Word for Today, Tue, 15 Feb 2005: A Mission of Mercy, Part 3

#1 · February 15, 2005, 5:58 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on February 15, 2005, 5:58 pm
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Word for Today, Tue, 15 Feb 2005: A Mission of Mercy, Part 3

Today's devotional message comes from the weekly series Sowing
Seeds of Faith, authored by my friend Larry Davies. Larry
recently took a trip to Sri Lanka, accompanied by two other
pastors and a TV anchor person. Larry continues to write about
his trip and things he has thought about as he continues to
personally sow seeds of his own faith among people. Larry has
gone way beyond anything he ever thought about, I can guarantee
that! How do you and I sow our seeds each day?

Yours in Christ,
Brian
______________________________________________________________________
Sowing Seeds of Faith...

You can read the entire story plus see a few pictures on our
website by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/SriLanka1.htm

"A Mission of Mercy to Sri Lanka" Part 3 Larry Davies

Amidst the rubble-strewn beach of tsunami-devastated Kalmunai in
Sri Lanka, I picked up a cluster of fishing net and showed it to
several men as they described a desire to go back to work. "We
must fish to survive!" one man emphasized. We later learned that
for approximately $3,000 we could buy a new boat made in Sri
Lanka equipped with a motor and nets. Four families with each new
boat could then go back to work. We were beginning to find
answers and hope.

Before leaving, we stopped at our guide, R.K. Jeyakumaran's house
to visit his family and enjoy dinner. In the room, we noticed a
six foot high, dark line on the wall. With tears, he described
how waves swept through their house leaving the watermark. Both,
he and his wife sought safety on the roof only to watch
helplessly as their son and daughter were swept away. Both
children were later found alive but the reality and the horror of
the Tsunami was evident in our guide's eyes. But then he also
tenderly spoke of God's grace found in refuge and care received
at a nearby church.

Despite the Jeyakumaran family's loss and hardship, we were
welcomed as honored guests and shown delightful hospitality. The
appetizing rice dish prepared for us was likely rationed from a
load we helped purchase and ship from Vietnam. Despite the
tragedy we were beginning to find signs of God's presence.
Through the eyes of this godly family we witnessed hope mixed
with grief and we saw in them and others a strong determination
to rebuild and start anew.

Lamentations is for a community facing tragedy: "The thought of
my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will
never forget this awful time as I grieve over my loss. Yet I
still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of
the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from
complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies
begin afresh each day. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my
inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him.'" (3:19-24)

God never guaranteed a life free from suffering and tragedy. Here
is what the Lord promises: "The unfailing love of the Lord never
ends." This is the assurance we must cherish especially in the
midst of unspeakable suffering. "The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him."

Early the next morning, we drove back to the beach at Kalmunai
only to meet thousands of panic-stricken residents frantically
running away. It took a few minutes to calm someone down and
probe but we were told about another earthquake occurring near
Indonesia and yet another tsunami moving toward Sri Lanka. Even
unfounded rumors caused great panic and confusion.

While maneuvering to avoid the crush of traffic we happened upon
an unfamiliar side street and found to our delight a Methodist
church, the same denomination many in our group represent. As we
pulled into the entrance, we noticed a school and in the yard
were men busily constructing a hundred shelters. We met pastor:
Rev. Jothini-Seenithamby and discovered a church busy with
helping families and a school housing one hundred young orphaned
girls.

In just three short days in Sri Lanka, we discovered tragedy
beyond comprehension but also several practical needs which can
realistically be met:

1. The Kalmunai community needs equipped fishing boats: $3,000
if built in Sri Lanka. Each boat will provide four families
a living income: I found this challenge exciting.

2. The local Methodist church needs a water tank for storage and
school supplies for the girls. The shelters are built
through another aid agency but they too need supplies.

