To help you take a closer look at each of our overeas offices, our directors are keeping an ongoing journal with snapshots and stories of the joys and struggles of ministry in their part of the world. From Sri Lanka, we'd like you to meet Mayukha Perera.
Urgent Prayer Request
Update--It seems like terrorism has been successfully wiped out in Sri Lanka with the defeat of the Tamil Tigers and the killing of its leader. Thank God for that. Please pray for reconciliation among the communities, relief to the hundreds of thousands of refugees and wisdom to the leaders of Sri Lanka to politically solve the issues that caused some to take up weapons in the first place.
May 2009--You may have heard the disturbing news of the massacre of 1,000 Tamil people in Sri Lanka. Please pray for this nation where Back to the Bible has an office. There are over 150,000 in refugee camps which are guarded by the military. Our international office is working to provide Bibles and material for Christian adults and children who are in these camps. People have fled their homes, towns and villages to save themselves. We have not begun work with refugees yet, but the UN and other Christian organizations are working to provide food, shelter and relief to those in need.
Specific Prayer Needs:
* That the Word of God will accomplish much to help Sri Lanka & that people will turn to Christ.
* Stamina for the Back to the Bible staff members who are putting extra energy into serving those in need.
* Comfort to those who've lost friends and family members in this tragedy.
Email Updates from Sri Lanka
January--We reflect with gratitude on what the Lord has done through us and your faithful partnership with Back To The Bible. In everything we have seen God's providence in a manner exceeding every expectation.
St. Peter's Church Koralawella, Moratuwa celebrated their 125th anniversary. To mark this milestone in the church's history special services were organized. Jeevithalokaya (Back to the Bible's Sinhala ministry) had the privilege of conducting these services on the 30th and 31st of October. The services commenced with a time of praise and worship and then continued with an inspiring message from the Word of God by Elmo de Mel. Elmo, who heads our Sinhala ministry, preached on, "The Perils After a Milestone" and on "God's Expectations After a Milestone." Approximately 200 people re-dedicated their lives to the Lord at these services. The services were well attended by about 1,500 people, who were blessed by the ministry of God"s Word.
January--A testimony from a 9-year-old girl.--"I read the magazine you send my mother. I go through the questions, short stories and through those increase the good qualities in my life. I read the Bible carefully before answering the questions in the magazine. I am very grateful to the Sathiyavasanam ministry for helping me to read the Bible and meditate deeply on it. I also tune into the Sathiyavasanam radio programme on the Vetri FM station at 5.40 a.m. and I am blessed by it."
Sri Lanka Children's Project: Sri Lanka is a country ravaged by a vicious ethnic conflict between Sinhala and Tamil speaking communities. The long-running civil war is having a major effect on those in the midst of the fighting. And, you know, it's a scary time over there right now.
The war is a major cause of poverty in the country and it's resulted in the displacement of more than 800,000 people. Sadly, a third of those are children, and because of the conflict within the country, there is major breakdown within the family as well. And alcohol and substance abuse in Sri Lanka is a nationally-recognized problem. Children feel the stress of the emotional neglect at home and even the economic burden placed on them by their parents. And because of this, many Sri Lankan children think of God as distant and uncaring.
Well, Back to the Bible's Sri Lankan office, is not content to sit idly by and see children slip through the fingers of society.
Update from James Kanaganayagam (International Exec. Director of Broadcasting & Ministry Outreach): It's a program with stories for children, with songs, discussions. We have the children send in their pictures which we explain over the air. We've had competitions that the children have taken part in and we've called them to the office and given them gifts and presents and things like that.
So it's a very interactive type of program which have kept children of many ages listening to our program. We've had very good responses to this program; children who have not known the Lord Jesus have written back saying, you know, "I began to know about the Lord Jesus and I want to become a Christian." Or, they have written back saying--the parents have written saying, "Thank you for your program. I want my child to be a good citizen."
Now some of these people have not been Christians, but they have valued the model teaching, the biblical teaching, we have given on the air.
