Webbijbel
Gert-Jan Van Zanten
My trip to Suriname
(March 1- March 16)
On March 1st we, Jim Krumrei and myself, departed from Schiphol
airport in the early morning hours. We arrived at the Joseph Adolf
Pengel airport at about four o'clock in the afternoon. From there we
took a taxi to the house of Wes and Titia Kroezenga.
Jim Krumrei
I have really enjoyed my time with Jim. Jim is a very good man that
I appreciate a lot. I have enjoyed getting to know him even better
during our travels and our time together in Suriname.
I have really enjoyed the evangelism that we did together while in
Suriname.
Jim is 79 years of age but he is still very active and hard to be
stopped. He is blessed with good health.
Wes and Titia:
As most of you know, Wes and Titia, moved to Suriname in May
of last year. Wes and Titia are very dear friends of mine, they were
converted back in 2008 from Pentecostalism. We worshipped together
for about a year and a half in the city of Rotterdam in the
Netherlands, up till the time they moved to Suriname.
Titia is a native of Suriname and had always wanted to move back,
and so they did in May of last year.
Titia still owned a house in Suriname, when Wes and Titia moved back
to Suriname they did not right away moved into their house, because
work was needed to the house before they could move in.
They rented a house nearby and lived in that house for about six
months, last February they moved into their own house.
Some work still needs to be done, however these things can be done
as they are living in their house.
I have really enjoyed my time with Wes and Titia, it was very good
to see them again and to spend time together.
We shared many good times, leisure time, study time, praying time
and singing time.
I was also able to help them out with some things in and around the
house.
Jim Krumrei, Wes and
Titia Kroezenga
In the city of Paramaribo are two churches of Christ, one is
English-speaking and one is Dutch speaking. The English-speaking
church is mostly made up of people from British Guyana, a
neighboring country, the Dutch speaking church is made up of natives
Surinam’s.
Wednesday, March 2
Wes and Titia had invited several members to their home at
night, they had asked me to do a Bible study. I did a study on the
story of Nicodemus and how rebirth consists of water and Spirit. We
looked at the water and it’s relation to new Testament water-baptism
for the remission of sin and we looked at several passages in the
Bible from which we understand that life, new life, always comes
through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, March 3
Dhanpersaud Ramkalewan, the preacher for the
English-speaking church, had invited me to come and speak for them
at night. I spoke on Esau, how we sold his birthright and how when
he wanted it back he could not get it.
The story of Esau started so rich but it ended in deep misery.
Important lessons need to be learned by Christians from the story of
Esau, in the book of Hebrews, a book that talks about Christians
that had deeply fallen short in their lives, they needed to know
that they needed to lift up their hands that were hanging down and
that they were to straighten their feeble knees.
As the writer of Hebrews admonish these Christians he reminds them
of Esau how when he had sold his birthright he could not get it back
in return.
And so, sometimes the lives of Christians that start so beautiful
and rich can end up in the misery if they sell their birthright.
Dhanpersaud Ramkalewan
I really enjoyed getting to know Dhan. He is a wonderful man who
loves the Lord, His church and His people. Dhan whose heart is
burning to serve His Lord and Master. We shared many good
conversations and we studied a number of things together.
I really admired his zeal for the Lords work.
Friday, March 4 and
Saturday, March 5
Both these days I was with Wes and Titia for the greater
part.
We visited with one another, studied a number of things and had good
times together.
On Friday-night I went with Dhan to a study that he had with one of
the families in the church, Dhan did a study on forgiveness. We had
a wonderful time.
We studied with a family of whom only the mother was a Christian,
however her husband was also present and two of her children, that
was a true blessing.
Sunday, March 6
On Sunday I spoke for the Dutch speaking group, I spoke on “seeing
the unseen”, a sermon based on the story of Elisha in second Kings
chapter 6.
In this lesson we focused on faith and how faith is based on what we
cannot see.
We looked at the words of Jesus and how He often spoke the words
that we need to have eyes that see and two have ears that hear.
Monday March 7- Wednesday
March 9
On these days several of us went out into the streets,
knocked on doors and invited people for a Gospel meeting that was
being held Thursday through Saturday.
The people were very open to talk, we have many good talks with the
people that we met. I was really amazed with how open everyone was
to listen and to talk about God.
Thursday, March 10
On the first day of the meeting I spoke for the
English-speaking groups on “the doctor who never lost a case”.
There were several visitors from the community.
The English speaking church
Friday, March 11
On the second day of the meeting Jim spoke on “the Lord's
supper”.
Again, we had several visitors from the community.
Saturday, March 12
The third day of the meeting I was invited to speak, I spoke
on “the power of an example”, I used the story of Timothy as an
example of a godly young man who lived in a ungodly society.
We talked about the need for role models, needed then and needed
now.
Sunday, March 13
This day, I was invited by the English-speaking church to
speak.
In my Bible study I talked about judging and judgment, based on
Jesus's words from the sermon on the Mount where he speaks about the
danger of judging to quickly and His words is John seven where Jesus
speaks about judging with righteous judgment.
Many good questions were raised and many good thoughts were shared.
In my sermon I spoke on “seeing the unseen”. Jim was with the Dutch
speaking group that day.
Monday, March 14
Since this was my last full day in Suriname we took an
outing that day. Wes and Titia had arranged that we would go to
“White beach”. A beautiful place on the Suriname River.
We had a wonderful day together, shared many good spiritual
conversations.
Tuesday, March 15
This day was the day of my departure to go back to the
Netherlands.
On the same day a good friend of Jim, Cor, would arrive in Suriname.
Jim had arranged a taxi to take me to the airport and to pick up his
friend.
In the early morning hours of March 16 I arrived at Schiphol airport
in the Netherlands.
During the last couple of days, I received many wonderful presents
from the Christians that I had been with.
I have been really overwhelmed with their love and commitment.
It was very special to be with them.
