Just facts

This is not a feel good post nor an especially informative one except insofar as it will tell you something about Honduras. And I only tell you this because you can find the information elsewhere and I want you to know that we are not ignorant of it nor would we gloss over its importance. These are just the facts.

In one of the local newspapers the other day was a report indicating that Honduras was on schedule to qualify as the world's most violent country for the year 2011. The statistic that seals our ignoble victory is 86 violent deaths per 100,000 people. I will testify to the fact that a day does not go by that one reads in the news of murders and assassinations, some of them obviously opportunistic and others meticulously planned. Many are attributed to narco-trafficking or gang activity.

The above statistic is tragic but another number in the article left me truly disturbed. It is estimated that as many as 98% of those crimes are never brought to justice. This is for various reasons: lack of investigative resources, lack of will, and corruption within the police agencies. There is nothing just about these facts.

This number was more sobering to me. Scripture makes clear that God is a God of justice. The prophetic books record numerous rebukes against the unjust practices of those in power in the Israel of that day. Indeed, God has delegated to kings and leaders the responsibility to enforce justice. I tremble at the thought of the day that God holds these leaders accountable for the failure to pursue justice for their people.

Pray for the people and leaders of Honduras that God might show mercy to this people and this place and that peace and justice might reign for the glory of Jesus Christ.