Honduras is not what I was expecting. I’m learning that as each month of the world race comes and goes my heart expands more and more. El Salvador captured my heart with its beautiful scenery, its beautiful and smiling people, and its carefree culture. Honduras is very different, the Capital Tegulcigalpa isn’t the most beautiful city, the people here seem a little rougher around the edges, and the culture is tired from years and years of violence. But to me it’s beautiful, not because I can visibly see it, but because I know that deep within these people, underneath all their need, beyond all the violence, is a hope that one day this country will know peace and beauty will spring up from these ashes.
We are working with a ministry this month called Zion’s Gate and it is run by an American man who has a passion for street kids. Here in Honduras street kids range anywhere between 10-20 years of age and spend most of their time on the street getting high off of paint thinner and other drugs. They are known thieves in their communities and many have violently assaulted/killed people. They are a menace to their society and most of them go on to join gangs and die young.
There are 11 boys living here at the ministry site with us. Many of their stories I don’t even know, but I have been told that their stories are some of the most tragic tales. They haven’t been here for more than a few months but 2 things they all want: love and a better life. By simply looking at them and hanging out with them you would never guess that these boys (12-18) just a few months ago were getting high on paint thinner and spending their nights out on the streets with 200 other street kids. Most of them come from Los Pinos, which is somewhat a suburb of the Capital Tegulcigalpa and is known as one of the most dangerous and poorest neighborhoods in all of Honduras. Sector F is what is referred to by many politicians when they discuss the violence in their country.
During the week we go into Los Pinos and are doing various projects there. For example, last month another squad was at this ministry site and while 3 girls were walking in Los Pinos a young man, Ronald, ran by and stole one of the girls camera –but through a series of events and the community for the first time getting involved the camera was returned to our ministry contact Tony. Tony presented the Idea to his boys that maybe instead of getting angry and getting the police involved, what if instead we go in and pain the house of Ronald’s sister –who Ronald sometimes lives with unless she kicks him out. The boys at first said no way, but after thinking about it some more they all agreed that it would be a good idea –it was different, something they had never once thought before to do. So the other day we went and asked Ronald’s sister (who had heard about the camera incident) if we could paint her house. Surprised, she said yes and picked out the colors that she wanted. What Tony is doing in the community Los Pinos is revolutionary, it’s counter-culture, and its making a difference in the lives of the 11 street boys he has living with him and the hundreds more he knows by a first name basis still living in Los Pinos.
This is just a little introductory to this month’s ministry; there is so much more going on, and my next blog I hope to write about 1 of the boys living here specifically. His name is Mario, he’s 14 years old, and he’s become like a little brother to me. However, he still hasn’t fully given up his old life yet…
Mario, Carlos, y Fernando
Herman
Ronnie, Ariel, y Carlos
Daniel, Christopher, y Herman
I am just a little over $3,700 from being fully funded! My last deadline for the full amount is July 1st. Click the Support me Financially if you would like to help me reach this goal! Also, in just 2 weeks i'll be shifting continents and heading to Romania! Muchas Gracias por todo!
