HONDURAS Information: God is doing a wonderful work around the world and Honduras is no exception. It is a country with strong Catholic influences. The government is very open to Christian mission work. This is especially true since the destructive hurricane “Mitch”. They are still trying to rebuild roads, farms, bridges, homes and churches. Even some of their strongest bridges and buildings were “Swept Away” in the flood. The farms that grew much of their food and supplied their milk and meat were destroyed. Praise God for the combined efforts of many Christian groups. Food and Medical supplies were flown in as soon as it was possible to land. The Christian churches completed most of the distribution for supplies. They were very effective in getting these to the hungry, sick and injured. Love for the evangelical churches and members have grown more in the recent past than decades before. Jobs are still scarce and 80% of the people are in poverty. Pray for the training of new Honduran pastors, support for the medical clinics, and jobs for the people. The rebuilding continues as well as the establishing of new churches. In one mountain area where we helped establish a new church, the congregation has grown to over 200 members. In the last five years they have helped ten other new mission churches. At a recent combined meeting there were 2000 people in attendance. We thank God for His many Blessings and the help of Christians in the USA. Praise God. Honduras - Frequently asked Questions and Answers 1. How are Christians treated now?
Christians are welcomed in most areas of Honduras. This has not always been the case. In years past some of the Catholic priests were hesitant to accept the citizen’s right to make a personal choice of Faith. 2. How can we help The Christians in Honduras?
Many churches in the US are helping support missionaries financially as well as sending groups to help in construction of new Churches and Medical clinics. 3. Are the Christian Churches growing in Size? . . .and new Church starts?
Many of the churches are growing in size but equally important they are growing in Vision and Training. Some of these churches are helping New missions get started. 4. What is an average annual wage? . . .what is needed for a family of 5?
The average annual salary is about $900. This is about one third of what is needed for a family of The unemployment is at 40% so many feel fortunate if they make $5-$10 per day. 5. How does the weather affect the people?
The weather is much warmer than Miami, Florida in the lower areas. San Pedro Sula is the second largest city and reaches 105 °+ while many other cities in mountain areas have temperature ranges between 68° to 90°. In areas of the extremely high temperatures, they often stop work and school early for safety reasons. The rainy season usually brings a high volume of continual rain causing mudslides and flooding. 6. What Dangers or Problems do the people face?
Dangers are everywhere, in the country and in the city. This is true for the Honduran as well as the visitor. Robberys and shootings are perhaps the most frequent dangers. Certainly the lack of Medical facilities and medicine is high on the danger list. One Pastor and his wife walked miles to catch a ride from his mountain village to where they waited for an overcrowded worn-out bus to Tegucigalpa, the Capital city. They went to the hospital where she was told she needed emergency surgery. They scheduled her for the surgery but the only available date was five weeks later. They made the long trip back up to their village to return in five weeks. God spared her and the surgery was completed five weeks later. The husband had to find and provide her medicines. 7. What are their Hopes (Goals)?