3. Funds distributed through reliable local contacts will
stretch considerably farther than supplies purchased abroad
and shipped: Containers are often marooned portside

I left Kalmunai, forever saddened by tragedy witnessed and also
awestruck realizing those same waves struck thousands of
communities throughout the Indian Ocean. Yet, I also left Sri
Lanka hopeful, discovering a strong sense of familial love within
the people and a hardy determination to survive. God gave our
little group an opportunity for ministry which can make a real
difference in Kalmunai, Sri Lanka. "Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each day."

Special thanks to my traveling companions and new friends:

Rev. Ron Davidson - Gleaning for the World
Rev. Ray Buchanan - Stop Hunger Now
Len Stevens - 6:00 PM Anchor for WSET TV

Our trip would not be possible without the expert guidance of
Kumar and his wife Smeta Periasamy. Both are leaders with
Operation Blessing and now live in Sri Lanka. They will be
helping us with our boat project along with several other ideas.
R.K. Jeyakumaran was his helper.

Rev. Jothini-Seenithamby is the pastor of the Methodist Church in
Kalmunai. The church has over 150 families attending. Twenty
people within their church died from Tsunami along with
twenty-nine homes totally destroyed and twenty-one homes
partially damaged. There are one hundred girls in their
orphanage school and fifteen elderly women being cared for.

We are also grateful for the assistance of President, Rev. Neal
Fernando and Secretary, Rev. Ebi Joseph of the Methodist church
which has over 100 churches in Sri Lanka. All of the churches
are playing an active role in local relief efforts. In addition
we met with leaders of the Rotary organization in Sri Lanka who
are providing generous assistance and aid throughout the area.

Also, special thanks go to you who supported our mission with
prayers and funds. My biggest concern was justifying the expense
of going there with enough projects and ideas to make a real
difference in Sri Lanka. I believe we managed to do that. Thanks
for making everything possible.

Our web site continues to accept donations toward those affected
by the Tsunami Tragedy. The site is credit card secure. You may
also donate to Sowing Seeds Ministry as we keep our prayer and
devotional web site active and helpful. Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Tsunami.htm Once on this page
you need to click again to the actual secured giving area. This
is for your protection.

Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
mail.yahoo.com

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Today's devotional message comes from the weekly series Sowing
Seeds of Faith, authored by my friend Larry Davies. Larry
recently took a trip to Sri Lanka, accompanied by two other
pastors and a TV anchor person. Larry continues to write about
his trip and things he has thought about as he continues to
personally sow seeds of his own faith among people. Larry has
gone way beyond anything he ever thought about, I can guarantee
that! How do you and I sow our seeds each day?

Yours in Christ,
Brian
______________________________________________________________________
Sowing Seeds of Faith...

You can read the entire story plus see a few pictures on our
website by clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/SriLanka1.htm

"A Mission of Mercy to Sri Lanka" Part 3 Larry Davies

Amidst the rubble-strewn beach of tsunami-devastated Kalmunai in
Sri Lanka, I picked up a cluster of fishing net and showed it to
several men as they described a desire to go back to work. "We
must fish to survive!" one man emphasized. We later learned that
for approximately $3,000 we could buy a new boat made in Sri
Lanka equipped with a motor and nets. Four families with each new
boat could then go back to work. We were beginning to find
answers and hope.

Before leaving, we stopped at our guide, R.K. Jeyakumaran's house
to visit his family and enjoy dinner. In the room, we noticed a
six foot high, dark line on the wall. With tears, he described
how waves swept through their house leaving the watermark. Both,
he and his wife sought safety on the roof only to watch
helplessly as their son and daughter were swept away. Both
children were later found alive but the reality and the horror of
the Tsunami was evident in our guide's eyes. But then he also
tenderly spoke of God's grace found in refuge and care received
at a nearby church.

Despite the Jeyakumaran family's loss and hardship, we were
welcomed as honored guests and shown delightful hospitality. The
appetizing rice dish prepared for us was likely rationed from a
load we helped purchase and ship from Vietnam. Despite the
tragedy we were beginning to find signs of God's presence.
Through the eyes of this godly family we witnessed hope mixed
with grief and we saw in them and others a strong determination
to rebuild and start anew.

