Feature Series ›
Pilgrimage to Honduras
Visiting three small communities with 30 to 40 families in each group, we heard from the people how they had been displaced and were currently under threat of yet another displacement. All were poor working families paying rent but facing the possibility of losing their modest shelters: although one community had land gifted by its owner, they had no documents to prove that gift.
We hear so much about the caravans coming from Honduras that I wanted to see what would make people flee from their country. The control of the land and rivers by the wealthy and their corporate interests has created an environment of social instability and forced the expulsion of the people.
My experience with the "People of Faith Root Causes Pilgrimage to Honduras" delegation was memorable. One plea from groups and individuals was that we persuade our government not to send aid to Honduras because it is used by the government, its army and police forces to oppress the people. They said that the ordinary poor people, 60% of the population, never see aid from the U.S.
Pilgrimage to Honduras: I was particularly happy to be part of the delegation traveling to Honduras in a "reverse caravan," since it meant a return to the country where I had ministered for almost 19 years.
