THE RETURN -October 2008

It is quite a thing to be on the far side of the planet and find things familiar, even people and places we've known before.

For half of our team, Sri Lanka is a place we've been to before. Now the shiny-penny newness of an exotic location, the unusual souvenirs, and trying unique new experiences are being replaced with the chance to go deeper with the relationships we've been blessed to start on previous trips.

Our two weeks will be spent at the Cherith International Children's Home to host a Basketball Camp for school kids and continue work on a new Educational Center for the community (See their website here). We'll do all this while exploring what God is doing in the world, and in us too!

MOVING AHEAD

Two years ago there was nothing but a run down house and an overgrown yard at this property.

Now, through the help of faithful partners, the grace of God, a little diligence, and a
few golfers raising pledges, the Cherith Children's Home has a polished up house, a new playground and a new Educational Center that will bless the larger community with conversational English classes, economic development projects and a place to meet.

You can see that the playground we built last time is getting good use too.

All of this designed (and succeeding!) to show everyone the love of Jesus and his concern for the whole person.

MEET THE KIDS

Five children now call the House of Hope their home. Joshua, Pradeep, and Dilani are three of the kids who's parents are gone or unable to care for them.

Now they have a stable home environment, enough food, access to a better education, and bright opportunities for the future. (All this and good looks too).

More children are on their way. It will be a joy to watch them grow up here until they can care for themselves.

GETTING TO IT...

MissionGuides has been blessed by its supporters with funds to help build up places like the House of Hope in Sri Lanka.

Our teammates get to help with the work on our trips and get built themselves in new ways too. What better way to become a humbled servant than to be away from the familiar and needing to rely on others to know what to do.

One of our jobs this week is to help pour the floor and build the gate at the new Education Center. Digging heavy clay and hard "booka" with picks and hoes is a time-consuming, muscle-aching, old-school way to work but an excellent way to meet new friends like Raj and Pastor Kumar.

BUILDING THE INSIDE TOO

Our personal times in the morning, before going to work, were devoted to learning how to live the life of an ambassador.

1 Peter tells us that we are "...ones choosen by God, choosen for the high calling...God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him."

Some of our teammates are leaving with a new desire to know more about this calling and to become even better at speaking out for God with words and actions back home.

MEETING OLD FRIENDS

"I have wandered all my life, I have also traveled; the difference between the two being this, that we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment." -Belloc

------------------------------------------------

Our travels to Sri Lanka have poured a large measure of fulfillment into our hearts and minds as we see the grace of God and the language of His Spirit in the smiles of our friends.

We know of no better proof of the reality of God's Kingdom in the world than when we see it in the life of His church that is the same wherever we go.

SUNDAY MORNING

Since we are working with God, of course we go to church on Sunday.

The service is said in three languages. First the speaker shares a few sentences then two translators resay it in Tamil and Singhelese. It's a great opportunity for our teammates to connect to the larger congregation (many of whom remember us and welcome us back warmly)

Singing is no problem either. We recognize the tunes and can sing along in English. Many diverse voices joined together. A picture of Heaven?

 

BASKETBALL CAMP 2008

The Children's Home is not just for orphans. The grounds are also a place to invite the community that gets exposed to the life and joy that the Gospel offers.

This week we also expand on the success of last year's camp by inviting more schools and more kids. We've include girls too (who might be able to beat the boys).

Not many people know how to play basketball, but the laughs, competition and team spirit generated here demonstrates, very clearly, that the Gospel has built something special for the community.