God Answers Prayers
Let me tell you about my last two days.
The day has been approaching when Vegas and I's visas would run out. That day was supposed to be February 14. We were slightly disheartened when we discovered that we did not have the funds to renew them, that America has-more or less- stopped caring about Sri Lanka, and that our support is not rolling in as easily as we would have liked to hope.
I started to consider, in my mind, what God would like me to do in the States that I could not do in Sri Lanka. In my heart, I felt that the answer was Nothing. I felt that if I had to return home, I would feel unfulfilled- despite the fact that we have done a lot of tangible work here. I felt that we would be giving up too early, or selling ourselves short- a horrible feeling. This was making me rather depressed because I did not understand God, or what his plan was. I knew, in my head, that God was big enough to support us with the funds; but I convinced myself that he would not, because it was his will for us to return to the States.
Our team lives on the second floor of our building (the third floor, according to Americans.) Two days ago, we met the man living in the Ground Floor. His name is Richard, and he is the Deputy Mayor of Bentota, a city in South Sri Lanka. Richard explained to us that he was in Bentota when the tsunami hit, that he survived, but immediately flew to America for safety. He had just returned, 30 days later, to a new land. He didn't know what the state of his country was or what was being done to help. In learning that we had been in Sri Lanka for the last 30 days, and learned a lot about the devastation and efforts to relieve it, he invited us to come to Bentota- to see his city with him and tell him all that we had learned. Vegas and I figured that it was a good way to spend our last few days, so we agreed.
Yesterday, at 7am, we piled into a 10 passenger van: me, Vegas, Richard, his cousin, and five household helpers and friends. We told him all that we knew- which NGOs were where, what areas aren't receiving help, etc.
Bentota is beautiful. Honestly it is the most beautiful place that I've ever been in my life. Bed-quilt of trees over a soft lagoon, center of a calm city. It was so nice to get away from three-wheelers and hecklers and beggars, from bad traffic and loud horns. Richard had to go to a meeting, so we waited at a guest house that he had (one of three.)
During that time I received a phone call from my parents. They had heard some threatening things and were concerned that I was not acting correctly. I could not answer their questions and began to feel that I had no clue what I was doing anymore. My mom asked if I would be more helpful in the States and I didn't have an answer. Our phone call was cut short and so there was no resolution.
I cried. Vegas asked me if I wanted to go home. My head said yes but my heart said no. I explained to him that the bible tells us that God calls the meek and unworthy to do the greatest work. That Moses and Joshua didn't want to do what God gave them to do. The bible tells us that they did it anyway, but it never says that they doubted themselves, were spiritually attacked, probably lost a lot of friends and family, and quite possibly never saw the full effects of their works because of it. I said that I wanted to do whatever God wanted, but that it sucked that there is not joy from it.
Richard took us to two schools. The first school was government run. The kids were in class and were nicely dressed. We met the principal of the second school. It was a charter school for the poor kids. The kids did not have shoes, books, computers, pencils, type writers, or even paper. He took us to a room, where 20 kids performed a native dance and song for us- while the teacher played the jimbae. It was so fun to watch. The off-beat kids were in the back, messing up but trying so hard. The really fluid girls were front and center, you could tell that they were trying to show off. A single girl stood in back banging symbols (that's the closest thing I can compare them to) together. I held eye contact with her for a long time. She reacted to me as if no one had ever seen "the girl in back" before. She smiled and looked down.
Vegas and I have the connections to get these kids everything they need. We gathered a list and promised the principal that we could do all we could. --That felt wonderful.
Over lunch, Vegas mentioned that he would like to meet the Division Secretary (the equivalent to a Senator, he heads the group that reports the needs from 300 person villages.) Richard called him up and set an appointment, we drove right over.
The Division Secretary showed us what their plans are and gave us copies of his files. He described for us, the governments commitments with their money and so on. Vegas explained three concepts: The first is the concept is of hiring the unemployed (due to the tsunami) to remove the rubble for general labor prices- thus propelling the economy and providing an income to those who need it. The second concept is that of creating a data base, or job bank, of those needs that the city has, and the recourses that are available- so that they are easier to connect on a local basis. The third concept is that of publishing a blue print of temporary housing, so that everyone has equal housing and does not get used to living with their relatives- where we can't reach them. Needless to say, the division Secretary loved all of these ideas and asked Vegas to come back in a week to present them to the village leaders. (I talked him out of wasting supplies- yay me!)
So that felt good. We decided that we can adopt Bentota, use it as a testing ground for these concepts. If they work- it will spread, it they don't- the country's still exactly where it was at. Man, I wish God's plans were small, it'd be so much easier.
Today, Vegas and I checked the bank account to see $463.00- enough for visas! We were also promised $300 more. THEN we were told that the embassy could sponsor our visas- man oh man.
We returned to Colombo to get administrative stuff done. Before even returning to the apartment we receive an email from an American who wants to meet with us for dinner (he was in Colombo for the day.) It turned out that this certain individual was a long time missionary of Asia and many places. He was very kind. He treated us to dinner and asked a lot of questions about our testimonies and why we are here. He was very encouraging and spoke truth about the Lord and his guidance. It was the first "preaching" that's really touched my heart since we arrived. He asked us about accountability and told us to read Galatians 5 (which we've been told a lot, lately.) He promised us a one time gift of $1000 to have over these next three months. He said that in that time we would work together and establish a relationship. After that, we will see how our organizations are, or aren't, compatible.
We finished the evening with him and our friend, Ron, discussing theology over a living-room table. I felt refreshed. I know that God does have a plan and that something so small- like watching some kids dance- can bring the kind of joy that God feels when he looks at his children.
Thank you all for your prayers. God is listening.
posted by Sarah Turner at 8:36 AM
