Wed., 18 Mar. - The fire apparently died overnight and we could not see any indication of it from this distance.

More water problems. We had not had water from the city for over a week and people were starting to run out, us included. Thank goodness for the well that ‘Living Water International’ drilled here a couple of years ago. I filled the tank, (gravity feed system), from the cistern on Tuesday. Half way through Wed. morning there was no more water. It appears a tap someplace has been left on but I can’t find it and I don’t want to use up all the water in the cistern filling the tank just to have it drain away. We will turn on the pump to fill containers when we need water.

Tuesday afternoon there were some booths set up at this end of the football field next door. The city was sponsoring a presentation against violence. In an effort to attract people they had some giant puppets ‘dancing’. Later there were speeches and music, rather pleasant and not too loud. They wrapped things up about 8 pm.


Giant dancing puppets at the city’s presentation

Things seem to be slowing down as we approach the end of our stay and we are looking forward now to getting home and seeing our family

Thurs., 19 Mar. - Eva has had a sore throat for the last 3 days and has been finding it difficult to teach. We were able to get some menthol throat tablets today that are helping.


These “Mototaxis” have started to appear around El Paraiso. They are operated like a motorcycle and have a motorcycle engine. They can carry 2 adult passengers and are quite cheap to hire with driver.

Fri., 20 Mar. -This morning we went to Cristo Rey to meet Dean Alejandro and Jeannie, then on to the deanery meeting in Jacaleapa. Alejandro told us that there are about 6000 people, mostly single mothers, in the Danli area who are now out of work. The church will do what they can, however most of their members are from the poorer groups who are themselves struggling


A common sight, increasing as ‘Semana Santa’ (Holy Week), approaches is the police, with military backup, checking vehicles for registration and violations, particularly impaired driving

Eva’s last class was this evening, those who could already carry on a conversation in English. We now have to clean everything up and get ready to leave.

I don’t know what happened, but this afternoon when we got back, we had water in the taps from the tank. I don’t think I’ll question it any further.

One of the chairs for Jacalapa purchased with the donation from Western Canada

Sun., 16 Mar. - they have been working on the sewer installation all week. First they dug the trench and put in the pipes, then filled it in. Then they dough holes over the pipes they had just covered up to build the junction/clean-outs. Then they dug a trench from each house to put in a connecting pipe and covered it in. Then they re-dug a hole at the end of the each pipe by and in front of the house to build a brick and concrete connection box which will later be connected to the household system, replacing the septic tank. I haven’t been able to figure out why they didn’t do all the digging and lay all the pipe at once then cover it in leaving only the holes where they were going to build the junction/clean-outs and connection boxes. At least it created a lot of jobs in this time of higher than the normal high unemployment.


During the Pilgrimage, Eva (in English) shares the Gospel reading with Rev. Dean Alejandro (in Spanish)

We ran out of water in the holding tank Sat. morning but decided not to fill it until Sunday as we were afraid it might be drained with all the people expected Sat. night. The cistern is also low and we don’t expect water from the city until the end of construction on this street.

Yesterday we took the bus downtown to meet Jeannie and collect the refund we were able to get from the Hotel Kyros. We were still charged more than quoted last year and didn’t get the 25% discount, probably because there was only one room used. We then had lunch, did some shopping and came back.

Last night, Sat., there was a concert at the church. Music and vocalists were provided by several churches in the area. It was very loud, too loud for me so I sat outside on the balcony as the sound was just as loud in the apartment. Eva and Jeannie joined me after about an hour. They had a very good turnout. Tickets were 20 L and they were selling food and beverages. I expect they did well financially.


The ‘Focon’ or wood stove used by the restaurant where we ate breakfast in Yuscaran.

This afternoon I noticed a little smoke on a hillside 2 or 3 miles away. This evening we could first see a glow and as the fire proceeded up the far side of the hill it got redder until now, at 7:30 pm, we can see the orange of the flames and the visible progression up the ridge. It’s too far away to get a good photo.

Tues., 10 Mar. -



The garden of the Humuya Inn from the dining area.

