We were thrilled to hear that our friends, Nancy and Larry DeGrange, have received their mission call to the Philippines.  We actually called them and visited with them for a few moments.  They were really excited and we are excited for them.
Last Sunday, February 6th, was Fast Sunday.  On Fast Sunday all the Young Single Adults from Negombo and Colombo meet for a special meeting.  We meet one month in Negombo and the next month in Colombo.  We meet in Colombo this month.  We were in charge of arranging the meal and a speaker.  Sina and Nathan Jones, a couple from the United States, offered the use of their home and their cook prepared the food.  I have never seen a pot of rice so big!!  It was the size of a canning pot.  I think all of it was eaten. 

Sandi & Riley

After the meal Sister Sandi gave a fifteen minute talk on prayer and fasting.  She was very nervous about doing this but she did a great job!  She ended her talk by sharing an experience that happened a few months after her marriage.  She and her husband wanted a child but Sandi was having some medical problems so she went to the doctor.  The doctor told her that he thought that she would never be able to have a child.  Sandi and her husband went home and prayed and got a blessing.  A few weeks later they returned to the doctor.  He repeated that he didn't think that she would be able to have a child.  He also scheduled surgery.  Sandi returned home and told her husband what the doctor had said.  They decided to fast and pray.  When she returned to the doctor he told her that they would need to do some blood work before the surgery could be performed.  When they tested her blood they discovered that she was going to have a baby.  Sandi tearfully expressed her gratitude for the great blessing that she and her husband had received through prayer and fasting.  Of course their was not a dry eye in the group when it was over.  The Spirit was very strong.  It's things like this that make it worth while to be here serving a mission.
Tuesday  and Wednesday were English Classes.  We had eight new people show up.  One lady brought her two children and she decided to stay and join  with them.  She was trying so hard to do what we asked of her.  I finally discovered that she was unable to read.  I was so glad that I had worked with children that struggled to read.  It made me aware of her situation and I was able to make her feel comfortable.
We also had our first experience with the Post Office.  We went to mail a card to one of the kids.  When we went in, there were about ten people leaning on the counter.  We assumed they were all together so we just stood back and formed a line.  In a few moments an elderly gentleman who had been at the counter finished his business and came over to us.  He asked, "Are you from England?"  We replied, "No, we are from the United States."  He said, "Push you way in or you will never get waited on."  So we pushed in and got the task completed.  The same thing happened when we went to the bank to sign our signature cards.
Niwantha Michael Seneviratne finally got his visa to enter the MTC in New Zealand.  He will enter on March 10th.  He was suppose to enter the 27th of January but his visa did not return in time.  Michael is so excited and we are excited for him.  He has only been a member for a little over a year.
We have included some pictures from our roof top, if you look closely to the west between the buildings you can see the ocean.  Hope you enjoy!



South



West

 


 

Northwest



North