Update to Honduran Presidential Election:
12/18/2017
Last night, 3 weeks since the November 26th election, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal declared that incumbent president, Juan Orlando Hernandez had won the election and will serve for the next 4 years.
Some protesting and looting took place around the country last night but all in all things appear to be relatively calm.
We are safe and looking forward to Jacob's birthday and Christmas.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Monday, December 11, 2017
ReCount Complete
12/11/2017
Election Update:
The Electoral Tribunal has completed their partial recount with virtually no difference. They will give a complete report of their findings to the public this afternoon.
Some peaceful protests began throughout the country this morning. Things are normal and peaceful thus far in La Ceiba. The nationwide curfew is over.
Election Update:
The Electoral Tribunal has completed their partial recount with virtually no difference. They will give a complete report of their findings to the public this afternoon.
Some peaceful protests began throughout the country this morning. Things are normal and peaceful thus far in La Ceiba. The nationwide curfew is over.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
A Different Kind of Waiting
In the past two weeks of political turmoil in Honduras, God has given me fresh eyes for a familiar story. Every year, this is the season in which I chase after that "feeling." The feeling of God's presence in such a precious time. The feeling of God's presence in preparing my heart for the celebration of the birth of his Son, Jesus Christ. I know in my head and heart that it is found in the truth of the Nativity story. It is not found in commercialism, lights, a tree, presents, silly songs, or my American (or Honduran) traditions.
The whole world groans in brokenness but it is evident before my very eyes in my host country. I see our sin and brokenness in the corruption of the government, in the impulsive violence as a response, in the death and destruction that has taken place in so many cities in the past two weeks. I literally hear the groaning of creation in the protests, in the yelling, and in the pot banging; the noise made by despondence, morose, and oppression. I see how selfishness taints the conversations and effects relationships among friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike. The genetics of depravity effect our thoughts, words, actions, and decisions on a daily basis. The brokenness is everywhere. A holy God would be just in turning His back on the brokenness He can not be a part of. But He didn't and He doesn't and He won't. Miraculously and mysteriously, He lavishes His sovereign grace on a rebellious people. We all are those rebellious people.
How did He lavish His grace and love upon us? He sent His Son. His Son, Jesus Christ, came into this messy rebellious world as an innocent helpless babe. A babe that would grow up, not in a palace in a mighty kingdom, but as a servant alongside his people. A babe who many would travel to meet. A babe who many would marvel then and now. A babe that grew to be a God-man that would humble himself to the point of death on a cross to save us. The story seems fundamental and imperative when suffering surrounds me on all sides. God's desire to wipe every tear away, to end all pain and affliction, to obliterate disease and death is palpable this year. The wonder of His love is ever-present on my mind. How he could love me, a sinner, is an amazing thing.
This year, I can sing, "He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove, the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love" while a parade of grumbling people march down the next street. He is coming. We need Him to come. His coming fulfills a deep need in each of us. And He does it with truth and grace and righteousness. This year, I can read, "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will rest upon His shoulders," and find rest that the turmoil of politics here (and everywhere) is opposite of how my God reigns. He is perfectly just, merciful, and loving. He renews my mind with the reality of the sin in and around me but also the reality of His character and His love for us.
I admit, this is not how I would desire God to give me fresh eyes. I'd prefer something less dramatic, less painful than watching a people and country I love hurting. I'd prefer He just fill me with a fire to see the beautiful things anew. But God's plan is always better than my plan and He continues to reveal our ever-present need for that babe that He sent so long ago. So this year I wait in my brokenness with a renewed hope in the birth of Jesus Christ.
The whole world groans in brokenness but it is evident before my very eyes in my host country. I see our sin and brokenness in the corruption of the government, in the impulsive violence as a response, in the death and destruction that has taken place in so many cities in the past two weeks. I literally hear the groaning of creation in the protests, in the yelling, and in the pot banging; the noise made by despondence, morose, and oppression. I see how selfishness taints the conversations and effects relationships among friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike. The genetics of depravity effect our thoughts, words, actions, and decisions on a daily basis. The brokenness is everywhere. A holy God would be just in turning His back on the brokenness He can not be a part of. But He didn't and He doesn't and He won't. Miraculously and mysteriously, He lavishes His sovereign grace on a rebellious people. We all are those rebellious people.
How did He lavish His grace and love upon us? He sent His Son. His Son, Jesus Christ, came into this messy rebellious world as an innocent helpless babe. A babe that would grow up, not in a palace in a mighty kingdom, but as a servant alongside his people. A babe who many would travel to meet. A babe who many would marvel then and now. A babe that grew to be a God-man that would humble himself to the point of death on a cross to save us. The story seems fundamental and imperative when suffering surrounds me on all sides. God's desire to wipe every tear away, to end all pain and affliction, to obliterate disease and death is palpable this year. The wonder of His love is ever-present on my mind. How he could love me, a sinner, is an amazing thing.
