Hello All
The team and I left Colombo about 4 hours ago and we landed safely in Singapore. We are all already exhasted and we have a long journey ahead of us. We fly once again to Hong Kong, San Francisco, and then to Seattle. We shoul arrive around 2:30 or 3 PM on Thursday...which is weird because here in Singapore it is Thursday morning already. It is going to be a looong day-literally.
We had such wonderful last days at Samudra Sri. We had lots of time to play with the kids and it was so hard to say goodbye today :( There were many tears shed by us and the kids!
I wanted to once again say thank you for the prayers and thoughts as I traveled this past month. We were kept safe and healthy and I truly felt God work though each of us. I can't wait to see everyone and tell you all about it in person!
Laura
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Trip to Kandy
We were able to do a little bit of traveling this weekend to a place called Kandy. This is probably the most historical city in Sri Lanka. It is where the kings of the country used to live. It is also considered the "Mecca" of Thera Vata Buddhism. There is a huge temple in the center of the city called the Temple of the Tooth. Supposedly they found a tooth belonging to Buddha and it is kept in the temple. (Janet Salmon told us that most people actually think the tooth is a canine tooth).
Anyways...We arrived at our hotel on Friday in the early evening. We were are pretty tired so most of us just hung around in the pool, ordered our favorite drinks (lime and soda), and relaxed. I know, I know, truly suffering for Jesus eh?
On Saturday we got up pretty early and shopped in Kandy for a bit. It was a little overwhelming since I don't really like shopping to begin with and this was extreme shopping. There are many open markets where people basically scream at you to buy stuff. There are also little stores along the streets. Bartering is a must, but I am absolutely horrible at it so I am pretty sure I got severely ripped off a couple times. Oh well. We also visited a tea factory. Sri Lanka is absolutely CRAZY about tea. It stems from the British rule of the country. They have tea time about every 3 minutes (or at least thats what it feels like). So we got to see how they make tea and such.
Yesterday we had a mini church service before leaving the hotel and then drove about 2 hours to a place called Sigariya. There is a huge rock there that you can climb and there is a city of ruins on the tops. We split into two groups abd half climbed the rock and the other half got to ride elephants!! Though I desperately wanted to do both I opted to ride an elephant, which I think was a very fine choice. They took us on an elephant safari through the jungle and we even went into the water for a while. It was a blast.
Now we are home at Samudra Sri once again. I can't wait to see the kids when they come home from school. I missed them. We leave on Wednesday evening and I am ready to come home, but I am also dreading having to say goodbye.
I can't wait to see all of you!
Anyways...We arrived at our hotel on Friday in the early evening. We were are pretty tired so most of us just hung around in the pool, ordered our favorite drinks (lime and soda), and relaxed. I know, I know, truly suffering for Jesus eh?
On Saturday we got up pretty early and shopped in Kandy for a bit. It was a little overwhelming since I don't really like shopping to begin with and this was extreme shopping. There are many open markets where people basically scream at you to buy stuff. There are also little stores along the streets. Bartering is a must, but I am absolutely horrible at it so I am pretty sure I got severely ripped off a couple times. Oh well. We also visited a tea factory. Sri Lanka is absolutely CRAZY about tea. It stems from the British rule of the country. They have tea time about every 3 minutes (or at least thats what it feels like). So we got to see how they make tea and such.
Yesterday we had a mini church service before leaving the hotel and then drove about 2 hours to a place called Sigariya. There is a huge rock there that you can climb and there is a city of ruins on the tops. We split into two groups abd half climbed the rock and the other half got to ride elephants!! Though I desperately wanted to do both I opted to ride an elephant, which I think was a very fine choice. They took us on an elephant safari through the jungle and we even went into the water for a while. It was a blast.
Now we are home at Samudra Sri once again. I can't wait to see the kids when they come home from school. I missed them. We leave on Wednesday evening and I am ready to come home, but I am also dreading having to say goodbye.
I can't wait to see all of you!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Prayer Requests
Hello all...
