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Ceylon Christian Care |
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News |
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Feb 29th, 2008 Visit Report from Bert van Voorden
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Dear friends,
This visit to the projects of Ceylon Christian Care in Sri Lanka, was the second that I was able to pay. With Stefanie, my eldest daughter, I travelled to India first, in order to meet Vathany. Vathany is the former manager of the projects in Periyaneelavanai, who was forced to leave Sri Lanka after an assault on her life. We left Dusseldorf for India on Monday morning February 25. After a safe journey we arrived in India on Tuesday morning. My daughter stayed in India until March 6th. On February 29 I continued my flight to Sri Lanka in order to visit the projects. Rev. Sounthi – in his white clergyman’s clothes – was waiting for me in the airport. On the way to the east coast we came across many checkpoints, and many soldiers were out and about. I did not have a feeling of insecurity, but you are aware of the prevailing tension. On the way I asked Rev. Sounthi repeatedly: “How many kilometers do we still have to go?” At 9:00 PM we arrived at the site of our projects. I was half asleep, but I woke up with a start. All the children and the whole staff were already waiting for us. Annie van Werven and Hilda Roeland were there as well. We then felt our solidarity with them and their work. We had arrived safe and sound. I jumped out of the bus, and shook many hands - both great and small. We were welcomed with flowers on arrival. Later in the evening we had a staff meeting in the garden. I tried to call everyone correctly by his or her name. I think it is very important to have good relationships with the staff members. For they are carrying out the work here on the projects. Late in the evening I had a talk with Annie and Hilda about their work (they stay here for 4 months). After a long day of travelling I finally fell asleep. Before we left the Netherlands we had compiled a good program. Ample time for the projects, for activities with the children, and meetings with the staff, and for studying the Bible on Sunday. Annie and Hilda were invited by Rev. Sounthi to accompany us during the visits of the different projects of the foundation.
Saturday March 1, 2008 Early in the morning we left for Murokkodanchenai, a small and poor fishermen village. In August 2006 I visited it the first time. This Saturday everybody was at work, even the construction workers were present. They were building a new community hall. In 2006 the schemes were divised, and now they were in the phase of painting. In about 2 months it will be completed. During the last months the latrines and water wells have been built. We also got a demonstration how several objects were made out of cane. Further we were able to attend the teaching of the smallest children. We met the widow whose husband was killed by an assault in 2006. She received a new, stone house from the foundation. We paid a visit to her in her new home. On the way back to Periyaneelavanai we paid a visit to the father of Mr. Lorenzo, one of the wardens of Boys Home Samuel. His father stayed there because of an operation. Rev. Sounthi prayed with him. On the project site we played various games with the children, for which Annie and Hilda preparations had made: Tug of war, passing plastic cups filled with water, the game of bite-the-cake, the “nail game”, and filling bottles. Of playing with water children never grow weary. They were very quick indeed, and when there was no water left, that was no problem at all, fresh supplies of water were easily found! The winning group got a certificate and a present. Towards the end of the afternoon all widows of the Widows Project gathered at the compound. We were all sitting together with Rev. Sounthi in front of the Day Care Center. He briefly explained who I am, and that my task is informing people in the Netherlands about the projects in Sri Lanka. I was allowed to address them in English, and Rev. Sounthi translated it into Tamil. We finished with prayer. Finally we shook hands with the widows. We also had a good conversation with the lady responsible for the Widows Project Ms. Vigi. This project is not to be forgotten. The Lord keeps an eye on the widows. In the evening we had dinner at Boys Home Samuel. We were lucky, for 3 children had their birthday. Rev. Sounthi’s mother had baked a cake for each one of them. We were allowed to taste of each of these cakes. Then we sang a birthday song for them. Later that evening we peeped round the door of the dorm. Sometimes there were two children in one bed. Their brown-white eyes were simply beautiful. Finally it was time for bed for us as well. |
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In the sleeping room of Boys Home Samuel |
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Tuesday March 4, 2008 I awoke very early, and therefore sent some e-mails first. At 5:00 AM most children were already outdoors. Repeatedly I was asked: “Papa Bert, when will you return?” A question that was difficult to answer to me. I would gladly return, but it is not easy to combine with my job in the Netherlands. I have told them that – God willing – I hope to return. But we keep in touch by phone and SMS. We have good relationships and we will not forget the children and staff. Before we drove away Rev. Sounthi prayed in the open air. There were many tears, and this will be unforgettable to me. Thus we went away, with an aching heart. It was like we were torn loose from the children. But this was the second time that I was granted to be here. The way back – with Annie, Hilda and Rev. Sounthi – went well. In the evening I arrived safely in India and returned to my daughter and Vathany. We had the opportunity to discuss many matters. Thursday March 6 we flew back to the Netherlands. All in all it was an unforgettable trip. May the Lord bless the work on the other side of the ocean, to His glory and conversion of sinners.
