Project Honduras Conference

Last week, Steve and I, along with our clinic doctor, Dra. Xiomara Erazo, went to Copán Ruinas, Honduras for a great conference put together by ProjectHonduras.com  Several years ago, some insightful people had the idea to use the Internet as a networking tool for organizations, churches, mission programs, and other non-government organizations, to be able to see what others were doing, share ideas and maybe even get together on projects.  An annual conference grew from this 8 years ago and it is held in Copán.  Steve went last year.  It is very interesting to hear of the works other people are doing. 

After each 15-30 minute presentation, people were encouraged to ask questions or make comments concerning this particular presentation.  Sometimes, people would just say something encouraging, sometimes they would ask how they could start "such and such" project in their community, sometimes they ask for additional information, etc.  The first afternoon, a young man stood, presumably to make a comment or ask a question and said, "I came to Honduras to work for a year and my plans fell through.  If anyone needs me, I want to work...and I speak Spanish!"  There was applause...there were shouts...there was laughing...there were many "Wows".  On the last day of the conference, a young woman did pretty much the same thing.  She wanted to work with the group, "Students Helping Honduras" and asked how she could do that.  She was visiting from the U.S. and was ready to go to work!  I don't even know their names, but I bet they are going to make a difference in Honduras and the world!

For the first time in the 8 years the conference has been taking place, a diplomat was present.  The new U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, Hugo Llorens, was invited and he came!  He has just begun his 3-year appointment as Ambassador and seems like a very nice, down-to-earth man.   The photo I took of Ambassador Llorens didn't turn out well.  This photo is from the Internet, taken right after he moved to Honduras.

 

The town of Copán Ruinas is so quaint.  It reminded me a little of Antigua, Guatemala because of the cobblestone streets.  These are photos of the view from our hotel window. 

 

We have had a LOT of rain lately in Honduras!  I love it!  I love seeing it, walking in it, hearing it...Rain is good.  We need water to fill the pilas, etc.  But sometimes I forget about the less than positive consequences of all this rain.  On our way to Copán, I took some pictures of the scenery.  Here is a very muddy road.  We also passed areas where the roads were washed out and literally only enough highway was left for one vehicle at a time to pass.  I evidently didn't take a picture of this.

 

We saw lots of animals on the road.  Once we had to stop for a while for a whole herd of cattle.

Look at this beautiful scene from our window.  If you only visit Tegucigalpa when you're in Honduras, you might not realize how beautiful this country really is!