Marco left Lawa, together with Ipomadi, two weeks ago. He writes this message at the airport of Minneapolis in a break between two flights.. This morning we left Philadelphia and in 10 minutes we will catch our last flight to Winnipeg. Canada here we come.Together with Ipomadi, the chief of the Wayana at the Lawa, we left Lawa April 27. In the city our days were filled with shopping, meetings and other preparations for our trip to come. April 30 we flew with some layovers in Port of Spain and Houston to Denver (CO). Late at night we arrived and picking up our rental car we drove of to Estes Park where we would find the conference centre, YMCA of the Rockies. Indeed in the middle of the Rocky mountains. That we would only see the next morning. After only a few hours, since we arrived at 05:30 am. For Ipomadi the surprise was even better since that night snow had covered the grass. We were happy that ALTECO had taken care of thick warm jackets and wolen covers for our heads.

The ALTECO Consultation was a great succes. Meeting with the board the day before the conference would start; the themes that were presented; meeting with a number of representatives from various organisations involved with mission to indigenous people in the Amazone region, learning about existing and new to be formed networks in different countries and how they are instrumental in developing churches and other aspects and levels of development; how the Surinamese native churches now will take part of this network and how we will put this in place in the next few years; apart from all the meetings at breakfast, lunch and dinner when we met a number of people sharing our situation, dreams and challenges. Before we came we had no idea how benificial taking part of the conference would be. We have a lot to think and pray about for the next few months.

After the consultation we drove back to Denver May 5. This time in a bright sunlight enjoying the view along the way. Especially the white covered Rockies were great to look at and take pictures. The next day we flew to Philadelphia where we spend some days with the staff of the World Team Office. Every day we presented our story to a number of people who showed interest in our testimony. We enjoyed the hospitality of two families and were surprised how many wanted to hear our stories. We could share about the work that World Team has been doing over the last few years and people could listen to Ipomadi representing the Wayanas in his presentations. Our powerpoint and videos were received very well. Tuesday we spend most of our time in the office. It has been great to meet with the staff in real time now, in addition to various e-mails or talking via Skype.

Very special was meeting with Walt Jackson, the first missionary reaching out to the Wayanas in the 50 s. Now Ipomadi could tell him first hand about the developments in the Lawa church. Also the pictures that Beth Weaver showed from the years before she was 12 living at Lawa brought forth a lot of memories to share and rejoice.

Nice to see how Ipomadi pickes up some English words to speak. He understands a lot and getting all this English helps him to grow in the language. He also wants to learn Spanish since that is the mayor language in the Amazon (next to Portuguese in Brazil) and this would give him a better access to his ALTECO collegues. We also talk a lot about the future for the Wayana and who of the youth could get involved to grow in future leadership.

Right now we’re at the gate to Canada. This week we will be in Winnipeg getting informed and involved with first nation people in a number of projects in and around the city.

We hope to find out if and how the recent developments at the Lawa could benefit the work in Winnipeg. We carry the message of Gods blessings into this other ‘jungle’ of concrete and asphalt where people suffer loneliness and isolation in their so called local culture not aware of being captured in a net of darkness keeping them imprisonned as such. We want to hear Gods voice in order to know what we may share from our experiences concering His presence and blessings in setting the people free from bondage. This week we are in discovery mode to see what the Lord wants us to learn and share about His kindom that will come.

We enjoy connecting to our wives on a dayly base through the internet. Ipomadi bought a new mobile phone before we left Suriname. We both use every WiFi opportunity to conect through WhatsApp and know both Marjolein and Melisa and their kids are doing well. We live in a big small world.

Marjolein is doing well. The last weekend one of the MAF pilots and his family stayed over with her at Lawa. Also her days go fast. At the end of each day Alumpia visits her in order to have a cup of coffee and to pray with her for protection. Great to see how he reaches out to Marjolein since Marco is so far away.