Many Christians are sharing the “Good News” of Jesus and a life filled with Hope. They realize that life is not without difficulties but with help from Godly friends they are beginning to understand the real Joys of Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself. Honduras - Consular Information Sheet
July 25, 2000 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Honduras is a democracy with a developing economy. The capital is Tegucigalpa. The national language is Spanish, although English is often spoken in the Bay Islands. The climate is generally pleasant and temperate, with dry and wet seasons. The terrain ranges from mountainous, to coastal beaches and jungle lowlands. Hotels and restaurants are generally adequate in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, the Bay Islands and the Copan ruins. The Honduran currency is the lempira. Currency exchange is readily available at banks and hotels in the major cities. SAFETY AND SECURITY: Political demonstrations occur sporadically. Demonstrations can disrupt traffic, but are generally announced in advance and are usually peaceful. Travelers should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place, and should keep informed by following the local news and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides. The area off the coast of northeastern Honduras has been the subject of maritime border disputes between Honduras and Nicaragua. The Honduran Navy has increased its patrols in this area, and all private vessels transiting Honduran territorial waters should be prepared to be hailed and possibly boarded by Honduran military personnel to verify documentation. Sailors should also be aware that the Honduran Navy uses private Honduran as well as naval vessels as platforms. Fishing vessels should ensure they have proper permits. While the Honduran side of the Honduras-Nicaragua border has been largely cleared of land mines, travelers should exercise caution in the vicinity of the border because some land mines, scattered by flooding during Hurricane Mitch in October 1998, may still exist in the area. CRIME INFORMATION: The security situation in Honduras requires a high degree of caution. Poverty, gangs, and low apprehension and conviction rates of criminals contribute to a high crime rate. Many men in Honduras carry firearms and machetes, and disputes are sometimes settled with violence. Violent and petty crime are prevalent throughout the country. While crime affects everyone in Honduras, criminals have at times targeted tourists, particularly those coming from airports and hotels, as well as wealthy-looking residents in San Pedro Sula, Tela, Trujillo, and Tegucigalpa. Street crime is a principal concern, with thefts, including purse-snatching, pick-pocketing, assaults, and armed robberies on the rise in urban areas. Carjacking, kidnappings, muggings, and home invasions are not uncommon. There have been some incidents of sexual assault. Copan and the Bay Islands have experienced petty theft, but generally have fewer problems than the rest of the country. However, U.S. citizens visiting coastal resorts should exercise particular caution around sparsely inhabited coastal areas, and should avoid walking on isolated beaches, especially at night. Although not a primary tourist destination, the Department of Olancho has a reputation as one of the most violent areas in Honduras. Travelers in that area should use extra caution. Incidents of crime along roads in Honduras are common. There have been frequent incidents of highway robbery on the following roads: Limones to La Union, Olancho (route 41) via Salama and northward to Saba. There are armed gangs along the road from La Esperanza to Gracias (CA-11a). Honduran police generally do not speak English, and there are no special tourist police to assist visitors. Tourists and residents should avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras, especially in the major cities. Night driving is also discouraged. Tourists, in particular, should not hike alone in backcountry areas, nor walk alone on beaches, historic ruins or trails. All bus travel should be during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances, not economy buses. Visitors should pick taxis carefully, and note the driver's name and license number. They should instruct the driver not to pick up other passengers, agree on the fare before they depart, and have small bills available for payment, because taxi drivers often do not make change. Do not resist a robbery attempt. Many criminals have weapons, and most injuries have resulted when victims resisted. Do not hitchhike or go home with strangers, particularly from nightspots. Whenever possible, travel in groups of two or more persons. Visitors should use the same common sense while traveling in Honduras that they would in any high crime area of a major U.S. city. Jewelry should not be worn in downtown or rural areas. Do not carry large sums of money, ATM or credit cards that are not needed, nor other valuables. There have been incidents of armed assaults against sailors by criminals posing as fishermen off the northeast coast of Honduras, particularly in the numerous small islands northeast and east off the coast of the Department of Gracias a Dios. Sailors should review the U.S. Coast Guards "Notice to Mariners" regarding piracy. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care in Honduras varies in quality. Doctors are generally well trained; but support staff and facilities generally are not up to U.S. standards, and facilities for certain surgical procedures are not available. The islands of Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja do not have a general surgery hospital. There is a decompression chamber on Roatan for divers. Travelers carrying prescription medicine should ensure that the medication is clearly labeled. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Tap water is not potable in Honduras and should be boiled or chemically treated to help prevent cholera and gastrointestinal disorders. Safe bottled water is widely available. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299) or CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. TRAVEL SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Road conditions in many parts of Honduras differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Honduras is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstances. Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions: Fair
