I am excited to share that Cari and I will be heading to Sri Lanka October 25th if all goes as planned. Our tickets have been purchased and Cari is already reading the Lonely Planet travel guide of which I am sure she will have memorized before we take off.
We hope you will continue to join us in prayer for the people living in the camps as well as for those who are trying to help. I would also ask that you remember Cari in your prayers concerning her back. She has had considerable pain almost daily for the past 30 days and the course of action right now is therapy with the hopes of avoiding surgery. Needless to say an upcoming 30 hour trip to Sri Lanka is not the part of the trip Cari is looking forward to the most.
Stay tuned......
-Kurt
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
What Now?
Having left Sri Lanka a little over 2 months ago I have often asked God "what now?” So far the answer to that question has been stay the course and keep the people in the refugee camps in the hearts and minds of others.
Just recently I sat down with my brother and business partner Craig and we came up with an idea to raise some much needed attention and money to this cause. We are currently working with World Concern and our marketing partner Destination Marketing to create a campaign that will raise awareness, dollars and hopefully keep us selling cars. Please pray in regards to this venture. Pray we bring glory to God and help to those in need.
The next big step, God willing, is to take my wife Cari to Sri Lanka the end of October. She often has such great wisdom to offer and for me to see things through her eyes will truly be a blessing. This is something we feel we need to share together which will most likely repeat the question "what next?”
Almost everyday I read the latest news regarding the situation in the camps and correspond with those on the ground and those elsewhere who share a common passion to help. Amongst all the anguish there have been rays of hope as many of the elderly and some of the children have been freed from the camps recently and in some cases entire families have begun the relocation process back to their homes, for those fortunate to still have a home.
Now the feared flooding from the monsoon rains has begun causing unbearable living conditions for the roughly 270,000 still remaining http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/world/asia/16lanka.html . I find it hard to imagine the suffering that takes place day in and day out for these people trapped in these camps. Through all this I know God loves his children when I witness the work of people like the staff of World Concern who give of themselves everyday.
Pray, Give and Believe,
-Kurt
Just recently I sat down with my brother and business partner Craig and we came up with an idea to raise some much needed attention and money to this cause. We are currently working with World Concern and our marketing partner Destination Marketing to create a campaign that will raise awareness, dollars and hopefully keep us selling cars. Please pray in regards to this venture. Pray we bring glory to God and help to those in need.
The next big step, God willing, is to take my wife Cari to Sri Lanka the end of October. She often has such great wisdom to offer and for me to see things through her eyes will truly be a blessing. This is something we feel we need to share together which will most likely repeat the question "what next?”
Almost everyday I read the latest news regarding the situation in the camps and correspond with those on the ground and those elsewhere who share a common passion to help. Amongst all the anguish there have been rays of hope as many of the elderly and some of the children have been freed from the camps recently and in some cases entire families have begun the relocation process back to their homes, for those fortunate to still have a home.
Now the feared flooding from the monsoon rains has begun causing unbearable living conditions for the roughly 270,000 still remaining http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/world/asia/16lanka.html . I find it hard to imagine the suffering that takes place day in and day out for these people trapped in these camps. Through all this I know God loves his children when I witness the work of people like the staff of World Concern who give of themselves everyday.
Pray, Give and Believe,
-Kurt
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sri Lanka Recap
What a strange trip. I traveled to the other side of the world and met with complete strangers that gave voice to the lives of those who make up the people of Sri Lanka. I heard of government victories and war crimes, of freedoms lost and hope of unification, and of course the cost of war for those 289,000 people living in the IDP (internally displaced people) camps. These conversations with church leaders and government officials revolved around humanitarian aid and reconciliation. Even though these conversations left me with more questions than answers I do realize that one of the greatest roles our delegation (World Evangelical Alliance) could bring was encouragement to the Church, and I believe that in some small way was accomplished.
Day 4 and 5 was where the rubber hit the road. Selina the acting country director for World Concern picked me and two new friends from Tearfund New Zealand up in the capital city of Colombo for our 7 hour journey to Trincomalee where World Concern has been working since the Tsunami. It was here that my heart would be broken and I would find maybe the greatest living answer to how peace and reconciliation can take hold.
During these two days we visited two IDP camps, a hospital (clinic), and a third IDP camp for those to disabled, wounded, and sick to be taken to the other camps. These places housed some 9,000 people of whom World Concern took the lead in providing food and clothing for. All of these places were surrounded by barbed wire and ran by the military because the fear of the government is that some of those within the camps are of the LTTE, their enemy.
