February 2003 Newsletter: The Best Time of Year

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters:

Thank you for you continued prayers and support as I continue my ministry here in Suriname, South America.

After spending a much needed and very relaxing time at home for Christmas vacation, I returned to Suriname on January 6. For those of you who like play-by-play details, here is how my flight played out. I left from Chicago ­ O’Hare on the morning of January 6 at 6 AM. I flew via Delta to Atlanta (the hub for Delta, arriving at 8:50 and leaving again at 9:30) and then to Miami, Florida. I arrived in Miami at 11:20. I then boarded Suriname Airways at 2:30 and flew from Miami to the tropical island of Curacao. Our flight was 4.5 hours. I had a one hour layover in Curacao, then got back on the plane and headed on to Suriname, which took another 4 hours. The plane landed about 9:30 PM, and by the time I actually got home, it was close to 11:00. My house is 45 mins from the airport.

As you may recall, before leaving Suriname my power went out. I got back to find a note on my door informing me that my power had been off for 5 days, so I should probably not head to the refrigerator for some food. AhÉ life in a 3rd world country!

Things at school quickly returned to normal. I bought some new devotional books while home for Christmas break, and began using them immediately in the classroom. Since I am not coming back to the mission field next year, my time with these students is shortÉ so I want to use the time I have left to share as much of the good news as I can with them, and help them to see the goodness that is

Christ.

Right now is the best time of year to be in Suriname. The temperature is in the low 80s and there is not too much rain. Every day so far has had a slight breeze, and I’ve found myself outside grading papers and enjoying what most would consider “vacation weather.” This good weather will last until April, at which point we should go back into the long rainy season, where it will rain often. Nights have been peaceful and still, with many stars shining brilliantly. Sunsets have been amazingÉ always reminding me of how truly AWESOME God is!

Many things happened in January. First, the president and founder of the Network of International Christian Schools (my mission organization) came to our school to meet with the school board. NICS is trying to make some changes to our school, and would like to shift the control from the local school board, to a NICS school board. The president also took the entire staff out to the nicest restaurant in Suriname: an Indonesian restaurant. His words at our daily staff devotions were quite encouraging.

Next, a man from the US State department came to Suriname to work with our school board and give them some training. He was also here to review our school so he could make a decision on whether or not we should be accredited. The United States Embassy is backing our school 100% for accreditation, and we are expected to have a visit by an accreditation team in mid-April.

As far as interesting things happening to me, there is one incident that stands out. About January 22 the phone at my house went dead. Even though the bill has been paid consistently from the time I got here, I’m told a mix up either at the bank or the school, which prevented the phone bill from being paid. At any rate, due to the typical slowness of Suriname life, my phone was just turned on about 3 days ago.

Living without a phone is not that bad, but for an internet junkie like me, it made things difficult. The problem was compounded by the fact that my phone went dead three days before my girlfriend, Lilly, flew off to England to study abroad for second semester. As a result, I almost became dog food on several occasions. Allow me to explain.

Because my phone was out, I had to go to school in order to get onto the internet. Since Lilly was spending the days before she want to England shopping, she was out all day, which meant I had to get online later at night (after the sun went down). Like Thailand, Suriname has many street dogs. Normally these dogs are tame, but at night, become vicious and protective of the yards they watch. It seemed that no matter what street I went down, at least one street dog would start to chase after me on my bicycle. While I almost got bit on several occasions, I was always able to outrun them. However, I finally figured out how to defeat them (humanely I might add, unlike my housemate who squirts the dog with a water bottle filled with bleach). As I was coming home from a late-night conversation with Lilly the other day, I was chased by two large dogs. Since I was already in prayer, I called on God for help. Immediately, the first dog turned around and went the other direction. I then called upon God again, saying, “GodÉ could you please take care of this second dog too?” Immediately, the dog turned around and went the other way. He IS FAITHFUL! Praise God for that!

I also noticed another interesting thing. While coming home from school one day, I noticed an accident about a block from my street. What made this accident different from all other accidents (that I’ve seen in the USA) is that many local people pulled their cars over to stand and gawk. A large crowd had gathered on the road to stand and watch the two cars that had collided be pulled from the overflow canals (that hold water when the ocean water gets too high). I was reminded of how people in the USA usually slow to watch, but seldom ever stop.

Our school was also blessed by a visit from a 4-person singing group from my home state: Illinois! The group was called “His Voice” and came to spread the word of Jesus through song at local churches. They gave a performance at our school, and it was inspiring to hear some of the kids humming or singing a few selections days later! God is at work!

I’d like to close this letter with a few prayer requests. First, please pray for my principal, Dr. Martens, as he recruits new teachers for next year. He is in the USA at the NICS home office right now making contacts for next year. He is also trying to bring back a new teacher from Arizona, Emily, who is 24 years old and interested in teaching at ACS for the remainder of this year. Please pray that Dr. Martens will be successful in both regards.

Next, please pray for the youth group that I help to run. Our attendance has been low the past two times we have met. Please pray that our numbers will go back up, and that God will use every adult at youth group in a mighty way, so that we can help be lights to the kids, and serve as role models/ examples of Christian living.

Also, please pray for some of our high school students, especially three boys: Phillip, Ryan, and Seung Hyung. These boys seem to embody a spirit of bitterness toward Christ. Please pray that their hearts will be softened.

Then, please pray that I would be able to raise more support. I have not raised as much as I would have liked, but I know that God is faithful and will provide.

Last, please pray for Lilly and me. Pray that Lilly would be safe in England and that she would accomplish the personal goals she has set for herself. Pray that I would become more secure in myself and our relationship. Pray for us, that we would stay close despite the distance, and that we would continue to listen for God’s leading in our relationship, and continue to reflect God’s will in all that we do.

I wish you all peaceful and God-filled lives, and hope that you will all continue to support me and pray for me as I spread God’s word here in Suriname. There should be some exciting things happening here in February, and I’m excited to write about them all next month! In the meantime, please continue to check out my website for new pictures from Suriname, coming soon.

Grace and peace be with you always.

In Christ,

-Steven