THE FUTURE OF HONDURAS IS BRIGHT

There are so many reasons to wring your hands and to say all is lost. The world is, obviously, going to the birds and most here in Honduras feel the same way about their country.  Crime, poverty, the destruction of the family and a hundred other factors sometimes blind us to the reasons for optimism we should have.  Several times since we arrived here we have read newspaper articles that tell us that San Pedro Sula is the murder capital of the world.  We should be terrified, but we are not.  Just take a minute with us and let us mention a few of the reasons we have for believing the future of Honduras is bright.

 

THE CHILDREN:

 

 

Their faces shine with joy! Each is a living testimony that love still exists in the world.  And so does hope!  These children come with divine potential.  In our opinion, as long as there are children there is a reason to be optimistic about the future.  Here in Honduras our LDS primary classes are full of laughter and smiles and song.  They sing with radiant happiness and a certain God-given knowledge that they are a "Child of God."  They don't doubt for a second that He will "lead them, guide them and walk beside them." In 20 years they will be mothers and fathers themselves.  They will have been raised with a solid foundation of truth.  They will not be blind to the evils of the world, but they won´t be participants in them either.   The future is bright.

 

 

Four LDS young lady wearing their Young Women's medallions and a recommend for the temple dedication

 

2. WILLINGNESS TO WORK

 

The people of Honduras feel that eight hours is a good start!  Many of them work twelve hours each day - often in strenuous, physical labor.  They work for pennies, but they never  miss a day of work.  They view work as a blessing, and if they are among the lucky ones who have a job they never fail to offer up their thanks to God for it. 

 

 

Day after day men and women are at their posts.  Even those who beg for a living never miss a day.  This fellow has been a familiar fixture for us here in San Pedro Sula.  He walks up and down through traffic in hopes for a penny or two.  Even on days when no one else is working we will see him.  Every time we offer him a tiny token he returns the favor with a cheerful "May God bless you."  We think God has blessed us to get to know these people and to witness their willingness to work.  The future of Honduras is bright.

3. THE GROWTH AND SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL 

 

Everywhere you look you see evidence that the gospel is rolling forth to fill this land.  Just last week the Fesitranh Stake was divided - the first stake division in fifteen years.  In March the first temple in this country was dedicated and the people are sacrificing of their time and means to frequent it.

 

This is the Leon family from Copan Ruinas.  They were the very first people baptized in that tiny little city.  Their daughter, Rosa, was set apart as a missionary this week by President Dester.  We were told that she is the first missionary to ever leave from that branch of the Church.  Their story of faith is so impressive.  While talking with him he explained that they had to walk 90 minutes to church every week, but that they are always there.  I exclaimed, "Ninety minutes!"  He calmly said, "It only takes 40 minutes on the way home because it is all downhill."  With people that have that kind of faith, the future of Honduras is bright.

4. THE AVERAGE MAN.

Honduras is home to drug cartels which traffic billions of dollars of illegal drugs throughout the world.  There are two rival gangs - both known by numbers: 18 and 13 - which cause certain areas of our city and this county to be terribly dangerous.  But, the average person here in Honduras is kind, a little bit shy, and quick with a smile and a warm hello.  Given the chance, they will open their hearts and their homes to people who are complete strangers. 

The Paulino family and the Rodriguez family from El Carmen

We have been welcomed and loved by these people.  They would do the same for anyone who came to their door bearing them no ill will.  More than any other reason, we believe the future of Honduras is bright because we believe in the overall goodness of their people.  The truth is that we will never fully recognize all the problems that exist in Honduras nor be able to express all of the reasons there are for optimism.  But, we believe in these people, and we believe that Heavenly Father has a special role for them to play in the unfolding of future events.  It has been an honor to be here.