We spend ten days in Suriname, the second smallest country in South America with a population estimate of 500 000. The best part is they speak Dutch!
We stayed at a missionary school called Hebron Zendelingskool and fell in with their day to day program.
The school teaches self discipline in ways I have never experienced before and during the beginning of our visit I struggled to adapt to this kind of lifestyle, since I have been so used to doing things on my own time and in my own manner.
What really amazed me is the fact that the Hebron students never complain.
Like 2 Timothy 1:7 states we are blessed with a spirit of love and self discipline and the students of Hebron step into this truth whole heartedly.
We fell into their daily program which began with personal quiet time at 5:30, then chores at 6:15, followed by breakfast they make themselves. Whilst preparing breakfast they also start preparing lunch. They eat and clean and then have an hour of corporate prayer and worship.
This is only the beginning of their day, since they then start with classes until lunch. In the afternoon they do chores for another two hours, since they are themselves responsible for maintaining and cleaning the property, planting and harvesting vegetables and collecting eggs from the chicken coop.
Its a full day and in the evenings they will have class again, or have compulsory study time.
In the words of Dorothy: "You will never make it on your own strength."
Then how do the students of Hebron maintain such a draining schedule and still grow in faith daily?
Well, the joy of the Lord is their strength.
And truly this statement is lived out to the fullest. They have self discipline, yet joy. They are focused, but not dull. They are called, but they choose to rely on Jesus daily!
This was truly a blessed time for me. We had amazing fellowship and once again realized the enormity of God's family. You can travel to a country next to the Caribbean you have never heard of, meet people who speak Dutch that sounds like Afrikaans, who think its strange to say thank you after every meal, who do not think it is rude to interrupt a conversation and by some miracle you will feel like family.
What a blessing!