Rural Road Conditions: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor Because of crime and poor road conditions, driving can be very dangerous, and travelers may want to carry a cellular phone in case of an emergency. Travelers should exercise extreme caution while driving on isolated stretches of road and passing on mountainous curves. Rockslides are common, especially in the rainy season. Signage is poor and streets, even in the major cities, are often unmarked. Travelers should drive with doors locked and windows rolled up. Major highways have been rebuilt following the destruction caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, though many stretches are still in repair. Major cities are connected by an inconsistently maintained, two-lane system of paved roads, and many secondary roads in Honduras are unpaved. During the rainy season (May through December), even major highways are often closed due to rockslides and flooding. Hurricane Mitch washed out many bridges throughout the country, and temporary repairs are vulnerable to heavy rains. Some of the most dangerous stretches for road travel include: Tegucigalpa to Choluteca because of dangerous mountain curves; El Progreso to La Ceiba because of animal crossings and the poor condition of bridges from flooding; Limones to La Union, Olancho (route 41) via Salama and northward to Saba, because of frequent incidents of highway robbery; and La Esperanza to Gracias (CA-11a) because of armed gangs and poor road conditions. The detour to San Pedro Sula north of La Guama (CA-5) via Santa Cruz de Yojoa is mandatory for heavy trucks and is a congested, difficult drive. Former route 1 north via Aqua Azul to CA-5 is generally a safer route for cars. Honduran roads also suffer from a general lack of lighting and poorly marked highways. Vehicles are often driven at night without adequate illumination, and animals and people wander onto the roads at all hours. For these reasons, and because of the high incidence of crime, the U.S. Embassy strongly discourages car and bus travel after dark. * * * * Honduras is located on the Caribbean coast of Central America, with a land area of 112,000 sq. KM. It is a mountainous land with rainforests and fertile coastal plains on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Honduras is a poor country with an average income of $900 per year (4.3% of USA average). The major exports are coffee and bananas. The unemployment rate is 40%. Just over 10% of the population are Evangelical Christians. Spanish is the official language of Honduras. Honduras was devastated by hurricane Mitch in 1998. Geography Area: 112,100 sq. km. (43,270 sq. mi.); about the size of Louisiana.
Cities: Capital--Tegucigalpa (850,000); San Pedro Sula (500,000); metropolitan area of each city approximately 1 million.
Terrain: Mountainous.
Climate: Tropical to subtropical, depending on elevation. People Nationality: Noun and adjective--Honduran(s).
Population (1998 est.): 5.8 million.
Growth rate: 2.8%.
Ethnic groups: 90% mestizo (mixed Indian and European); others of European, Arab, African, or Asian ancestry; and indigenous Indians.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant minority.
Language: Spanish.
Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--70% overall, but less than 16% at junior high level. Literacy--78.5%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--42/1,000. Life expectancy--68 yrs.
Work force: Services--32%. Natural resources/agriculture--38%. Manufacturing--18%. Construction/housing--12%. Economy (1997 preliminary data) Natural resources: Arable land, forests, minerals, fisheries.
Agriculture (24% of GDP): Products--coffee, bananas, shrimp and lobster, sugar, fruits, basic grains, livestock.
Industry (18% of GDP): Types--textiles and apparel, cement, wood products, cigars, foodstuffs.
Trade: Exports--$2.2 billion: coffee, bananas, shrimp, citrus fruits, textile products, lead/zinc concentrates, beef, lumber, sugar. Major market--U.S.(53%). Imports--$2.6 billion: petroleum, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals. Major supplier--U.S. (43%).
Exchange rate (March 1998): 13.28 lempiras=U.S.$1. PEOPLE AND HISTORY About 90% of the population is mestizo. There also are small minorities of European, African, Asian, Arab, and indigenous Indian descent. Most Hondurans are Roman Catholic, but Protestants have resulted in significant numbers of converts. Spanish is the predominant language, although some English is spoken along the northern coast and on the Caribbean Bay Islands. Indigenous Indian dialects and the Garifuna dialect also are spoken. The restored Mayan ruins near the Guatemalan border in Copan reflect the great Mayan culture that flourished there for hundreds of years until the early 9th century. Mayan artifacts also can be found at the National Museum in Tegucigalpa. Columbus landed at mainland Honduras (Trujillo) in 1502. He named it "Honduras" (meaning "depths") for the deep water off the coast. Spaniard Hernan Cortes arrived in 1524. The Spanish began founding settlements along the coast, and Honduras came under the control of the Captaincy General of Guatemala. The cities of Comayagua and Tegucigalpa developed as early mining centers. | 