When we entered the first camp I witnessed immediately what these people starved for the most was news of loved ones whom they had been separated from during the course of fleeing the war zones. Such news unfortunately was near impossible to come by. This particular camp had been a school for 700 students and was now home for 2,500 people who had little space and very limited sanitation facilities. It was here that I first started hanging out with the children in the camps. By the grace of God I was able to bring laughter and fun into some incredibly resilient children. Children that have seen the worst of man and now through people like Selina were seeing the love of Jesus. These kids represent the hope of Sri Lanka and I pray soon they will be given the opportunity for a better life.
As I walked through the hospital I was reminded that Mother Teresa saw great value in touching the untouchable. I say this because my first instinct when I saw those without limbs was to keep my head low and to remove myself from the stares of these patients, but through the strength of the Lord I began shaking hands and giving a warm smile that to my surprise seemed to lighten the load of these hurting people. I cannot begin to count how many hands I held, but I can say that the power of touch backed by a caring heart has the ability to bring healing to the soul.
Our last stop of the day was by far the hardest. It was here in an old garment factory that hundreds of recovering medical patients stayed with what remained of their families under armed guard. The conditions were poor, with flies and sweltering heat causing further torment to already hurting people. Somehow I remained composed until I came across two elderly people that were lying on the floor. At first I thought they were dead, but then I noticed the flies moving off their lips as they breathed ever so faintly. They were all skin and bones and I am sure they would most likely not make it another day. All I could think was that these people had lived so long and seen so much and now they were taking their final breathes on a concrete floor covered in flies. Only 4 beds down my heart would again be broken as I came a cross two young children. As I was to learn they were brother and sister around the age of 5 and 3 who had recently lost their parents in the war and had no other known family. The boy’s right leg was completely bandaged from shrapnel and his younger sister had lost 4 fingers on her right hand and had shrapnel as well removed from her right leg. It was with this girl that my smile and touch seemed to do nothing. She just stared blankly at her surrounding. I cannot begin to tell you how desperately I wanted to sweep this girl and her brother off the bed and somehow fix the terrible injustices they have faced. Selina will be trying her best to keep me informed of their situation in the days a head. Somehow I pray that I will follow their lives to a better place.
So how does God bring peace and reconciliation to the people of Sri Lanka? The answer shown to me was found in people like Selina who have chosen to love everyone as a child of God. This is no easy feat considering she is a Tamil that has witnessed to0 much suffering of the Tamil people under the Singhalese majority government, but she has put the love of Jesus first and in return she and her staff have been granted access into camps that few are allowed. Watching the staff of World Concern work and maneuver under such restrictive conditions had me in awe and thankful for people who lay their life down for their love for others.
The rest of my stories can be told over coffee with those who care to hear more. I can only hope God will use me and many others to bring healing to the people of Sri Lanka.
I wish to thank many of you for your prayers and for your financial gifts to World Concern. Gifts that I can assure you are literally saving lives.
With Hope,
Kurt
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Quick update..
Due to lack of Internet time and for security reasons I am not going to be giving out to much information on this blog. Let's just say things are not always as they appear in this country. The last 2 days have been non stop meetings with political, civic and religious leaders throughout the capital city of Colombo. The stories I have heard make me want to cry and yet there is a sense of hope. I will elaborate at another time.
What I need now is prayer, because American passport holders are now being told that they will not be allowed into the IDP camps where close to 300,000 people now live in very difficult circumstances. Please pray for my access as well as some of my restricted team members.
Today the country celebrates 'Victory Day' while some of the minorities groups mourn.
More later.
What I need now is prayer, because American passport holders are now being told that they will not be allowed into the IDP camps where close to 300,000 people now live in very difficult circumstances. Please pray for my access as well as some of my restricted team members.
Today the country celebrates 'Victory Day' while some of the minorities groups mourn.
More later.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Off to Sri Lanka with Your Prayers
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30388835/displaymode/1247/
Tomorrow I leave for Sri Lanka with some anxiety. Anxiety I am sure that comes from me not being in control of this trip which I am certain is right where God wants me to be.
I will be arriving in the capital city of Colombo at 4:30 AM Sunday morning. From there I will take a taxi to my hotel to join the others that are flying in from around the world to give encouragement and support to those working to better the lives of those devastated by nearly 30 years of war.
