WAY-FM team heading home amidst political disturbance

Thousands are protesting the Honduran President Manuel Zelaya's plan to change the constitution, reports MNN.

According to local media, the march, promoted by Protestant churches, lasted for several hours. Meanwhile, Zelaya heated things up by firing the military chief of staff and accepting the defense minister's resignation.

Earlier this week, the Honduran Congress blocked his bid to hold a referendum on June28, but Zelaya has scheduled the referendum for Sunday, ignoring the ruling of the court and objections from his own Liberal Party.

Neighboring Latin American constitutional shakeups recently extended presidential powers and eased bans on reelection. Zelaya's four-year term ends in early 2010, and current law requires him to step down.

Demonstrations against the forced vote could complicate the final day of work for a short-term mission team in Honduras. Sister ministry of Mission Network News Way-FM is with 30 listeners wrapping up an outreach effort with Orphan Outreach.

Spokeswoman Amy Norton says in light of the growing instability, they're concerned about their ability to head home today.

The team has been busy over the last 10 days distributing hundreds of Bibles and teddy bears to needy children, in addition to holding movie nights and drama programs. The medical team ministered physically and spiritually to hundreds, while another member of the team installed a water filtration system in every place the team has traveled in Honduras.

The construction team repaired sinks, roofs, and toilets for schools and orphanages, along with some "extreme home makeovers" for single mothers and their families. On top of that, the team put together a playground for a Christian school serving children who work in the dump in Tegucigalpa. What has been accomplished on this trip will enhance Orphan Outreach's ministry in the area.

Orphan Outreach developed Christian schools for orphans and at-risk children to help them develop spiritually and educationally and prepare them for adult independence. The mission of Orphan Outreach is to demonstrate Christ's unconditional love and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with "the least of these."

On another front, injured team member Steve Jordan and his wife have returned to the U.S. Keep praying for wisdom for the doctors as the assess what to do.

Due to his pain levels, Honduran doctors were concerned about multiple problems stemming from his 14-foot fall on June 22. Early diagnosis was "Open Book" pelvic fracture. In this kind of injury, the left and right halves of the pelvis are separated at front and rear, the front opening more than the rear, i.e like opening a book. It will require many months of recovery and rehabilitation.

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TAGS: Honduras President Manuel Zelaya change the constitution WAY-FM Orphan Outreach

[06/29/2009]

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