| They did arrive in Sri Lanka on January 26. The
following are the update emails of the mission. January 25, 2005
Dateline: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Howard, Dr Joe, and
Linda have arrived in Sri Lanka! They had a wonderful trip. The
planes were empty giving each several seats, what a blessing. Dr Joe
said he was a little numb, Howard slept most of the way, and Linda is
higher than a kite…she is so excited.
They have linked up
with the other 17 team members and are having a wonderful time getting
to know each other.
Howard met another
Texan in a store at the airport. They were sharing what each one was
doing in Sri Lanka. When Howard told the man he was going to meet with
the pastor who had the orphanage, he said, “The one in the boat, who
spoke such good English and whose mother and sister live in America?”
Pastor Sanders is world known for his testimony, how humbling it must be
to have the world know who you are because you believed God’s words.
I
know I don’t have to remind you to pray for their safety, health, and
each one’s ministry…
January 26, 2005
Dateline: Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
Just talked to Howard,
the connection was not good, he will try later.
They are pumping the
salt water and dirt out of a well at a huge Buddhist temple. Isn’t that
just like God, sending His people halfway around the world to reach
monks. Pray for their witness.
It is very hot, even
at 10:30 in the morning. Conditions are very poor, but the food is OK.
Remember, Howard just got back from Russia, so we cannot trust his taste
buds. Linda will be a better judge!
The locals have been
so appreciative of their help. They are waving and coming up to them to
thank them.
Sorry, not much info,
but we only had a two minute talk.
January 26, 2005
Dateline: Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
Howard was able to get
through, again.
It took them 4 hours
to travel the 75 miles from Colombo to Ambalangoda. The traffic and the
roads made for slow driving.
Dr Joe and Linda are
doing medical clinics in the refugee camps. YWAM has several teams in
country and one is rotating out tomorrow.
The “resort” has hit
and miss air conditioning, it missed Howard but he was not sure if Dr
Joe and Linda have air. The beds are plywood with a 2 inch mattress.
Like most of Europe their stars mean something different than ours,
resort must also have other meanings.
The plan is Howard
will make contact with Pastor Dayalan Sanders today. Then, the three of
them will travel to Batticaloa on the eastern coast to visit where the
pastor and see the orphanage. Treasures of the Heart took him a digital
camera and a laptop to help him communicate with the world. His witness
has gone around the world and people want updates. We are seeking God
about taking a team into Batticaloa to help rebuild the orphanage.
They are doing great
and are feeling very needed!
January 28, 2005
Dateline: Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
The team is doing
great! The most used words are gratifying, but frustrating, and HOT.
Dr Joe said he is not
allowed to treat chronic health needs, only acute. They saw about 120
patients today, everything from rashes to a woman with what he feels has
a lung tumor. He and Linda have been working in refugee camps, 3
buildings about 100 ft long with no outside walls to help with
ventilation. The camps are very clean and orderly. Their patients are
infants to the elderly.
They are not allowed
to “preach” to the patients, but if asked they can then answer. Dr Joe
said he is “working” on his translator’s soul. He felt like some of the
people came through just to have the physical contact, to be touched,
listened to, and talked to. He has learned a few phrases, “God bless
you” and “thank you”. They are allowed to do grief counseling; one old
man followed them to the vehicle and said he had no tears left.
Tomorrow they travel to a village where they will have no building or
tent, therefore they do not know what to expect. Dr Joe’s body is
holding up great, just so hot. He said if the temperature would go down
15 degrees, it would be perfect.
Linda said the locals
are all so grateful and the biggest hit is the stickers. The kids want
them stuck to their foreheads, lots of smiles. She is having a
wonderful time and she the ocean view from their room is beautiful.
Howard said an AG
pastor from Sri Lanka has coordinated all their work. The testimonies
of the pastors they have visited with are amazing, too long for a phone
call. He said these “lighthouses” cannot be allowed to go out.
They cleaned 20 wells
as of today. The locals cannot believe the Christians have come to do
this service AND for free. They pump the wells dry, lower a local into
the well and he hands the debris out to them, and chlorine is added.
After the well fills the water will need to be boiled for a week.
