U.S. and Honduran Youth Called to Be Peacemakers
Episcopal News Service. August 7, 1986 [86171]
Lydia Dorsett, Diocese of Honduras/Diocese of Central Florida
OMOA, Honduras (DPS, Aug. 7) -- A dove of peace was released over the countryside at the close of an interdiocesan international youth event here in mid-July. As the dove rose into the sky, Bishop Leopold Frade of Honduras called the young people of Honduras and the United States to be the light of peace and love in a darkening world.
The conference came midway in an Episcopal Youth Mission sponsored by companion dioceses Honduras and Central Florida. Youth from the U.S. came to lend a hand with work of churches here and to forge friendships with Christians different from themselves in many ways.
A strict work schedule of eight to nine hours a day left little time for "tourist stuff." The mission of 30 young people and their adult leaders split into three teams: two to repair and paint churches in Puerto Cotes and Tegucigalpa and execute a mural in the Chapel of San Esteban at the diocesan office and the third to work at El Hogar de Amor y Esperanza, the Episcopal home for abandoned children. The young missionaries slept on parish house floors, bathed in the sea and ate food prepared by their friends in the churches. Young Hondurans joined them in work and worship and for their few hours of relaxation.
At midpoint in their mission, they dropped their paint brushes and travelled here to the north coast, where they were joined by almost 80 young Hondurans for the weekend conference and retreat. The event was designed and directed by the three diocesan youth leaders: the Rev. Rolando Segura, chairman of the Diocese of Honduras' Committee on Youth Work; John Elledge, coordinator of Honduras' youth ministries; and the Rev. Canon John Palarine, coordinator for youth work and Christian education in the Diocese of Central Florida.
"To me," Palarine said, "this gathering is impressive evidence of the vigor of youth ministry here in Honduras and to the dedication and skills of its directors, who have brought together so many young people in spite of lack of funds and difficulty of transportation."
Different worlds mingled: joining high school and college students from the United States were young people from high mountain settlements far from any paved road, from urban barrios and from the more affluent and sophisticated areas of the nation's capital; some plan to attend universities in the U.S. and others hope for no more than a third grade education; and same were refugees from fighting in Nicaragua.
It was not a program that could be carried out easily. There was the built-in barrier of language, for few were bilingual. At first, some could have little comprehension of others' experiences and expectations. Some were handicapped with shyness in the presence of strangers. But what they had in common were youthful enthusiasm and vigor and allegiance to Christ. And both groups were blessed with exceptional adult leaders.
An obstacle course, one of the highlights of the weekend, represented difficulties which beset Christians on the path to holiness. The course was laid over fragile bridges, past barriers and fences, down river beds, over jumps and through deep sand and water. Often a helping hand was needed, but all came through to the end, where they joined hands to acknowledge their Champion Lord in whom all victories are won.
In an evening ceremony, each participant lit a torch. When fires were blown out by winds from the sea, they were relit by companions. "The Christian family is like that," Frade said. "If our flame goes out, there is always a Christian brother nearby who can relight our torch. The secret is to be near someone who has the fire."
The weekend retreat ended in Holy Eucharist celebrated by Frade. "In this little piece of our planet which we call Central America," he told them, "there is torture, war and assassinations. We will be fools if we think that this darkness will not touch us." He reminded those from the United States of the hungry and abandoned in their own country, "and this is a scandal in the richest country in the world."
"We must transform this world, which lives with its back to God. And it is going to get worse. But we can conquer its darkness if we exercise our option of love and peace. I am not going to tell you what to do, what political party to join. As a human being, each of you must choose for yourself.
"But whatever you choose to do, take the light of Christ with you. In the middle of this great darkness, do not let that light which God has given to you go out."