Alliance News April - June 2014

APRIL - JUNE 2014

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE OF SRI LANKA

A breakthrough for Sanctuary House

Since its inception in 2007, Sanctuary House – the retreat and training centre of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) has been an innovator and a fore runner in its own right. It has grown by leaps and bounds with the capacity to now accommodate more than 200 persons, thanks to the addition of the new dormitories and the new air-conditioned hall. Not stopping at these new developments, Sanctuary House is now a venue for experiential learning programmes.

Sanctuary House realised its calling to provide these services at a programme conducted for the Elizabeth Moir School, for a group of 13- 15 year old students in May this year.

The participants learned team building, obstacle course manoeuvring, orienteering through a tangle of trees and also how to use a compass outdoors. They were also involved in activities ranging from mud crawls, trust falls, getting across a ditch by creating a human plank, abseiling down the three story building and various other outdoor and indoor activities. “When I came for the leadership training programme at Sanctuary House, I thought that ‘Leadership’ was about controlling other people” commented a 14 year old participant on what he had learned from the programme. “Now I realise that ‘Teamwork’ is more important and that in a team, we are all leaders!”

Following this initial success, Sanctuary House organised a second training programme for the managers of a renowned fitness centre - Power World on 30th May 2014. They engaged in special indoor and outdoor activities designed to build communication skills, mutual trust and interdependence among the 15 participants who learned how important it is to support one another and focus on a given task in order to provide the best service for their clientele. The grounds at Sanctuary House had plenty of space to accommodate all the rope courses and even a game of cricket played during the intervals. “This is the very first time we participated in an experiential learning programme” said Lakshman.

“We thank Sanctuary House for organising this training programme as we had so much fun and we won’t forget the lessons we learned.” Speaking further he commented on how convenient it was that they could engage in such a programme at Pamunugama.

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‘LOST AND FOUND’

NO ONE TO TURN TO

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ioneer mission workers are those who have received a unique calling to carry out God’s work for His kingdom. They are committed to reach out to lost souls, transforming lives and communities and bringing them to Christ. These pioneer mission workers are new to their mission stations and have had no prior formal theological education. The NCEASL’s Missions and Evangelism department are committed to train and equip them with missions training, strategic direction and spiritual guidance while encouraging them to work with rural communities.

A training programme was conducted by the NCEASL on 21st – 23rd April for 17 pioneer mission workers who were newly appointed to their mission stations. The participants came from various parts of the country; namely, Deraniyagala, Demodara, Bandarawela, Wadduwa, Trincomalee, Homagama, Kaluaggala, Ampara, Nochchiyagama, Ratnapura, Wadduwa and Dodangoda.

The training programme was conducted by the NCEASL’s resource personnel who addressed the areas of the mission workers’ unique calling to ministry, how to handle family and ministry matters effectively and on the NCEASL’s reporting requirements. Most of them shared a common story; they have all experienced the goodness of the God whom they served, and they were committed to reach out to others in order to share God’s love with everyone.

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n 2013 the population of Pakistanis in Sri Lanka increased.

The UNHCR statistics show a 744% increase in arrivals in 2013 in comparison with 2012. Most of the Pakistanis who arrive in Sri Lanka as asylum seekers are members of Ahmadiyya (an Islamic sect regarded as traitors by Sunni Muslims in Pakistan) with a smaller percentage of Christians and Shia Muslims.

The persecution of religious minorities has been completely legalised by the Pakistani government. Pakistan’s penal code explicitly discriminates against religious minorities and in particular targets the Ahmadis and Christians. Further, Pakistan’s ‘blasphemy law’ makes the death penalty effectively mandatory for blasphemy. Several Christians have been targeted and charged under this law as well.

In June 2014, Sri Lankan Immigration officials suddenly took into custody several Pakistani men living in rented houses in Negombo. These men are held in a detention camp in Galle, Sri Lanka. These asylum seekers who left Pakistan in search of better and safer futures are now once again living in fear and despair.

