Nazarene World Mission :: Africa
 
 
 

Suriname W&W

The Nazarene Church in Suriname, a former Dutch colony, is lead by Rev. Tajere Sewkumar.  Kindly called “Rev. Bish”, Sewkumar is the District Superintendent for the Suriname district, which is growing under his leadership.  Currently, Suriname Nazarenes are building a new church in the capital city Paramaribo. Paramaribo is a city of almost 250,000 people, half the country's population.  It is a wonderful opportunity for starting a new church.

You can come and help complete the New Charlesburg Church of the Nazarene.

Organize a Work & Witness team to come to Suriname.  Approximate Cost Per Person: $1,800 U.S.

We need you to join with us in diligent prayer for the health of this new church.  Pray that God will pour out his Spirit upon the surrounding areas making the harvest ready.  Work with us to reap this harvest.

NEW CHARLESBURG CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE:

This church was started under the ministry of pioneer missionary to Suriname, Rev. John Burge.  Rev. Burge has passed the district responsibilities to the capable leadership of elected District Superintendent, Rev. Tajere Sewkumar.  Besides serving as superintendent of this young district, coordinating the Jesus Film ministry, and hosting a weekly radio broadcast, Rev. Sewkumar pastors our strongest Nazarene church in the country, Adrianus Straat.  Adrianus Straat Church of the Nazarene is located in the capital city, Paramaribo.

Though it is our strongest church, the congregation meets in one of our smallest buildings.  The church's meeting place consists of a small sanctuary with no classrooms, and an upstairs apartment where Pastor Sewkumar and his family live.  It is located on a dirt road that becomes impassible during the frequent hard rains.  Despite the difficult conditions under which they meet, the congregation is thriving, with an active discipleship ministry for new converts, many of whom are won through the ministry of the Jesus Film.  Due to the success of the church and size of their building Sunday services are packed out.  Members typically stand along the back wall.  The need for a new facility for this congregation is urgent, thus the Adrianus Straat property is being sold and the church is relocating to a new property, New Charlesburg.

THE PROJECT: Our request is for project funds to complete:

  • Sanctuary
  • Classroom
  • Parsonage

These facilities will serve the New Charlesburg congregation's growing needs.

  • Adequate Worship Space for Growing Body of Believers
  • Necessary Facilities for District Meetings
  • Ample Room for Theological Education by Extension

The Breakdown: The project funds will be used as follows:

Materials to complete a 200-seat sanctuary with an office, six classrooms, and two restrooms.

Materials to complete a three-bedroom parsonage with one and a half baths, kitchen, study, and carport.

Labor on the project: Work & Witness teams will be used for the majority of the project completion, with members of the local church and district donating labor where possible.  A local contractor will work alongside Work & Witness teams to keep construction flowing.

W&W Team Information

Housing

Teams would be staying at the Savoie Hotel about 15 minutes from the church project.  Each of the rooms are air conditioned.  Two people can stay in one room.  The hotel also has a room that the team could meet for devotions or other meetings.

***Two people per room: $54.00 U.S. ***

Savoie Hotel
Johannes Mungrastraat #25

Paramaribo, Suriname

Mr. B. Aziz is the director of the hotel.
Telephone: (597) 432 495

this is the address to put on your immigration/customs forms***

Food

The team can cook at the hotel and can purchase all fresh foods at local stores.  It is still recommended that each team still bring some canned food or specific items that they desire.  The supermarket is about two minutes walk from the hotel.  You will find an assortment of American items there. Prices will be slightly higher than in the States.

Transportation

Airfare

Airfare will most likely be the most expensive part of a trip to Suriname.  Airfare from Miami, FL, to Paramaribo, Suriname, starts at $612 and can go up from there.  Groups often get a better rate through a travel agency. We have several that work well with Nazarene W&W teams.

click here for travel agents

On-site Transportation

Each team will need to hire a bus.  The District Superintendent, Rev. Bish, will assist each team to find the best price for this expense.  Costs vary and will need to be secured for the specific dates that a team will be on-site.  Expect to pay around $1,000 U.S. for your team during your stay.  This bus will be available each day to take the team to and from the job site.

Exchange Rate

Day-to-day exchange rates can be found at: http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Currently:

1.00 USD
United States Dollars

=

2.74000 SRD
Suriname Dollars

Taki-Taki Translations

Hello                         -           Hallo

How are you?             -           Fa Waka

I am fine                    -           E go

Thank you                 -           Grantanegi

What is your name?   -           Fa joe neng

My name is...            -           Mi neng...

Praise the Lord!         -           Prijse Masra

 

Emergency Contacts

Rev "Bish" Sewkumar, D.S. for the Suriname District

bishsewkumar@cq-link.sr

Or you can call at     011-597-404-802

Or you can fax at      011-597-491-986

 

Rev. Curt Luthye, Dutch Field Director

            cluthye@caribnaz.org

            Or you can call at     305-233-5444

***An entire information packet is available in FULL COLOR.  Simply email cluthye@caribnaz.org and Curt Luthye will email you the entire packet.  The documents are in Microsoft Word format.  You can then print it off according to your individual need.

 

Practical Travel Items:

Visas [1] : All visitors from the United States need a visa.  There is a Surninamese Consulate in Miami.  A one-year multiple entry visa costs $100 U.S.

A completed visa form (obtained from the consulate) is necessary, along with:

  • Passport
  • 2 recent passport photos
  • Proof of travel reservation
  • Money order (payable to the Consulate of Suriname)

The Caribbean Regional Office staff can assist with visa processing, or the consulate can be contacted directly at:

Suriname Consulate:                               Caribbean Regional Office:

6303 Blue Lagoon Drive                           14250 SW136th St.  Bay 15

Suite 325                                                Miami, FL  33186

Miami, FL  33126                                    Tel: 305-233-5444

Tel: 305-265-4655                                    e-mail: cluthye@caribnaz.org


Health risks: Malaria, rabies, typhoid, dengue fever, cholera.

Check the CDC Website for updated warnings:

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.html

Climate: Temperature and humidity are high.  The major rainy season is from April to July, with a shorter one in December and January.

Check out the current temperatures and weather conditions at:

www.weather.com

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs

http://travel.state.gov/suriname.html


 

[1] SURINAME - *Passport, visa, and onward/return ticket required. Multiple-entry visa requires 2 application forms, 2 photos, and appropriate fee. Business visa requires company letter explaining purpose of trip, name of institution to be visited and its address and telephone number in Suriname, and expected duration of visit. Processing fee: $45 (money order only). For return of passport by mail, include $10 for registered mail, or $18 for Express Mail (money order only), or enclose SASE. Allow 10 working days for processing. For additional requirements, contact the Embassy of the Republic of Suriname, Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008 (202/244-7488 and 7590), or the Consulate in Miami (305/593-2697). Information from: http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html#s



 
 
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