January 20, 2008

Cindy and I had to go to the airport to pick up a late arriving MVP team member who had been delayed because of ice storms in Atlanta. On our way to the airport we were stopped for the first time by one of the many roadblocks the police have set up. Most cars they let pass and will only pull over a few. Our teammates tell us the average is about once every eight trips you will get pulled over. We're told when they pull you over they want to see your registration and insurance info. So Brad pulls the info out and hands it to the nice officer. He begins asking us how we are. We say fine and ask him how he is. (This is all taking place in Spanish). He tells us he is working. Cindy responds she is so sorry he has to work on a Sunday. The entire conversation he has been holding our information and not once has he looked at it. He tells us he has no gas for his truck. It’s obvious we are going to have to pay something to get back on the road. We just have no idea what’s the going rate for a police truck needing gas problem. Brad gives him 100 limpiras (about $5) hoping we are in the ballpark. He responds “Dos”. We guess meaning 200 limpiras would be the appropriate amount for a police truck needing gas problem. Brad hands him another 100 limpiras. He gives us our information back. Smiles and says “Buenos Dias” (have a good day).

Some of you may consider this paying a bribe and are thinking “I would never do that.” You could take that approach. Here’s how it would proceed from you saying “I’m not going to give you any money.” The officer would make sure all of our paperwork and license were correct. He would then proceed to check that every headlight, taillight, turn signal, etc. were working correctly. This would continue until he found some reason to give us a ticket. Then we would have to spend at least half a day, if not an entire day, waiting around the traffic court area to pay our ticket which would be most likely around 1000 limpiras ($50). And, the next time this same policeman makes you pullover he just may remember you.

So, we don’t look at as a bribe. We look at as part of doing business in Honduras. The other day they had an ice truck pulled over and the truck had to give up a bag of ice before they would let it pass. We are thinking about putting a cooler full of cokes in the back of our truck to offer the police the next time they pull us over. It might be a way to meet new people and eventually be able to share the gospel. It could have been worse. The day before when the MVP team was coming from the airport our teammate had to pay $500 limpiras ($25) to get the bus through. We got off cheap.

We are wondering, is the $10 we paid tax deductible as a business expense? Probably not since he didn’t give us a Factura (receipt).