The government of Sri Lanka has threatened to deport the detainees as well as all the 1547 asylum seekers who are registered with the UNHCR. Although Sri Lanka does not allow asylum seekers to settle in the island, an agreement signed in 2005 with the UNHCR permits them to stay until their cases are processed (a period of 2 years) and they are relocated to a third country. The authorities’ sudden change of rules poses a huge challenge to the humanitarian agencies that work with them and attend to their welfare.

The seminar for missions workers in progress

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FACING LIFE WITH CHRIST AGAIN

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mob of violent and angry men hurled three petrol bombs at Sweenitha’s* house, on the night of 21st December 2013. Ever since, traumatised little Sweenitha had started bed wetting every night.

Incidents of violence and intimidation against Christians jumped by 98% in the year 2013 with over 103 incidents of intimidation reported in 2013. In particular, the Power Gospel Mission, the Samaritan Church and the Calvary Free Church bore the brunt of some of the most vicious attacks; facing petrol bombs, sticks and stones. The congregations in these churches were severely discouraged and disheartened.

It was in a bid to provide the pastors and members of such churches with a special encouragement that they were selected to attend Shalom Camp which was held from 3rd to 5th April, at Sanctuary House, Pamunugama.

Shalom camp traditionally heartens pastors and believers who have faced persecution and differential treatment. “When we are under persecution we sometimes fail to praise God because certain doubts and thoughts prevent us from doing so” said Pastor Wijitha* of Power Gospel Church. “I thank God because the NCEASL helped me with legal advice and needed action.

The Bible tells us that faith without action is dead. I have been to camps before but I saw the demonstration of true love through the camp conducted by NCEASL. I give all glory to God.” Shalom camp encourages the persecuted believer through prayer,

biblical examples and scripture verses.

All sessions are geared to strengthen the persecuted believer to face the challenges of persecution and not give up hope. The facilitators urged the participants to keep their faith during times of stress, trauma and threats to one’s beliefs. The metaphor of a runner who runs through obstacles, pressing on towards the goal was used to illustrate the determination one should have in overcoming persecution. Scripture verses such as Galatians 5:7 and Philippians 3:14 were used to substantiate this message.

The participants were also given time to relax and refresh themselves.

They also received a special opportunity to express themselves creatively and briefly forget the trauma they face in a time of light hearted fun during the Talent Night.

The children too were kept busy with a special programme conducted uniquely for them away from the adult participants. The children spent 3 days learning action songs, playing games and engaging in arts and crafts with special scriptural messages integrated into them.

Said little Sweenitha’s parents, Pastor Wijitha* and his wife, “Our whole family enjoyed a good night’s sleep.

We thank God for this opportunity to meet with other believers and discuss many things. Even though we wanted to organise a family camp we didn’t have the necessary resources. We thank and praise God for giving us such an opportunity.”

Read more on www.nceasl.org * Names have been changed

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Participants and resource persons at Shalom Camp

HOPE FOR THE MAROONED AND DISPLACED

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hey were marooned and deprived of provisions as all shops and markets too had closed down due to the floods. Due to the continuous rain and severe winds, some adults and children had even contracted a viral infection. The adverse weather conditions and torrential rains created havoc in several parts of the country during the month of June 2014. As rivers overflowed and the floods made roads impassable, the inhabitants were rendered helpless and displaced.

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ore than 22,000 people living in low lying areas were forced to seek shelter in temporary camps; amongst them were at least 400 Christian families. The districts mostly affected were Kegalle, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Colombo, Gampaha, Matara, Galle, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy.

It was in this setting that several churches came forward to help the affected who were living in temporary shelters. As requests started to pour in from pastors who were displaced and stranded, the NCEASL rushed to their aid with emergency relief for pastors and their congregations especially in the Ratnapura and Kalutara districts.

As these two districts are predominantly Buddhist areas, the Christians living in these areas are most often isolated, marginalised and over looked during public welfare activities.

The flood situation united the Christians in a unique way. The NCEASL garnered the support of different churches and denominations to help pack the relief items.

