Christian Reformed missions staff in Honduras are safe but had their travel restricted in late September by the denomination’s Crisis Management Team as a result of the political crisis there. The restriction was lifted on October 5, but travel for short term mission groups remained under restriction at that time.
On Monday, Sept. 21, ousted president José Manuel Zelaya returned to the capital city of Tegucigalpa, prompting the present government to impose a nationwide curfew that lasted until early on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Several Christian Reformed personnel were stranded away from their homes and offices because of the curfew.
Irene deMurillo and Ana Joya work for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, the CRC’s relief and development agency. They were on the south coast of Honduras for a project evaluation when the curfew was imposed.
Caspar Geisterfer from Christian Reformed World Missions was on the north coast of Honduras for a classis meeting of Honduran Christian Reformed churches.
“On Tuesday I observed anti-riot police disperse a crowd of protestors,” he said. “Later, the police ordered everyone off the streets.”
Geisterfer was able to return home two days later. “There was much evidence of protest the whole way: burned tires, rocks, and garbage all over the road,” he said. He also said that all CRC-related staff in Honduras changed travel plans and stayed close to home during the crisis.
Geisterfer said they also helped the Honduran CRC organize a day of prayer and fasting. “For our Honduran brothers and sisters, this is a new initiative since there has never before been a coordinated effort at corporate prayer or fasting,” he said.
About the Author
Gayla Postma retired as news editor for The Banner in 2020.
