Group resets Honduras trip for September

Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 18, 2009

A canceled missionary trip to Honduras has been tentatively rescheduled for early September.

The group of 30 doctors, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, teachers, pharmacists, engineers, pastors, students and citizens had been set to leave July 7 for the week-long trip through Baptist Medical & Dental Mission International, a Christian missions organization that sends teams to provide medical care and evangelical efforts in Honduras and Nicaragua. The team had planned to offer medical and vision services, operate a pharmacy, lead children’s church services, dole out donations and host an eyeglass clinic.

But the Central American country has been experiencing civil unrest — a coup of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and his rumored return that led to a riot that shut down the airport — and the Vicksburg group had to cancel the trip.

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The team, comprised of members of First Baptist, Bovina Baptist and host church Woodlawn Baptist, met last weekend to discuss options and possible rescheduling dates.

“As of now, we are shooting to go back Sept. 5-12,” said Ann Moore, Woodlawn Baptist secretary and a four-year veteran of the trip. “There were several team members (for whom) that would be the best time.”

Team members were to give a definite answer by Friday.

 By Thursday morning, there were 18 people confirmed, including two doctors and a nurse.

However, the dentist and most of the students who had planned to go will have to miss the rescheduled trip.

The trip is subject to safety precautions, depending on how the political situation in Honduras unfolds in the next couple of months.

But, for now, Moore said, “We will go on.”

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Contact Andrea Vasquez at avasquez@vicksburgpost.com