Honduras - Bus full of Witnesses in a Tragic Accident

[retroHelen]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-2816340/Fourteen-dead-55-injured-Honduras-bus-accident.html

 

There are other different newspaper items on this subject but they are misleading and full of assumptions and speculations that are plain untrue/unkind. My friends are Missionaries in the Honduras and sent me their more accurate information and the great Witness that came from this tragedy:

 

"Last Saturday (3 days ago) a bus full of Jehovah`s Witnesses was travelling from Choloma,(near to where we are now in El Progresso) to Flores, Lempira to preach in territory where there was a greater need, a journey of about 4 hours. The bus went off the road at San Juan de Opoa (in the territory of Santa Rosa de Copan where we used to be 10 years ago) and turned over and over as it fell down the ravine. The television crews were there before the ambulances so it was quite distressing to see the initial news reports. You can type `choloma Jehovah`s Witnesses`to see the few reports in English whereas `choloma testigos de Jehova`gives you all the Honduran newspaper reports in Spanish but with photos.

 

    The next day, Sunday, we were at an assembly and the Circuit Overseer used the concluding talk to inform us of the current situation. The figures vary a little in the different reports we have read but at the assembly we heard that there were 55 brothers and sisters on the bus, that 14 have died ( that includes the driver who wasn`t a brother) and about 40 are badly injured.

 

    I personally was astounded by the restraint of the Honduran press.Normally it seems they can say what they like and in the past have printed outrageously inaccurate articles about Jehovah's Witnesses. Added to that when it was announced that the injured were being transferred to the public hospital in San Pedro Sula, I groaned inwardly because the attitude of many doctors there toward us has been hostile to put it mildly. But each time a news report went out all they did was add one comment "and of course, being Jehovah`s Witnesses there will be the challenge of treating them without blood transfusions as their faith forbids them`` or words to that effect. Nothing more. No sensationalism. No uninformed attacks. But there was a reason....

 

    Going back to the assembly on Sunday, the Circuit Overseer told us in his last talk that the government had issued a communication that all affected by the accident were to be extended every help possible, I later learned that this even included having some costs covered. Apparently it just happened that the president of the republic, Juan Orlando Hernandez was nearby in Lempira when the accident occurred and actually went to the site. It turns out that the brother was staying with used to be a work colleague of Juan Orlando many years ago. When our brother decided to become a Jehovah`s Witness he had the opportunity to talk to many of his former colleagues, people who are generally hard to reach for most of us, politicians, lawyers etc. So some years ago he gave Juan Orlando a Bible Teach Book, which he promised to read. Since then our bro has been used by the organisation in his capacity as a lawyer and we have a good reputation for being honest and upright in legal and financial matters. 

 

    Last night, Monday, two brothers, survivors of the accident, were interviewed on national TV. (Canal 5 Noticiero), both of them with bruised and scratched faces and one with his arm in a sling. The interviewer was very respectful and asked them to explain how they were able to be at peace in the midst of such tragedy.

 

They answered very well, giving credit to Jehovah and his holy spirit.They were questioned on how they felt about such a thing happening when they were doing the Lord`s work. Again they responded well, quoting Ecclesiastes about unforeseen occurrences. They thanked all involved in helping them, firemen, medical staff, the people of San Juan de Opoa etc. They spoke well of everyone and especially of the driver. One of them said one of his outstanding memories was of the efforts of the driver to save them. They made the point that the family of this man is grieving too, so it  would be unfair to be speculating about his role in the accident at that moment. The interviewer asked if they would undertake a similar preaching trip again and they said they would because people need to know that God`s Kingdom is established and what that implies, a hope for the dead, etc. With just 30 seconds to go the interviewer said as a matter of curiosity so what does happen when you die? The brothers. quoted Ecc 9:5 and John 11 and held up a Bible Teach book for all to see - for those who wanted to know more. So the interview concluded with a close up of the book.

 

    We heard that the municipality, in Choloma where the grieving congregation. is, gave permission for the use of a large public area for the funeral service of 12. About 4,000 attended. Also I`ve seen the newspaper report complete with photos inside the Kingdom Hall of the first meeting held at that congregation after the accident. A travelling overseer was there to give a special talk for them."

 

[Jahmyrock125]

2sisters in my congregation, told me that ,their daughters and grandkids  wanted to go to that town to preach also, but because of lack of funds did not go,they are very sad ,other sister told me ,on Saturday in field service, that the Pres. said the bus had no bussness to travel at 4;00 AM it was not legal ,they run inspections after 6AM. WE will pray for our dear brothers.

[GStorrs46]

   Details of this bus crash are reported on the organization's website. We thank sister Helen for the additional details

and the witness that was able to be given dispite this tradgety.

 

                                                                                                                                                                    GStorrs46