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After non-eventful flights the Team are home and settling back into the Kiwi time zone and catching up with family.

Thanks to all that took an interest in our journey and those who left comments, we appreciated it.

All Over Bar The Flying

Today marks the end of our Lanka 08 adventure. We spent the morning and lunch with Territorial Leaders debriefing the journeys that we have had the privilege of undertaking over the past three weeks.

Amongst the topics was a discussion about deinstitutionalisation. There is no doubt that over the past 80 years or so, since the Army has been running children’s homes, there have been many children who, with no other alternative have received a home and a hope because of our institutions.

There are only a small number of children in Army institutions that have no family to support them, the rest have some family, but these lack the resources to supply adequate education and nurture. (There are waiting lists of people asking the Army for their children to be accepted into care.)

But there are hints of a government policy which will force a move away from institutional care and so the question is what happens when, or if, institutions are forced to close. (This is not a near future issue.)

The Army has already begun a family sponsorship program whereby families receive resources to help them care for children at home – it is small scale at the moment, but successful. Could this be a solution for the future? There are some interesting discussions and decisions to come.

Another issue that lies heavy on the Leadership’s hearts is the need to provide psychological support for the preschool children and remand girls that are part of The Haven clientele. This is a unique institution with a complex population – there are many ways in which it could be better, but all are held captive to resources, mainly finance.

To employ a professional psychologist would cost only about US $5,000.00 per year, and whilst this sounds like such a little, it is beyond the budget restrictions of the Territory at this time. But the position (I believe) would make such a huge difference. Imagine being able to sponsor this ministry! (Interested? Talk to me, or to the Sri Lanka Territorial Social Service Secretary directly.)

So, in about 12 hours we will be in the air, just leaving Sri Lankan airspace. The adventure will be over, but the transformed lives (ours) and the encouragement given will remain.

Dehiwela Reunion

We only have another day here in Sri Lanka, but today was a special day for the Dehiwela Girls Home, and we were privileged to be part of it. The Matron, Captain Rohini Hettiararchchi, with the support of her team, organised a reunion of the current girls (50) and the ‘Old Girls’ (73).

Opened in 1936 the Girls Home has been home to hundreds of girls over the years, including three women who, having given their lives to God and the Army, have risen to the rank of Colonel in The Salvation Army, alongside these women, many are serving in Churches all around the island.

We were met at the gate by five beautiful little girls who placed garlands around our necks, and then the Hewasi Band, (drums, flutes, tambourines and horn) led us down the driveway and into the Chapel. It was an overwhelming welcome: the honour they paid us was undeserved but awesome.

We led the first session and following a talk about the Maori Kete and Pounamu by Major Gay we had the girls and women doing an aerobics workout to the action song, “From your head to your toes, you’re special”. Ian followed this up by wowing the crowd with his Chemical magic once again.

After lunch the current girls went inside with the Gill, Gael and Gay to do some craft whilst Ian and Daryl led the Old Girls in some games. As usual the games were serious business, and the rough play would have got any international soccer player yellow carded.

The atmosphere at this institution is fantastic. The place is clean and the girls obviously happy and well cared for. The theme for the day was “God loves you, and you are special” – no one, including our team left in any doubt of that. It was a great way to finish the adventure.

Angulan Tsunami Camp

Angulan is a community located between the sea, approximately 100 meters away and a tidal lagoon. 40 families, most with small children, have been living in this temporary camp, situated on the local government school grounds for three and a half years.

The families in this area have been, and are, in two-room wooden shacks that were built around January 10, 2005. The front room is used as the kitchen and food storage area the back room as the bedroom and living area.

When we visited the camp it had been raining heavily: the grounds were muddy and the rubbish had been washed all over the camp. Residents reported being in 8 inches of water over night – and the sanitation overflowing into the living areas.

Whilst all have received a grant from the government (two instalments equalling NZ$ 6,250.00) to build a new house; the land that they can afford is over 25km in land – and they are fishermen, dependant on the sea and their boats for the small income they can attract. Going 25km in land, to new areas where there is no power or water supply is not the most appropriate solution for these people, but with an impending forced eviction from the camp, they have few other options.

The grant has not been enough to purchase the land and complete the building of houses so some are still living in the shacks, whilst their new house remains incomplete. Others have had enough to complete the house but not to pay for the electrical wiring or connection of mains power.