The following are my words to God that I hope you will join me in praying:
-We praise you Lord for a recent end to the war
-Please strengthen your children to give beyond themselves to help those who have so little
-We praise you for never leaving us alone and involving us in your desire to love one another
-We ask for clean water, good food, medicine, and sanitation for the 300,000 living in the camps
-We look to you for healing and reconciliation between the people of this country.
-We ask for you to open the doors this week for our group to reach into places you desire to us to be
To you be the glory. Amen
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Trying to Understand
To help understand more of the situation in Sri Lanka I would recommend going to the following web page and then clicking on the links under 'Focus: Sri Lanka. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/05/2009513222013221256.html
I have been amazed in the way God has brought so many people alongside me. People who I would never have met and insight into things I never could never have discovered on my own. Everyday my heart breaks more for the people of Sri Lanka and the need to make this journey is stronger than ever.
As Always I would ask that you take time each day to pray for all those who's lives have been touched by death and destruction in this country.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The following is a letter written from the Secretary General of the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka and I believe it will help explain the general idea of why such a trip to Sri lanka is of value.
Rev. Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe
Executive Director
World Evangelical Alliance (WEA)
Dear Dr. Tunnicliffe,
I write with deep concern for peace in our beloved country Sri Lanka which has been ravaged by war and terror for over 20 years, bringing death, destruction and displacement of thousands of men, women and children. The human tragedy is horrific.
The Church has not escaped the horrors of war. Over 10 pastors have lost their lives due to war; 5 of them within the past 3 months. Thousands of church members are displaced and living in crowded makeshift refugee camps. Yet others are trapped in the midst of fighting. Some have paid the ultimate price and lost their lives while trying to flee from bullets and bombs.
We would like to invite you and a delegation from the WEA to undertake a good will mission to our country as peacemakers to demonstrate solidarity with the suffering church and to encourage the church during this very difficult time.
It will be an opportunity for WEA to engage in a fact finding mission and mobilize awareness and much needed prayer.
A visit will also allow the wider church family all over the world to experience first‐hand and identify with the suffering church and also a great opportunity for WEA to meet with the leaders of the Sri Lankan government, advocate for peace and justice and explore possibilities of engaging in peacemaking.
Although the Protestant Christians population in Sri Lanka number less than 1 percent, we believe that we are called to a prophetic role to be peacemakers, bringing together both Sinhalese and Tamil ethnic groups and restoring relationships and healing between communities and individuals in our bruised and bleeding nation.
It will also offer an opportunity for the global church to minister to and assist with the
humanitarian efforts of the local church and partner in rebuilding lives and churches.
Looking forward to your favorable response.
In Christ,
Godfrey Yogarajah
General Secretary ‐ NCEASL
Rev. Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe
Executive Director
World Evangelical Alliance (WEA)
Dear Dr. Tunnicliffe,
I write with deep concern for peace in our beloved country Sri Lanka which has been ravaged by war and terror for over 20 years, bringing death, destruction and displacement of thousands of men, women and children. The human tragedy is horrific.
The Church has not escaped the horrors of war. Over 10 pastors have lost their lives due to war; 5 of them within the past 3 months. Thousands of church members are displaced and living in crowded makeshift refugee camps. Yet others are trapped in the midst of fighting. Some have paid the ultimate price and lost their lives while trying to flee from bullets and bombs.
We would like to invite you and a delegation from the WEA to undertake a good will mission to our country as peacemakers to demonstrate solidarity with the suffering church and to encourage the church during this very difficult time.
It will be an opportunity for WEA to engage in a fact finding mission and mobilize awareness and much needed prayer.
A visit will also allow the wider church family all over the world to experience first‐hand and identify with the suffering church and also a great opportunity for WEA to meet with the leaders of the Sri Lankan government, advocate for peace and justice and explore possibilities of engaging in peacemaking.
Although the Protestant Christians population in Sri Lanka number less than 1 percent, we believe that we are called to a prophetic role to be peacemakers, bringing together both Sinhalese and Tamil ethnic groups and restoring relationships and healing between communities and individuals in our bruised and bleeding nation.
It will also offer an opportunity for the global church to minister to and assist with the
humanitarian efforts of the local church and partner in rebuilding lives and churches.
Looking forward to your favorable response.
In Christ,
Godfrey Yogarajah
General Secretary ‐ NCEASL
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