Silent Killer

Honduras has the highest murder rate in Central America. This is what I´ve been reading in the news but haven´t understood until now. 

When I think of violence I think of my neighborhood in Chicago where gun fire is a common sound at night. I think of dark cars creeping down a street or suspicious figures standing on a corner.  When I think of violence I think of how my own home was exposed to 10 rounds of ammunition...  I think of violence ending in police cars and flashing lights.

Here in Honduras the only sounds at night are roosters crowing and dogs barking.  The only cars creeping past are the occasional taxis navigating the unpaved road.  I have never seen a corner roped off by police tape or squad cars flying by.  So where is all of this violence??

Violence here is a silent killer.  Its not announced by screaming sirens or crowds of bystanders.  Violence here happens quietly.  The only way you would know it exists is if you know the people it affects. And it affects EVERYONE. 

The more I get to know my friends the more I am horrified at the atrocities they have faced.  Every one of them has a horrific story of how a loved one was murdered.  Some have stories of whole families being massacred!  None of these were gang or drug related.  Some were solely over arguments and others over money.  Young children have been killed over nothing!

I am still trying to digest all of this.  But I don´t think its possible.  When my friends share their heart and hardships it almost seems unreal.  Is this really the country I´m living in? Did these things really happen to my wonderful friends?? Now when I sit and listen to the silence I know there is an evil at work all around me.  The silence is no longer peaceful. 

Poverty and neglect brought me here.  Now I realize there is much more... I don´t own a gun and the only physical weapon I have is pepper spray.  But I know I have a greater defense.  Please pray for Honduras!