Honduras

I've been in Honduras for the last couple of weeks. I introduced Catherine to her placement in Siguatepeque and then went onto Tegucigalpa, the capital. There I was visiting various projects that could be stride placements for the future. Most of the introductions were through Red Viva Honduras (a network of organisations working with children and youth at risk). There's a huge amount of work going on - with lots of local churches or national denominations taking the initiative in reaching their own and surrounding communities with the good news of Jesus - in word and deed. Some of the projects were well connected with funders and supporters -mainly in the USA - but others were operating on a shoe string and still making a difference in people's lives. It was a busy few weeks!

Volcan Pacaya -in the rainy season

I took the new Striders on a tour up to Volcan Pacaya - as it's the rainy season, it was slightly different to my last visit. Here's a few photos.

Roasting Marshmallows on the volcanic lava!!!

Coming down the volcano in the dark was an experience!!!

New Striders

This week I've been getting to know the new Central America Striders.

Catherine is off to Honduras to work with the children's ministry of Scripture Union Honduras.

Joel is off to Costa Rica to work on computery things with Letra Viva (a network of Christian publishers.)

Matt and Jo are staying here in Guatemala and will be working with El Castillo.

Independence

16th September was Mexican Independence day so there were lots of celebrations whilst I was there. They had a big stage set up in the main square - where they had lots of bands playing. Everyone congregated there the night before - when they had a new years eve style count down and fire works at midnight.
This parade may or may not have been for independence day - but it's got music!!!

I was in Mexico for Guatemala Independence Day (15th September) so missed the celebrations - but the school across the road from my house have been practicing their marching drummers every night for about the last 6 months - so I feel I've had a flavour of it!!! But more next year!

Political Graffiti (Mexico)

Whilst in San Cristobal, I noticed quite a lot of political graffiti. San Cristobal is in the State of Chiapas, which has been the centre of an uprising that begin in 1994. I admit that I don't know that much about it - but the graffiti made me want to investigate more....

(Immediate liberty for the political prisoners on hunger strike in 'El Amate' and 'Los Llanos')


(Inform yourself, organise yourself, fight; the revolution is just beginning.)


(Commando kills hippies)
I'm not sure if these are political or just artistic, but I like them.

San Cristobal de Las Casas

We stayed in San Cristobal de Las Casas ......- a fairly touristy city - with plenty of Mexican tourists as well as foriegners. Here's a few pics.

On the journey, it seemed like as soon as we crossed the border from Guatemala to Mexico, all the houses got brighter - and more so the churches - were painted very bright colours. Emma did QUITE A LOT of shopping!
After she'd travelled on to her next destination, I spent a few days wondering round museums, gardens, reading and eating.....

Palenque (Mexico)

Whilst we were in Mexico, we went to Palenque, one of the Mayan sites which has been studied and restored. It was very very hot but we climbed up these steps (very steep)


And saw this view....

Here's a few other pyramids and buildings.

None of the pyramids are solid - all of them have chambers and tunnels and sarcophoguses (how do you spell that!??) inside

This is the tower in the centre of the palace complex - which was apparently used to observe the stars. The Mayans were great astromoners - and had developed a very complex calendar - more sophisticated than any other at the time.
Many of the buildings are engraved - often with pictures of their daily lives - sometimes involving sacrifices or blood letting in order to communicate with the gods.