Jul 2015 The Road to Daybreak A Spiritual Journey by Henri J M Nouwen

Continue from The Poorest of the Poor Regina, an assistant at L'Arche community in Honduras who came to visit Trosly, had many interesting things to say about life in Honduras. She stressed the low self-esteem of the Honduran people. A small country with a withdrawn, extremely poor, and oppressed Indian population consisting mostly of Mestizos, Honduras has been completely dependent - first on Spain and later on the United States. It now feels threatened by both Nicaragua and El Salvador and greatly fears any signs of revolution. It feels "safe" under the protection of the United States, which has built large military bases there, but it can do nothing without the permission of its powerful protector. Honduras is very, very poor. In contrast to the poor of Haiti, who are liberated blacks from imperial France and often show pride and joy, the poor of Honduras have a much more self-rejecting attitude. It is not easy for L'Arche to be there. It is hard to find Honduran assistants who can make long-term commitments. They themselves are often part of large, poor families, and most of their energy is used to survive their poverty or, if possible, to escape it. The United States is a land of promise to which they all hope to go and become rich. Just listening to Regina made me realize how great the poverty of Honduras is. With so little national consciousness and so little pride, living there with handicapped people must b extremely difficult. It is, indeed, living with the poorest of the poor. Still ... the L'Arche assistants in Honduras are full of peace and joy. They like to be there and hope to remain there. Cathy Judge from Daybreak has visited the community and is full of hope to go and live there. Pilar's letters from Honduras are filled with excitement. Barbara's heart is in Honduras, even though she must stay here in Trosly. Everyone who speaks of the community speaks of it as a most blessed place. Regina herself radiates joy, and it seems that all those who have chosen to live there have found a true treasure. "Happy are the poor of spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs." I very much hope to visit the Honduras community.

- To Be Continued - © Copyright Shalom 2015. All rights reserved.