They all said this is
truly paradise in shambles, the ocean is beautiful, and banana trees
everywhere. I forgot to ask Howard if Cokes are available, that is the
measure of paradise to him!
Remember, to pray for
their journey to Batticaloa on Monday.
January 29, 2005
Dateline: Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
The team is leaving
for church this morning. They are attending a small church where the
entire congregation only has 2 bibles. Treasures of the Heart is going
to purchase 100 bibles for the church because we believe their numbers
are going to grow. Souls are being saved due to the medical clinic AND
the well cleaning. He said the pastor of this tiny church has a “giant
killer” testimony. They are seeing fruits of their labor by winning
souls.
Yesterday was a long
day for Dr Joe and Linda as they ministered in the small village. They
spent another day of seeing people whose real need is not medical but
emotional. The desire to be listened to and touched is overwhelming.
The children were given colors and paper to play with while they waited
their turn. The drawings were unbelievable as they drew what they
experienced during the tsunami.
Pastor Sanders’
brother-in-law just called Stephanie to say they need to reschedule the
trip to visit him to Tuesday. Ten of the children are back with the
Sanders, while the other 18 are being housed with family members. But
they need to be back to the security of their “family”. I am sorry we
are getting details slowly, but we are used to that from our years in
Russia. We know to be patient and the answers will come in God’s
timing.
The remainder of the
day will be spent resting for the week to come.
February 1, 2005
Dateline: Batticatoa, Sri Lanka
The tiny team had a
magical meeting with Pastor Dayalan Sanders today. Of course, one of
the highlights was he took them for a ride in
the boat
that made history. What more can you say?
Pastor Dayalan told
them how much it meant to him that they traveled from Texas to see him.
He said it uplifted his spirit, which is what we were praying would
happen. Other than news media, I understood Treasures was the first
visitors from the outside world. What an honor for us, again, we are
humbled by God's favor.
It will be a process
in rebuilding, some of the building will need to be repaired while most
are just gone. Engineers and planning will take time. We will be
working from this end, for now, to help anyway we can. We were able to
provide school supplies and uniforms for the 10 children who have been
placed in homes of church members. Their desire is to get all the kids
home.
Howard will have
details of all the talks as soon as he has internet, unfortunately may
not be until they return home. The internet cafe's have been little
help with sending email. The electricity goes off several times a day.
Thank God for the TOTH European cell phone, it has made this mission
bearable for us at home. Europe is so far ahead of the USA in cell
phone technology with simm cards. As we travel from country to country,
we purchase a simm card or small computer chip for the region we are
visiting. We never are on roaming because we have phone service from
that country. It has been invaluable in taking teams into other
countries. Hope that explains how we are able to keep communications up
to date.
The trip from
Ambalangoda to Batticatoa is only 200 miles but it took 10 hours! At
times, the rode goes to gravel then to dirt. But the holes in the rode
makes it interesting and keeps them awake. The scenery has been
beautiful and this morning they saw a wild elephant.
Tomorrow will be a
work day for them, Thursday is a national holiday, and Friday they go to
an elephant preserve...so, as Howard said, they are almost home. Now I
can understand how our kids feel when we are gone for a month, because
it has only been one week, but seems like a month. Just know, they are
loving every minute Howard called last night while he was standing
outside a little store where Linda was trying to purchase a dress.
Women can shop anywhere!
Pray for them as they
continue the long drive back.
Donna and Stephanie
(keeping the home fires burning for our tiny team)
February 2, 2005
Dateline: Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
The team made it back to Ambalangoda
safe and sound.
Today, they saw 190 patients in the clinic. There are 5
doctors and 3 nurses working this week. Howard said they are running
the clinic like a well oil machine. The nurses triage, while each
doctor has their on translator.
Howard spoke with Pastor Sanders today and he invited
Treasures of the Heart to return for an extended stay! Howard, Dr Joe,
and Linda have been so touched by the dedication of the Sri Lankan
Christians living in a stronghold of Buddhism, I for one cannot wait to
go.
Tomorrow is another work day, doctoring and welling, Thursday
is a holiday, and Friday is the elephant preserve.