The Humuya Inn is beautiful. All the reception people speak good English and have been well trained by Scott, the American manager. The rooms are spacious, the beds comfortable, and there is free internet, (with 3 computers for guest use just off the garden/restaurant area). About 5:30 pm on Thursday we arrive back at the hotel. Long term friends of us all, Josefina Santos and Claudia Zuniga were invited to dinner and we had a wonderful visit.


Josefina Santos, Claudia Zuniga and Hugh Rowlinson

Friday we went first to the Project Office to meet with Sandra Herrera and her assistants to learn of the activities of ‘Anglidesh’ (Anglican Agency for the Development of Honduras). Sandra spoke of the Credit Union, aid to small communities to improve life and sanitation by helping build toilets, efficient ‘fogons’ (wood burning stoves), cement floors in houses, and ‘pilas’ (water storage tanks). Another important project is helping parishes with plans for fund raising businesses. These businesses are designed to not only help the parish become self supporting but to help people in the community. Anglidesh provides assistance in preparing a business plan, startup funds, and management training and oversight through the first 3 years of the project.


Bob buys bread from one of the students

After our meeting we dropped into the class downstairs on making specialty breads. We were warmly received and had an opportunity to buy some of the breads for a later snack. Delicious!

Next we headed about 30 km north of Tegucigalpa to the small village of ‘Reventón’ where Lay Pastor Rudy Velasquez serves.


Bob and Rudy eat lunch in the home in Reventon

They meet in the home of a very poor family who cannot afford to send their children to school. On special days, when everyone shows up, like Easter, they hold services in the local school. We shared our picnic lunch with the family.

On to our next stop at ‘Santa Cruz, Arriba’. This is the church where Rev. Gladys Velasques, (now in El Pedregal), was ordained last year and we had the opportunity to be her lay sponsors.



One of the girls displays the cushion cover she is working on.

They have a successful project hand embroidering table cloths, cushion covers and alter linen. Twice a year an American comes to collect the output and take it to the US for sale.


A street in Villa Nueva. The road is about 45 degrees and required low gear and brakes to descend.

Our next visit was to the East of Tegucigalpa in the community of ‘Villa Nueva’. This community is built on the side of a hill and has been the site of a congregation for several years. They have over the years built a large facility attached to the church with classrooms, kinder garden, kitchen, dormitory, workshops and meeting rooms. The community itself is very poor and the majority of residents are either unemployed or earn very little. This has caused the church to have to suspend many of the programs until they can find more funding.

Returning to the hotel about 4:30 we were able to have a rest before we met Rev. Dean Maria Consuelo and her husband for dinner at the hotel and a final wrap up of out visit to the Deanery for Francisco Morizan.

Saturday morning we left the hotel about 9 am for the airport. We left early because we had to make final arrangements for our flight home on 27 March and the TACA Airline counter is closed from 10 am to 5 pm on Sat. While Eva arranged that, I turned in the vehicle. Bob and Hugh went through security about 10:30 and we headed over to Patty’s home. After dropping off our things we walked over to the ‘Mall Multiplaza’ for shopping and lunch.

I will be in contact with ‘National Car Rental’ representative when I return on 26 Mar. regarding settlement of the damage to Bob and Ann-Marie’s clothes from what appeared to be battery acid someone had spilled on the seat before we rented the vehicle

For supper at Patty’s we ordered pizzas. There were 9 of us, (4 teens, 3 adults and 2 children), so we ate a lot. We were very grateful to be able to stay in town the night rather than have to drive back to Danli then return to Teguc. Sunday to pick up SAMS US missionary Jeannie Loving who was returning from 3 weeks in the US.

Sunday morning we met Jeannie’s flight and went to the ‘Cascade Mall’ for lunch and so she could stock up on groceries. Then back to Danli.

Monday Eva had classes in the afternoon and evening.


City workers installing the sewer junction in front of the church. They build a round tube with bricks then plaster with concrete.

City workers have been installing sewer lines in the area. Monday afternoon a backhoe arrived outside the church and proceeded to dig a large hole. They had to put in a junction where 2 streets joined. The job continued into Tuesday. It was interesting to note that practical every schoolchild on the way home ducked under the safety warning tape, (which didn’t survive the night), to have a look.