The Kalutara and Ratnapura Pastors’ Fellowships and the local area churches distributed the relief packs to 185 families. Dry rations to the value of SLR 1,300 were sponsored by the NCEASL. These packs contained rice, dhal, tea leaves, milk powder, soya, toothpaste, soap, sugar, biscuits, matches and candles in large quantities enough for a minimum of 2 weeks.

“We earn our livelihood through the cultivation of vegetables. The adverse weather destroyed all our crops. We were left with no crops, no money and no food for consumption. Even the kitchen was submerged with water. It was at this time of need that our Pastor came to our aid. The dry rations made available through the NCEASL proved to be sufficient.

There was no lack. God was our provider!” expressed a beneficiary who was grateful to their Pastor and the NCEASL for assisting them in their time of despair.

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Participants of Resource Mapping Seminars held islandwide

Mapping out a Successful Life

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arani Iyattalai J344, a rural community in Jaffna, was selected by Alliance Development Trust (ADT) for its community development programme as the villagers had suffered greatly during the armed conflict. Even though they strive to return to normalcy, the great losses they have faced in the past still overpower their will to succeed. Recently, (ADT) conducted a special workshop for 15 members of the village development committee. This workshop was aimed at guiding the participants to identify the resources available in their village in order to successfully carry out a business venture. The workshop which was conducted in an interactive manner encouraged the participants to draw a map of their village on which they indicated the available resource points. Thus they were equipped on how to success-

fully identify the resources available and how to utilise these resources to start and sustain a livelihood and other tips needed to start a business venture. The participants are now enabled to train the villagers of Varani in successfully carrying out a business. Several members of the community have already been selected by ADT as beneficiaries of livelihood loans which will financially help them to take a steps towards a better tomorrow.

Similar programmes have also commenced in other villages selected by ADT for its community development initiative; namely, Madukulam (Vavuniya), Kilikunjumalai (Trincomalee), Devanampiyatissapura Stage II (Anuradhapura), Suhadapura (Ratmalana), Ahangama (Galle), Ulavanoor (Kilinochchi) and Theravil (Mullaitivu).

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Over the years the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) has worked alongside faith based organisations and civil society groups to raise common concerns in relation to religious rights and freedoms in the country. During the past 3 years, there has been an alarming rise in violence targeting religious minorities and their practices in Sri Lanka. This resulted in many concerned citizens calling for the formation of a common platform comprising likeminded groups regardless of their religious affiliation or background.

TOWARDS A COLLECTIVE RESPONSE

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n response, on 23rd January 2014, the NCEASL convened a meeting of prominent lawyers, activists and representatives from civil society groups involved in research and advocacy on behalf of persecuted religious minorities.

While the discussion proved an opportunity to brief each other on the attacks on places of religious worship and its trends, it also created the ideal setting to form networks and strategise for future action. Subsequently, the network of lawyers has met on several occasions sharing expertise and has looked into avenues for collective judicial action. This has encouraged the lawyers to proactively support cases relating to violations of religious rights and freedoms, regardless of the ethnic background of the affected party or the perpetrator.

On 15th June 2014 when communal violence broke out in Aluthgama and Beruwela leaving scores injured, three dead and property belonging to the Muslim community destroyed,

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several of those who met at the NCEASL in January, met again.

At this meeting they brainstormed ideas for collective action; adapting short and long term strategies to address religious and communal violence.

In the aftermath of the violence, NCEASL provided organisational support to a group of activists collecting relief items to distribute among the affected communities in Aluthgama. The NCEASL was one of the collection points for relief and provided transport for the distribution of relief items to those affected. Moreover, the NCEASL supported the team in its efforts to raise donations by sharing the appeal for relief on the organisation’s website and social media accounts.

