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Ceylon Christian Care |
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News |
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Nov 14, 2009 Visit to Sri Lanka
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Dear friends,
From July 22 till 29 Bert van Voorden and Paul van der Waal, were again visiting the projects of the Ceylon Christian Care foundation. Paul’s last visit was three years ago and for Bert one and a half. We have been able to see the progress of the projects. We were happy to conclude that the money we received from different schools and presentations were spent in a right way. We arrived on Wednesday at 22.30 at the airport in Colombo. Our driver Raju had been waiting and took us straight away to the east coast of Sri Lanka. There we arrived at 5 o’clock in the morning. Bert was sleeping when Paul cried: “Bert, we are at the projects.” Bert quickly awaked and threw open the door of the car. There were already boys who were awake and again there followed a fantastic greeting by our children. We were glad to see everybody again. Paul had been awake the whole night, so he soon left to his room to sleep.
Periyaneelavanai We have extensively paid attention to the projects, the Day Care Center, the disabled children project, Boys Home Samuel and Herman Girls Home. We were happy to see that the children’s were using frequently the children’s Bible written by H.van Dam. We inspected to the status of maintenance of the homes and the guestrooms and it appeared that several things had to be repaired. For the project of the disabled children a report is made every day with the planning, activities and accidental particularities. These reports are checked at the end of the month by Rev Sounthi. Salary is only paid if the reports are maintained properly. Siththra, the first warden of the girls’ home, puts the expenses of each project in the computer. This helps us to get in the Netherlands a good view on the expenses of each individual project. When needed advice how to save money can be given. Price differences by shop can be tracked easily. On Friday, July 24 at 6.45 in the morning we put into use the new threewheeler. Everybody was present. Rev. Sounthi told how the money of the threewheeler was received, namely by the action of the Johannes Calvijn School in Leerdam. Paul was allowed to cut the ribbon and Bert made the first trip. The threewheeler can be used for different purposes, like driving volunteer Janine van der Weerd, to the hospital for an injection. During the visit Bert also visited a funeral of one of the members of the church. That is quite different from a funeral in Holland. But it was good to be present. On Saturday we did our favorite game: a water fight with balloons. Water appeared everywhere and everybody was wet, except warden Siththra. She silently remained on her room. But no problem: her turn will come next year............ Children of the project also receive swimming-lessons, to try to get them accustomed to water. On Sunday we went to church on the project. During prayer time we discussed the story of the prodigal son. We made a number of questions for the children. The last one was: What is the meaning of this parable? The children could name it in one word: Forgiveness of sins. |
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John’s Academy We were cordially received by the children of the school. All children were standing outside and singing a song for us. The song: “Lord, open the eyes of my heart” struck both of us. In our speech we came back on it. The Lord may open our blind eyes. Whether we live in Sri Lanka or in Holland, we all need it. Whether we are black or white, we have one thing in common. Our hearts are black of sins and the Lord sees our hearts. A wonder has to happen to us. We visited all the groups and clearly one differences with the Netherlands came up: Respect to each other. The library and the chemistry-room looked clean and well-cared. A part of the computer room is used by external students when not in use. The school year runs from January till December. In August and December the children have a holiday of one month and in April they have two weeks. During the holidays some children go to their parents or relatives. It was good to visit this project and to tighten the contacts.
Murokkodanchenai In this village we could admire the new community hall. This is used for several activities such as teaching, common meetings and the consulting hour of the doctor. The last one needs no longer to have consulting hour in the open air. We ate with the doctor and his helpers. Many differences in culture came up for discussion such as the women who wear a dot on their forehead, the different opinions about marriage, etc. We also met the widow whose husband was killed in 2006. Next year the support to this village will be completed. Most families have received an own toilet and well. People who received a micro-credit make good use of it. We were allowed to visit a small shop. The people were very happy with the help they received It’s anyway impressive to be here: shabby huts, sandy ground and yet such friendly people.
Nagapuram We also visited the new project in the village Nagapuram. The project started with a survey wherein was checked the number of families, the structure of the population, the source of the income, the situation of the houses, etc. Based on this information plans were made for a 5 year project. At first 270 families are helped, later on 400 more. The total number of inhabitants of the village is 2,500. In the meantime a piece of land has been bought for a community hall, office and church. On Sunday Rev Sounthi preached in this village. After the service he told us that only four people had visited the church. But when the Lord will bless the Word, it is enough. Good for us was to see the project in its starting phase. We are curious about the progress we will see in a next visit.
Finally Wednesday evening July 29 we had a diner together with all the children and staff in the garden of the project in Periyaneelavanai. After an emotional parting of the children and staff we drove back to Colombo at 22.00. Thursday morning we flew back to Holland. We were allowed to visit Sri Lanka again. Each time we come we learn again about the people and the culture. It was good to see the progress of the projects. It was a successful visit and we enjoyed to have contact with our people in Sri Lanka again. That the Lord may bless the work of the foundation and that many poor sinners may be converted and that His Kingdom may be grow.
Kind regards, Bert van Voorden Paul van der Waal Ceylon Christian Care |
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Students Johannes Calvijn Leerdam - Thank You ! |
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Water Fight |