Hand in Hand Global Mission Support Blog Digest

Why did the cayman cross the road?

The Rev. Twila Schock, ELCA Global Mission Support director, shares this “on the road” experience while traveling with the Rev. Kevin Jacobson, ELCA missionary serving in Suriname:
“Kevin was driving me cross-country to the border between Suriname and Guyana, where I was to cross the river to meet missionary [Dr.] Dick Young. Enroute, we came across this cayman. Whatever reason the cayman had for crossing the road, s/he apparently didn’t cross quickly enough.”
Twila, now in Guyana, reports that she has collected great stories from the trip and can’t wait to begin sharing them with sponsors.

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This is the next in a series of “Give thanks!” moments offered by ELCA missionaries and sponsors. Learn more about Operation Thanks-Giving at http://www.elca.org/handinhand–Pr. Twila Schock.

Kevin Jacobson (Suriname) writes: “My first Thanksgiving in Suriname was in 2008. The United States Ambassador invited all employees of the US Embassy, Peace Corps offices and other Americans to her home for a Thanksgiving feast.  She, with much assistance from others, cooked a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It was a blessing to spend the day in her beautiful home along the Suriname River with 200 other people.  With the temperature soaring to nearly 100 degrees, the Ambassador’s pool offered its own refreshment. 

The Ambassador asked me if I would be willing to give grace before the meal. Knowing that the group gathering were people of many faiths and traditions I chose to read Chief Seattle’s prayer. Since that day I have been asked by people of many faiths who were in attendance to lead an opening prayer for various occasions around the city. I give thanks to all wonderful past leaders like Chief Seattle who through their vision and wisdom continue to open the doors for those of us and future generations.

I also give thanks to Any Inkt, the 18 year old son of the caretaker of Martin Luther Church in the center of Paramaribo, for driving me around the city and the streets so that I could learn how to safely navigate them. ”

The Rev. Kevin Jacobson (left) is an ELCA missionary serving in Suriname.  He works in parish ministry and leadership development. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Suriname has four congregations and about 4,000 members. With historical ties to the Netherlands, the people of this country in the northern part of South America speak Dutch.

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Resurrection Lutheran Church (RLC), Chicago, Illinois, sponsors ELCA missionary Kevin Jacobson who serves in Suriname.  The quiz below was prepared for RLC’s Sunday in Suriname mission event.    Thanks to the Rev. Kim Beckman for sharing this quiz!–Sue Edison-Swift

Answers:  1) A (September);  2)B; 3)C; 4)A; 5)C; 6)D; 7)A; 8)C; 9)B; 10)D
Learn more about Suriname by visiting www.elca.org/companionprofiles and then clicking on ”Latin America and Caribbean” and “Suriname.”   Learn more about how you can sponsor an ELCA missionary by visiting www.elca.org/missionarysponsorship or e-mail globalmissionsupport@elca.org.

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