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.
