updat on the final week on the Island.

Our last week in Sri Lanka was completely amazing. Like we said, we have been impacted by how much hospitality the Sri Lankan people has shown us and we are so grateful that we were be able to be part of their lives.

The girls scheduled Bible studies throughtout the week for the widows at the farm and we each told our testimonies and how we see them as mothers also and how much of an impact they can make on their childern. We were not sure how much of an impact we made but we do know that God has panted seeds in their life just by the women sharing with us what they learned. One of the women said that it really hit her how much of an impact we had in just loving her kids because no one else has shown love to her kids except her. We are sure that God has a future for all of these women and that they have made an impact on our lives that they can not even imagine.

It was also our last week with the kids so we were able to enjoy every single second with them playing and spending our time with them at their prayer meetings. We also were able to go to an Engligh house church on Sunday and really think about how we need to be focused on our daily walk with God. It really opened our eyes to what God is doing in each of our lives.

prayer requests:

1. Please continue to pray for Uncle Gary especially today because the doctors said that he needs to wake up today or esle he will be suffering with ciritcal brain damage.
2. Pray for healthy bodies and God's angels to protect us and surround us while we travel from Hong to LAX.
3. Pray for the teen girls at the center and to continue their daily walk with God.
4. For our team- that when we arrive home that God will provide financially for our families and school.


Thank you all for being pary of this life-changing trip. We know that God worked through us and He will continue to do so if we continue to seek Him only. We cannot thank you enough for supporting us and lifting us up in your prayers!

We love you all and THANK YOU!

On our way back home.

We are eating our last meal in Sri Lanka right now and we all feel bittersweet emotions. We have loved our expereince here and seen how much God is working in Sri Lanka through a various of different ministries-it is hard to keep up with all of them.
This past week has been difficult because we have been struggling in how we have impacted Sri Lanka and what God is teaching us through this experience. Please pray for clarity and discernment and to come back to the States with a changed heart, worldview and a greater love for God and His people. We can not write too much right now because we are limited on time but please pray for safe travels and strong and healthy bodies. We will be updating more throughout our journey back home.

Thank you again for being part of this trip and lifting us up in your prayers.

Week three on the Island.

We have just finished our third week in Sri Lanka and thanking God for keeping us all healthy and strong overall. This past week the guys and girl, for the first time, went different ways and were reunited today, Friday, July 9th. The Biola ladies stayed the whole week at the teenage girls center focusing on strengthening their Identity in Christ and further pursuing their walk with the Lord. On Monday, we talked about why it is important to be dedicated to a personal walk with the Lord on a daily basis. On Tuesday, we spoke about self-worth and how to find your worth in God and not base it on outer appearances or any human value. On Wednesday, we focused on relationships and to base their hearts in the unconditional love of God. On Thursday, we spoke about suffering and why God allows pain in world that was intended for good. We also spoke about forgiveness and how God will use pain and suffering to minister to others in ways that we would never expect. On Friday, we focused on forgiveness and the process of healing; since these girls have been through traumatic experiences, we wanted to focus on how forgiveness will not occur overnight but will last a lifetime because people will continue to disappoint but only God can satisfy their needs. We referenced a variety of scripture including 1 Samuel 20, Matthew 18, Psalm 23, Isaiah 45:3, Psalm 51, Luke 10, etc.

We were planning to go up to the northern part of Sri Lanka but plans changed last minute due to unexpected and unfortunate circumstances. Like we informed you all last week, Dr. Gary was in a bus accident in Korea and is still in critical conditions but show dramatic improvement. He is currently, for the most part, breathing on His own. If you want to follow and continue to pray for him and his family, go on this blog that his daughter is updating regularly: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/garyparrett

On the other hand, the boys returned to the 'farm' to attend an Asian Access conference and to spend some time with the young boys. They returned with smiles and stories about the sessions they attended which were about the church in Asia and different topics concerning that. They also were able to attend the young boys prayer meetings on a daily basis and have also said that they are beginning to feel more of an attachment to them.

