News 1 Update

Sri Lanka
Outreach Team Update: Feb. 1, 2005
Mobile in Sri Lanka +94-077-698-2124; www.srilankaoutreach.com

Dear Friends:

It has been almost three weeks since our team
arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to assist with the tsunami recovery efforts. I cannot easily tell you all that we have seen, the tears that we have shared, or the destruction that we have encountered already. We have toured as much of the country as possible; travelling south along the coast, and east through the mountains. The damage is great, and the help is too few and far between.


In our fist week, we connected with a Non-government Organization (NGO) called Sarvodaya, and have spent the last week and a half unloading a 40ft. container of food and supplies into a Methodist church, organizing it, and redistributing it to non-government based camps around the country. Now that this load is coming to an end, our team is taking a more personal route.

Vegas and I plan to be the mediators for volunteers in the United States to organized efforts here in Sri Lanka. We have set up a base of operations in Colombo, where we can house volunteers. Through the connections that we have made with USAID, the Methodist Churches, Assemblies of God, Sarvodaya, and other such organizations, we can welcome volunteers and help them get started, show them the ropes, get them the proper transportation, etc.

Tomorrow Vegas and I travel to Kaluthara to clean rubble and dig toilet and well holes. From February 8th-16th our team will be in Komari, cooking food and helping rebuild a housing development. We plan to do this sort of “grunt work,” as much as possible. At this moment, our visas expire April 15. If we can get them extended, we will.

How you can help:
We need prayer and financial support (in that order). Our cost of living is about $600 a month. This includes food, phone, travel to and from camps, lodging, etc. If you can support us financially, please directly deposit money into Wells Fargo account #3977701774 or mail a check made out to Sarah Turner to Attn: Sri Lanka Outreach, 1100 Wyoming Ave., Reno, NV 89503.

Sending Helpers to Sri Lanka

Dear Friends:
Since personally having felt the CALL to GO and serve in Sri Lanka, a few others and myself have seen an outcry from the community that begs to join and help.

There are many who have responded already in both prayer and support. Now, our plans and hopes to serve have come together. We are departing this coming Tuesday, January 11th, 2005 at 8 pm. We will arrive in Columbo, Sri Lanka on Thursday morning, after about 22 hours of flight .

Sarah and myself plan to stay in Sri Lanka and provide cleaning and building assistance to the churches that were destroyed. Please pray for these churches and for us.

Our group visa applications have been approved. We will send out our address when we have it.

If you or someone you know is avalable for a trip later in month or upcoming months, I must share with you that nothing more than a servants heart and a passport is required. We are raising our own support and we are sure that if you feel called to such an action- money, fear and friends can not stop you.

If you feel better about visiting India or other places than Sri Lanka I want to encourage you that as the UN takes presence more field opportunities will be available.

I write you this thank you for your continued prayers and support. As the holiday has come to and end and church staff are now up and around, please consider having one of our team come and speak to your staff or church about needs and opportunites to see help provided to those who have none.

Specifically we want send special thanks to Rebel Christian Fellowship, Rock n' Java Cafe, Air 1 Radio, Central and my employer David for the guidance helping us understand what this calling means and help spread this message. If I can answer any questions please don't hesitate to give me a call or email me back.

In Christ,
Vegas Brian Thornton
011-94-077-698-2124
Las Vegas Sri Lanka Strike Team
srilankamissions.blogspot.com

DISCLAIMER: Though we are members of an on-campus InterVarsity group, InterVarsity is not sending, supporting, or endorsing this trip in any way. If you have questions, please refrain from calling InterVarsity Headquarters and call Vegas at 702-856-6065 or Sarah at 775-544-5601 instead.

Join our email List

If you would like to join our email ist and be made aware of projects and keep up to date with news and all we are doing. Please fill out this form and click "Submit".

Thanks,
The Sri Lanka Strik and Outreah Team

Fields marked with an "*" are required.
First Name*:
Last Name*:
Telephone Number*:
How did you hear about us:
City:
State:
Country:
Company/Organization:
E-mail Address: