The week started out with lots of protests going on here in Sri Lanka against America.  There was a human rights issue going up for a vote at the UN meeting in Switzerland.  America was one of the countries that voted against Sri Lanka.  Monday Sister Ann was driving us to the hospital to visit with Sister Rosemary.  As we passed town hall,  we could hear a man speaking Sinhala over a loud speaker.  We asked Sister Ann what he was saying.  She said he is telling a lot of lies.  I said, "well, what is he saying?" She said, "this guy is a Buddhist monk and he is telling the people, if the human rights issue is passed that the Americans will come to Sri Lanka and burn all the patty fields."  I began to laugh and said, "Most Americans wouldn't even know what a patty field looks like."
When we were walking home from English class on Wednesday, we spotted this lizard in a bunch of tree limbs on the side of the road.  We love all the interesting insects and animals that we see and many times feel each day.
On Thursday we went to Sister Premila's home.  She lives about 2 hours from here. That is a very long trip in a tri-shaw! We love going to her home because it is away from the big city.  It is much cooler with lots of trees and less people and traffic.  Premila is engaged to a man from Alaska.  She hopes to be married by this time next year.  Premila showed us around the outside of her home.  They have many trees, plants, animals, and relatives living near.  As you look at the pictures, take a close look and you can see fruit on most of the trees.  I especially enjoyed the cashew tree.  Premila's aunt got a long pole and knocked a ripe cashew down and also a green one down so I could get a closer look at them.  They warned me against getting the juice on my clothes.  They said that it would stain you clothes and not come out when washed. It was a wonderful afternoon and evening.  Premila's mother fixed a feast even though we told Premila not to plan on us for dinner.  They love to cook and see people enjoy their food!  We got home around 9 pm. We were tired but excited with all the fun things that we had seen and experienced.
Our Sunday English class is progressing nicely.  We are so excited to hear sisters saying prayers and reading scriptures in English.  Last week Sister Kanthi gave a prayer in English.  This was the first time that she had ever attempted to pray in English.  She did a wonderful job.  I told her today how proud I was of her.  I also shared this with her grown daughter, Sandreen.  Sandreen said that her mother is speaking to the grandchildren in English and trying really hard to use English everyday. 
Message for the week:  D&C 88:123
See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires.

Lizard

Premila & Sis Meyers at the well

Cashew tree

Overripe cashew

Old homestead house behind Premils's

Papaya tree

Jack fruit-hanging on trunk

Sunday English class