Tomorrow we will be heading to Sigirya in the northern central part of Sri Lanka so please pray for safe travels and strong, healthy bodies. We will be returning from Sigirya Sunday morning and returning to the 'farm' on Monday morning, allowing us to spend one last week with the kids! Which we are all very excited about. :]

Prayer Requests:

1. Continual prayer for Dr. Gary- His recovery and for God to comfort his family during this crucial time.
2. Teenage girls at the center that they will realize how important their daily walk with God is and to continue to pursue Him in every aspect of their lives. Also, prayer for a constant mother figure to be with the teenage girls and minister to them.
3. Safe travels and strong and healthy bodies for the Team: We realize that we have a week left and we are determined to finish strong in the Lord and have faith that God will protect us from illnesses.
4. For the Spirit to be filled in each of the team members and allow God to speak through us; not only through our words but in our actions. (Especially with the kids back at the 'farm').
5. For God to truly break our hearts and be humbled in His presence recognizing that we alone can not save people, but only Him. Though we do feel privileged to be used by Him as His servant, we can not change these kids pasts but pray that God will use their pasts for His glory.

Week 2 in Sri Lanka

We just finished our second week in Sri Lanka and we have been loving it so far! Last week starting on Monday and all throughout the week we began to paint the boys and girls home at the farm while the kids were at school. In the afternoon, after the kids finished with their homework and chores we played with them. We played cricket, colored, taught some of them the English Alphabet. We have been enjoying spending time with them, loving them and showing them that God does love them. We continued to attend the daily prayer meetings at the boys home and girls home. Prayer nights are full of worshiping, dancing and praising God with the kids.

Last week we took a team member, Caroline, to the doctor because of a viral infection which turned out to be allergic reactions to the food and environment. Chauntae and Matt also went to the doctor last night but it turned out that they also have been having an allergic reaction to the food and environment. Praise God that it is only allergic reactions and nothing more than that.

Yesterday we were asked to sing a song at Church and we were informed yesterday morning that the guest speaker that was supposed to be at church with us was in a bus accident in Korea and is in critical condition. We are lifting up in prayer and asking God to heal him, if it is God's Will.

The team was spilt up into the boy and girl because the girls on the team are now at the teenage girls center and at the boys went back to the farm to spend time with the boys at the boys home. The girls are excited to spend some time with a different age group; though it might be a little more difficult

Prayer Requests:

Health: For our bodies to resist any sickness that may come and God to protect us.

Teenage Girls: Now that the girls at the teenage girls center, pray for open and broken hearts for both the team and the teenage girls.

Healing for Dr. Gary and for God to comfort His family.

Prayer for direction and guidance for Eddie, Mason, Matt and Ben when working with the older boys at the boys homes back at the farm.

Thank again for all your prayers and support. We must admit that we do miss home but we are so glad that God has brought us here and know that God is working in our hearts and the Sri Lankan people. God is sovereign and in control

Week one in Sri Lanka.

Ayubowan! This is a Sri Lankan greeting that we learned our first day here and is one of the many things that we picked up on. We want to thank you all for your continual love, support and prayers. You do not know how much it means to the team that there are people all around the world praying for us, the trip and the Sri Lankan people. We realized that though we have our own families, we have brothers and sisters that are lifting us up in prayers and that is both an encouragement and blessing. We apologize for the late post but we have had some difficulty with the internet access.

We have been in Sri Lanka for a week now and do not even know where to begin. We arrived in Sri Lanka last Monday, July 21st at about 11:45pm and arrived at the 'farm' The 'farm' is where the boys and girls home and the widows center is located at and it is also where we are staying. On Tuesday and Wednesday we were able to spend some time with the kids and widows and at first we were all a little hesitant and scared to see what the kids thought of us but we found out that language is not a barrier. The kids were able to warm up to us pretty fast and we were so blessed to spend some time with them. On Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday we were able to help and attend a youth camp that was focused on people from ages to 14-23. This youth camp was a blessing to all of us because some of the youth came from all over the country and from different backgrounds and to some it was there first time hearing the gospel. The camp was focused on relating to their worldview and their search for love in other people and how the only love that will satisfy them is the love of God. The team was also able to share their testimonies with some of the young people and we were amazed that many of the struggles and pain that we have been through is universal. God relates to people, provides and comforts people from all different backgrounds and ethnicities. Now this week we have time with kids and widows and we are planning on doing activities, bible studies and most of all show God's love to these kids and show them that they are worthy and valued not only by us but by God.
We have also been able to attend the prayer meetings at both the boys and girls homes. It was a blessing to see that God loved these children so much more than we could ever love them,. We were lucky enough to see a 2 year-old baby girl lift up her hands worshiping and praying to God. Everyday we see that God loves everyone one of us even though we are all from different backgrounds-GOD LOVES US ALL.

