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.