A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM
Martha Rivera and Kyle Huhtanen To All Friends of Mission Predisan
As many of you know, Honduras is experiencing political unrest, and we wanted to pass along what we know at present, and assure you that Predisan is doing everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of our visitors and staff.
Honduran president Jose Manuel Zelaya, was deposed yesterday (Sunday, June 28) by the military and flown to Costa Rica. The Congress of Honduras immediately voted to remove Zelaya from office, and named Roberto Micheletti, the head of the Congress, as provisional president.
The situation in Tegucigalpa and the country is now stable, but tense. The U.S. Embassy has issued a message that all non-essential travel to Honduras be deferred until further notice. Some demonstrations and disturbances are occurring in the area of the Presidential palace, and a curfew is in effect.
Observers stress that the situation may calm down and come to nothing - but also say a chief cause of concern is the support of Zelaya by President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and other leftist leaders in the region.
One volunteer group from Oklahoma is working in the mountains this week, and plans are underway to bring them back to the U.S. as soon as space is available on coming flights. A group from Atlanta due to travel to Honduras on Thursday, July 2 has cancelled its trip. A group from Searcy, Ark., set to arrive on Friday, July 3 is monitoring the news and will decide the day before their scheduled departure.
However, if you have a trip planned to Predisan later in the summer, please do not cancel your trip at this time, and we will be in close touch about developments as they occur. Predisan has made extensive plans for your groups, as have the communities or clinics you will serve, and we hope and pray those plans can go forward for the benefit of all. Our primary concern, though, of course, is for the safety of all who work with us on behalf of those in need in Honduras.
As for some brief background on this situation, the ousting of President Zelaya resulted from his efforts to call a referendum on Sunday that could have led to changing the constitution of Honduras. His efforts are viewed as an attempt to procure a longer term in office, beyond January 2010 when his term ends.
The Honduran Supreme Court ruled that the referendum was not legal, but Zelaya continued with his efforts to hold the election, resulting in his being deposed. Observers say what is happening is not a true coup, but an attempt by Honduran leaders to ensure a democratic government for Honduras. Coverage of these events is available on all major news outlets.
We sincerely ask your prayers for our staff, our current visitors and for their families as they return to the U.S., and for the people of Honduras. We will update you as the political situation develops and the outcome becomes clearer.
Thank you for all the ways you show your love and concern for Mission Predisan!
Please pray for us,
Martha Rivera, Executive Director
Kyle Huhtanen, Director of International Relations
For information and inquiries, please e-mail Predisan-USA, Inc.:
John Wilguess, Development Consultant: jwilguess@hotmail.com
Lindy Adams, Director of Public and Church Relations: ladams@predisan.org
or Sharon Kemp, Treasurer: skemp@predisan.org
Mission Predisan is a non-profit Honduran corporation. Predisan-USA, Inc., is a 501(c)3
non-profit corporation, which supports Mission Predisan's work through fund-raising and development.
