We flew into Tegucigalpa Wednesday, April 22. Traveling with me are Fr. Reid, Kathy and Duane. The approach to the airport is interesting to say the least. Those experiencing it or the first time were quite grateful when the pilot finally brought the plane to a halt on the short runway. Spontaneous applause broke out. The airport is rated as the most dangerous one in the world by some accounts. Definitely gets your attention when you come in very low between two mountains, over the city, the pilot executes two sharp left hand turns, and comes in about two inches over the fence, or so it seems. Other than the thrills, all went as scheduled. Jeannie and Javier met us with our car and a second one to help with the luggage. Javier brought a money changer over to me to change some dollars for limpeira.
Driving in Honduras is almost as interesting as flying in. Tegucigalpa is like most other big cities, and we were glad to get out of it. The major highway north to south in the country is CA 6, the Pan American Highway. It is a two lane road, pavement wise, but is actually used a a four lane road at most times. Hondurans pass on curves, going up hills or whenever the urge hits them. The usual courtesy is for a slower vehicle to mive over slightly on the shoulder to allow for more room. It is definitely white knuckle driving passing going up a hill with two oncoming cars or trucks sharing one lane coming at you. Of course, I’m the driver and “tour guideâ€. I’m so lucky!
Staying at the Kellogg Centro in the Zamorano Valley about an hour from Teguz. My passengers were in a state of shock by the time we arrived. The Kellogg Centro quickly calmed their nerves. It is an oasis in this land of poverty. An agricultural research center established by the Kellogg Company of cereal fame. The lodge or hotel has 48 rooms, nicely appointed and comfortable. No a/c but large ceiling fans which help a lot. The Centro has a cafeteria and the plan is to eat breakfast and dinner there, and buy sandwich meat for lunch. Also, lots of bottled water, can’t drink the water away from Kellogg.
After getting luggage, etc into our rooms, we went to eat with Jeannie at the La Casona Del Valle Restaurante about a mile down the road. Quite good.
We took a short ride after settling in, and then ate dinner and crashed. I got up at 2:30 AM and this was 18 hours, two flights and a harrowing drive later. Tomorrow to Moroceli.
Short word on why we are here. A mission trip to work with the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras and the small community of Moroceli to establish a mission church and to help getting micro enterprises started. The object is to get the mission churches started, help them become self sufficient and be able to contribute as a church body to their communities. Another high priority, very high priority is to get wells drilled in Moroceli for clean water. The water source is surface water delivered by the Water Ministry when available. During the dry season, the winter, the rivers and creeks dry up and water is only available sporadically. When water is available any season, it is dirty, not fit for human consumption. but that is all they have. A non-profit, Texas Water Ministry, drills wells in Honduras for these small poor communities. they are currently able to drill 3-4 wells a year. We are talking with them to get Moroceli moved up on the priority list, which we may be able to accomplish by funding the drilling. We already have allocated money for this purpose, and are awaiting the geological survey which is to be done in May or early June. We are praying for water under the ground.