The Salvation Army has been working with this community for two years and during this time has provided funds to aid in the wiring of houses and connection of power. However, the available ‘tsunami’ funds are exhausted and the Angulan camp is not a priority.

Despite this lack of funds The Salvation Army is finding funds to help these victims. Each house wiring and connection costs approximately Rs. 28,000.00 (NZ $345.00) and so far they have been able to help a number of families.

From funds made available by a donor in New Zealand (members of The Salvation Army Faith Factory in Waitakere) we have been able to accept the application of five more families, and over the next few weeks they will be able to move from this stagnant, smelly ‘temporary’ home into their new houses.

Thanks to those that made this possible – it was our privilege to represent you today.

It's Gael's Turn

The last member of our team to write a report in this last week is Gael, and she says...

Greetings from sunny Sri Lanka. Although by the time you read this we will be touching down in Auckland.

Thursday
We picked up our many bags and walked next door to the Training College where we met nine cadets and the training principal, Major Lapena. We spent the day sharing about the wordless book, flannel graph stories, memory verses, puppets and played Bible quiz tic-tac-toe with them. They all joined in enthusiastically and their puppet plays where a delight to see.

After taking twelve meters of wincyette in my suitcase it was great to see them making up their flannel graph boards. They also took with them individually created sock puppets and wordless bracelets. They were a lovely bunch of young people who had a great love for the Lord. They were heard to say about a few mistakes we had made, that ‘we were as old as their parents. It was very hot and we were probably tired’.

It was great to sit down together for lunch. They must have learned a few things because they asked the Training Principal if they could use some of the ideas on the ten day crusade they were leaving for on Saturday.

Friday
Daryl and Ian went to paint at Rajagiriya boys home while G, G and G went shopping for supplies. We made our way through puddles, people, tuk-tuks, cars, trucks, buses and motor bikes with whole families on. We did really well considering the roads in Sri Lanka are chaotic.

We joined up for lunch at the home and did a programme with the boys. They enjoyed balloon stomp, but not as much as Ian and the Manager (Major Shelton) who continued on for quite some time after the boys had finished. Again, the sock puppets we made with them were a great hit.

Saturday
G, G and G were not looking forward to their three hour journey to the Teenager’s camp at Rambukkana, but after a breakfast of roti brought by Major Nihal we climbed aboard and set off. Driving on Sri Lankan roads has to be seen to be believed, we haven’t worked out if there are any road rules, with a lot of honking of horns everyone moves, turns, stops, passes and yet it seems to work. This time we had Major Nihal driving so it was a much smoother ride. We did our normal programme including a marvelous drama that somehow got lost in translation and had Gay throwing a tantrum three times instead of once. I think the last time was for real. We finished with games which were completely out of control.

Sunday
We took the meeting at Colombo Central Corps where we met an amazing ninety-six year old retired Colonel. We then went up stairs for a youth meeting. In the afternoon we shopped until Ian dropped.

Monday
We went to Swedlanka boys home which was a one and a quarter hour drive from Colombo. The boys sang for us and played flute, guitar and drums. They were really good. There was a lovely family atmosphere and they joined in enthusiastically with the games. The boys were really pleased to each receive a new pair of black leather school shoes bought with the money raised by The Meeting House (Mt Albert Corps).

Tuesday
In the morning at Rajagiriya eventide hostel we met the retired men and ladies who live there. It was nice to be the young ones for once. We sang songs, Ian shared his testimony and we did craft with them. After a beautiful lunch, we went next door to the Boy’s Home to paint their chapel.

I can’t believe this is our last week in Sri Lanka. It is a beautiful country and we have learned a lot form the Salvationists here. They have so little yet their hearts are so big and they share so much with us.

SwedLanka

Today’s activities found us driving about an hour north of Colombo to Kochikadi where, located down narrow corrugated dirt lanes, hidden amongst the coconut trees is the Swedlanka Boys Home.

The Salvation Army inherited the home from a Swedish organisation a number of years ago and today 18 boys between 7 and 18 live here. It is a small compound, but well maintained and happy.

We had the privilege of conducting a program with the boys and then playing games and sitting under the trees in the ‘cool’ of the evening singing songs to a guitar and drum.

Earlier in the afternoon, thanks to funds raised by The Meeting House in Mt Albert (Auckland), we were able to buy each boy a new pair of black leather school shoes and a tin of polish, Kiwi of course.

