We were eating breakfast Sunday morning getting ready to leave for church
when we saw on the news that the President had been arrested and hauled
out of town in his PJs. We heard military jets fly overhead two or maybe
three times, but that was it. The power flickered once, but came right
back on and the most annoying thing was that the Internet was down and all
of the American tv channels disappeared for the day. We couldn´t get much
outside news all day.

Our missionaries in Honduras recommended for us to stay in for the day, so
that is what we did. I was anxious about the whole situation, but there
didn´t appear to be any reason for concern. The city (on our end) was
very quiet… probably much more so than normal, though I´ve only been
here once before and Sundays may usually be pretty quiet.

There is much talk among the Hondurans about the situation. My perception
is that the people want to see Zalaya return. I´m pretty anxious about
what might happen on his return should Michelleti continue in his refusal
to back down. It does look like the rest of the gov´t is behind him, so I
don´t know what to expect. I´m looking forward to getting out tomorrow
before it comes to a head, but I am profoundly disappointed that this is
going to affect hundreds of missionary teams from the States who had
similiar trips planned over the next few weeks. There is no end to the
poverty here and there is so much need. I am sure that much of the aid
recieved from other countries, including the US, is NOT reaching those for
whom it is intended. Hundreds of missionary groups come down every year
from all sorts of denominations, building houses, helping the poor and
sharing Christ with a wonderful and happy people. It is saddening to
think of what might happen should this prevent such groups to continue…
or should it just frighten them away. Even with the improvements made in
Honduras over the last twenty years, the poverty among so many of the
people is heartbreaking. I´m told the unemployment rate is almost 50
percent and you wouldn´t believe some of the places we´ve seen.

We have been here working with a missionary we support in the Valle de
Angeles about 30 miles outside of Tegucigalpa. We have helped minister to
the needs of the community with food and by building two houses for two
families. We have also conducted a roving Vacation Bible School for over
150 children who have gathered in and around where we have been working.

I would love to be in touch when I get back… let me know how I might can
help. You can just e’mail me directly at this address.
God bless,
Jim Black

Clint Cooper at the Times Free Press in Chattanooga here. I wonder if you have time to answer some questions about conditions in the country by e-mail for a story in the paper.

Thanks for your considerration,

Clint Cooper

In Him, Stacy