The NCEASL continues to work with the network to devise long term strategies, respond to cases of attack and intimidation, while supporting the initiatives of like-minded groups. Read more on www.nceasl.org

WAGING A WAR AGAINST DENGUE

Change Makers waging war against dengue

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ith an increased number of dengue patients reported islandwide, several public entities such as the Sri Lanka Police, the Health Ministry and even a specially appointed Presidential Task Force on dengue prevention have taken arms against this epidemic. In the month of June, the cases reported in Colombo alone reached a total of 2176, with most number of cases reported from Dehiwela, Mount Lavinia and Ratmalana. In a bid to reduce the risk of contracting dengue, the Change Makers children’s club in Suhadapura, Ratmalana organised a dengue awareness programme recently.

how to nurse a dengue patient back to health and how to curb the spread of dengue while appealing to the community to responsibly dispose their garbage. Even though the children’s drama was witnessed by only 25 adults and 25 children, the success of this programme extends beyond these numbers thanks to the powerful megaphones which broadcasted the message to the homes of the entire community.

The Change Makers did not stop at creating awareness alone; they took to the streets in order to practice what they preached. On 17th June 39 children armed with gloves and garbage bags, walked

As it was the children who suggested that the Change Makers address this epidemic, they themselves planned the day’s proceedings, prepared the posters and banners, wrote a script and enacted it in front of the entire community.

The children spent their free time to plan and prepare for the awareness programme which was held on 14th June 2014 with the help of few elders from the Suhadapura village development committee. In the message they enacted, the children addressed topics such as how dengue spreads, the symptoms of the infection,

General Secretary: Godfrey Yogarajah Design and Layout: Chandrika Abeysekera

Telephone: 00945511358

Email: communications@nceasl.org Web: nceasl.org adtlanka.org facebook.com/ADT.Sri.Lanka facebook.com/NCEASL twitter.com/nceasl

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through the streets of their neighbourhood collecting glass bottles, yoghurt cups, tin cans and other garbage in which mosquitoes breed.

They collected eight big bags filled with garbage and thus they were able to clean and protect their community.

The adults of the community learned a valuable lesson from these children who took a stand for the wellbeing of the entire community. “We value the lead the children took to organise this programme” said Shereen, a mother of a Change Maker, in appreciation of the exemplary service of the children.

Read more on www.adtlanka.org

Writers Jovita Arulanantham Deepthi Senanayake Melanie Pereira Chandrika Abeysekera Address P.O. Box 113, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka

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A FRESH START WITH KIDS’ CAMP

oshua* packed his bags a week ahead and then all he could do was wait patiently until 9th April 2014 when he would leave for camp. Each day seemed to drag on very slowly, testing his patience and it was a great relief when the day finally did dawn.

Soon he was once again reunited

with his friends and with the staff of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) with whom he would spend the next 2 days. Joshua was very excited to be a part of Kids’ Camp once again.

At camp, Joshua would always find the strength and guidance to overcome the challenges he faces in life, enjoy delicious and wholesome meals, sleep well in the air-conditioned dorms, engage in free and unobstructed worship and create new memories of a happy childhood which he would cherish all his life.

The Kids’ Camp, which was held from 9th – 11th April at Sanctuary House, was based on the theme ‘Victorious Children of God’. At camp, Joshua together with the 95 other partici-

Kids’ camp participants engaging in lessons, games and prayer

pants learned how to triumph over obstacles by placing their trust and faith in God. As all children attending the camp have faced some traumatic experience in the form of persecution, differential treatment, bullying and neglect because of their parents’ ministry, the sessions focussed on encouraging the children to cope with the issues they face through the lessons which were based on the biblical stories of Joseph, David, Daniel and Paul.

The sessions were conducted in an interactive manner using little games and activities in order to engage the children’s fullest attention. The children also took part enthusiastically in the Talent Night which was an opportunity for them to display their many talents.

Joshua and his friends also received an opportunity to start their lives anew and rededicate themselves to the

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Father’s care. At a special session on forgiveness the children were able to burn the names of those who have hurt and wronged them at the foot of a cross and thus put all hurt and anger behind them. For Joshua, this was a life changing experience.

“I was unable to forgive anyone who wronged me and I have been struggling to overcome this weakness for a long time” shared Joshua. “At this session I learnt that it is when we forgive others that we are able to have a closer walk with God. Today I leave as a changed child of God and I will forgive all those who hurt me. I thank God and the NCEASL staff for releasing me from my weakness.”

Read more on www.nceasl.org *Names have been changed