Colombo Central

Colombo Central was alive with sound and enthusiasm this morning. As the buses thundered past, dodging tuk-tuks and pedestrians with hands on horns it was difficult to hear ourselves think at times - but despite the chaotic environment in which the Corps is situated about 75 people met in worship.

The brass band played with passion and power, managing to drown out the bus horns, and the worship band got us marching around the hall. Ian preached and the rest of the team participated in the worship time.

Following the service, Manu (in the hands of Major Gay) introduced the youth to Maori culture and language and helped us think about the qualities of life that should best be sought after.

The afternoon was spent doing the circuit of souvenir and other shops in preparation for our return to family and friends... look out Aotearoa there is a herd of elephants, in all shapes and sizes, on its way.

Rajagiriya to Rambukkana

After spending the morning finishing off the painting of the exterior of one building at Rajagiriya we had the privilege of leading the boys (23 of them from 6-18) in a fun programme. The opening act of "balloon stomp" proved to be an event that would match any gladiatorial event, Ian and Major Shelton starred as the final combatants.

Ian presented his 'wordless book' in chemical form by turning water black, red and then back to white. The boys were enthralled by the 'chemical magic' and then loved the opportunity to turn socks into their own personal puppet creations. It was a great day.

Yesterday it was another early start as we headed back up the Kandy-Colombo road to Rambukkana and The Salvation Army's Camp and Conference Centre. We were going to conduct the afternoons activities at the Territorial Teenagers Camp - 84 young people, plus leaders. After a worship time we had some fun running around the hall together and then the amazing drama of Joseph and his amazing coat was presented.

For its first outing it proved to be an amazing comedic hit (although it wasn't supposed to be as funny as it turned out). Gael, playing the part of Joseph delivered a passionate and energetic performance, Gay threw three amazing tantrums as Pharaoh, Gill kept the drama together and tried to keep the others on track whilst Ian's portrayal of Jacob, the Baker, and a Slave Trader left the audience pleading for more.

This excitement however came no where near the total chaos of the games session that followed. With young people spitting water into glasses, throwing balls and limes at each other and picking on Ian, whose Sinhala has increased three fold, the afternoon declined into total anarchy very quickly.

It was a great day and one that we, and probably they, will not soon forget.

Training College

We spent the day at The Salvation Army's Training College today facilitating a workshop on Children's Ministries. There are 9 cadets in two sessions at the moment and they are quite a creative group of people.

As you'll see from the photos they took to the puppets (thanks to the donors in NZ) and presented some very good displays - a lot better than we do. We experimented with making sock puppets and paper fold puppets - there were some interesting creations - it was fun.

We have also been able to teach how to make and use flannel graph boards and stories and leave each cadet with a board, made by themselves. (Getting the 4'x8' sheets of hard board from the shops, 2km away, back to the College was a job left to Daryl and Captain Christopher and is a story for another day - let's just say it felt like a long walk and carrying a board that size and dodging vehicles and pedestrians could be an interesting extreme sport.)

The Cadets leave on Saturday for a 10 day campaign so the workshop was a timely event and appreciated. We all had a fun and educational day!

Gay Roberts Says...

Four hot, sticky Kiwi’s (and one equally hot, sticky Aussie) have just negotiated the pot-holes, traffic and people that constituted our walk back after a wonderful but exhausting day at the “Haven”, a home that encompasses, mothers & babies, toddlers and girls on remand all under one roof. However, I’ll tell you about that later because you want to hear about the entire past week! How are we supposed to condense the frenzied and varied activity of the past seven days on to one tiny page?

This time last week we were down in Hikkaduwa – Tsunami territory but also Sri Lanka’s sunshine coast. We experienced a little of both worlds - ask us about the resorts when we get home! We visited housing projects and villages, participated in community activities, observed a mobile health clinic with an amazing Doctor, and bumped along countless kilometres of dirt track in the back of indescribably uncomfortable vans! Every bone in our somewhat aging bodies has been realigned but it was worth every excruciating pot-hole! We saw the realization of hope and renewal. We experienced something of the resilience and determination that is enabling people to stand on their feet and enjoy life again and something of the organisation and teamwork that goes into helping that process – a real privilege!

