Klasien - Suriname

Thank you so much for your partnership in my 12 months minus one day ministry to the Wajana Indians in Suriname, South America. Your prayer support made this ministry possible.
 
A few reflections: It was an all around good year. I am so thankful the Lord sent me, and I am blessed beyond means; I wonder who benefited more, my self or the Wajana? I have experienced spiritual growth and rewards of joy and fulfillment. Difficult times were a great learning experience.
 
Meetings with the Sunday school teachers had an almost perfect attendance. I am thankful that the Lord has enabled my informant Lepeka and me to prepare, 83 “A-Beka-Book flash cards” lessons for teaching in the Wajana language.
 
No tables? No problem
Teaching 12-16 year old girls or as I often call them “Gigglers”, was difficult for me. I often wondered if it benefited the girls spiritually. To my surprise one of the fathers came and thanked me for getting his girls into the Word, he said “They always told me that they can only read Dutch since that is the language they use in school, but now they read the scriptures in their very own language”. By the way their knowledge of Dutch is limited.
 
Much of the culture has changed since my 16 year ministry in the 70s and 80s:
·  Wajana now are showing appreciation for things received. This, I am sure, is because of God’s grace in their lives.
·  They enjoy looking at pictures of their tribes mate even though they might be deceased. Again God at work in their lives.
·  There are now poor and rich families, no one used to have anything therefore all were equal.
·  Clothes a worn, a good thing, but this consequently brings much laundry and need of soap
·  They are more individualistic you see them using their meals in small family clusters as opposed to eating with the extended family, grandma grandpa aunt etc..
· There used to be about 150 people in the village now there are around 450. Larger families, less infanticide, abortion, migration out of other villages
· Many families have more modern equipment such as: see pics below. Cassava grating machine

Once more thank you!
 My phone number is 616 460 4930 this is a cell phone with Verizon.
I will keep up my blog for a month or so before deleting it.
 
In His Care                                                                                                          Klasien

Missionary trips: The Trio team is now returning to their home village in the Southern part of Suriname, They have completed their visit to the  Brazilian Zoe tribe. A Zoe man is coming with them to teach the Zoe language to the team. We have not learned yet why this decision was made, or what further plans there are.

Travel: I am presently in Paramaribo and hope to fly back to the US th of Feb. arriving midnight. While in Paramaribo Wajana and Trio villages. I hope to duplicate the work on the SS lessons I have done and make it available to SS teachers in the other on Friday the 12

My link to you: When living in a some what isolated area communication with friends and family is of up most importance. I thank Rinia who enabled me to communicate with you by so faithfully processing my emails this year and sending them on a memory stick when ever a MAF plane came. This was much added work to her already overloaded schedule. Thank you so much Rinia. May the Lord richly bless you for your willingness to be used by Him.

Missionary trips: The Trio team to the Zoe, pronounced as show – well) tribe has arrived at their destination in Brazil. Reports are tat they are hungry to know about the Savior.  

Besides that they also ask for clothes and items. Remember this is the tribe that has no clothing at al but they have seen many others with clothing.

 Praise and Prayer: see prayer page

My Work; Thank you for your prayers The Lord enabled me to finish the lessons in a  remarkable way. The language gave me less problems this time. I should have asked for this before.

In Pïlëoïmë 2010 was heralded in with a midnight worship in song service. It was an unannounced service though in a small village like this messages travel fast. I do not know how your year started but I hope you will have a year dedicated to the Lord and filled with blessings.

       Urgent Prayer Request:  Two children, 10 and 8 year old, from one of our Trio villages are lost in the bush as of yesterday January 2. Please pray that they may be discovered soon and that the Lord will protect them.

       Missionary trips: In my last update I wrote that the expedition party to the Zoe tribe would continue their trip on the 17^th of December. Well that has changed and plans are now to go on the 4^th of January. You have probably gathered by now that time is not important to the Indians. Generally in the third word the saying “time is money” is not known. Pray for safe travel and a good reception. Pray the Lord will work in the hearts of the Zoe Indians, to make them receptive and eager to hear the word. Ask that the language barrier may not hinder the gospel.

            As far as I know the Wajana team still plans to leave soon to the Medio Indians in French Guyana. Continue to pray for them as well.

         Children’s work: The Christmas pageant went well. I have enclosed some pictures of the wise man being dressed and Mary. The wise man decided against the Brazillian soccer team shirts, dressing up during the rehearsal. The other 2 pictures are from the game day that we held on the 26^th.

       On Feb 2 I hope to fly into town on February 2 ant to the US on the 10^th I brelieve it might be the 12^th. I have a little less than a month left in the bush and still 15 Sunday school lessons to prepare. Please pray for insight and language.