So I have a whole new appreciation now for Tennessee orange. Central Bearden Baptist from Knoxville, TN brought more than just orange to Suriname this summer. They also brought 20 of their finest to come and serve here in Suriname with us. The team landed early one Saturday morning around 2am and found themselves 100 miles deep into the jungle by 3pm that same day.
We spent time getting settled in and had a blast getting to hear everyones story. After some rope swinging and dinner, we all hit the hammocks for our first night of sleep together in the jungle. Sunday found us all worshiping together at a near by village called Pipa Konde. A sweet time of fellowship with brothers and sisters in the jungle was the perfect way to start off the week.
Everyday from Monday to Thursday we headed to Lowabi and Diitabiki to go love in some kiddos. Most of the volunteer teams in the past have been focused on adults, but not this time. The team from Knoxville, made up of 11 adults and 9 kids, had come to share the love of Jesus with the Aukan children. We spent time singing songs, playing games, making crafts and telling Bible stories. The kids had all memorized Bible stories before coming on the trip and when we went to the villages Ryan and I got to put our language skills to the test and translated the stories back into Aukan for the children. All you kids did an awesome job on your stories!!! Know that you have now been part of planting seeds for the Lord in the jungles of Suriname.
One especially sweet memory for me was the day Madison and I got to share the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection with the children. Madison did a wonderful job telling her story, even with a little Aukan girl tugging at her side almost the whole time.
Afterwards, the children made a puzzle which was designed to retell the story again. The children were all split up into groups as we made the craft and there is a little boy named Cedrick in the group I was in who seemed to not be able to get enough of this guy named Jesus. He listened so intently and even when the other kids all ran off to go play, he stayed a listened to more.
Cedrick lives in a village right beside Lowabi called Sanbedoemie. And I’m extremely excited about the the fact that since I’m staying and living at Diitabiki now, I’m only a 20 minute paddle boat ride away from getting to share more stories with young Cedrick. Please be praying specifically for him that the Lord would open his heart to the gospel.
To all those from Central Bearden Baptist, thank you again SO MUCH for giving of your time, your money and yourselves to come and share the love of Jesus Christ with the Aukan people. You were such a blessing; not only to the Aukan people, but to me as well. You are all so awesome and please know that we are praying for you! Take care and God bless. And maybe we’ll see ya again:)
1 comment:
Well of course ORANGE is the color! I could have told you that a long time ago. We know that church well. They are great!
Post a Comment