Alliance News : January-March 2015

Rebuilding their Lives Across the Atlantic... P. 4 JANUARY - MARCH 2015 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE OF SRI LANKA This Publication is for Private Circulation Only

What’s up @ the NCEASL We at the NCEASL wish you a very happy 2015!

We are excited to present to you the new look of the Alliance News. In this issue, the Media and Communications Unit brings to you all projects and activities of the NCEASL which are carried out by its Missions and Evangelism, Religious Liberty and Relief and Development departments. Also do not miss out on our very first feature story on a family which was supported by the NCEASL as they sought refuge in Sri Lanka from religious persecution in Pakistan. As the world celebrated International Women’s Day in March, our snapshots from around the island feature women who have been empowered by the NCEASL through various projects.

Aarani: The Preschool Teacher on a Mission For Veerasingham Aarani, life in the rural village of Navalthottam means something more than just getting by. Cont’d P. 7

Southern Pastors Receive Livelihood Assistance

Happy Reading!

The Media and Communications Unit

Our Projects around the Country

Nathan Ramesh, who lives in the remote village of Mampitiya in the Galle district, was one among the 42 pastors and Christian workers who were provided with livelihood assistance during the period of January to March this year. Cont’d P. 2

Improved Nutrition for 80 Change Makers The children who are members of the Change Makers Club initiated by the Alliance Development Trust (ADT) in Devanampiyatissapura, Anuradhapura, come from poor households. Their parents are labourers working for the Urban Council who are not always able to provide for the nutritional needs of their children. Cont’d P. 2

Landmark Appointment Recognises Evangelicals On 26th February the Minister of Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs, Hon. John A. E Amaratunga (M.P) appointed Mr. C Wigneshwaram (Jerome) as the Coordinator for Charismatic, Evangelical and Pentecostal Christian Churches. Cont’d P. 7 Page 1 Alliance News Jan-March 2015

Improved Nutrition... Cont’d Their low level of education also means that they lack awareness on the various nutritional requirements and the importance of a balanced diet. In a bid to ensure that these children’s level of nutrition improves, the ADT has taken the necessary measures to provide a glass of milk and samaposha (a nutritious cereal-based preparation) for the children.

The club consisting of 80 children receive these nutritious items at their weekly meeting on Sundays.

This nutrition programme which began in March, 2015, will continue for a period of 5 months. The preparation of the milk and the samaposha is undertaken by the parents of the children, the club’s volunteers and the members of the Village Development Committee. This involvement of the community and especially of the parents will ensure that they are made aware of the nutritional needs of growing children. This will also give the community an opportunity to come together to bring about a better and healthier tomorrow for their children.

#EmpoweredWomen Navaleshwari joined the Women’s Rural Development Society of Ulavanoor, Kilinochchi because she realised her responsibility towards the development of her community. Empowered through the ADT’s Community Development Programme, Navaleshwari was able to approach the government authorities and acquire a building in which they now conduct the society’s meetings and other seminars. Here she is seen adding a few finishing touches to the building.

The ADT will also be conducting several other programmes with the aim of improving the health conditions of the children of the Change Makers Clubs in seven other selected villages.

For more stories like this visit our website www.adtlanka.org

Southern Pastors...Cont’d P.1 During the year 2012 the incidents of violence and intimidation against Christians spiralled with the bolstering of existing and emergence of new Buddhist extremist groups. Most pastors and Christian workers faced many challenges in the form of discrimination, intimidation, threats and even direct attacks on their homes and churches they minstered to.

Responding to these issues the Practical Assistance Programme of the Religious Liberty Commission set up a Livelihood Distribution Programme in the same year. The programme sought to encourage pastors and Christian workers to continue their ministry, despite the challenges they faced. Pastors living in extreme poverty, who found it difficult to continue their ministry, are also assisted through this programme.

Being selected as a beneficiary for the programme made all the difference to Ramesh, his family and his community. Ramesh was committed to serving the Lord; he did not have a full-time livelihood. Like Ramesh there were many other pastors who were sole breadwinners; torn between the responsibilities they had towards their family and their ministry. They compromised their economic status to balance both the needs of the family and their ministry.

The NCEASL identified 22 pastors from the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kotagala, Hatton and Nawalapitiya areas in the Central Province and 20 families from Galle, Matara and Hambantota in the South and extended support to them.

Pastors and Christian workers like Ramesh find confidence in their new livelihood ventures that give them the opportunity to generate an income through a vocation that does not interrupt their Christian ministry.

