Language & Culture
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Spanish: The principal language of Honduras is Spanish and is spoken throughout the country, although in the Bay Islands English is the language of choice. Indian tribes have their own distinct languages.
Religion: Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, but there are also many other Christian denominations, including Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God, Evangelicals and so on. The indigenous tribes have their own religions, often a mixture of Christianity and elements of African and Indian animism and ancestor worship.
The church culture in which Mission Lazarus works has many of its own ideas about what a 'true Christian' should and should not do, say, act, wear, etc. These ideas relate to the education and economic level of the people we work with, as well as the influence of other religious beliefs in Honduran culture and the spiritual understanding of the church in general. Please keep in mind that your presence should serve as an encouragement and example to the locals, and as such, Mission Lazarus asks that you please follow the guidelines below in preparing yourself for your visit to Honduras.
Crafts & Cuisine: Honduran crafts include wood carving (notably wooden instruments), basketry, embroidery and textile arts, leathercraft and ceramics. The country's cuisine is based around beans, rice, tortillas, fried bananas, meat, fish, potatoes, cream and cheese.
Family: Honduran culture is at times very formal, and, always, hospitable. The Honduran household is in some ways like a 1950s television household where a family member is expected to acknowledge others in the room upon entering and leaving with Good morning, Good evening, etc. The family goes out of its way to accommodate guests and avoid confrontations. The household shows respect to the head of the house, who is often very authoritarian in leadership style.
Manners: Here in Honduras, common sociable remarks include 'Hola', 'Buenos dias', 'Como esta', 'Buen provecho', and 'Con permiso.' 'Buen provecho'is like saying 'Bon Appetit'and is appropriate whenever someone is eating. If you enter a room, a house, a store, etc and see a stranger eating, tell him 'Buen provecho', as you pass. To do otherwise would be considered impolite. Another common phrase, 'Con permiso'is appropriate when you might need to interrupt a conversation, leave the dinner table, or pass someone on the street. It is similar to 'Excuse me' in English.
Something else to realize about Honduran manners, especially in relation to Americans, is that if you ask something of a Honduran, he will go out of his way to do what you ask, even if it is extremely inconvenient for him. It's common for Americans to request something that in the U.S. would be easy to come by, but in Honduras may be strange, expensive or rare.
Negative emotions are rarely shown in this culture, i.e. raising your voice at someone is inappropriate and would be extremely embarrassing to a Honduran. Criticisms and reprimands may be appropriate, but must be made in private with only the person involved present. Embarrassment in this culture is something extremely shameful, so all visitors need to avoid 'shaming' someone by criticizing inappropriately.
Dress: Americans only need to remember one rule about appearance --modesty. Use common sense. The Latino culture is extremely 'machista' and Americans, especially women, need to take this into account. Latino women and teenagers show off every curve and a lot of skin, but that doesn't mean that doing the same is in the best interest of an American's Christian testimony. Visitors can wear pants, skirts, dresses, scrubs, tops, etc. but shorts should not be worn. Skirts should be a decent length and tank-tops may be worn if they have wide shoulder straps, but spaghetti straps and halter tops should not be worn. Men should not remove their shirts while working. Tennis shoes or boots are recommended.
'Machisto'is a Spanish term that describes the concept men have for women in this culture. In general, man rules the woman and treats her as he likes; she exists to serve him and meet his needs. Like the stereotype of construction workers in the U.S., it is a Latino man's job to ogle women. This is something that will happen especially for visitors, since an American woman is most Latino men's dream. So dress accordingly.
Society: Another part of Honduran culture that the American needs to note is its fixed hierarchy in society. Every Honduran knows his 'place' and society runs according to this power scheme. Hondurans will treat Americans with the utmost respect, and it is important for Americans to show respect 'where respect is due,' i.e. refer to Juana, a member of the church, as Hermana Juana; Chalo, an older man, as Don Chalo, his wife as Dona Julia; Maria, a surgeon, as Doctora Maria; and Paula, a lawyer, as Licensiada Paula. Hondurans are proud of their accomplishments and expect respect and recognition of their achievements and place in society.