We visited Dixon and Indrani, a couple that lost all three of their children and I particularly remember the grandmother who was distraught and guilty because the water had forced her to let go of one of the children. As a grandmother myself I could not imagine recovering from such a trauma. When we called on them Dixon was away fishing (he has only been able to return to it fairly recently) and Indrani was out with the new baby (great news!) She cried again as she told us how she still felt responsible for the little one she had to let go but now they have their new home (last time Daryl was here they were still living in a tent) and the new baby has given them purpose again. We climbed back into the van, disappointed not to have met Indrani and Dixon, but with a sense of awe and gratitude to God for answered prayer.

We arrived home very exhausted on Saturday evening then left at 5.30 next morning for the three and a half hour drive to Hewadiwella Corps (we can all pronounce it really well now!) The corps people appear out of nowhere from the surrounding countryside and disappear into it again just as quickly afterward (the officer walks through paddy-fields and mountain tracks for up to 2 hours to visit them!). We shared their meeting and had fun with their lovely children but it was over far too quickly!

We hope you’ve seen the elephant-riding photo’s on the web-site and recognise the progression from sheer terror to ‘I think I’ll be OK if I just hang on tight enough’ on the faced of those involved.

The school, Sunday School and prayer meeting on the tea plantation were the high-lights for the following day. The simple joy on the faces of the children and the gentleness of these poor people in such a remote mountainside village is something we will not easily forget.

A day off in Kandy brings us back to today, the ‘Haven’ and our current satisfied exhaustion. Today we have cuddled babies, created chaos (Ian and Daryl are real experts at that) and saw some very impressive card-making. It was a very rewarding day and we were relieved to find a much more organized and happier home than we had been prepared for. We were surprised to be shown into a cute little Montessori pre-school where the little ones go for a daily programme. The pre-schoolers spent all afternoon playing with the play-dough Ian had made for them and their teacher was delighted by the resources we were able to leave with her.

Our minds are so overwhelmed by all we’ve seen, heard and experienced and it is very frustrating to try and share it with you in this way. We wish you were all here experiencing it with us. Thank you so much for you support. We are so aware that it is your generosity that we are sharing with others in all sorts of ways here.

God is very Good.

From Elephants to Tea Estates

This week, and our second in Sri Lanka, began at 4:30am (Sunday) as we boarded the Van for the three hour trip to Hewadiwela Corps. Located in the hill country this corps is one of the oldest (of 42) in the Island.

It was our privilege to share in worship, and mine to dedicate a baby and preach. The hall, situated amongst the trees and built on a rock, was filled to capacity – the timbrels played and the people sang and greeted each other with the Maori, KiaOra.

After lunch we headed out to Pinnawela, the sight of the world famous Elephant Orphanage which is home to about 120 elephants at the moment. Gael and Gay bottle feed a calf before we joined the throng and headed down to the river to watch the elephants parade down the road to have a bath. All before Gill, Gael and Ian rode elephants and Ian shared a shower with an elephant.

Monday we travelled up through the hill and cultural capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy, to the Hunnasgiriya Tea Estate where The Army has begun a ministry amongst the children of the workers. 150 children, all Tamil – some Hindu and some Christian - were waiting to greet us and we didn't keep them waiting for long before we had them singing “From my head to my toes, I’m special” and chasing all black balloons around the room. The puppets made a well received entrance and Gael used the Kiwi to talk to the children about being special.

After removing the leeches from Gael and Gay, we headed off to conduct a Sunday School (on Monday) and to lead a short meeting and prayer meeting in one of the village houses. Hunnasgiriya is located about 800m above sea level, 30 minutes from the nearest town and is home to about 300 families and a tourist hotel, complete with golf course - all surrounded by beautiful rugged rock mountains, covered in mist and tea shrubs.

Today we had the opportunity to visit the Temple of the Tooth and the Kandy markets before heading back to Colombo to resume our program at the Institutions in the city.

Women's and Children's Societies

We conducted our first program yesterday afternoon.

About 7km in land from the coast there is a new village inhabited by Tsunami survivors: amongst these families there is one Christian lady who invited The Salvation Army's Community Capacity Development (CCD) team to visit and assist her in building community amongst the people in the new village. (A "Society" in this context is just a group who gather for fellowship, encouragement and learning.)

Since this invitation a Women's Society has commenced with 40-50 women attending weekly and a Children's Society, with 27 in attendance yesterday.