“Now I can carry on my ministry without any hindrance as I don’t have to worry about finances to look after my parents and my siblings” said Ramesh during an interview with the NCEASL. The livelihood grant of chickens that he has received helps him generate an income of SLR. 6000 through the sale of eggs, thus helping him to fulfil the needs of his family.

For more stories like this visit our website www.nceasl.org

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Shanthi is a mighty servant of God in the hamlets of Ampara.

She travels over 100km once a week in four buses and trudges sometimes by foot to villages set in deep jungles carrying the Good News which she shares at home prayer cells and Sunday school. Even though she has encountered many instances of resistance and threats by village authorities this has not deterred her mission for the Lord.

(Name has been changed.)

Ranjithamalar from Varani Iyattalai J344, Jaffna, did not give up hope even when her husband died. With the strength and encouragement she received through a microfinance loan and the entrepreneurship training from the Alliance Development Trust she started her own business in manufacturing spices.

Today she is capable of not only providing for her daily needs but also of looking after her orphaned niece and nephew.

Juchrista lost her husband to a shell attack during the ethnic war. This left her as the sole provider for her little daughter as they lived through displacement and were resettled in their home in Theravil, Mullaitivu. When the ADT introduced a community poultry farm to her village, Juchrista eagerly participated in the training sessions and the construction of the farm. Today she is in charge of the accounts of the Theravil Vulnerable Persons Livelihood Promotable Society.

As a student, 23 year old Mercy Miruthula from Vavuniya, could not study Christianity as there were no teachers for the subject . Today she serves as a Christianity teacher in that very school; providing the students with an opportunity that she never had. The Religious Liberty Commission of the NCEASL supports teachers like Mercy through its Volunteer Christianity Teachers Support Scheme.

Dilukshi moved in to Kilikunjumalai, Trincomalee as a child after the Tsunami in 2004. Today she has children of her own and has found room in her heart to care for the other children in her community too. The awareness programmes conducted by the ADT in Dilukshi’s village has equipped her to deal with problems children and teenagers face.

Page 3 Alliance News Jan-March 2015

FEATURE STORY

Rebuilding Their Lives Across the Atlantic Ocean

I

t was another busy day at the National Bank of Pakistan for Farrukh Mushtaq who worked as a Bank Officer. Suddenly he was summoned to his father’s office at the Christian Technical Training Centre.

Three officers from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) stood before him. They falsely accused Farrukh of posting letters containing hateful anti-Islamist sentiments to various mosques and Muslim seminaries.

On examining Farrukh’s handwriting, the IB officials said that it matched the handwriting on the letters containing the hate messages. Even though they did not arrest Farrukh, they demanded that he and his family not leave their home town without the permission of the IB. Thus, commenced a long ordeal of persecution and torment for the Mushtaq family, which lasted over 2 years.

The Mushtaq family are fourth generation Christians from Gujranwala, Lahore.

Farrukh’s father, Mushtaq Masih Gill was the Vice Principal of the Christian Technical Training Centre. The Mushtaqs lived in a Christian neighbourhood that was a target of Muslim extremists.

In April 2011, both Farrukh and his father were summoned by the police who showed them a letter attached with a partly burnt page from the Koran had been posted to the Muslim seminary.

Since it was a Friday, people streaming out of different mosques after their prayers, pelted stones, fire torches and poles at Farrukh’s house while Farrukh and his father were at the police station, unaware of what was happening. The rest of the family fled their home through the back door in search of safety at a friend’s house.

“The crowds protested on the streets attacking churches and Christian schools and institutions in the city and demanding that my family and I be handed over to them” recounted Farrukh. “The police chained our hands and feet and kept us in a cell the whole night with only water to drink. I was anxious for my father who is a diabetic and needs to take food and medicines on time.” Farrukh continued to recall how they were taken to the Criminal Investigations Agency Headquarters which

Page 4 Alliance News Jan-March 2015

specialises in cases of terrorism, blasphemy and violent gangs.

“They imprisoned us with 21 Mullahs (learned Muslim elders) who were caught in the acts of terrorism. We felt like Daniel thrown into a den of lions. Even though I was mortally scared my father assured me that God will not permit them to harm us.

As if in answer to our prayers, the Mullahs were very kind and polite to us and did not harass us even though they knew we were Christians.”

Both father and son were questioned several times and Farrukh was tortured in order to make him confess to acts of blasphemy. They tied his hands and feet to a pole and beat him with poles until he was blue. The torturers then untied him and forced him to do 100 push-ups. When he collapsed with exhaustion they hit his spine with a pole. The police continued to torture him for 4 days continuously without permitting him to sleep. Farrukh lost faith that God will rescue them from this torment and decided to accept the allegations against him. However, the officer who beat Farrukh was mysteriously transferred before Farrukh received an opportunity to act on his decision. The new officer who resumed duties started his own investigations afresh. “He was a calm, peaceful and good Superintendent of Police.

