TRAVEL REPORT: Dutch Caribbean Union (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacaos)
March 2018
SLIDES/PICTURES: https://cincopa.com/~AEEADOe1oIVe. [Be sure to click on the two small squares at the top right to get a full screen view of the pictures.]
At the invitation of the Dutch Caribbean Union Mission, I traveled to the three islands comprising the union: Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire. We went to share with the leaders and members insights and strategies for implementing what we refer to as “Possibility Ministries”, also referred to as Special Needs Ministries. The response was very encouraging! Fortunately, my wife, Carrie, was able to travel with me and that was indeed very special. It was the first time either of had been to these islands. Each has its own unique characteristics although Aruba seems to attract more tourists. The timing was great. We missed the bad storms that struck Maryland while we were gone. We exchanged the cold for tropical heat. Not a bad deal for us. Though the number of speaking appointments were many (about 12) we did have an hour to do some snorkel divining while in Bonaire. It was a fantastic experience! We were given a superb tour of the islands by the Union Mission Secretary and Special Needs Ministries leader, Hans Ponte.
Curaçao | ˈk(y)o͝orəˌsou, ˈk(y)o͝orəˌsō | a self-governing territory of the Netherlands in the Caribbean Sea, 37 miles (60 km) north of the Venezuelan coast, formerly the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles; population 157,000 (estimated 2015); chief town, Willemstad. The union mission office is located on this island.
Aruba | əˈro͞obə | an island in the Caribbean Sea, close to the Venezuelan coast; population 104,000 (estimated 2015); capital, Oranjestad. Formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles, it separated in 1986 to become a self-governing territory of the Netherlands.
Bonaire | bəˈner | a self-governing territory of the Netherlands, formerly one of the two principal islands of the Netherlands Antilles (the other was Curaçao); chief town, Kralendijk; population 12,877 (2009).
Notes regarding some of the slides:
· The pastel colors of the buildings was unique – beautiful!
· Curacao Jewish Synagogue: This synagogue has been in continuous use since 1732. However, it was established in 1651. The oldest active Jewish congregation in the Western Hemisphere.
· Note the Jewish Synagogue’s sand floor. Why a sand floor: (1) Modeled after the encampment in the Sinai during the 40 years of wandering on the way to the Promised Land. (2) A reminder of how forefathers put sand on floor of secret rooms to muffle sounds of services during the Inquisition. (3) To symbolize that God promised Abraham to multiply his seed as the sands of the seashore and the stars in the heavens! - Gen. 13:16)
· Slave Rebellion: A slave revolt took place in the Dutch colony of Curaçao in 1795, led by Tula, a local slave, and resulted in a month-long conflict on the island between escapees and the colonial government. The Dutch abolished slavery in 1863. Being a "brother" is different from being his "keeper." Reach Gen. 4:9 again . . . slowly. Read the preceding verses. Are we being called to be a brother or a keeper? What was Cain? What were the slaveholders? How do we relate to others?
As often is the case, I’m invited as a teacher but spend the majority of the time as a learner, a student at the feet of those who called me to teach.
Dutch Caribbean Union Mission--Statistics
· 2 Missions: Aruba, Bonaire
· 1 Conference: Curacao
Languages (Churches for each of following language groups):
· Papiamento
· Dutch
· Spanish
· English
· French/Creole (Hatian)
Membership
· Union – 9k
o Curacao 7,700. (34 CHS 2 Groups)
o Bonaire 300. (3 churches, 1 group)
o Aruba 1,000 (8 churches 3 groups)
President-Union: Shurman Kook
Secretary: Hans Ponte
Treasurer: Daniel Zuniga
Pres of Curacao: Shelwin Willems
Sec of Curacao: Charlton Bruno
Treas: Claire Isidora
SNM Dir – Ramires Janzen
Pres of Bonaire: Surrandy Selassa
Sec of Bonaire: Hans Ponte
Pres of Aruba: Martin Forbes
Sec/Treas: Mirugia Leocadia
SNM Dir: Jerome Bevins
About 500 baptisms in union in 2017
