Thanks for your faithful prayers. We depend on them!

Liz's girls: When Brenda Browning left for the USA in 1998, Liz started a teenage club for girls. She was strict and demanded seriousness. Although a number of girls attended the club, seven really bonded together. One eventually left the group, but another younger girl ended up taking her place. Liz taught them for years, had special outings, and especially spoke about purity until marriage. We bought purity rings for each of the girls and they signed a pledge that they would hold themselves morally pure until marriage to a Christian man. The idea is to give the purity ring to her husband at her wedding. We even had the parents come for a special time with them, explaining the promise. With one young lady who had no saved parents, we served as her parents. The young girls are not so young any more. The youngest is now 19, and the majority in their early 20's. The club has not met for 2-3 years, but the bonding continues, and we have had something each year for them.

This year, one girl, Ricarda Ajeremi, is marrying one of our young preachers, Kenneth Pinas. Liz decided to have an overnight time at our home. Each of the families gave permission. Their usual comment was: "Na joe meisje" (She's your daughter...) She made pizza and a cake for the occasion, and they cooked special food together. They saw a Christian video. Liz had a special lesson with them. She had also arranged for each of the girls to bring a surprise small shower gift for Ricarda. All seven packed into our back bedroom which has four bunk beds. They went to church with us the following morning. We have been pleased to see the spiritual growth in the young ladies. They have their struggles, but so do we all. The girls had a great time. Their only complaint was that it ended too soon.

One special request for prayer: Reasonably priced housing is very difficult to find in Paramaribo. Kenneth Pinas arranged to take over an apartment from his brother-in-law, who just completed building his house. However, the minor repairs that were to be done have not been completed, and the renter will not allow them to use the apartment until things are completed. Would you join us in prayer for the right solution to their need for housing. They will be married next week, Saturday, August 1^st.

Commentary: I was able to finish the revision of the New Testament commentary this week, and send it to my sister-in-law, Joanna Tsuyuki. I had found a number of corrections, revisions, etc that needed to be done. I hope to work on the Old Testament gradually in the future. Please pray for the Lord's help for Joanna's typesetting and formatting, as well as First Bible, who will be printing the book. We pray that it will be a blessing and help, and will be well used here in Suriname.

Special treat: This last week, our mango trees just started producing, and pineapples have been plentiful and very good. So two of our favorite tropical fruit the same week - mangoes and pineapple!

Preparing for the USA: Now that we are less than two weeks from departure, both Liz and I are working hard to prepare for the USA. Between arranging for finances, supplies, caring for the house, etc. here, and preparing for lessons and the schedule in the USA, this is a busy time. Reviewing some of the lessons I will be teaching has been very good for me! There is quite a bit of material on why things go slowly in third world countries, being patient, being adaptable, and recognizing that accepting the need of independence takes time. Hmmm.... physician, heal thyself.... I laughed a number of times at myself during my study time!

Bible Institutes: Both Bible Institutes are finished for the year. We have a number of persons who will be taking the regular Bible Institute by correspondence at this time. I have been very pleased with the Advanced Bible Institute. The materials are pretty much at the same level as in the USA, and our students have all done very well. No one failed; the lowest grade was 79% and the highest 98%, with most in the high 80's or low 90's. They have studied faithfully, and I am looking forward to next year's classes starting in November 2009.

Prayer requests:

1. Our spiritual growth
2. Health and strength for the tasks at hand, especially at this busy time
3. Completion of various things to be done before leaving for the USA
4. Souls saved and discipled
5. Wedding blessings next week
6. Housing situation for Kenneth Pinas and bride-to-be Ricarda Ajeremi