He ordered that no one should touch me or my father” said Farrukh. “I told him the truth about everything we went through.”

But the false security was shortlived.

Subsequently Mrs. Chang sponsored the entire Mushtaq family to find safety in Vietnam as persecuted refugees.

“In January 2012 we arrived in Vietnam and lived there for 20 months. However we were told that we could apply for the UNHCR refugee status only from Cambodia, Bangkok, Philippines or Sri Lanka. While pondering on this matter I contacted a former employee of the NCEASL who suggested that we process our refugee application from Sri Lanka” said Farrukh. “We arrived in Sri Lanka on 3rd October 2013. The NCEASL facilitated our stay at the Sanctuary House for 8 months. The Sanctuary House offered us a peaceful environment, a much needed peace and rest for our troubled souls. The NCEASL met all our needs and the

Even though the Mushtaqs had processed their papers with the UNHCR soon after they landed in Sri Lanka the wait was long and indefinite.

A week later accusations were made against Farrukh, his brother Fakhar and sister Fareeha of hate mail and a fully burnt Koran again. It was ample proof for the police that someone was trying to incriminate the Mushtaq family as both Farrukh and his father were in police custody and the rest of the family was on house arrest in a safe place. However, this was sufficient to rouse a crowd of about 3000 who once again took to the streets. “This time the police rounded up people and amongst them were two boys, students of a Muslim seminary, who admitted that the blasphemous papers were given to them by a popular senior Muslim cleric to be handed over to the police” said Farrukh. In Pakistan, it is blasphemous to question or deface the Koran or Prophet Mohammed.

The authorities advised the Mushtaq family to leave their home and start life in another city. However, since their story gained publicity in Pakistan, they were easily identified and feared for their safety. In December 2011, Farrukh and his family met Mrs. Chang, a Korean missionary and a wealthy business woman, who managed an apparel business in Vietnam. Many months before Mrs. Chang met the Mushtaq family she had a dream of the Lord Jesus who said “I have blessed you greatly; now you must serve my people. Go to Pakistan to a Christian family persecuted for their faith in me. Help them to rebuild their lives.” In a mysterious way the Mushtaq family met Mrs. Chang while they were in hiding.

The Mushtaq Family in temporary asylum in Sri Lanka

staff of the Sanctuary House was very friendly, kind and was ever willing to assist us whenever the need arose.”

Even though the Mushtaqs had processed their papers with the UNHCR soon after they landed in Sri Lanka the wait was long and indefinite. “Finally on 25th February 2015 we left the shores of Sri Lanka to Canada. Even though it was unfortunate that we had to leave our home in Pakistan due to persecution, we thank God for taking us along this journey, bringing us to Sri Lanka as a country of refuge, a stepping stone, from the wilderness to His promised land.”

For more stories like this visit our website at www.nceasl.org

Page 5 Alliance News Jan-March 2015

NEWS IN BRIEF Missions Gifts Bibles in Polonnaruwa and Ratnapura During the month of March, Bibles were distributed among 300 and 250 Christian congregations who did not possess Bibles in the Polonnaruwa and Ratnapura disctricts respectively. The beneficiaries are from impoverished backgrounds and cannot afford to buy a Bible for themselves. The Bibles gifted to them by the Missions and Evangelism of NCEASL were of immense value to them. “I used to follow the sermon with a borrowed Bible. I could not go home and read the references as I had no Bible. But today I am so happy because I now have my own Bible” said Ranjini hugging her Bible.

Because these churches don’t have the necessary facilities for their congregations, 100 churches each from the two districts were provided with mats where the worshippers could kneel and pray as well as sit and follow the services. The school-going children from these congregations too were provided with 550 school bags and stationery.

Relief Assistance Flows to Flood Victims In mid-December 2014 heavy rains caused landslides and floods affecting most districts. The North Central Province was one of the worst affected areas. Families that were displaced were accommodated in safe places such as community halls, churches and schools. On 6th January the Missions and Evangelism distributed dry ration packs to 82 families affected by the floods in the Polonnaruwa District. On 28th January 35 families from Beruwala who were also stranded by the floods received dry ration packs and on 16th February, 34 families affected in Welikanda were also provided with dry ration packs. A total of 55 families from Muthur, the worst affected area in the Trincomalee District, were also provided with dry rations. “We thank the NCEASL and are grateful to them. Our family was not left hungry till we got back home” stated a mother Beruwala. The NCEASL conducted the flood relief activities together with the Pastors’ Fellowships in the above mentioned regions.

