesús Picnic Sunday October 4, 2009
Urgent Message Concerning the Cancellation of the Amigos de Jesús Picnic Sunday October 4, 2009
Two weeks ago the USA embassy cancelled all new visas to the United States which prevents the children from coming to the States for the picnic. I emailed the Ambassador and the Consul General and they responded that they could not grant an exception but would let us know if the situation became better. Two days ago the situation became worse and the airports are now closed in Honduras with no chance for the children to come to the States. In light of this new development, and since the purpose of the picnic was for you to meet the children we are cancelling the picnic with the hope that when things settle down in Honduras we can bring the children up for you to meet them. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you but I want you to meet the children and it is impossible for that to happen at this time.
Thank you for your love, support and generosity to the children.
Primero Dios,
Fr. Den
Two weeks ago the USA embassy cancelled all new visas to the United States which prevents the children from coming to the States for the picnic. I emailed the Ambassador and the Consul General and they responded that they could not grant an exception but would let us know if the situation became better. Two days ago the situation became worse and the airports are now closed in Honduras with no chance for the children to come to the States. In light of this new development, and since the purpose of the picnic was for you to meet the children we are cancelling the picnic with the hope that when things settle down in Honduras we can bring the children up for you to meet them. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you but I want you to meet the children and it is impossible for that to happen at this time.
Thank you for your love, support and generosity to the children.
Primero Dios,
Fr. Den
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Come Celebrate Amigos de Jesús!
¡Todos son bienvenidos!
All are welcome!
What: A community picnic complete with food, games, events and FUN!
There will be a moonbounce, bracelet making, face-painting, free food and good company.
You are welcome to come first to 12:00 noon mass at Saint Patrick's and then stay for the festivities!
When: Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Who: All are welcome! We just need you to RSVP before September 20th to our office:
610-644-8237
amigos@amigosdejesus.org
Or post a comment right here on our blog telling us you'll be attending!
Once more, the details...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Mass 12 o’clock Noon
St. Patrick’s Church, Malvern, PA
followed by
A family picnic to share in and celebrate the Amigos de Jesús Community
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Malvern Preparatory School
418 S. Warren Ave. Malvern, PA 19355
We do hope you will be able to join us! Thank you for your continued support!
All are welcome!
What: A community picnic complete with food, games, events and FUN!
There will be a moonbounce, bracelet making, face-painting, free food and good company.
You are welcome to come first to 12:00 noon mass at Saint Patrick's and then stay for the festivities!
When: Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Who: All are welcome! We just need you to RSVP before September 20th to our office:
610-644-8237
amigos@amigosdejesus.org
Or post a comment right here on our blog telling us you'll be attending!
Once more, the details...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Mass 12 o’clock Noon
St. Patrick’s Church, Malvern, PA
followed by
A family picnic to share in and celebrate the Amigos de Jesús Community
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Malvern Preparatory School
418 S. Warren Ave. Malvern, PA 19355
We do hope you will be able to join us! Thank you for your continued support!
Hope for Renewal
Two days ago, on the 15th of September, Honduras celebrated her national independence day. Festivities abounded, "fiesticas" (little parties) were held in schools, parades could be seen in the bigger cities, there was celebration of the nation's independence, of the nation's sustainability, of her individualism as a country. The overt pride felt by the citizens of this country in being Honduran was evident. And yet, one cannot help but wonder, what sort of independence it really is that the people of this small Central American country can celebrate as they continue to struggle with a situation of political crisis.
Yesterday President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, who has been a pivotal player in trying to aid the journey to resolution for this country, held a meeting with four of the six declared candidates in the upcoming November election. The purpose of this meeting was to try to get them all on the same page insofar as what the world's leaders are saying - to clarify that no electoral results would be seen as legitimate by the international community (no matter who wins) if Manuel Zelaya was not first reinstated as President of Honduras. There has yet to be a report published regarding the success of yesterday's meeting.
Meanwhile, our boys are well at the Hogar, happy and healthy. The new group of volunteers is finishing up their last week of language school in Guatemala and will be arriving at our Hogar - their new home for the next 14 months - on Saturday. Here in Philadelphia we are "preparing the banquet," as you read in our recent newsletter, and getting ready for our October 4th Picnic celebration of the Amigos de Jesús community. We do hope you will join us!
[See above blog entry.]
As we accompany our sisters and brothers in Honduras in this time of celebration and independence, in the faith-filled journey towards a better tomorrow, and in the daily petition for peace, perhaps we can offer up together a prayer of hope.
Prayer for a World Renewed
O God,
our creator and sustainer,
we pray to you:
We want to celebrate life.
