Suriname soldiers receive God’s Word

Photo: Mrs Reidi Parisius, Vice-Chairperson of the Suriname Bible Society, presents Bibles to Colonel Ernst Mercuur, Army Commander, for distribution among soldiers. Witnessing the event are, from left to right: Mr Geffery, army press man; the Rev S Michael Stewart, army chaplain; and the Rev Erle Deira, General Secretary of the Suriname Bible Society. Paramaribo, Suriname. Photo: Suriname Bible Society (SUR02C-01/15A.JPG)
Mrs Reidi Parisius, Vice-Chairperson of the Suriname Bible Society, presents Bibles to Colonel Ernst Mercuur, Army Commander, for distribution among soldiers. Witnessing the event are, from left to right: Mr Geffery, army press man; the Rev S Michael Stewart, army chaplain; and the Rev Erle Deira, General Secretary of the Suriname Bible Society. Paramaribo, Suriname. Photo: Suriname Bible Society (SUR02C-01/15A.JPG)

PARAMARIBO, Suriname — The Commander of Suriname’s army, Lieutenant Colonel Ernst Mercuur, was “moved to tears” when he received hundreds of Bibles for distribution among soldiers, according to a recent report from the Suriname Bible Society.

“We are very grateful that the Bible Society has thought of us,” said Commander Ernst. “Usually the military is not thought of very favourably in our society, so we appreciate this gesture even more.”

He added that God’s Word was very important to him and many of his soldiers, “especially in times of distress.” “I will keep a copy on my desk and will read from it daily,” he assured the Bible Society team who made the presentation.

The Bibles, funded through the Society’s Bible-a-Month Club, will aid the ministry of army chaplain the Rev S Michael Stewart, who is setting up a Bible study program among the soldiers. (WR 367/23 - 3.02) [PHOTOS]