Several have asked me over recent weeks about the current status of Honduras mission trips. Should groups go? Should groups cancel? Am I going? There seems to be a lot of apprehension and misunderstanding concerning safety, how to resume mission work in this very needy country, and how to use unused airline tickets. People ask me if Jan and I are going this year. People ask me about the trips we made last year, even after the political unrest began. Let me try to answer some of the questions.
First, let me say that no place is ever totally safe and secure. There will always be people who are out to scam and take advantage of the “tourists”; thus anyone who travels to a foreign country, even good will ambassadors who are there in the name of Jesus, must be continually cautious. Many individuals and groups become comfortable after a few trips and let their guard down, forgetting the potential dangers. We who lead groups give the same advice every time–do not go out alone, always have 2-3 persons in a group, the larger the group the better, do not go to any places where the group is isolated, be accompanied by a Honduran if possible…. I am sure the list of rules and suggestions seems endless at times, and it is easy to ignore the rules and decide that going to Honduras a few times makes one a pro.
It is true that there are lawbreakers and homicides in Honduras. There are homicides in Tulsa. The fact that people get killed and robbed in Tulsa does not keep me from going there–the fact that people get killed and robbed in Honduras should not keep those from going who are really passionate about souls and spreading God’s kingdom.
We have 18 groups scheduled to be at Baxter this summer. We do our very best to provide a safe, secure environment with appropriate guidance and support. One of the groups scheduled to arrive this week for spring break is primarily college students. I mention this because the opinion I am sharing is not mine alone–the sponsors of these groups have also analyzed the situation and determined that it is possible to maintain safety.
Second, now is not the time to stop the work, now is the time to be involved more than ever. The need is great. The political uprising and subsequent isolation from the international community resulted in huge needs. People are receptive. I can tell you that an overwhelming majority of Hondurans are grateful for our presence, our love, our encouragement, and our support. Last summer, on the day of our arrival in Honduras, we sat down with a group of Hondurans to eat lunch, and they called us the brave ones, the courageous, the bold. They need to know they are not alone in meeting the challenges.
Third, let me tell you about our experience with unused tickets on Continental. (Each airline may be different, so readers should check with their own carrier.) Jan has an unused ticket from last year for a trip originally planned to Guatemala. She was not able to make the trip due to a death in the family. On Continental, we are told that it is not necessary to use the ticket within a year of the date it was written–it is necessary to reschedule the use of the ticket within a year. The date the ticket will be used could be over a year later than the original date of writing, and even from the original date of travel. Tickets written for summer 2009 can be used for travel this year, and perhaps even into the coming year. (Again, check with your carrier.)
Let me encourage you to continue mission trips to Honduras and your faithful support of the good works being done there. Jan and I will head for Honduras in a few weeks and stay about three weeks. We will be cautious, but we are not concerned with unmanageable safety and security concerns. In fact, while we were there last year during the political unrest, we made trips to various locations around Honduras with no problems.
Perhaps what we have here is a “heart check”. Why were you involved in Honduras in the first place? Short-term missions is not about vacationing, taking a break, having fun, or a host of other things that may or may not accompany a short-term trip. I am not opposed to people having a good time in conjunction with mission trips (although many people are amazed that Jan and I have never been to Roatan after 15 years and dozens of trips to Honduras). (You may want to read some articles about short-term missions.)
May God bless you as you strive to fulfill his will in your life! Perhaps we’ll run across one another in Honduras.