We cry out against all that kills life:
hunger, poverty, unemployment, sickness,
debt, repression, individualism,
abuse of the earth, injustice, and all other
forms of slavery.
We want to announce fullness of life:
work, education, health, housing,
safe environment, bread for all.
We want communion, solidarity,
a world renewed.
We hope against hope.
With the God of history,
we want to make things new again.
Amen.
Yesterday President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, who has been a pivotal player in trying to aid the journey to resolution for this country, held a meeting with four of the six declared candidates in the upcoming November election. The purpose of this meeting was to try to get them all on the same page insofar as what the world's leaders are saying - to clarify that no electoral results would be seen as legitimate by the international community (no matter who wins) if Manuel Zelaya was not first reinstated as President of Honduras. There has yet to be a report published regarding the success of yesterday's meeting.
Meanwhile, our boys are well at the Hogar, happy and healthy. The new group of volunteers is finishing up their last week of language school in Guatemala and will be arriving at our Hogar - their new home for the next 14 months - on Saturday. Here in Philadelphia we are "preparing the banquet," as you read in our recent newsletter, and getting ready for our October 4th Picnic celebration of the Amigos de Jesús community. We do hope you will join us!
[See above blog entry.]
As we accompany our sisters and brothers in Honduras in this time of celebration and independence, in the faith-filled journey towards a better tomorrow, and in the daily petition for peace, perhaps we can offer up together a prayer of hope.
Prayer for a World Renewed
O God,
our creator and sustainer,
we pray to you:
We want to celebrate life.
We cry out against all that kills life:
hunger, poverty, unemployment, sickness,
debt, repression, individualism,
abuse of the earth, injustice, and all other
forms of slavery.
We want to announce fullness of life:
work, education, health, housing,
safe environment, bread for all.
We want communion, solidarity,
a world renewed.
We hope against hope.
With the God of history,
we want to make things new again.
Amen.
Friday, September 4, 2009
The U.S. takes a stronger stand
The United States government has announced that it is halting all non-humanitarian aid to the Central American country of Honduras, which is currently equivalent to approximately 30 million dollars, as a result of the lack of resolution after the 28 June ousting of President Manuel Zelaya.
According to BBC World News, Zelaya was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying "With this decision of the United States, the countries of the Americas have formed a single bloc in condemning the coup."
As a result of this withdrawal of aid, Rafael Pineda, minister of the de facto presidency under Micheletti, points out that due to these economic sanctions being issued by the US now "some of the infrastructural works will be sacrificed; if they are nost paralyzed completely they will continue in very slow progress because the influx of resources will be much less." (read in and translated from the article "Gobierno de facto hondureño lamenta cancelación total de ayuda de EE.UU.," found in today's online news at www.telesurtv.net)
The United States continues to impose sanctions on visas being issued to Hondurans; Brasil has also now announced the suspension of issuing visas to citizens of Honduras. According to BBC, at this stage the US additionally notes that any elections insuing from this de facto government will not be recognized internationally as being legitimate. Honduras is due to have presidential elections in November 2009.
While this beautiful nation continues to struggle on the political front for the restoration of peace, our children at the Hogar are as bright and energetic as ever. They are a true reminder to all who are in their presence of the goodness that comes from a human child's innocence, and the beauty that resides in the human heart, blessed by Christ's divinity.
Thank you for your prayers.
According to BBC World News, Zelaya was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying "With this decision of the United States, the countries of the Americas have formed a single bloc in condemning the coup."
As a result of this withdrawal of aid, Rafael Pineda, minister of the de facto presidency under Micheletti, points out that due to these economic sanctions being issued by the US now "some of the infrastructural works will be sacrificed; if they are nost paralyzed completely they will continue in very slow progress because the influx of resources will be much less." (read in and translated from the article "Gobierno de facto hondureño lamenta cancelación total de ayuda de EE.UU.," found in today's online news at www.telesurtv.net)
The United States continues to impose sanctions on visas being issued to Hondurans; Brasil has also now announced the suspension of issuing visas to citizens of Honduras. According to BBC, at this stage the US additionally notes that any elections insuing from this de facto government will not be recognized internationally as being legitimate. Honduras is due to have presidential elections in November 2009.
While this beautiful nation continues to struggle on the political front for the restoration of peace, our children at the Hogar are as bright and energetic as ever. They are a true reminder to all who are in their presence of the goodness that comes from a human child's innocence, and the beauty that resides in the human heart, blessed by Christ's divinity.
Thank you for your prayers.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
More Recent Happenings
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.
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.
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.
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