Stats are for Suriname only although the Suriname Bible Society also works in their neighbouring countries of Guyana and French Guiana.
Area: 163,820
sq km
(11.6 times the size
of N.Ireland)
Capital: Paramaribo
Population:
524,345
(Less than a third of the population of NI)
Suriname Official language: Dutch. Trade language is Sranan Tongo (a Dutch Creole language).
Suriname is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the Americas and one of the smallest in terms of land mass.
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If you would like to make a gift to support Bible Society ministry in Suriname, you can do so in several ways:
(Select Suriname as your Donation Destination).
2.
Ring us on 028 9032 6577 to make a Credit/Debit Card donation by phone.
3.
Forward a cheque made payable to 'Bible Society NI' with a note that the gift is for Suriname.
4. Text your donation
using
your Mobile Phone.
Simply text the code INSI18£10* and send it to 70070.
A donation will be made to Bible Society NI which will be billed through your phone bill, or taken off your Pay-as-you-go credit.
*donation amount can be changed to anything between £1 and £5 (e.g. INSI18£1 / INSI18£2 etc...) or INSI18£10
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The work of the Suriname Bible Society also includes the islands of Guyana and French Guiana
. While living in seeming paradise, people are faced with a multitude of social problems including poor economy, family breakdown and abuse.
In the midst of all this, God is at work and His people are bringing His light and love to those who are battling trauma.
It is a joy to stand with the Bible Society team in Suriname this year as they make God's Word known.
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Empowering Women and Children
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The Bible Society have been helping people stand up to domestic violence. |
Partnership can bring change in ways that standing alone will never do. Through working with churches and other faith based organisations, the Suriname Bible Society is reaching out to children and women who are all too often mistreated, abused or neglected.
Along with providing Bibles in various languages, they are also running trauma healing, and other specific workshops for children and women.
The Bible Society have also conducted nationwide media campaigns to raise awareness of domestic violence. Through bill-boards, media and conferences, they began the vital conversation about changing the culture.
While women are a very vulnerable group within the Suriname society, they are also the backbone of life in many ways. All too often, women are raising children alone. But when people step in to healthy community and discover God's healing, strength and love through His Word, lives can be radically changed.
We count it as a real privilege to stand with the Bible Society team in Suriname as they facilitate such incredible support and love to people who are going through the most difficult of times. Praise God for this restorative ministry
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The Bible in Local Languages
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Translation team at work in Suriname. |
There are a number of languages throughout Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana that are still without Bible translations. There are several projects underway at the moment.
The Saramaccan and Aukan
language communities in Suriname are interesting examples. These are both traditionally oral language groups, meaning that the people often lean towards listening rather than reading. Both languages have had New Testament translations since the '90s but it was after the New Testaments were made available in audio formats that people took greater interest in the message and began requesting full Bibles.
Now, in partnership with the Seed Company, translation has begun on the Old Testaments. The two teams are sharing resources. So although they are working on two different languages, they are working as closely together as possible. This means they share in training, translation checks and have the added bonus of working together as a stronger, larger team.
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A Prisoner with his new Bible.
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Wider Impact
Trauma Healing
work is also being carried out in Guyana, similar to the empowerment project above. Domestic violence and abuse are widespread throughout this entire region. Praise God that the Bible Society are partnering with churches and other Christian groups to have a positive impact.
Prison Ministry. The Bible Society has an opening to carry out Bible distribution to prisoners throughout Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana. We hear of God moving in prisons time and time again as people respond to Jesus.
Bible Engagement with young people is one of the areas the Suriname Bible Society are also putting energy into. Young people everywhere need help finding direction and this ministry helps them engage with the Bible, so that they might know God's plan for their lives.
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