Lamentations is for a community facing tragedy: "The thought of
my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will
never forget this awful time as I grieve over my loss. Yet I
still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of
the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from
complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies
begin afresh each day. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my
inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him.'" (3:19-24)

God never guaranteed a life free from suffering and tragedy. Here
is what the Lord promises: "The unfailing love of the Lord never
ends." This is the assurance we must cherish especially in the
midst of unspeakable suffering. "The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him."

Early the next morning, we drove back to the beach at Kalmunai
only to meet thousands of panic-stricken residents frantically
running away. It took a few minutes to calm someone down and
probe but we were told about another earthquake occurring near
Indonesia and yet another tsunami moving toward Sri Lanka. Even
unfounded rumors caused great panic and confusion.

While maneuvering to avoid the crush of traffic we happened upon
an unfamiliar side street and found to our delight a Methodist
church, the same denomination many in our group represent. As we
pulled into the entrance, we noticed a school and in the yard
were men busily constructing a hundred shelters. We met pastor:
Rev. Jothini-Seenithamby and discovered a church busy with
helping families and a school housing one hundred young orphaned
girls.

In just three short days in Sri Lanka, we discovered tragedy
beyond comprehension but also several practical needs which can
realistically be met:

1. The Kalmunai community needs equipped fishing boats: $3,000
if built in Sri Lanka. Each boat will provide four families
a living income: I found this challenge exciting.

2. The local Methodist church needs a water tank for storage and
school supplies for the girls. The shelters are built
through another aid agency but they too need supplies.

3. Funds distributed through reliable local contacts will
stretch considerably farther than supplies purchased abroad
and shipped: Containers are often marooned portside

I left Kalmunai, forever saddened by tragedy witnessed and also
awestruck realizing those same waves struck thousands of
communities throughout the Indian Ocean. Yet, I also left Sri
Lanka hopeful, discovering a strong sense of familial love within
the people and a hardy determination to survive. God gave our
little group an opportunity for ministry which can make a real
difference in Kalmunai, Sri Lanka. "Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each day."

Special thanks to my traveling companions and new friends:

Rev. Ron Davidson - Gleaning for the World
Rev. Ray Buchanan - Stop Hunger Now
Len Stevens - 6:00 PM Anchor for WSET TV

Our trip would not be possible without the expert guidance of
Kumar and his wife Smeta Periasamy. Both are leaders with
Operation Blessing and now live in Sri Lanka. They will be
helping us with our boat project along with several other ideas.
R.K. Jeyakumaran was his helper.

Rev. Jothini-Seenithamby is the pastor of the Methodist Church in
Kalmunai. The church has over 150 families attending. Twenty
people within their church died from Tsunami along with
twenty-nine homes totally destroyed and twenty-one homes
partially damaged. There are one hundred girls in their
orphanage school and fifteen elderly women being cared for.

We are also grateful for the assistance of President, Rev. Neal
Fernando and Secretary, Rev. Ebi Joseph of the Methodist church
which has over 100 churches in Sri Lanka. All of the churches
are playing an active role in local relief efforts. In addition
we met with leaders of the Rotary organization in Sri Lanka who
are providing generous assistance and aid throughout the area.

Also, special thanks go to you who supported our mission with
prayers and funds. My biggest concern was justifying the expense
of going there with enough projects and ideas to make a real
difference in Sri Lanka. I believe we managed to do that. Thanks
for making everything possible.

Our web site continues to accept donations toward those affected
by the Tsunami Tragedy. The site is credit card secure. You may
also donate to Sowing Seeds Ministry as we keep our prayer and
devotional web site active and helpful. Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Tsunami.htm Once on this page
you need to click again to the actual secured giving area. This
is for your protection.

Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
mail.yahoo.com