Case Questioning Legality of Church Dismissed On 13th February 2015, the Homagama Magistrates Court dismissed a case filed against the Jeevana Diya Church in Meegoda questioning its legality.

On September 8, 2013, the Jeevana Diya Church in Kadjugahadeniya in the Meegoda District faced a violent attack by approximately 30 villagers led by three Buddhist monks. The attack left all the musical instruments in the premises destroyed, the furniture and windows damaged and members of the congregation severely assaulted.

There were two cases filed by the Meegoda police station on the incident. The first was filed against the church claiming it to be an ‘unauthorised place of worship’. The other was filed against the

attack that was carried out against the church. Interestingly this case too, emphasised that the violent attack took place on an ‘unauthorised place of worship.’

The absence of any arrests in connection with the attack could perhaps have impelled the second attack on the church that followed 3 months later, on 12th December. The Jeevana Diya Church that had suffered damages amounting to almost SLR. 250,000, in the previous attack, incurred more losses in an arson attack that was carried out by unidentified persons against them in December. The pastor expressed that the musical instruments that had been set aside for repair following the first attack had been completely burned in the second.

The Religious Liberty Commission (RLC) of the NCEASL, in keeping with its role, worked towards guaranteeing the rights of the pastor and his congregation, by providing legal advice and financial assistance towards the pastor’s legal representation in court. While welcoming the Homagama Magistrate’s dismissal of the case questioning the legality of the church, they look forward to the speedy deliverance of justice on the attacks.

Online Booking for SH is Now Possible The Sanctuary House (SH), the NCEASL’s Retreat and Training Centre’s mission is to raise income for the NCEASL’s development and social projects while giving refuge to Christian refugees undergoing persecution in their countries. It is a sought-out venue for member churches, schools and corporates to host their workshops, seminars and retreats. Since last year, it is also a popular venue for experiential learning programmes which the SH provides for its clients in partnership with Breakthrough India. The SH’s renowned hospitality has resulted in increased traffic which led the SH to augment its capacity and facilities to include 200 persons with the addition of dormitories and a new air-conditioned hall. The SH launched a website early in 2015 in order to cope with the demand for its services. Now clients can visit sanctuaryhousesrilanka.com for convenient booking facilities which provide immediate responses to internet queries.

Business Development Revives a Livelihood Kankeswari Mayarasa of West Tholpuram J/169 area in the Jaffna District, a 45 year old entrepreneur, has been manufacturing handicrafts over the last 10 years. She produces goods such as caps, socks, sweaters and toys out of wool and palmyrah with the intention of supplementing her husband’s labourer income and meeting the basic needs of her four children as well as continuing with her business.

Recently, the Business Development Unit of the Alliance Development Trust loaned hardworking Kankeswari an amount of SLR 20,000 through the Jaffna office of the Industrial Development Board as her business had come to a standstill due to the lack of funds. She has used this amount to purchase raw materials to revive and enhance her business. She is grateful to the ADT that she can now continue to earn approximately Rs.10,000 a month.

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Landmark Recognition...cont’d from P.1 In the past the non-recognition of the Evangelical community by the State has led to discrimination and violence against Evangelical Christians and their places of worship. In 2014, the NCEASL recorded over 100 incidents of intimidation, discrimination and violence against Christians. Though incidents perpetrated or instigated by extremist Buddhist organisations like the Bodu Bala Sena have seemingly reduced, acts of intimidation still continue in other forms. Such an incident was reported from Puttalam on 06th February 2015, where five pastors were summoned for a meeting with the Divisional Secretariat in the area, with regard to the construction of ‘unauthorised places of worship’.

have been marked by tightening administrative regulations, including the use of Ministry circulars to compel clergy to seek state approval for their religious activities, will hopefully be now reversed; with opportunities for constructive and participatory dialogue and legal justice for victims of past violence.

For updates on issues pertaining to religious freedom in Sri Lanka, follow us on twitter @nceasl

The newly appointed coordinator, Mr. Wigneshwaram, echoed these concerns at the Annual General Meeting of the NCEASL, which he too attended. Addressing several churches of which a majority represented Christian denominations now under his purview, he stressed how churches belonging to certain denominations, “…still don’t have access to their rights, despite their numbers”.

In such a context, the appointment, as observed in a statement released by the NCEASL is a “…significant step towards the recognition of Evangelicals as part of the legitimate Christian community in Sri Lanka”.