I don't have much news to share. We have had a couple of wonderfully restful days here laying on the beach and playing with the kids. We leave for Kandy tomorrow morning and we return Sunday afternoon.
I just wanted to list a few prayer requests regarding Sri Lanka
*One of the most troubling things I have learned since I have been here is about a law that is making its way through Parliament. It would make conversion to Christianity illegal and pastors found preaching in Christian churches would be at risk for imprisonment. It has not been passed yet, but be in prayer that is stays that way.
*Continued prayer for the war up north. The bombing the other night was kind of a wake up call that the war is not over, though many claim it is.
*Prayer for each of the kids here at Samudra and Kalapuwa Sri.
*Continued safety for the team and the people here in Sri Lanka
*Travel safety for our return home next Thursday.
Thank you so much!
I don't have much news to share. We have had a couple of wonderfully restful days here laying on the beach and playing with the kids. We leave for Kandy tomorrow morning and we return Sunday afternoon.
I just wanted to list a few prayer requests regarding Sri Lanka
*One of the most troubling things I have learned since I have been here is about a law that is making its way through Parliament. It would make conversion to Christianity illegal and pastors found preaching in Christian churches would be at risk for imprisonment. It has not been passed yet, but be in prayer that is stays that way.
*Continued prayer for the war up north. The bombing the other night was kind of a wake up call that the war is not over, though many claim it is.
*Prayer for each of the kids here at Samudra and Kalapuwa Sri.
*Continued safety for the team and the people here in Sri Lanka
*Travel safety for our return home next Thursday.
Thank you so much!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Life has pretty much gotten back to normal after a little bit of a dramatic turn of events last Friday. We as a team were very worried that we were going to have to return home early, however we had a loooonnnggg discussion with the powers that be and we all agreed that we feel safe and that we would be quite disappointed to have to leave now. Thanks so much for all the prayers!
On Saturday we got to put on a health fair for the kids in the community here in Pamanugama. There were over 150 kids and we discussed topics such as basic first aid, dental hygiene, hand washing, controlling anger, ect. After the health fair one of the guys on the team decided it would be funny to start a water war...and it was. After about an hour we were all completely soaked-even most of the kids.
On Sunday we did physical assessments all morning. We did hearing, vision, blood pressure, vital signs, and a head to toe assessment. It was hard work, but so much fun. These kids have never gotten such a thorough exam. They were all a little surprised when we would ask them how many times a day they went poop and pee ;) After the health fair we had a nice service over at the boys orphanage. We got the chance to pray over the kids and bless them. It was so cute when the little girls would run from person to person so that they could be prayed for by everyone.
Today we went to a town called Chilaw and did another mini health fair for the kids there. Most of them had never seen white people so they were a little shocked to see us there. I still can't get over how well behaved kids are here...for the most part. We are officially done with clinical work so now we basically get to hang out for about 10 days. Most of us are going to help out with odd jobs around the orphanages.
I never imagined getting so connected with the kids here. They are absolutely precious to me. I have one little girl (about 4 yo) who calls me "her aunty" and gets mad when the other kids try to hold my hand or talk to me. We have a great time talking and doing crafts with the older girls. I am going to have a VERY hard time leaving my new friends :)
I hope you all are doing well!
On Saturday we got to put on a health fair for the kids in the community here in Pamanugama. There were over 150 kids and we discussed topics such as basic first aid, dental hygiene, hand washing, controlling anger, ect. After the health fair one of the guys on the team decided it would be funny to start a water war...and it was. After about an hour we were all completely soaked-even most of the kids.
On Sunday we did physical assessments all morning. We did hearing, vision, blood pressure, vital signs, and a head to toe assessment. It was hard work, but so much fun. These kids have never gotten such a thorough exam. They were all a little surprised when we would ask them how many times a day they went poop and pee ;) After the health fair we had a nice service over at the boys orphanage. We got the chance to pray over the kids and bless them. It was so cute when the little girls would run from person to person so that they could be prayed for by everyone.
