Barbed Wire, concrete walls, and Hospitality

  We see barbed wire and barrier walls everywhere here in Homduras. Even the most modest houses make use of barbed wire.  As we go from location to location there are some houses that look comparable to what you would find in a good neighborhood in the U.S., but do they have that picturesque elevation from the street side?  No. There is most likely a very high concrete barrier wall with barbed wire over the top of it. Any outside yard enjoyment is probably in an enclosed courtyard like design.

   Seeing such things make me think of news reports that have Honduras slated as the murder capital of the world. I am told that the source of that dishonor is the northern part of the country.  Resources are so low that people have to do what they can to protect themselves and their family.  Even being told that about it being in the north, it should still be a scary thing to work in one of the poorest neighborhoods, but we've been doing that. Yesterday, we did something more. 

  For the first time, we walked through one of the neighborhoods. The neighborhood was a step up from where we were at. At least they had electricity. Did I feel unsafe? No. Ever since stepping off the plane here in Honduras, the people have been very friendly and hospitable. More so than the U.S. By far. In the U.S. We walk around with imaginary concrete walls and barbed wire around ourselves. I just think that it is amazing that in a country where they have to resort to actual mom-figurative  barbed wire and concrete walls, that they can be so much more friendly. 

   For a brief period yesterday, we split up and walked a neighborhood. My group met a gentleman named Henry. He welcomed us into his home and we spent almost an hour and a half talking to him. It was very nice meting the man. Despite the language and cultural differences, I could relate to many aspects of his life and I learned way more by looking ink his eyes than any words from the interpreter. It was a really rewarding experience. Hopefully, I'll see Henry a church on Saturday, but it was sort of an empty feeling walking away from his house knowing that I may never find out more about him.

God Bless,

Aaron Mason