Today we buried a 70 year old believer. He knew Darrell Champlin when he first came to Ricanau Mofo. We have heard at least two different stories of his salvation, but it was clear that he was truly saved, and faithfully attended our church for a number of years until his health and other problems prevented his coming. When I last saw him the day before we went to the USA, he was totally confused and did not recognize me any more.

Several years ago, we began a burial fund. In the usual Bush Negro system, everyone in the family chips in when there is a funeral. But in the past, the heathen had virtually total control of the burial, and incorporated a large number of witchcraft practices in the burial. This was especially true since they were afraid of the spirit of the departed returning and taking revenge, especially on the family - and so many things were done to placate the spirit. There were also elaborate ceremonies and rules for the closest living relative for a number of months also involving witchcraft. They could only wear certain clothes, including at times the underwear of the deceased. They would have to put part of their food and drink on the ground for the departed. They would sit only on a special stool which was reserved for them. These rules would be stopped only after ceremonies some 6-9 months later.

To allow our people to have a Christian burial and mourning period, we started a fund where the church would be able to control the burial. This man was in the fund. Years ago, the heathen would try to take over the burials. It used to be a time of feasting, dancing and drinking. They would wait impatiently with their rock music and big speakers for us to finish the church service and celebrate until morning. At the time of burial, they used to do extensive witchcraft. When we buried a young believer a number of years ago, we had a group of our young men stand guard around the grave to prevent witchcraft, and God also helped us then by sending a torrential downpour which scattered the witch doctors. Otherwise, they not only pray to the spirit of the dead, but place all sorts of things into the casket and grave, as well as pour out libations of whiskey for the departed spirit.

However, there has been a great change in the last few years, and many Bush Negroes, especially in the city, are breaking away from the old witchcraft culture and becoming true believers. Standing alone is much more difficult in many areas of the interior, but more and more Bush Negroes are getting saved.

Traditionally we hold several services before the burial. In the past, they usually held the wake until sun-up on the burial day (broko-dei). The family comes together - and in an extended family situation like with our people, you may be talking about 100-200 or more people. Our church normally holds 2-3 services preceding the burial, the burial service itself, and then services at one week and six weeks after the burial. The entire family may participate, including many unsaved. Our church services are much shorter, but we normally have some refreshments.

This is the first burial service at our church of our believers at our church in some time when we have been in Suriname. On Wednesday, we held our regular mid-week service for 2 hours, but changed the format to a burial service. After singing for about 40 minutes, I preached pretty much a salvation appeal beginning with I Thessalonians 4:13-18. After some prayers for the family, everyone had a snack and something to drink before going home.

Last night, we began at 9:00 pm and finished right at midnight. After an hour's singing, John Naingie preached a very good sermon about 50 minutes long. When he saw a number of unsaved family members present in the audience, he changed his message as well, and gave another salvation appeal. We had a more elaborate snack and drinks, and closed with some more songs.

Today we had the burial service. We started late, and had testimonies so my time was short. So I jettisoned my prepared message and preached impromptu from Hebrews 2:14-15, and again gave a straightforward salvation message. The opening and closing prayers for the sermon by two of our preachers were also salvation appeals.

We then left for the gravesite and held a brief service - a song, reading John 14:1-3, and then a final prayer by another pastor, also a salvation appeal. I was very pleased that the church was really concerned about this man's family. We would cherish your prayers that the Word and prayer would reach into the lives of unsaved, and that truly Jn. 12:24 would come true - that if a seed falls into the ground and dies, it brings forth much fruit. At least the man's family have heard the gospel on several occasions from different preachers. We will be having a follow-up service next Friday night.

I have been studying worldview in detail over the last few weeks. Every culture has its own worldview. It has been helpful in understanding how to better serve and reach our people. It really helps presenting salvation in an understandable way, as well as understanding the whole burial process of our people.

Otherwise, things have been busy but basically going well. The Bible Institutes will be on vacation until next year after this coming week. The radio and TV programs continue to go well.

We will be discussing my replacement as senior pastor on Sunday. Please pray for the entire discussion and decisions which the church makes.

Prayer requests:

1. Strength and health for the tasks at hand
2. Our spiritual growth
3. Safety on the road - recent studies show that the mortality rate of traffic deaths per person in Suriname is five times higher than that of Holland.
4. Souls saved
5. Transition of the senior pastor position at the main church
6. Continued development of teaching materials
7. Continued blessing of radio, TV and Bible Institutes