Ambiance Celebration Label

Ring IconFree Weddings! I forgot to mention last month that municipal Tegucigalpa authorities waive nuptial fees during August, to “promote and strengthen family bonds.” 800 couples took advantage of the savings to wed. This included a massive ceremony for 470 couples in the plaza fronting the downtown Dolores church. The Mayor presided over a ceremony with readings from the Bible and articles of the Family Code.

Double Face IconDía del Niño. Toy stores advertise more than at Christmas for this day, the 10th, that celebrates children. Schools, churches, etc., raise funds all year to throw big parties with goodies, piñatas, and the equivalent of a Christmas stocking for their youngsters. ICLH’s Children’s Ministry and congregations hosted parties for our children.

Independence Bell IconIndependence Day. From my balcony on the 16th, Honduras’ 187th anniversary of independence from Spain, I watched nature’s show of heat lightning to my left, and to my right, the city’s display of shimmering fireworks over downtown.

Soccer Stadium Icon¡Fútbol! The streets of Tegucigalpa were abandoned while soccer fans watched the matches on the 6th and the 10th. When Honduras beat Canada 2-1, and Jamaica 0-2, the city erupted into paeans of enthusiasm and joy (and maybe a little disbelief…)


Janet Alcántara
I.C.L.H., Apdo. 2861
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
C.A.
2nd Aniv Logo
September 08/yr. 3
in Honduras
Janet Alcántara

"The Lord does not let us forget His wonderful actions.”  --Psalm 111:4

For me, this was a year of being pulled up short in the face of things (lots) I could not do…  Nevertheless, it is also a year of watching God at work in the communities, whatever our institutional or personal limitations.

“How much longer will you be in Honduras?” people ask me.  My original contract was for 2 years, but I was granted a one-year extension (with a term ending in June or July, 2009). I don’t have enough information at this time to know whether or not to apply for a final extension. I hope to have some sense of that by the end of the year.

Los Pinos Beach Near La Ceiba Monte Horeb

Top, Los Pinos, above Lake Yojoa; center, beach near La Ceiba; lower left, Monte Horeb near Talanga, Olancho. Right, congregational leaders at Los Pinos.

  

Twice yearly, Lutherans from Minnesota come to offer theological/liturgical workshops for ICLH leaders. This month meant something new: a team of six Minnesotans and six Hondurans (and I) travelled all over the country for a week to hold three regional, hands-on trainings in Bible study, group facilitation, and leading worship. Exhausting for the leaders—but the mutuality and learning was amazing!

Los Pinos Congregation

In faith and service in Christ,

--janet

Deaconess Janet Russell Alcántara/Iglesia Cristiana Luterana de Honduras/dcsjanet@hotmail.com