#LightTheWorld - Day 7

Mark 10:14, "Suffer the little children to come unto me."

Jesus loved little children. We can brighten the life of a child simply by taking the time to show that we care. Sure do love all the children in my life!🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️

             
                                       

As well as yesterday went, it was the complete opposite today. Started out first thing to get our visas so we can be here and teach English. We had our good friend Dr. Anton with us to make sure everything is okay. The person that has the authority to extend our visa for a year said no. Apparently we need a letter from the University Chancellor.  Now we have to go file for an extension for another month.

This is where we have to suffer. Do you remember the signs from a month ago? Well, we're back to go through our suffering getting the extension.

We started out pretty good. Had paper work filled out, got it signed all in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The last thing we needed to do was pay the fee and then wait to get our passports. Well an hour went by, our number didn't show up for us to pay. By now we are getting a little irritated. We started asking the clerks what is happening. They all said to wait for our number to come up.

Another hour goes by and this is where I feel the suffering of a child. I now want to punch somebody. Of course I don't but sure feel like it. We start looking around and I go to the area to pick up our visas. The gentleman that hands out the paid visas has ours. It says it has been paid in full. Not knowing if it is true or not we ask. Sure enough it is paid and now we can stay one more month or longer if we get the extended visa. 🤞

Now we have to suffer the 4 hour drive from Colombo to Kandy. Some days you just never know what is going to happen. Still learning patience.

#LightTheWorld - Day 6

Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that he be not judged." 

Outside of Kandy is this mountain range. Kumar told us they call it Bible Rock because it looks like a bible. Pretty fitting to see a bible because of the days events.

It actually all started the night before. Our driver, Kumar, was going to pick us up at the Guest House then take us to the University, get our visa papers signed so we could get to Colombo today. Our visas expire Sunday so we are under pressure to get everything signed so we can stay. 😲 Ken felt that we needed to go to the Church House and do a few things. Ken arranged for Shantha to take us to the church and Kumar could pick us up at the Church.

This morning we arrived at the Church House already to go. (First miracle) Ken called Kumar to tell him to pick us up at the Church instead of the Guest House. Kumar said he had been praying that we could meet him at the Church because he needed to drop off a letter. Wow!

Next task was to take the letter that Kumar brought with him to get it signed by the University Chancellor and Dean. We had no appointments scheduled so we thought it would be best to call. Ken called and the Chancellor's Secretary told us that the Chancellor would be in meetings all day. We may be able to catch him after 3:30 or meet with him first thing tomorrow morning. We decided to schedule an appointment for tomorrow morning. Ken then called the Dean and he was able to see us today after 11:00. Now here is the dilemma, Kumar has to go back to Colombo today, we need to get the papers signed so we can get back for training on Friday. Colombo is a 4 hour drive so its not a quick trip. Ken called President Anton and he told us to go to the University. So off we went with Kumar telling us that God will provide away.

(Here's miracle 2) Usually when a driver goes to the University we have to stop at the guard station and explain where we are going and who we are seeing. Today Kumar drove up and they opened the gate without asking any questions. Kumar said, God is opening the way. 😊

We walked onto the University campus with a prayer in our heart and faith that we could get the signatures we needed so we could drive to Colombo today.

The Dean wasn't in his office when we first arrived. Asked the Secretary and she said it would be about 30 minutes. We decided to sit and wait for him. (Miracle 3) Dean arrived, signed the papers we needed and even called the Chancellor to let him know we needed his signature today. 😄

We headed to the Chancellor`s office and were met by two men that said the Chancellor was out and it would be at least 2 hours before we could get the signature. Ken said that would be fine, we will wait.

As we were waiting we could here them discussing our documents. We didnt understand the conversation because they were speaking in theie native language. The Secretary that Ken had talked to earlier came and wasn't so happy to see us because she did tell us the Chancellor was busy. We smiled and explained we were sorry but really needed to get the papers signed today.

Soon they invited us into a special waiting room and offered us something to drink. As we continued to wait and I kept thinking of the scripture in 2 Chronicles 32:7, that Isaiah and Hezekiah  pray to be strong. Isaiah says, "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for  there be more with us than with them." I really felt that we had more angels with us today because (miracle 4). About 15 minutes later we had the signature we needed and were on our way. 🤗

There is no doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father is guiding the work here in Kandy. I know we have guardian angels around us giving us the strength we need when we feel weak. We learned not to judge what was going to happen today.

Kens new drink that he has every morning and every night. Hot water with limes. They say the hot water helps clear out the sinuses and is good for digestion. It's also helps with weight loss. 🤔

#LightTheWorld - Day 5

Matthew 15:4, "Honour thy father and thy mother."

