Sri Lanka

This was my 5th trip to Sri Lanka since the tsunami. Dee and I have had the opportunity to lead teams to work on the orphanage at Kalapuwa Sri. Because we know so many of the staff here, it was a bit like coming home.

We were surprised to learn that Darshini, our 11 year old sponsor child, had made the 6 hour trip to meet us. I had met her before, but because of the fact that it is a grueling drive, and that Darshini must stay a couple nights at the orphanage to make the trip, I had told them they should not put her through the stress. However, she wanted to see us, so she came. She was a delight to be with. She is a Tamil, so most of the other kids do not speak her language. Both of her parents are tea pluckers on a tea plantation near Kandy, earning very little salary.

The dedication of the new Kalapuwa Sri orphanage was thrilling for us. We had not been here for over 18 months, so we were amazed with all that had been done. This is truly a home where the boys can grow in the knowledge that they are special and they are greatly valued. These are kids that have lost everything.

As we packed our bags for the trip back to the US, we talked about how so many of the missionaries and the national staff have invested everything in the lives of these kids. We return with an even greater sense of responsibility to do everything we can to support their efforts. This is where the ministry happens – and we are determined to pray for the workers and the kids – and to help them in every way possible.

Cambodia

We were unprepared for the beauty of Cambodia. Having read the stories of the genocide of the Khmer Rouge in the 70’s, and how 1 ½ to 2 million people lost their lives; we were not sure what to expect. We spent three days traveling the country by air, boat and car. We saw a country that has suffered a great deal. But people are doing their best to recover.

Our first trip was a boat ride to the floating school that Mission of Mercy supports. There was also a medical team with us to provide check ups for the children. We met our 12 year old sponsor child, Lay Phat, and our heart went out to him. The floating fishing village he is a part of is incredible, but there is concern that the lake they are on is being over fished and their livelihood may diminish. That’s why an education becomes so important.

As we traveled to Battambang and then south to the orphanage on the southern coast, we saw so many people deeply committed to helping these children become productive members of society. As these kids learn about the Lord, many have dreams of becoming pastors. The kids at the orphanage are learning business practices by raising crops, pigs, quail, and by doing crafts. They are able to sell the products. Several of the kids have nice bikes that they have purchased for themselves.

Although our days were filled from early to late, Dee and I were deeply impacted, and look forward to the day that we can return.

India - Bonnie

At the end of our Mission of Mercy conference with project leaders from around India, we had a nice banquet. It was our joy to invite our sponsor child, Bonnie, and her family. It was a wonderful evening. Bonnie is being educated in an English school, so she could communicate well with us, and translate for the family. Her older brother is now 25, but was not a sponsor child, so he only completed 8 grades of school, and is not able to speak English, which is a disadvantage here. It took him awhile to find a job, and he receives a very small salary. Bonnie's parents expressed to us how grateful they were that we were helping her. She is a very bright young lady - and would like to become a doctor some day. We don't know what the future holds, but we know that, with our sponsorship, Bonnie will be able to get at least a high school education.

Sometimes, though, the little things strike you. As much as we tried to honor and host them, they would not sit or take a bite until we had sat and began eating. We gave Bonnie a CD of Sarah Kelly, a Mission of Mercy artist. There was some conversation in the family. I asked what they were talking about and Bonnie finally said, "it's not a problem. We have not a way to play the CD." We are so used to technology. We will see that we're able to put the CD on cassette tape, or provide a CD player for them. The family is Hindu, but Bonnie receives teaching about the Lord every day. She told us that she prayed to God that she would be able to meet us again, and that night was an answer to her prayers. We will get to spend a little time with her again tomorrow before we depart for Cambodia. When I think of how the whole family is impacted by her ability to get an education, I assure you, that $30 a month check doesn't seem like too much to give.