Projects in Sri Lanka 2022

“Great is Thy faithfulness O God my Father…Morning by morning your mercies are new.” We thank you and praise You for your Goodness and Faithfulness.
You have been our Rock, our Refuge, Our Fortress, Our Protector and Provider.

The LORD has been faithful through the year 2022 which was a tumultuous, ‘up and down’ year in Sri Lanka.

Country: Following the Covid-19 pandemic of previous 2 years, toward the beginning of the year 2022, the country faced crises that we understood had never faced since independence in the year 1948. There were major political and economic crises which was threatening to become a humanitarian crisis.

The country had to declare bankruptcy to the many foreign lenders and seek help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This led to price hikes and increase of coast of living which was reported as well above 60%.

There was a serious shortage of fuel and hence transport was almost at a standstill for some months. Food, medicines and other necessities were in short supply. The prices of everything have increased greatly.

Amidst all this, the progress for schooling, education, training etc. came to almost a standstill for several months.

Ministry: The ability to minister fluctuated with the crises.

Poori kept connected with LEADS Sri Lanka where she has worked with children who were previously abused and worked with the children when there were opportunities to do so.

Regular social development classes in the home were limited because of the crises. Poori did keep in touch with the families and connected privately/individually with them. She has still been able to reach individuals in more difficult socio-economic situations with the Love of Jesus – including at Christmas time.

Poori together with Saro and her daughter Hiruni were able to cook some lunch and reach out to a few streetwalkers with food packets, together with conversing with them and praying with them.

She has continued to be in touch with Shyamala School of Art where the Principal was her former student and one who was mentored by Poori, and pray with her. She was also honored in this Art School for teacher/student day.

Health: In the fall of last year, Poori was quite unwell and had to go through some tests to diagnose and also eliminate any serious sickness. She was eventually diagnosed with IBS and hence has to be careful with her diet. She is thankful to Saro and her daughter Hiruni for helping her with taking care with all the tests, sickness and helping to gain back health.

I (Vijeya) and my husband have had to step in to help with all the extra medical expenses.

Home: Poori’s home has experienced many robberies. The robbers have scaled the lower and less secure 2 sides of the boundaries several times, entered the yard and have taken away just about anything that they can take including clothes drying on the clothes line, garden hose, garbage can, door, gate etc. She is looking to the Lord to provide the funds needed to build 6-foot-high boundary walls on those 2 sides. There have been threats and some damage by throwing stones and even a coconut!

Prayer and Praise: She is hoping to get back to more regular ministry this year with LEADS, local social development sessions, Boys Industrial Home (run for orphan children) etc.

The country is still in turmoil/unrest. There is unrest and subtle forms of persecution.

Poori is thankful for the individual donors as well as Rexdale Alliance Church to have supported her and the ministry through the crisis in prayer and financially.

Please pray for wisdom, protection, provision etc. Poori is thankful for the financial and prayer support.

~ Vijeya (Poori Gulasekharam’s sister).