Kind regards, Bert van Voorden Ceylon Christian Care |
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Sunday March 2, 2008 We had to get up early for the service, that started as early as 7:30 AM. We had agreed with Rev. Sounthi, that there would be 2 Psalms in the service played on the organ, accompanied by Annie playing the flute. Annie had to practice on Saturday evening, for she did not feel very confident about it. So we played these 2 Psalms (Ps. 25 and Ps. 42) at the end of the service, just before Rev. Sounthi gave the blessing. In the afternoon we three of us together read a sermon. Towards the end of the afternoon we had a talk with the Wardens of the Day Care Center for Handicapped Children Ms. Kayalini and Ms. Thenmoli. Then we heard of them what they had been through in their time. They called me Papa Bert or Apa Bert. In the evening at 6:00 PM we studied the Bible: Rev. Sounthi, the children and the staff. One of the boys read aloud the history of Zacchaeus. We explained this Bible story to them and asked some questions that the children had to answer. Rev. Sounthi interpreted for us. At the end the children sang, and we closed this Bible study with prayer. We also impressed on the children that we all need a clean heart, for we are sinners by nature. Dinner this evening was in the Girls Home. Soon we noticed that everything went very smoothly, and that the children can eat very quickly. Every evening again I could enjoy chicken wings, my favorite dish! Annie and Hilda every meal left enough for me. After the meal we read, sang and said grace. Again and again we were impressed by the respectful way in which this was done.
Monday March 3, 2008 At 7:00 AM we were ready to pick up the handicapped children. In the Rickshaw of the project, that was used for it, there was no space for me. No problem, Rev. Sounthi with his motorbike also went along picking up the children, and I was sitting on the back of his motorbike. So it looked like a police escort with this Rickshaw. That way I visited the houses where these handicapped children are living. Rev. Sounthi told about one boy, being a Muslim, that chose to go to no other project but ours only. In this way he gets in touch with the Bible. When we had finished picking up everybody, I had had a good look at the work of the handicapped children. We also paid a visit to Day Care Centre on the compound. Afterwards we went together with Annie, Hilda and Rev. Sounthi to the new English Medium School in Batticaloa. There we received a warm welcome from the children and staff as well, and flowers of course! In 2006 we had seen the plot and the laying of the foundation stone. And now it was almost finished. People were working hard on the new library and a science lab. We also were shown into three class rooms with the computers. We had a talk with the principal. The teaching staff is very enthusiastic and motivated. The children not only receive quality education, but are also educated in the Bible. On the way back we had a meal at St. John’s, and next we went to our accommodation in Periyaneelavanai. In the afternoon we paid a visit to Ms. Vigi, responsible for the Widows project, and Ama, the former cook of the Girls Home. On our way back Rev. Sounthi and I drove along the ocean. The remainders of the tsunami were still perceptible. Nevertheless we also saw more new housing development, such as apartment buildings. At 6:00 PM we had our last prayer time in the church. In the beginning of the evening we all together had a water-fight. With water balloons only first, but later on with whole buckets full of water. It was my turn first …… But finally some boys were literally swimming in the water. The last evening we again had dinner in the Girls Home. After the mail was the farewell, several children and staff members were giving a speech. From the children from the Boys and Girls Home I got a present. Afterwards I addressed the children and staff. Later on in the evening we gathered with the staff for the last time. We tried to leave with them a message of lasting value as well. |
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The new church/community hall in Murokkodanchenai |
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Play time with the children - “Bite the Sweety” and Watergame |
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The mother of Rev Sounthi making cake - The boys who had birthday |
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Collecting the disabled children |
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Collecting the disabled children from their homes |