After 4 months in the Netherlands we could travel back to Suriname on the day we originally planned. This time it took some doing, but it worked! The KLM Plane we took was named ‘Snowbell’… We are now safe in Suriname and have also finished our quarantine period in Paramaribo.

Home quarantine was quite an experience. Three times a day an officer from a security company came over to check if we were at home. if so, a note was put in the letterbox stating that we were home with date and time. Our daughter Elisabeth made sure that we lacked nothing by providing our groceries.

After the ten-day quarantine, it was wonderful to hold our grandson in our arms and enjoy his stories. It was a blessing to be at Elsbeth’s birthday again. We enjoy the things that are still allowed and possible.

Meanwhile, the numbers of Covid positively tested people are also rising in Suriname. The restrictions were tightened up again last night. A maximum of 5 people may come together. We are able to celebrate Christmas with Elsbeth and her family of 3.

From the Wajana villages we only hear enthusiastic stories about the planned Christmas celebrations. On December 24 they have the Christmas night service in Apetina from 7 pm, which lasts until after midnight. The next morning everyone is back at church and then they have a meal together. Covid has come to the villages, many people have been ill, but fortunately mostly with mild symptoms. Life is now again as before Corona. In Kawemhakan the boats from the various villages up and downstream have also been moored for the Christmas conference.

Domestic passenger transport is not available from December 24 until the end of the year. We hope that we can fly to Apetina on January 5th.

We can now frame our Christmas greetings with a musical contribution from our grandson in the Netherlands.Jayden plays ‘Silent Night’