February 1, 2005
Dateline: Batticatoa, Sri Lanka
The tiny team had
a magical meeting with Pastor Dayalan Sanders today. Of course, one of
the highlights was he took them for a ride in the boat that made
history. What more can you say?
Pastor Dayalan
told them how much it meant to him that they traveled from Texas to see
him. He said it uplifted his spirit, which is what we were praying
would happen. Other than news media, I understood Treasures was the
first visitors from the outside world. What an honor for us, again, we
are humbled by God's favor.
It will be a
process in rebuilding, some of the building will need to be repaired
while most are just gone. Engineers and planning will take time. We
will be working from this end, for now, to help anyway we can. We were
able to provide school supplies and uniforms for the 10 children who
have been placed in homes of church members. Their desire is to get all
the kids home.
Howard will have
details of all the talks as soon as he has internet, unfortunately may
not be until they return home. The internet cafe's have been little
help with sending email. The electricity goes off several times a day.
Thank God for the TOTH European cell phone, it has made this mission
bearable for us at home. Europe is so far ahead of the USA in cell
phone technology with simm cards. As we travel from country to country,
we purchase a simm card or small computer chip for the region we are
visiting. We never are on roaming because we have phone service from
that country. It has been invaluable in taking teams into other
countries. Hope that explains how we are able to keep communications up
to date.
The trip from
Ambalangoda to Batticatoa is only 200 miles but it took 10 hours! At
times, the rode goes to gravel then to dirt. But the holes in the rode
makes it interesting and keeps them awake. The scenery has been
beautiful and this morning they saw a wild elephant.
This week has
been a continuation of medical clinics and well cleaning.
Howard and Dr Joe
have gone to the shop to “trick out” the three wheeled taxis, bajajs
or auto-rickshaws, they purchased for the church. They will use it
to bring people to church, carry supplies, and they will rent it to a
church member who will use it to make a living. This is a photo of the
tuktuk
Howard said it was a full load with the pastor, Dr Joe and him in the
bjaja.
At the beginning
of their mission, the monks accused them of messing with the people’s
minds. But, today they came over to visit and look at photos. I am
sure Dr Joe and Howard’s personalities confound these monks. Just pray
God will open doors for them to witness to the monks before they leave,
but in reality they have already been a witness or they would not be
drawn to them. The predominantly Buddhist community is now turning to
the churches for help and comfort in this time of need. They said the
villagers are coming to the pastor calling him, Father. The fields are
ripe for harvest…continue to pray for the salvation of these people.
As in Russia, we
help our young Russian Christians to witness to their own people. Their
impact is far more profound than ours and we only visit for a short
time. By helping these small churches survive we are keeping the light
burning in the lighthouse. Dr Joe will be preaching this morning at the
AG church in Ambalangoda. The pastor’s son-in-law has invited them to
dine with their family. He said they will be having hoppers…Howard said
he would have his without the legs!
Donna and
Stephanie (keeping the home fires burning for our tiny team)
February 5, 2005
Dateline: Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
They survived the trip
to see the elephants…a 12 hour round trip van ride! We did not tell
them the Houston Zoo have elephants. They had a good time, fed the
babies, rode the big ones, and watched them travel through town to bathe
in the river. On the way back, they had heard rumors of a Pizza Hut,
like pioneers, they found it.
The reminder of the
week was spent at the medical clinics and well cleaning. Yesterday, a
mom had her children bring the well cleaners ice, cold cokes to thank
them for cleaning her well. So precious, teaching her children to be
grateful. They have said these are the most gracious people our teams
have ever helped. As they ride down the street, people stick their
hands through the windows of the van to touch our people and thank them
for coming. Tomorrow they travel to an orphanage (Howard cannot pass up
and orphanage, he is leaving his well cleaning team to go with Dr Joe
and Linda) for a medical clinic.
They are off to
church, where they have a guest speaker…Dr Joe Finley, will be preaching
this morning! Tonight the pastor’s son-in-law has invited them to their
home for hoppers. They are a little concerned as to what hoppers are.
But, we put their minds to rest; hoppers are a stuffed, crepe like
pancake. Now, what it is stuffed with, I do not know.
Howard told me today
he has over 2000 images from the trip. We will upload them onto the
internet so each of you can live the trip with them.
Four days and
counting! |