While you are here, you will notice many nightclubs and bars. This is the normal social life of most non-Christian Hondurans. As an extension of Mission Lazarus while here, it is unacceptable for any visitor to drink alcohol or visit any nightclubs. Anyone who does not respect this guideline will be taken directly to the airport and sent back to the U.S. Any expenses in doing so will be charged to the group.
Time: Hondurans might wear watches, but it's more for fashion than function. To Americans, punctuality is a value because everyone is so busy to begin with. In Honduras you will find that church commonly begins fifteen or twenty minutes late, and restaurants may take an hour or more to serve your food. Hondurans rise early, literally with the chickens, and may be waiting to speak with you at your doorstep at 6 a.m.
Privacy: The Honduran sense of space and ownership is a lot less territorial than Americans. Don't freak out if a patient in the clinic drops his pants without warning to show you the rash on his thigh. And, lastly, Hondurans have no perspective on Americans and wealth. All Americans that visit appear wealthy to the majority of Hondurans that see them, and Hondurans often give letters to the Americans asking for money, food, clothes, and other items such as TVs, bicycles, watches, etc... Be prepared to respond to requests like these. Itís always a good idea to discuss these requests with the missionary if you feel you would like to help in some way.
Safety: The best rule of thumb is to use common sense. Living in Honduras is like living anywhere else in that some people are honest and others are not. For the most part, safety is an atmosphere you set up yourself through your actions. Don't advertise your wealth. Don’t travel by yourself or walk alone in the streets at night. Don't tempt others by setting down your bag or purse and walking away from it, because it may not be there when you go back to find it. Always lock car doors, gates, when you go in and out of a house, vehicle, etc. The rule is, if you unlock it, lock it up again. Be aware of what is going on around you, especially as a pedestrian, because drivers love to ignore the rules.
Specifics on Choluteca:
Honduras is divided into departments, or provinces, rather than states. Choluteca province is located in southern Honduras near the Pacific coast. Choluteca, the fourth largest city in the country and capital of the Choluteca province, is well connected to the cities of San Salvador in neighboring El Salvador, as well as the northern city of Esteli in Nicaragua. The city has a population of about 100,000 but only has an infrastructure to support 20,000 people. The area is primarily sustained by agriculture. Large sugar cane, melon, and shrimp farms, as well as cattle ranches, are found in this region.
The nearby port city of San Lorenzo is the main port on the pacific coast of Honduras. All of the products that enter Honduras though the Gulf of Fonseca arrive through this port. The Gulf of Fonseca is a lovely and unique area, rich in mangrove vegetation and small islands.
Choluteca is known as the poorest, dirtiest and hottest region of Honduras. In general there is very little work ethic among the people in this region. Family values are all but non-existent.
Choluteca was the region hardest hit by Hurricane Mitch in October of 1998. At the time of Hurricane Mitch there was only one small church of Christ in Choluteca. This church was established in the early 80's but due to power struggles and disputes it had never been able to grow. The Church was able, however, to head up a large humanitarian aid effort for the city with aid sent by the churches of Christ in the U.S. After a large piece of land was acquired outside of the city for the hurricane refugees, the church of Christ was the first organization to build houses for the refugees. Many other organizations would follow, including USAID, Samaritans Purse, Lions Club, Rotary Club, United Nations & a French aid organization. This new community outside of Choluteca was named Limon de la Cerca. The church in Choluteca grew dramatically out of these efforts.
After the housing project was completed the need for another church in the new community of Limon was apparent. By the end of 1999 a new building was under construction and a preacher was hired, Juan Flores and his wife Roxana. This was the first established church in the community and offered hope to the hopeless in their time of need. God has blessed this congregation with numbers and today, there are commonly over 400 people meeting every Sunday. This growth has not come without its share of growing pains, but through it all God's guidance and direction has enabled the church to overcome the efforts of Satan and God's name has been glorified.
