Marco returned back to Lawa after a rewarding trip to Lima in Peru just in time to celebrate Pentecost. Within World Team we investigate how the Chinese population there can be reached with the Gospel. It is important to find Chinese believers who are willing to move to Lima to live and work there. It looks like the first workers will come from Canada. This trip consisted of 4 Chinese Canadians under the leadership of the World Team recruiting officer in Canada. Marco will, as part of the temporary leadership team of the America’s for World Team take the lead as Field Director in opening this new field.

We are encouraged by the open door from the Chinese C&MA Church in Lima. It was very good to be on the spot during this visit. Who is working there, what support would be needed, where are possibilities for our work? All important questions that kept the group busy this week. In August and November two more groups from Canada will follow. In the meantime Marco will build relations with Chinese Church leaders in the Netherlands and in Suriname to see if this work can be extended by sending workers from different countries.

During Marco’s absence Marjolein stayed in Lawa. Two times she presented a bible study for the ladies in te village. That took quite some preparation time, studying the bible and presenting her study in Wayana. Different people visited the house to pay for the clothes they bought in the sale or looking for beads, since there is a tourist market in Maripasoula soon. Beautiful hammocks, bracelets, necklaces etc are being produced with a lot of patience. Many hours of tedious work.

Last Monday was election day in Suriname. A new parliament was elected and also in Lawa there was a voting booth. More than 200 people voted in Lawa. During the day there was a good atmosphere with high expectations for the outcome later that day. We’ll wait and see what the outcome of this election day will bring us in the future.

Our grandson Maurits received a more definite prognosis concerning his health condition. We are grateful that he is diagnosed in the so called ‘standard group’ which means he will ‘only’ have to use oral medicine during the next two years and needs to visit the oncologist only for check-ups regularly. We praise the Lord for this provision in his life.

Coming weekend we will travel to Solonam Pata again. We hear that the believers there are backslidden and really need a push in the right direction. We hope to be able to encourage and teach the believers.

Greetings,

Marco & Marjolein