Ticket

Yesterday we had to go into town for a few errands. We were planning to go in around 2:00 in the afternoon, but Alan Jackson called us and asked us if we wanted to go to lunch with them. We decided to go in early and have lunch with them. First though, they were going to take us to a new store that is really good.

As we were leaving Hondutel (the phone company) pulled up to our house. We haven't had phone service since we moved in and they finally got out to fix the line (only 2 months after we requested it). We called Alan and told him that we would have to wait around for a few minutes before we could leave. Hondutel told us that they had to go to the main office and pick up something they need and then they would be back.

We went to our neighbor's house and asked if they could come stay in the house so Hondutel could work and we didn't have to wait for them to get back. Our neighbors are Bible Institute students and their house is separated from our house so that you can't even see the other when in one, but they are part of the same property. When we rented this house we requested that they also rent us the little house for the same price. Jose Luis and Suyapa keep on eye on things when we are not around and for that they get to live rent free thus enabling him to work less and attend more Bible Institute classes.

We drove to Teguc with no problems and as we were heading to the new store, we had to make a u-turn. Jason saw two police officers standing on the side of the road and was almost going to go down to the next intersection, but the small bus in front of us made a u-turn and so we decided that it was legal and Jason started to make a u-turn. Just then the police waved for Jason to pull over. Very few police have cars so they wave you over and you must pull over. Who knows what would happen if you didn't, but they carry guns so I don't want to find out. Anyway, we pulled over and the police officer proceeded to ask for our identification and papers for our truck.

Jason gave them to him and then he told Jason that he was too far over in the turn lane and thus was a danger to himself and everyone else on the road. He started making out the ticket. Jason is so calm. I, on the other hand don't like being taken advantage of. So I was furious. But I was good and kept my mouth shut. I do have a frustrating problem though that when I get really mad I cry. So as the tears were running down my cheeks, the other police officer standing with his partner came over. He proceeded to explain to us how dangerous our actions were. That made me even madder as I am not an idiot and I know that we did nothing illegal or harmful to ourselves or others. He then told us that if we would help his partner out he probably would not give us the ticket. Jason told them that we are Christians and don't participate in bribes.

We now have three days to pay a fee based anywhere from 900 Lempira ($50.00) up to 1,815 Lempira ($96.00). While I know that this is cheap compared to the states, it is frustrating to pay when you don't deserve it. There also is no way to fight or complain about tickets.

The police officer told us when he gave us the ticket that we had been in a lot of accidents. We bought our truck from missionary Mike Lane who had been in several small accidents. They are all minor and only can be seen if you are looking for them. We were also in an accident while we were in a store. We came out and our truck was in two parking spots instead of one and the bumper was just about yanked off. Of course no one saw anything. The security guard (who is paid to watch the cars) told us that how does he know we didn't come into the store with it looking like that. Oh well, what can you do.

We have a feeling that those police officers were just waiting for a gringo to come by and look for an excuse to pull them over.