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Honduran instability threat leaves uncertainty hanging over ministry

Honduras issued an ultimatum over Brazil's shelter of ousted President Manuel Zelaya. Zelaya has been inside the Brazilian Embassy since sneaking back into the country last week. The threat of unrest hangs in the air, reports MNN.

In the meantime, the de facto government in Honduras silenced media outlets aligned with Zelaya. They also banned public gatherings and expelled diplomats from the Organization of American States.

Randy Daniels with Buckner International says, "The mission groups that we've had scheduled into Honduras certainly have been postponed until all this is resolved and we feel that they'll be safe and that things will be somewhat predictable. The on-the-ground ministry--our transitional homes where the kids leave the public system and live with us--that's a 24/7 operation."

Buckner's presence in Honduras is relatively new. In 2006, the Honduras government invited Buckner to visit the orphanages and needs of the children in Honduras. Additionally, Buckner crossed the borders of Honduras for the first time on an exploratory trip to visit orphanages in the city of San Pedro Sula.

Today, they're working with a Transitional Girls Home in San Pedro Sula. There, the program is designed to help young women transition out of care. It focuses on equipping them to become self-sufficient and independent.

They also have an alliance with Kids Matter International to run the Transitional Girls Home on Roatan Island. It's foster group care and an assessment center for girls ages 8-17 who cannot live at home because they are at risk of abuse and trafficking. The goal is for the girls to stay 90-120 days before transitioning them to Buckner or other foster or kinship care, or, ideally, back home through Buckner's family intervention programs.

Buckner works with government-run facilities, too, which include Nueva Esperanza and Casitas Adolescentes. Buckner provides dorms, food, clothing and other resources for the kids.

The kids are aware of the uncertainty going on around them. Daniels says their staff is using it as a teaching moment. "They certainly feel the unrest, the crisis. That's an opportunity for us to talk about Christ, to talk about who He is, to further disciple the kids--not only in times of national crisis in Honduras, but also during their times of personal crisis--that by faith in Christ, He walks us through it."

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TAGS: Honduras instability threat ministry President Manuel Zelaya Buckner International safety

[09/30/2009]

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