Mission
Suriname
Margaret & Darrell Pearman.
The Pearmans spent two years in Suriname learning the local trade language and culture so they could share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost in Suriname. They worked with the churches in Paramaribo to encourage the members and help equip them to evangelize their own people. They also reached out to the Kwinti people in the rain forest. They were rejected and shunned by the Kwinti, but through Love, prayer and fasting, God openned the door for them to share the Gospel with the Kwinti. God has allowed them to build strong relationships with the people and to continue to reach out to the lost among the Kwinti.
We are convinced God has more work for us in Suriname. We saw God do some amazing things. Then, when He led us to return to Texas, He also showed us that He wants us to lead teams of volunteers to continue His work. This includes evangelism, discipleship, encouragement, and human needs projects both in Paramaribo and in the Kwinti villages in the rain forest.
Love and Pray for the Lost
Suriname has a population of around 450 thousand people. About 90% live within 10 miles of the coast. They came from Indonesia, China, Africa, and Europe. The majority of the population consists of descendants of escaped slaves, called Maroons, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, Guyanese, Brazilian, and Dutch make up the rest. The majority religion is Hindu. Anamism, or spirit worship, is next largest, followed by Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
Paramaribo
Paramaribo is the Capital, and only, city in Suriname. The majority religion in Paramaribo is Hinduism. As you travel around the city you will see idols and poles virtually everywhere. Each one represents a person or family that needs to hear about the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. “How, then, can they call upon the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Rom 10:14 Many people accept Jesus as just another way to get to “God” along with all the other “ways”. There is also a moderate Islamic population. They are opposed to the radical Islam that is in the news so much. Many are eager to discuss their beliefs with you. It takes a much deeper relationship and much prayer to convince them to convert to following Jesus. Some say up to 5 years of consistent prayer and study. That is why it is so important that we help the local churches to build these relationships for the Glory of our Savior – Jesus Christ!
Kwinti Villages
The Kwinti tribe is the smallest of the Maroon tribes in Suriname, only about 500 Kwinti remain. The majority of them fled into the city in the 1980’s during the Bush Wars. The war nearly destroyed the Kwinti villages, including the school and Moravian Church. Since that time, few have returned to the villages. Many did not even have the means to rebuild their home, and lived in their cookhouse.
The Kwinti people are mostly oral learners. We share the Gospel through stories. They are adept in remembering and passing on stories. When we talk about the stories we help them to see what God is offering them. They must see how their spirit worship is an offense to God and therefore a sin against God. Then we can lead them to the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.