Dear Family and Friends
We hope this email finds you all healthy and happy and enjoying the last few days of summer. That seems strange to say since it is always summer in this mission. In fact, this is the hottest time of the year for us.We were in Suriname for a week for Zone Conference with the missionaries and District Conference with the members. We had one extra day in the country waiting for a flight out and it happened to be the annual Amerindian celebration. This festival celebrates the indigenous peoples of Suriname (Arawaks) They leave their homes in the interior and come to Paramaribo to share their culture, crafts, and friendship.
The festival is held in a palm tree park in the center of the city. They set up a grandstand for the entertainment, choose a festival queen and her attendants and set up kiosks selling food, medicine and crafts. It was very interesting. We saw the tribal doctor doing healing and blessings, enjoyed watching the children on the wooden merry-go-round, and listening to the music and singing.
Dad bought a small flute carved from a bone and I picked up one of their yarn ball headbands. Dad got some great pictures that we hope you enjoy too. It is always amazing how people with so little, celebrate all that life has given them. There are many lessons to be learned on this mission and that is certainly one of them. The people were kind enough to let us take their pictures and loved it when Dad showed them the finished product on his camera.
It was a very busy but productive week and of course the highlight was being with the missionaries and members at our conferences. The conference was centered on the Atonement and how we can help the investigators and members understand the great blessings and power of this gift. The Atonement is central to the gospel and we are grateful to be able to to share our testimonies of His sacrifice and love for each of us.
Enjoy Back to School Week,
We Love You,
Trini and Dad
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