This year, I can sing, "He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove, the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love" while a parade of grumbling people march down the next street. He is coming. We need Him to come. His coming fulfills a deep need in each of us. And He does it with truth and grace and righteousness. This year, I can read, "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will rest upon His shoulders," and find rest that the turmoil of politics here (and everywhere) is opposite of how my God reigns. He is perfectly just, merciful, and loving. He renews my mind with the reality of the sin in and around me but also the reality of His character and His love for us.
I admit, this is not how I would desire God to give me fresh eyes. I'd prefer something less dramatic, less painful than watching a people and country I love hurting. I'd prefer He just fill me with a fire to see the beautiful things anew. But God's plan is always better than my plan and He continues to reveal our ever-present need for that babe that He sent so long ago. So this year I wait in my brokenness with a renewed hope in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Friday, December 8, 2017
Re-Count
12/8/2017
Update on the Honduran Presidential Election:
Today the Tribunal Supremo Electoral (election agency) began a partial recount. The votes most disputed are those that came in after the initial reports, long delays and system failure. TSE will recount vote by vote those from 4,753 (of the 18,128) polling places. This process will take multiple days.
A cold front with rain is expected to hit this weekend. Looks like it'll be a weekend of reading, movies and board games!
Update on the Honduran Presidential Election:
Today the Tribunal Supremo Electoral (election agency) began a partial recount. The votes most disputed are those that came in after the initial reports, long delays and system failure. TSE will recount vote by vote those from 4,753 (of the 18,128) polling places. This process will take multiple days.
A cold front with rain is expected to hit this weekend. Looks like it'll be a weekend of reading, movies and board games!
Thursday, December 7, 2017
In Limbo
12/7/2017
Update:
Political parties are discussing a possible recount of all votes.
Curfew was shortened to 8pm to 5am. This is nice but even the initial curfew didn't affect our family too much as we are usually home in the evenings.
The protest roadblocks between La Ceiba and other major cities were lifted to allow supplies through. They had been in place for over a week. Gas stations had been rationing and grocery stores were empty of produce, eggs, meat and dairy. Again, we are in great shape as we stocked up last week but most people in the country don't have the ability to do this so the cease in roadblock really helped to ease the stress within the city.
The country is peaceful and waiting. We are safe and secure.
Update:
Political parties are discussing a possible recount of all votes.
Curfew was shortened to 8pm to 5am. This is nice but even the initial curfew didn't affect our family too much as we are usually home in the evenings.
The protest roadblocks between La Ceiba and other major cities were lifted to allow supplies through. They had been in place for over a week. Gas stations had been rationing and grocery stores were empty of produce, eggs, meat and dairy. Again, we are in great shape as we stocked up last week but most people in the country don't have the ability to do this so the cease in roadblock really helped to ease the stress within the city.
The country is peaceful and waiting. We are safe and secure.
Monday, December 4, 2017
Votes are Counted
12/4/2017 3:00pm
Update: see original post here
Votes have been totaled. Juan O. Hernandez maintains a lead of 1.59% or 52,347 votes. However, the opposing party is disputing some of the vote reports. This challenge phase could take a while. Possibly weeks, not days.
This morning we met with our Honduran teammates for a sweet time of prayer.
Honduran Presidential Election
12/3/2017 11:08pm
I don’t know how much of this is being reported in the U.S. so I figured I’d give you an update and let you know we’re safe.
The presidential election took place on Sunday, November 26. The current president, Juan O. Hernandez is the first to run for re-election as it is prohibited by the constitution. Understandably, many people are opposed to his re-election bid. The first report of votes showed a sizable lead to his opponent with the majority of the polls reporting. After that, vote reporting started and stopped, sometimes for up to 36 hours at a time. When votes were reported, they leaned towards the incumbent. Wednesday night he took the lead. Protests began in many parts of the country, including La Ceiba. JOH currently holds a slight lead. However, now a week since the election they still haven’t counted all of the votes and have not officially announced a winner. People are frustrated and angry about the process, the lack of transparency, and re-election in general. Many suspect fraud. Protests have become violent in some places but are generally focused on highways (blocking bridges) and the TSE (electoral agency) office in Tegucigalpa. Some people are using the situation as an excuse to loot and destroy property however, less so in La Ceiba than other parts of the country. This has prompted many business and schools to shorten their hours or close temporarily. On Friday a curfew was instated for 10 days from 6pm to 6am. Military have been called in to enforce the curfew and break up road blockades and protests. Some people have continued their protests by banging pots and pans and setting off fireworks. Things are noisy but peaceful around our neighborhood. We feel safe in our home and plan to stick close for the next several days. We have lots of water, food, and gas.
The last of the votes are finally being tallied. It appears that Monday incumbent, Juan O. Hernandez will be called the victor. If so, protests can be expected to continue and possibly worsen. We are keeping a close eye on the news and the US Embassy's safety messages. We have met as a team to discuss safety. Our agency, MTW has been in touch with our team leader and will help us to evaluate the situation.
Today (Sunday) we ventured out of our house to attend church. It was a wonderful time of worship. Our pastor, Allan delivered a great message on non-violence. His words were humble and calming without taking sides in the election. He lightened the tense mood without making light of the situation. And he reminded his Honduran congregants that their citizenship was ultimately in heaven, not in this world.
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