In 2002, Mission of Hope=Honduras built their first mission school. It is located in the remote village of San Juan Higuerito high in the jungle covered mountains of Honduras.






A dangerous river separated about one half of the children from the school.  At low water the river was dangerous for the children to cross but during rainy times, it was almost impossible to cross.





The Mission of Hope-Honduras team decided that construction of a bridge to insure safe crossings for school was necessary.








All materials such as steel cables to cover a 234 foot open span and railroad rails used to anchor the cable ends had to be carried up the mountain on the backs of men.






The cables were so heavy that it took 18 men to carry the stretched out cables slung over their shoulders.







A 6 foot by 6 foot by 12 foot deep pit was dug and filled with rocks and cement supporting the train rails without the use of any machinery.





Three one inch cables were strung and tensioned between the anchors.  1/2 inch cables were used to support the chain link safety sides for the Bridge.






The floor of the bridge was made of boards wired to the cables.






As work continued high above the river, the bridge gained stability.








Higureto now has a bridge to serve both the students and the community.






The bridge survived Hurricane Michelle just one year after its construction.  Factors contributing to this were the height of the bridge and the superior construction.









Bill and Ellen Gass cross the Higuerito bridge with a group of school children.  They now travel safely to school.