Hello, everyone!
I know I just sent out an update a couple days ago, but I wanted to send a short one now because we are already headed on to the next country! Tomorrow we will head to French Guiana.
The past three days in Suriname have been crazy and God has completely answered all of our ridiculous prayers. I thought it would be hard to find both lodging and ministry, and God provided both.
After staying at a sketchy hotel the first night in the country, we got connected to a group of nuns who lived on the same street as our hotel. Not only did they provide the nicest place we’ve stayed at for half of our budget (which is only $5 per person per night for lodging), but we have gotten to do ministry with them the past couple of days, as well.
For the whole story about how our good Father provided this for us, please read Chrissy’s blog: http://chrissycasazza.theworldrace.org/post/the-city-of-smiles-does-not-disappoint-welcome-to-suriname
Yesterday we got to pray the rosary, where a precious little boy next to me gave me his. Then we went to mass and then led the youth group, sharing our testimonies. Everyone there could at least understand most of what we were saying in English, even though most people here speak Dutch. One of the boys even said he is inspired to go on the World Race, and he is going to see if he can apply next year when he turns 21!
Today the sisters invited us over to their house for lunch and we spent time getting to know them and the lives they lead. The call to be a nun is a high calling, indeed. I can’t tell you how much respect I have for these women and their sacrifices. We attended mass at the large cathedral last night, and although I didn’t understand a word of the Dutch, the music was absolutely beautiful.
It has been wonderful getting to know more about the Catholic faith, and it has been encouraging that we can all work together towards the same goal in Christ. While it would be easy to stay in this wonderful situation God has given us, God has given us some strong promptings about French Guiana and we know it is time to see what He has for us there.
We have set up a contact here with the sisters to where hopefully future World Racers can come alongside what they are doing here. There are so many ministries to be done we were overwhelmed – a school for the kids from the jungle interior, teaching English, helping with mass, and much more! The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Please pray some future World Racers can have this ministry contact as a host in the future!
As for us, please continue to pray for divine provision and interactions. Pray God leads us to the men and women of peace in French Guiana, and pray we never cease to be amazed by who God is and what He wants to do for His children. Please continue to pray for spiritual warfare, protection, and victory as we waged war against the enemy tonight in prayer and specific situations here in Suriname.
Below are some more videos! The pool and team changes videos are more silly videos, but the one about the last day of ministry has some footage of our ministry and more serious matters. Yes, I talk to animals a lot. I’ve noticed this editing videos. My team has started calling me the animal whisperer. It’s cool.
This is the cathedral where we attended mass tonight. It is also the largest wooden structure in the Western hemisphere.
Thank you as always for EVERYTHING!
See you in French Guiana!
Tera