The newly elected government should be congratulated on this move that gives minorities in Sri Lanka confidence that their religious rights have been recognised. The past few years that

Mr. C Wigneshwaram (Jerome) addressing the NCEASL AGM

Aarani: The Pre-School Teacher... cont’d From P.1 She has set forth on a special mission to step out from behind the hearth at home and teach the children of the village their ABCs. However the community of Navalthottam, a village in the heart of Batticaloa, does not seem to understand the importance of pre-primary education. “Initially there were around 45 students” recalls Aarani. “Now there are 17 students and only five to nine students attend regularly.” Aarani blames the low attendance on the lack of interest on the parents’ part.

“Even if I hold meetings with the parents it is only the parents of the regular students who participate” explained Aarani who sounded annoyed that the parents would not find the time for their children’s sake. “They have little interest in their children’s education and for this awareness needs to be created among them.” This is Aarani’s battle; she wishes to prove to her little village that nursery education lays the foundation for a child’s development and future. Even though her colleague stopped teaching because the teachers were not paid an adequate salary, Aarani has continued on this mission for 13 years. “I didn’t expect a big salary” smiled Aarani who understands the difficulties of the villagers. She sees teaching at the only preschool in Navalthottam as a service and not as a source of income.

for understanding the importance of nursery education. “The Alliance Development Trust provided educational material for the children” she said. “We received posters which makes teaching the children very easy and learning very interesting.” Aarani went on to explain how well the children have learnt about different fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, numbers, animals and symbols using these posters as their aid. “You can question them and see how well they answer!” she beamed proudly. Aarani is mostly grateful for the posters on nutrition. She believes that the parents too need to be made aware of the nutritional needs of the children. “They feel that they can raise children anyway they wish” explained Aarani. “It is very important that awareness is created in this area.”

Aarani is very grateful to the Alliance Development Trust (ADT)

For more information visit our website at www.adtlanka.org

The ADT too joined Aarani in her fight for creating a better future for the children. The ADT engaged in raising awareness and addressing the nutritional needs in Navalthottam and three other neighbouring villages; namely, Valakkalai, Sinnakalaipodamadu and Iluppadichchenai. In 2014, nutritional supplements were distributed among 150 children and awareness seminars on health, hygiene and nutrition were held for the benefit of 190 persons.

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PROJECTS AT A GLANCE MISSIONS AND EVANGELISM

Project

Location

Prayer Day

Wattala, Bandarawela,Kandy

Flood relief

Medirigiriya, Manampitiya, Welikanda, Beruwala, Muthur

Pastors’ Chairmen Meeting

Colombo,Kandy

Pastors’ Fellowship

Kotiyakumbura, Kandy

Task Force Meeting

Colombo

Standing Strong Through the Storm

Nawalapitiya,Kilinochchi

Fellowship Through Sign Language

Hambantota

Church packs and School packs Distribution

Polonnaruwa and Ratnapura

Sinhala re-print of Book of Jonah by Dr. Ajit Fernando Printing of Commentary on the Book of Mark in Tamil Livelihood support for eight Christian members

Colombo, Ratmalana, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Moratuwa, Kandy

Grants for three needy pastors

Wattala, Kadawatha, Kegalle

School Sponsorships for 76 Pastor’s Children Thirty-two Church Planters Supported Theological Scholarships for forty-three Students from Bible Colleges Seminar for Persecuted Pastors

Pamunugama

RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT Nutrition Programme

Anuradhapura

Caring and Counselling for Persons Living with HIV

Colombo

Leprosy Awareness Seminars

Colombo, Hambantota, Moneragala, Anuradhapura and Batticaloa

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

CONTACT NCEASL Email: communications@nceal.org Web: nceasl.org adtlanka.org facebook.com/ADTSriLanka facebook.com/NCEASL twitter.com/nceasl Telephone: 00945511358 Address: P.O. Box 113, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka

Legal Assistance for Eight Persecuted Pastors

Hambantota, Kegalle, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Mannar, Puttalam and Colombo

Lobbying and Advocacy for Religious Freedom

United States Commission for International Religious Freedom

Monitoring and Documentation 13 incidents of Violence Against Christians

Ratnapura, Batticaloa, Puttalam and Galle

Financial Assistance for eight Persecuted Churches

Ratnapura, Kegalle, Puttalam, Hambantota, Colombo

Volunteer Christianity Teachers Support Scheme

Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Ampara, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Ratnapura and Kalutara

Emergency Assistance

Colombo

Livelihood Distribution for 42 Pastors Families

Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kotagala, Hatton, Nawalapitiya, Galle Matara and Hambantota

Bible Distribution

Batticaloa and Gampaha

Evangel Care Scholarship

Colombo, Puttalam, Kalutara and Hambantota

Kids Ed Scholarship Scheme

Gampaha

Page 8 Alliance News Jan-March 2015