Mon., 2 Mar. - Sunday we had Bob, Hugh, and Anna Maria, (the Peace Corps worker who will be translating), to our place for breakfast. We had had trouble finding a restaurant that we knew would be open for Sun. breakfast. We served a ‘plato tipico’ consisting of scrambled eggs, refried beans, queso fresco, (fresh cheese), avocado, tortillas and coffee. We had planned on fresh cantalope but when I cut it open, it was green inside even though it appeared ripe from the outside. Fortunately we had some pineapple juice in the refrigerator. We visited, got acquainted, then went to Cristo Rey for the morning service.


One of the children in Jacaleapa sitting at one of the tables in one of the chairs donated from western Canada through SAMS

After a picnic lunch with Dean Alejandro and discussions re the deanery, we went to Jacaleapa for an afternoon service. Following the service, one of the congregation made an excellent presentation to the congregation and us re proposed projects that they felt they could accomplish. These projects were to provide income for both the church and those working on them. The proposals will now be submitted to ‘Anglidesh’, (Anglican Agency For The Development Of Honduras), for approval and seed money. Eva then presented to the congregation the Sunday School chairs and tables that had been bought with part of a donation from western Canada. We will also be making presentations in Oropoli and Talanga later in the week.

Today we met at 8:30 and headed for Juteapa. This town to the west of Danli is one of the central locations selected to open a preaching point this year. Unfortunately, the local church leader, Yenia Banegas, the public school principal, had to be in Danli today so we didn’t get to meet her. However, we were able to tour the school and talk extensively with the vice principal, learning a lot about the town, the school, and the children. For instance, she mentioned that 90% of the students leaving primary school go on to high school, quite a high percentage here. Juteapa was very hard hit by the rains in Oct. with extensive crop loss and flooding of homes.

We then went back through Danli and south to San Matias, another location planned for opening a preaching point this year. The local leader here, Alicia Valerio has been a member of the church for several years and has just completed the pre seminary training. We visited her in her home and learned about her the community and their plans for starting a congregation.

From San Matias we went to El Paraiso city to visit Rev. Deacon Hilda Lagos and her church ‘La Resurrection’. Hilda, a long time friend of us all, had a delicious chicken and rice dinner waiting for us. Following dinner we talked about the parish and their plans. We then did a quick tour of the area she covers, visiting the community of El Rodeo, (1 ½ km away), and the area surrounding the site for a proposed second area church, San Alerio, (2 ½ km in another direction). The church already has the land and will need about $5000 US to put up a building.

Arriving back in Danli we split up agreeing to meet 1 ½ hours later for supper. When we got back together we discovered that there is a problem with the SUV we rented. Bob has had 2 pair of new pants disintegrate in the seat, and Anna Maria had a pair of jeans begin to rot in the seat. Both of them had been sitting in the back seat. We compared notes and checked the car to find there has apparently been something like battery acid spilled on the seat and it was affecting the cotton pants but not the material of the seat which is probably polypropylene. I notified National and will straighten it out when we turn the car in. In the meantime I bought large heavy duty plastic bags to cover the seat and will put a blanket over them.

Wed.,4 Mar. - Tuesday morning I woke up with diaorrhea. I took some medication but continued frequent visits and took more. Things finally settled down and we headed downtown to pick up Bob and Hugh. Then off to Yuscaran where we checked into the Colonial Hotel. This is a rather large colonial building facing the main square and was renovated 2 years ago. It is in excelent condition. Not as luxurious as the Kyros Hotel in Danli, the 4 rooms are rather plain but in good repais and very clean. The biggest drawback is the bathroom door, actually the lack thereof. Not even a curtain. But the showers are hot, which we don’t have at the apt. in Danli.

After checking in we drove to Oropoli. There were several others gong to so Dean Dagoberto drove as well. We met Rev. Deacon Lourdes and her husband Heriberto, (pastor of Oropoli), at the house they use to hold services. Over the next half hour other members of the congregation drifted in and they finally decided to get started with the meeting. I was beginning to feel quite ill and went to lie down in the SUV. At the meeting the needs, dreams, and plans for the church were discussed. These included renting a location to set up as a church or, preferably, buying land and building. Another plan is to conduct a training course in electricity. The government will supply an instructor if the church can provide a location and about $500 for supplies. They can train about 30 students. Following the meeting, lunch was served. This was a typical meal of rice, potato salad and a little beef with, of course, tortillas and soft drinks.


