Let's Go For A Ride!

This is the three wheeler that we spend a lot of time in. Elder Luke decided to take it for a spin. (Not really)😄

As you can see they aren't very big, but there are a lot of them. This is the most popular way to get around.

Kandy has many hills and small roads which makes it perfect for the three wheeler to drive on.

After English class we walked home. You can see the moon in the background. Tonight is a full moon, which means it's a Poya Day. If it's a Poya Day it is a holiday. Being a holiday means there is no school and some businesses are closed. So tomorrow will be a good day to visit others.

Fresh Mango!

Had fresh mango today! The guard at the church picked it for us straight from his garden.

Having lunch after our District Meeting. Today Sister Jayarathne and Elder Abeythunga had to go to the India Embassy to get their visas to go to India. It sure is a process to get visas around here.

Walked through the Botanical Gardens and saw this scorpion.

A very rainy Tuesday!

Happy Birthday Chandrani!

Today was this sweet lady's birthday. She has a heart of gold and is kind to everyone.

 She was so excited for us to come today. She called me around 7:30 AM to make sure we were coming and the time. She was so cute because we arrived early and she was waiting at the end of the rode. I think someone was excited to see us!

After teaching at the University we drove out to Chandrani's home to have a birthday party. Brother Shantha did a great job picking out the cake while we were teaching.

I was lucky to get the first bite of cake.

Elder Luke gives a thumbs up with his bite.

Open wide Brother Shantha.

Now it was the birthday girls turn.

Had to show off our snow.

Now it was time for her to open presents. She was so Happy! Elder and Sister Lathen sent gifts with us to give to her.

The Lathens gave her a beautiful rug and purse.

Look at her beautiful smile. When she sees us she gives us the biggest smile.

She had to share her bananas and soda with us while we ate cake.

Chandrani has to carry her water in this bucket everyday. She has a huge hill that she has to climb and carry the water. This pot is very heavy. Probably 40 pounds. As you can see I have an extra hand helping me. 

We love you Chandrani! You make us so happy!

The Sister Missionaries arrived in Kandy today to get their India visas tomorrow. Tonight our appointment cancelled so we visited this Buddha statue.

It's always fun when we get together with the sisters!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Thanuja  and Andrew!

They were baptized today.

Here they are with Elder Abeythunga and Elder Karunarathne. 

We were lucky to get in the picture too.

Now with Brother Shantha and his wife Anoka. The lady in the middle is Iroma, who introduced her to the church. 

Senior Couples Retreat - Day 2, February 23, 2018

Top of the picture is Sister & Elder Lathen, then Sister & Elder Lee with me and the top of Elder Luke's head.

What a great time we had. It is so good to get together and strengthen one another. We love these two couple so much because they have been our mentors while in Sri Lanka.

Day two of our retreat we visited the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura.

A stupa.

Some old ruins. They are trying to fix some of the buildings.

These ancient ruins are in the site of Anuradhapura. It was an ancient Abhayagiri Buddhist monastery.

Elder Lee and Elder Lathen.

Sister Lee, Sister Lathen and myself.

The Lathens and Lees.

Say, "cheese!"

Abhayagiri monastery was a great center of learning.

There appears to have been workshops where practical training in special crafts such as sculpture of Budhha images was conducted.

Loved these stairs.

Looks like an old cemetery.

An amazing place.

Moonstone.

The monastery lands extend over an area of around 240 hectares. (Over 593 acres)

Old learning facility.

This Stupa,  originally constructed by King Valagamba.

Water was very important to them. Some ponds had filtering sieves to purify the water that was collected.

Twin ponds.

Bodhi tree. Apparently it was started with a branch from a tree that Buddha sat under.

Before leaving we had to take one more dip into the pool.

We sure enjoyed the pool!

Trying to take a selfie.

Last stop was a Hindu temple.