Renovations

It seems weird to say that we are over half done our trip here in Suriname, time has past so quickly and we have a lot to show for the time we've spent.  We finally finished our first work project Monday and we began our second one yesterday.  We've been painting and redorating the office building of the Lutheran Church in Suriname.  The whole building used to be an off white color with a black border now the outside is a sky blue with a silver grey trim and black border on the bottom and the inside is a light grey with a sky blue accent wall and black border.  It might not sound good but it looks great.  That project lasted a whole week.  During the weekend we enjoyed another painting project with the youth, as Andrew said in his last blog and just yesterday we began our second project, washing, painting, and organizing an office at one of the Lutheran churches here in Suriname for the pastor.  And this weekend we will be taking a four hour trip west to Nickire where we will be doing some more painting as well as tiling (something new!) at the orphanage there.

Today was a different adventure.  We got a day off and went to a Maroon Village, it's name translated means 'sandy ground.'  It was interesting to visit a place such as this.  However, my expectations weren't quite the same.  Since the village now has electricity, everything changed.  Some of the oringinal huts were still existing, but torism has taken its toll.  Eventhough the village has its orginial beliefs, religions and customs there is a small resort that was just built beside the village.  While in the village, you have to have permission to take pictures.  It was a great day to get out of the city, however the sunburn has taken it's revenege and this time not just Andrew, but all three of us!

A prayer request is for an exchange program the church is trying to create here in Paramaribo.  The church is wanting to send one, possibly two, of the youth to CLBI this coming school year.  Pray that God will decide who goes and that the money will be there.  It's in God's hands.

God Bless!

Steven