We arrived to find all these women and children waiting for us: seated on wooden benches and on the ground in an open field surrounded by cinnamon bushes on two sides, coconut plantation on another and houses on the fourth - a water buffalo and a couple of dogs joined the back of the group.

We were greeted by three beautiful young girls doing a cultural dance for us, before we entertained them with a puppet show, and attempted to teach them an action song before splitting the children away into their own group. Gill, Gael and Gay introduced the ladies to the delights of card making, whilst Ian and I played "under-over", "cat and mouse" and poison ball with the children.

The program came to a climax with the presentation of prizes, by the team, for a Vesak Lantern competition that had been organised by the CCD team.

And that brings to an end our visit to the tsunami affected community work that is being done in the South East. On Sunday we head in land for a few days, up toward Kandy, the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela and programs at schools in Kandy and Rambukkana and meetings at Hewadiwela.

About Photos

Thank you to those that have made comments, and are following our progress. The team are grateful for them.

To those who have asked: If you are wanting to see photos better, you can click on the photo on the right (at any time) and follow the link to "look at photos in new window" and then click on the "darylcrowden's photostream" link on the right. Here you can download photos and make comments on them.

Today we are off to do a children's program and a women's craft class in a Tsunami affected community. The Puppets will make their debut, Ian will be playing his guitar and Gill, Gay and Gael teaching the women to make cards. The we are leading a prayer meeting in the community at the request of the people.

We will also be observing the work of the mobile clinic in Galagoda, the village where the Army has built 101 houses, a Community Centre and a Vocational Training Centre.

It's about 32degress, 75% humidity and blue skies. The ocean looks rough but inviting and the sand is golden.

First Impressions

Having lived and worked in Sri Lanka, and in some ways coming back to my ‘second home’ it is always interesting to travel with people that are seeing the country for the first time. So here’s the first impressions of two of the team, Gill and Ian Scoltock:

The contrast between Singapore and Sri Lanka was striking. Singapore- huge concrete jungle , Sri Lanka – roads full of crazy drivers, honking horns, overloaded tuk tuks, Mum, Dad and kids all on one moped, cows on the road side, street stalls, shops in crumbling buildings, soldiers with guns, stifling heat. We love it.

Everyone smiles and makes you welcome, and can’t do enough for you even though they have so little. Today, our first day at Hikkaduwa/Galle was very special. The devastation caused by the tsunami is still obvious, but there is a lot of reconstruction going on.

We visited the homes of some people who had received help though the Salvation Army’s Livelihood Programme to establish or re-establish small businesses. One lady makes beautiful bags from a certain part of the coconut palm. The process involves boiling fibres for three hours, dying them, then sewing them into intricate designs and finally constructing the hand bags. On the day of the tsunami she was out and came home to find water right through the house and all of her possessions gone. The Salvation Army provided big pots for the boiling process and cupboards for storage. She now has a thriving business, which provides for herself, her daughter and grand child. We heard many similar stories about personal losses of the local people. Nine hundred small projects have been helped so far.

This afternoon we were “honoured guests” at a volley ball tournament between teams of school children, all of which had been affected in some way by the tsunami. It was great to see the kids having fun on the very beach which had caused them so much pain.

We value your continued prayer support as we are finding it hard to sleep in the heat and suffering from information overload.

Introductions

Today started early for most of us - although it didn't have to. Our minds were still operating on NZ time so early in the morning Gay and Gael were up drinking tea on the balcony and listening to the sounds of the rest of the area waking up.

We began the day with the Leaders of The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka: they shared their dreams and challenges and introduced us to the work of The Army here. It was fantastic to hear that despite the political and other challenges of the country at the moment there is a very positive optimism about the people and the ministry. "It is a good time to be the Leaders in Sri Lanka", said Colonel Lalzamlova the Territorial Leader.

After a tour of the Army's headquarters and a briefing on the program with our in country liaison, Major Nihal Hettiararchchi, we shared lunch with the leaders, (see photo) before the keys to the vehicle were handed to Daryl and we ventured out to but the materials and supplies we need to fulfil events in the expanding program. (Gill, Gay and Gael already have an extra days activity on Saturday when they will attend a District Women's Rally and conduct the Craft session.)

Its been a good day and all are well and happy - not even driving on Colombo roads with Daryl driving has dampened the spirits so far. But tomorrow is an early start and a three hour drive (80km) down to Hikkaduwa, the centre of the Army's Tsunami Recovery work in the South West.