Chief Julio Soto of Tolupan Passes Away

   Our great friend in Montana de la Flor, Chief Julio Soto, Jefe of all the Tolupan Tribes, approximately 102 years of age, died at Hospital Esquela Monday, March 14th.
   One of Julio's final wishes was for his body to be carried in our green Toyota pickup. Francis Seivert, representing Mission Honduras LeMars, Gehlen Mission Honduras, and Then Feed Just One, has been in Honduras since early January, 2011, preparing for three high school mission teams. Julio's family specifically requested the involvement of Francis in his burial. According to the son of Chief Tomas of one of the tribes, Francis became the first ‘Non-Tolupan’ to ever attend the burial of a Tolupan Chief.
   The president of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo, and other government dignitaries, flew by helicopter to Montana de la Flor to show their respect for the Great Chief of the Tolupan. In some of the pictures below you will see Francis greeting President Lobo. You will also see photos of Julio’s coffin lying in-state in the CRS building in La Ceiba. After a short ride in the back of our pickup you will see Francis attending the actual burial somewhere in a jungle area near La Lima, burial site of past Tolupan Chiefs. One other photo shows Francis with the direct family of Chief Julio.
   On Tuesday morning, March 22, Francis communicated our great sadness and condolences from Mission Honduras LeMars, Gehlen Mission Honduras, and Then Feed Just One to Julio’s family and all five tribes of the Tolupan. In his conversations with Francis, President Lobo expressed many thanks to all three organizations for the work we have done and continue to do in Honduras.