Click here to read another recent update about the children's ministry.September--Rainy days, muddy roads and bombs are a few words that describe Sri Lanka today. Known once as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean" for both its shape and splendor, Sri Lanka is fast becoming the opposite of the garden of Eden it was once known for.
Just this past week, a bomb in the capital city injured 9, a journalist was shot dead and war in the northern region intensified. Aid workers helping with the estimated 1 million IDP's (Internally Displaced People or refugees) have been asked to leave the area as their safety cannot be guaranteed. It was also reported that a Christian clergyman was caught with sophisticated communication equipment, thus alluding to a connection with a terrorist group. This has brought both shame to the church and a veil of suspicion on those who serve the needy with sincerity.
It is in this context that Back to the Bible, Sri Lanka leads people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ through media. The Bible is taught through 39 different Bible teaching radio programs every week in 4 languages.
On Saturday August 30th a follow up program appropriately titled "End Times" was held. We were happy to see over 150 people attend the full day of Bible teaching despite the heavy showers, the difficulty and inconvenience in public transport and the general threat of bombs in the city. Neville Jayasundera, a board member of our Srilanka ministry taught the Bible from the book of Revelation. Interest in the book of Revelation seems to have a universal attraction. There was a higher than usual demand for his book and materials when Dr. Kroll taught on the book of Revelation. As Back to the Bible focuses on teaching the Bible and helping people "Win the Day," we teach passages of Scripture that people desire to learn from and prepare them to have success over the challenges of each day.
"I am a Christian. I watch Back to the Bible on Saturdays and I find the studies so interesting and you offer so much more with various books and study guides. I have been blessed by watching this program. Certain weak areas in my life have changed. I am sure many other lives have been touched in this manner too."
Evidence of changed lives through God's work through us and Jesus' command to make disciples by teaching people to do all that He commanded, spur us on to teach the Bible in places where bombs are spoken of as often as bread.
August--Sri Lanka Children's Project: (from James Kanaganayagam, International Executive Director) It gives me great joy to share with you a glimpse of the impact the children's ministry has made on the lives of young people. The influence of the children's ministry has gone beyond communicating to children, to reaching their families as well.
The members of our Sinhala language ministry, Jeevithalokaya were privileged to have the opportunity to conduct a one-day program for the children living down Magazine road in Borella. This area is known for being inhabited by drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes and gamblers.
The Lord provided us with an appropriate occasion to bring His message to these young souls on the 28th of June. Approximately 80 children and 14 mothers participated in this program held at the Cinnamon Gardens - Baptist Church.
The children had a wonderful time of singing followed by a session of stories and games under the theme, "Children obey your parents in the Lord" Ephesians 6:1. Later they enjoyed the film titled "Wonderful Friend". Each child at the program came alive and participated enthusiastically in the entire agenda planned out for the day. The children were given an opportunity to come forward and give testimonies and were also awarded prizes at the question time.
The Lord touched the parents present through the sharing of the salvation message. The 14 mothers who accompanied their children were greatly touched by the Lord's Word and felt comfortable sharing their problems with our team. Further they invited our team to their homes and openly requested prayer and more of the Lord's Word.
The children and parents alike were greatly blessed and we are certain the Lord moved in diverse ways in each of their lives. It was a great encouragement to us to see these children and adults participate so enthusiastically and attentively despite their background.
Thank you for your continued prayers and partnership in our ministry. May you experience God's goodness and blessing in your life as you remain a source of blessing to us.
June--(from Srilankan staff) There was another bomb blast yesterday at the Dehiwela railway station. Bombs are going off everywhere! The situation in the country is going from bad to worse. Well, the length of service awards [honoring staff] went okay. Rev. Duleep shared the Word and gave away the awards. Elmo spoke a few words and requested the staff to speak a word of encouragement to those who were receiving the awards.
Sri Lanka's Website: http://www.backtothebible.lk/