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As mentioned before, Spring Arbor University is the new owner of the Michindoh Camp and Conference Center in Hillsdale, Mich. A July 5 article on MLive.com talks about what’s ahead in “Spring Arbor University Plans to Build on Programs at Michindoh Conference Center.”
Marilyn Reeck, a United Brethren endorsed missionary living in La Ceiba, Honduras, sent this update on the political situation in Honduras. It was sent on Wednesday, July 1.
In Honduras the presidency is a one four-year term without possibility of reelection. Mel Zelaya was in his third year as president. Hugo Chavez has been his mentor and he was leading the country in a direction that the country did not want to go.
The last thing was ordering a vote to change the constitution so that he could be reelected (as Hugo Chavez had done). Both Congress and the Supreme Court declared it illegal. He fired the Joint Chiefs of Staff when they confiscated the ballots, which then led to them having him forcibly removed from the country. He has declared that he will return to the country tomorrow. All of the entire world has voted in his favor.
At the moment, we are safe and far away from the action in Tegucigalpa, the capital city. Roger is in Israel, but my daughter Chrysti and her family live here, and two of my daughters are visiting from Texas.
My main concern at the moment is that there are eight kids and three leaders here from North Carolina and a missions trip. Decisions have to be made about their return, but at the moment roadblocks do not permit us to get them to the international airport three hours away. All national flights are cancelled.
Please pray for the safety of these kids and for us to make the right decisons in this regard. Pray especially for peace in Honduras, that God will give the new leaders wisdom in how to handle this situation.
Dennis and Debbie Osberg are former UB endorsed missionaries in Honduras. They continue serving at Academy of the Pines, a school outside Tegucigalpa, but are no longer under the United Brethren umbrella.
On Monday, June 30, Debbie emailed information about the political upheaval which had occurred the day before, when the president was deposed. She was in the States, expecting her husband Dennis and daughter Amanda back on July 1 (they made it safely, but reported that the airport was full of people trying to get out).
Here is Debbie’s report. You’ll be especially interested in the ten-point explanation of what has happened there.
As you have heard by now, Honduras is in turmoil. There have been peaceful demonstrations in the capital city with thousands of Hondurans supporting the removal of the President and seeking justice to prevail. Pray for wisdom and truth to be revealed and for peace to return to Honduras.
A Honduran friend recently sent out this email with the current facts.
The Healthy Ministry Resources staff spent Monday and Tuesday cleaning out the warehouse. We threw out gobs and gobs of stuff, and totally rearranged the space. We’re making room for the Huntington University Graduate School to put in a new classroom. Bishop Ron Ramsey and Pat Jones provided the muscle. Administrative Assistant Cathy Reich roamed the heights, stacking boxes atop an existing classroom and climbing through shelves to rearrange boxes. Jane Seely directed traffic, giving instructions about where things should go, since she’s the main person who works out there.
And Steve Dennie did the least-strenuous thing he could think of–take photos.
“Don’t you dare take a picture of me.” Pat Jones, Marci Hammel (below), and Cathy Reichare take a picture of me.” Pat Jones, Marci Hammel (below), and Cathy Reich
“You missed a spot.” L-r: Pat Jones, Ron Ramsey, Jane Seely, Cathy Reich (foreground).
Cathy, Marci, and Pat move one of the large cabinets.
Once again, Fountain UB (Keyser, W. Va.) is serving as the collection site for the county’s Operation Christmas Child. In 2008, they collected 9100 shoeboxes full of small gifts, which were then distributed by Samaritan’s Purse to children in under-developed countries. This year’s goal is 12,000 boxes.
Dr. Dave Rahn, who teaches youth ministry at Huntington University, has co-authored a new book: “Evangelism Remixed: Empowering Students for Courageous and Contagious Faith.” It’ll be released July 1. He co-authored the book with Dr. Terry Linhart of Bethel College. It’ll be available through Amazon.
Doug and Ruth Weber and family, UB endorsed missionaries in Ecuador with HCJB Radio, are spending the summer in the States. A week before they returned, Ruth’s stepmother, Jean, passed away. They flew to California for the funeral, and will return to Indiana today, June 30.
Two changes regarding their work in Ecuador:
Good Morning America ran a “Your Three Words” video collage which included Polly Dunten and her three children. They are the very last clip. It begins with a photo used in a “Your Three Words” segment last summer, after Polly’s surgery to remove a brain tumor. Husband Darwin Dunten is pastor of First UB church in Findlay, Ohio.
A UB medical team arrived back from a ten-day trip to Honduras on June 27, one day before Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was deposed in a military coup. The Honduran Congress has already appointed a new president. A nationwide curfew from 9 pm to 6 am is in effect for June 29-30, but the country seems to be at peace, at least in the immediate aftermath.
The coup happened on the same day that Hondurans were voting on a proposal which would enable President Manual Zelaya to seek re-election. The country’s Supreme Court had declared the referendum illegal.
The coup has been widely condemned, with statements to that effect coming from both the United States and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
From Kevin Lam of Mt. Olivet UB (Mt. Solon, Va.): “Five of our church members at Mount Olivet are from Honduras. After hearing the news of the government upheaval in Honduras this morning, they are very upset and concerned for the safety of their families back home. We ask for prayer for these 2 families as well as all of our brothers and sisters living in the midst of this turmoil.”