This is a picture of my parents, Ernest (Ernie) and Roberta (Bert) Van Every in front of their home in Rupert, Idaho. They both passed away in 2013. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about them. I am so very grateful for their love and support as I was growing up and being a mom. They were good grandparents to my children. My own grandchildren would call them grandma and grandpa moo moo, because of the cows they raised. Great memories!

Very grateful to know that families can be together forever!

These two are another set of parents that we love and cherish. These are Ken's parents, Eunice and Mack Luke. They are holding their newest great grandchild. They have been great examples to me by accepting everyone that comes into their family. It is their example that we are serving a mission. Our children and grandchildren continue to be blessed to have Sunday dinners and visits. 

❤❤We sure love both sets of parents!❤❤

#LightTheWorld - Day 4

                     

                       Matthew 22:39, "Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself."

Today this sweet lady, Innocent, was someone who loves her neighbor, us. We are staying at her Guest House. Ken and I had a meeting at the University of Peradeniya this morning with the Dean and some of his staff. The meeting went well and we are going to have some additional training this Friday.

Back to Innocent. When we arrived back home she had done 2 loads of our laundry. Plus she cooks breakfast and dinner for us. Oh yeah, she cleans our room, changes our sheets and cleans our bathroom. Boy have I become very spoiled. She is such a wonderful lady. We will miss her when we move.

It was a very quiet and rainy day.

#LightTheWorld - Day 3

Matthew 12:12, "Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days."

 

Today we handed out #LightTheWorld calendars to the Branch members. We had simple service ideas that everyone could do to Light the World.

 This young man, Thushara, chose this day to be baptised. First picture he is with the Branch President Kumara. The second picture he is standing with President Kumara and his girlfriend, Diana Sansoni. She served a mission in the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Elder and Sister Lathen made it here from Colombo. 

Here we are with Thushara and Diana.

Thushara's friends.

This gentleman and his wife, Brother and Sister John, were visiting from England. He was sharing his testimony about how he was here about 20 years ago. He was one of the first members to start holding meetings in Kandy. They would meet at a home with two couples. He baptised his sons school teacher and another gentleman who became the first Branch President there. That's when it all started and it keeps growing.

Some beautiful young woman from Kandy.

Trying to take a selfie at Relief Society. We need some practice!😄

 

After all the meetings the Sansoni family brought birthday cake and treats for the Branch to celebrate Thushara's baptism and birthday.

 

Tried a Sri Lankan sweet treat called Aluwa. It's made out of rice flour, sugar, milk, butter and spices. Very sweet!

Picture with Sister Anoka, Relief Society President, her husband Brother Shantha, who is the Branch Mission Leader and our 3 wheeler driver. Plus Branch President Kumara.

#LightTheWorld - Day 2

                   Matthew 25:15, "I was thirsty and he gave me drink."

Started the day putting smiley faces on bottles of water to give to people. We can't proselyte, but we can give a bottle of water and a smile.

At first the Elders were a little nervous to do something like this. It didn't take them very long to get up the courage to talk to strangers and give them a bottle of water.

You can tell from the smiles on faces that it was a good thing.

Elder Karunarathne talking to someone in the car.

Even had a couple of three wheeler drivers stop by for a bottle.

Love this smile!

Elder Abeythunga handing out water.

Elder Karunarathne sharing water with someone passing by.

Some people weren't too sure about what we were doing.

 

After handing out the water it started to rain. We took cover in Burger King and ended up having lunch. Last picture is Sister Sakunthala. We stopped by her home and gave her our last bottle of water.

 

A few animals we saw after visiting with Sister Sakunthala. It was a great day! I felt like I was the one being filled today by sharing with others. 😊

#LightTheWorld - Day 1

                                  Matthew 10:8, "Freely ye have received, freely give."

Moved upstairs at the Guest House. The Lathens are coming tomorrow so we moved upstairs so she wouldnt have to climb the stairs. Had to leave blue thunder for white lightening. 😉 Hopefully our last move until we get into the apartment. 🤞

This is a picture outside the church looking towards the mountains. You can see smoke in the distance. It's not unusual for people to burn things here.

Banner over the street. It is a federal holiday. So no school and some places closed. Milad-un-Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad).

Tonight we got a ride with "Pick Me", like Uber. The driver got pulled over for having a headlight out. What was even worse he got pulled over a second time before he dropped us off.

                                       We felt bad for him. Some days are rough. 😕

We had a good day. Elder Luke was able to interview a young man to get baptised this Sunday. We did a little shopping and just had fun!