Members of the congregation in Oropoli with the Hymn books donated through SAMS

Before we left we had the pleasure of preseting to Lay Pastor Eriberto 20 hymn books. They are a collection of 749 songs in this collection published by the Dioces of Honduras. This was the second part of the donation from western Canada.

After lunch we returned to Yuscaran, arriving about 4. We then took it easy until the meeting we had with some of the people of the Yuscaran church to hear about their needs, plans and dreams. Following this we went to the restaurant next door for Honduran Tacos, m m good.

Tuesday night was unseasonably cold. We had only 1 blanket and were barely able to keep warm. The 4 of us went to ‘Comodor Lilas’ for breakfast where we ran into Bruce and Jane Ergood from the US. We have worked with them for several years. They have been conducting workshops for the health care workers in the deanery and Bruce has been teaching at the university in El Zamarano.

After breakfast we went to the towns of Moroceli, Cacao, and Ojo de Agua were we met the priest or pastor and learned of their plans and dreams. In Morocoli we also inspected the property they are purchasing, probably Friday. It already has a large concrete block building on it which will make an excellent church, a smaller building which will house the computer lab they plan to establish, and is surrounded by a 10 ft wall for security, (a big thing here). All this is costing only $25,000 US and the money has just arrived at the deanery office in Tegucigalpa. The son of the Priest, Carlos, Alvarada is a computer technician and they have made arrangements of 15 computers. At Ojo we had lunch before the meeting.


Bob Burns joins Rev. Dean Dagaberto and Rev. Raphael in an impromptu sing-along at Corral Quemado

Leaving Ojo we went to Corral Quemado, a favorite community of many former visitors to this area. Corral now has electricity so no more generator at night if a group is staying there. Rev. Rafael, Dean Dagoberto’s brother is still in charge there. Before and after the meeting Dago and Rafael treated us to short concerts of music and song, first with the 3 string base and guitar and after with Rafael on the violin and Dago on the guitar. We had planned to visit Rancho Obispo, another of Rafael’s churches, but we were all getting weary and there was little to be gained so we returned to Yuscaran.

We got back early enough that Eva and I were able to get to the Credit Union where we have had an account for 3 years, and close the account which we no longer need. We could also feel it cooling rapidly as the day ended and obtained extra blankets for the night.

At 6:30 we met again with Dean Daboberto and translator Anna Mariea for dinner and a final wrapup and disussion of the deanery’s priorites.

Thurs., 5 Mar. - We are now in Tegucigalpa, staying at the beautiful Humuya Inn. We left Yuscaran at about 8 am and headed for Ojo de Agua were we were to meet Dean Maria Conduelo and Maria del Carmen who will translate. We first went to Villa Sanfrancisco and met Rev. Gladys Valasquez, a long time friend who we had the honour of sponsoring at her ordination as priest last year. Gladys showed us the new ‘Coporativa’, (Credit Union) opened in Feb. by the church. They are a new branch of the church’s Credit Union which accepting deposits and in future assisting members with loans for small businesses and buying homes. We then received a tour of the lovely church.


Pilgrimage member Bob Burns in at the church in El Pedrigal with Rev. Dean Maria Consuelo, Rev. Gladys Velasquez and 3 of the local children

Next we went to El Pedregal. SAMS Canada has been assisting with the support of whichever pastor is serving El Pedrigal ever since the team from Knowlton Quebec arrived there as an evangalistic brigade and the congregation began. We visited the church building and learned of their hopes and dreams.

It was then on to Telanga, some 50 km north where Canadian missionary Kara Thompson Mejia and her Hondran husband Nelson Mejia first served. (Both are now ordained and working on the Bay Island of Roatan.) The current pastor is Hector Salgado who also serves in Guiamaca, a further 40 km away, where we also visited. Before we left Talanga we made the final presentation from the gift, 10 bibles, 5 to each of the churches under his leadership.

After Guiamaca we returned to Ojo de Agua where Rev. Dean Maria and Maria del Cammen transferred to their own vehicle and we both headed to Teguc.