Today we went to a town called Chilaw and did another mini health fair for the kids there. Most of them had never seen white people so they were a little shocked to see us there. I still can't get over how well behaved kids are here...for the most part. We are officially done with clinical work so now we basically get to hang out for about 10 days. Most of us are going to help out with odd jobs around the orphanages.
I never imagined getting so connected with the kids here. They are absolutely precious to me. I have one little girl (about 4 yo) who calls me "her aunty" and gets mad when the other kids try to hold my hand or talk to me. We have a great time talking and doing crafts with the older girls. I am going to have a VERY hard time leaving my new friends :)
I hope you all are doing well!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Update
I don't know how much Sri Lanka is in the news in the USA, but I just wanted to let you all know that Colombo was attacked last night. We are staying about 15 miles outside of Colombo, but our hosts were in Colombo at the time. We are all safe so I just wanted to let you know that in case anything was said on the news ect. We are all praying and our hosts are discussing what our plans for the future are. None of us want to leave, but we understand that we need to do what is best.
I look at this as a taste of what these people go through on a day to day basis. Please continue to be in prayer for safety and wisdom regarding what to do about his situation.
Thanks!!
I look at this as a taste of what these people go through on a day to day basis. Please continue to be in prayer for safety and wisdom regarding what to do about his situation.
Thanks!!
One more thing...
I forgot to tell you...I think Jeffrey has posted photos on his blog if you haven't seen them. The link is in one of the posts below.
Ayubowan from Samudra Sri
So we are finally done at Lady Ridgeway Hospital. We had a wrap up ceremony yesterday and we all presented something we learned over the past 2 weeks and all the tutors we were working with shared a little something about each of the students. It was a great experience, but we are all happy to be free from the reign of Miss Gertie :) We had the day off today which we are using to prepare for a health fair that we are having for the kids at the orphanages tomorrow. It should be fun! We are doing health assessments and teaching ect.
On Monday and Tuesday we get to take day trips to different schools to do more assessments and teaching. On Wednesday we will pretty much be done with the work part of this trip and the vacation begins again! It has def. paid off to work super hard at the beginning. We will be traveling to Kandy and taking a 4 day holiday there starting on Thursday. We are all hoping to get to ride an elephant.
We have become great friends with the kids we are staying with. I even have several of their names down. I am going to be so sad when we have to leave them. I am already talking with the founders of the orphanage (Janet and Adam Salmon) to organize a trip back! They are two of the most amazing people I have ever met and I can't imagine not ever coming back. I thought this trip would solidify in my mind that I was not cut out for missions, but instead it has lit a fire in my heart for serving God in different places all over the world!
My mom keeps reminding me about how many people have been praying for this trip and I can't say thank you enough. As a team we have been healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I couldn't have asked for better people to take this journey with me. Even after a 10 hour day we still love to be around each other! So thank you so much for thinking of me and praying for me.
I'll talk to you soon! (especially now that we have faster internet...)
Laura
On Monday and Tuesday we get to take day trips to different schools to do more assessments and teaching. On Wednesday we will pretty much be done with the work part of this trip and the vacation begins again! It has def. paid off to work super hard at the beginning. We will be traveling to Kandy and taking a 4 day holiday there starting on Thursday. We are all hoping to get to ride an elephant.
We have become great friends with the kids we are staying with. I even have several of their names down. I am going to be so sad when we have to leave them. I am already talking with the founders of the orphanage (Janet and Adam Salmon) to organize a trip back! They are two of the most amazing people I have ever met and I can't imagine not ever coming back. I thought this trip would solidify in my mind that I was not cut out for missions, but instead it has lit a fire in my heart for serving God in different places all over the world!
My mom keeps reminding me about how many people have been praying for this trip and I can't say thank you enough. As a team we have been healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I couldn't have asked for better people to take this journey with me. Even after a 10 hour day we still love to be around each other! So thank you so much for thinking of me and praying for me.
I'll talk to you soon! (especially now that we have faster internet...)
Laura
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