If you are called to pray for us here are a few things that we need prayer for:

1. Healthy bodies- For God to protect us from any illness that might hinder us from doing His work.
2. Renewed Spirits, hearts and minds- That we are able to praise God in all aspects.
3. Young people that attended the Youth Camp- That God may protect them because they are going back to homes and families that are not Christian and that they will rest in the power of God and know that they are safe.
4. Boys and Girls Home and Widows- For God to work in us and appropriately portray the love of God to these children.

love-

the Sri Lanksters.

Are we there yet?

So we are all getting ready to leave for Sri Lanka in a few hours and I can not even explain how everyone is feeling right now. It is a mix of emotions and thoughts. I am excited to see what God is doing there now in Sri Lanka and what He is going to do there. We want to thank everyone who has supported us with their prayers and donations

So I asked the team how they felt about the trip and here are their responses. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Enjoy.

Eddie-'It hasn't hit me yet-but it will I guess.'

Chauntae-"I don't feel like I am going-it doesn't feel like time to go yet but I guess how it usually happens.'

Caroline- It doesn't feel like we're seriously going.'

Adriana- what?? SPEECHLESS. It isn't real.

I also asked the team what they expect out of this

Adriana- 'I not even there yet but the kids already stole my heart.'

Eddie-' I do not know what to expect but expect an awesome trip and an experience of a lifetime. I am really grateful that God is able to use me in this way.


Veronica- 'I don't feel like I am going but I am excited to see the kids, girls, and people again!!!!'

Ben-'I am awaiting the climax of a semesters worth of planning and preparation. Just EXCITED!'

Matt-'I'm stoked.'

Jess-' I don't know how to feel-excited, nervous and anxious but I know that God will use it.'


If you feel led to pray for us here are some of our prayer points:

1. For God to unite the team under His love.
2. Safety and travel- For the team to arrive safely and to travel safely within the country
3. Wisdom and Discernment: To learn when to talk, listen and act.
4. Health: We are all not used to Sri Lankan food- so for God to cover the food that we will eat and prevent any sickness.
5. For the team to go in with open hearts and minds and for us to be filled with Jesus' love and not ours.


Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement! We will be updating the blog often to keep our current prayer requests and praises posted.

~Team Sri Lanka

The Vision, the Dream, come Follow.

A Biola University, co-ed team of 8 will from June 19 to July 20, be serving widows, orphans, and war refugees through counseling and bringing the love of Jesus Christ in Sri Lanka.

The need in Sri Lanka is great. Many of the widows, orphans, and refugees have been abused and lack basic necessities because of their vulnerable state. Through sharing testimonies, planning vacation Bible school, leading Bible studies, serving refugees in medical clinics, and counseling orphans, we hope to share the new life we have been given in Christ. Additionally, our team goal is to raise funds and help construct a children’s home in the war-torn area of northern Sri Lanka.

Please join us and support us in praying for Sri Lanka and in praying for our team-we need prayer to unite the team and be truly the HANDS and FEET of Jesus in Sri Lanka.

Team Purpose Statement: To grow as a Team under Christ and help the Orphans, widows, and war refugees discover God as Abba Father, embracing a genuine adoption as Children of God.<

Team Vision Statement: To serve God through actively and humbly loving the people of Sri Lanka.

Theme Verses: Jeremiah 1:4-19 "But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD...."

Psalm 62:5-8 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God: he is my mighty rock, my refuge.Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

We will be posting prayer requests, updates and any current news at least once a week; so,if you will, we invite you to follow us on this journey that God has prepared for His Kingdom.

Above all, Give the Glory to God.