May 2002 Newsletter: Step Into My World - Photo Essay

Greetings! It is now June, and soon I will return home for summer vacation! I fly back to the United States on June 14. Please pray for safe travel as I make this long trip!

The bulk of this newsletter will be a photo essay. In it you will see pictures of my world - of the sights I see every day. May was a good month for me! God has been doing wonderful things in my life, and I feel truly blessed to be a part of the ministry that is happening here in Suriname. Here are some of the major events of May:

Residency Interview

In order to avoid having to buy an entrance visa next year to come back to Suriname, the school is pursuing residency status for the entire teaching staff. In addition to providing college diplomas and transcripts, we all had to be interviewed in person. Please pray that we are granted residency status. Should we get it, we will no longer have to renew our green cards every three months nor purchase visas to enter Suriname.

Student Writing

In English class I had my students write a poem describing the places where they grew up. Several students allowed me to publish their writing on my website. Their poems reflect the diversity of our student body and provide some neat insights as to the kind of students we have in school. Check out their writing in the student section of my website.

Teacher Appreciation Banquet

Being as it is the end of the year, the school board hosted a teacher/staff appreciation banquet at a local hotel. After singing several praise songs together, the school board showed a thank-you presentation titled "Sowing the Seed, Reaping the Harvest." The presentation had many pictures and kind quotes from students at our school. Furthermore, we were all given a copy of the presentation to take home and show our families! I truly felt appreciated ; the banquet was one of the most touching I have ever attended.

Youth Group End of Year Fling

To celebrate the end of the year we had an all-night lock-in for the youth group last Friday. Half of our lock-in took place at school, with the rest taking place at two missionary homes and the local bowling alley. At school we played several games, put on some silly skits, and watched The Fellowship of the Ring. The students had a wonderful time, while I felt very tired from staying up all night.

Call for Support

It is now time for me to begin gaining support for next year. My major supporter, Christ Lutheran Church, recently informed me that due to enormous building expenses, they are no longer able to support me as a missionary. As a result, I now need to raise support entirely from friends and family. Please prayerfully consider whether you (or someone you know) is willing to help fund my ministry in Suriname. I need to raise between $2,000 and $3,000. If I raise $3,000, I will come home for Christmas! 92% of your money goes to me, with the last 8% going to NICS as a processing fee. By mission organization standards, this amount is small. Your donation is tax-deductible if sent to NICS. If sent to me directly, it is not. You may call Charlene Chapman at the NICS home office with any questions (or call me!). NICS: 1-800-887-NICS. Those who support me are recognized on my website in the "special thanks" section!

Thank you to the following supporters for your generous support and help this past year: Christ Lutheran Church, Mr. John F. Dickens, Ms. Katrina M. Dickens, Ms. Margaret Dickens, Toby & Mary Dickens, Linda & Rolf Larson, Ms. Stina Larson, Dr. Maud C. Hall, Kim Oleson, Bonnie Bucholz, Kathy Novak, Paul Martin, Marty Osredker, Ty Johnson, Thomas G. Hamilton, Stan & Rev. Glenda Fish, Kirsten Arveson, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Spiegel, Michel Plungjan, Robert Pionke.