Our Living room

We were so excited to be asked to do the Primary Activity Day for the 8-11 year old boys and girls.  We held this activity in our home. We discussed how our talents can help Heavenly Father and others.  Then  I taught them a new song and in turn they are teaching it to the Primary children.  Elder Meyers taught them about tithing and budgeting.  He made some rupees and gave each one of them so many rupees.  Then they had to figure out how much tithing they needed to pay.  They also talked about other bills that their mom and dad might have to pay each month.  When this part was over they were all wishing that the rupees were really real.  We had banana bread and yogurt for a treat and then we played UNO until their parents came.  We enjoyed having all six of the children in our home.  They were wonderful well behaved children. 
One of the spiritual experiences this week was when Steven, an institute student that comes to be taught by himself on Friday because he works during our regular institute class on Saturday, said the closing prayer after we taught him on Friday.  He expressed his gratitude to the Lord for sending us here to Sri Lanka so that we could teach him about the gospel.  The spirit was strong and I had to fight to keep from crying.  Those little things make it all worth while.

Treats on the balcony at
Primary Activity Day



Primary Activity  Day



Bangalore Airport

 This week was filled with lots of new things.  We made our first trip to India.  We arrived in Bangalore on Monday morning.  Elder and Sister Fluckiger and Elder Michael Senevirtne went with us.  Elder Senevirtne was set apart by  President Funk on Monday afternoon. Late Tuesday night he was taken to the airport by Elder Teki and Elder Anderson.  Elder Tikki and Elder Anderson both work in the mission office.  They were both wonderful young men.  Elder Tikki tried to give us everything that was in the mission office.  Elder Meyers asked for a military copy of the scriptures.  Elder Tikki said he only had a small Book of Mormon.  Elder Meyers asked for two copies.  Elder Tikki kept bringing me Book of Mormons, by the time we got home I had ten in my bag. 
All the couples were invited to President and Sister Funk's home for dinner on Monday evening.  There were four couples: Fluckigers,  Funks,  Pratts, and us.  Brother Pratt is a member of the First Quorum of Seventy.  He and his wife were wonderful people.  He said that he will be 70 in October so he will probably be replaced at that time.  He talked in depth about getting some young elders back into Sri Lanka.  He said that they would need to look like the people of  Sri Lanka. He was very excited that Elder Meyers and I had been given a visa as religious workers for the Church.  After dinner, Sandpot( Funks driver), took us back  to our hotel.  I loved the hotel.  It had balconies all over.  I loved sitting on the balcony on the third floor and watching the people as they passed.  There was a school just down the street and the children would walk by in their uniforms.  Some of the children wore regular shoes, others wore sandals or flip flops.  Many wore no shoes at all.  They all seemed so happy.  Each morning we went to the roof of the hotel and there we were served breakfast.  It was lovely having breakfast outside amongst the beauty of nature. 
On Tuesday we attended the Bangalore/Chennai Zone Conference.  We were taught and trained by the Funks and the Pratts.  It was an awesome experience to be among these people.  There were also 20 young elders in attendance.  The elders are having a hard time getting visas into India.  When the Funks came in July there were around 80 young elders.  Now there are just over 40 in the whole mission.  Even though the numbers are down the baptisms have remained the same.  Elder Pratt pointed out to us that we were in on a miracle.  He said that in years to come we would be able to look back and say that we had been in the Bangalore Mission when things were just beginning.  He said that this mission will grow and people will come into the Church.
On Wednesday we had the day to do what we wanted.  Elder Fluckiger had a cold so they stayed in most of the day.  Elder Meyers and I went to a book store, the mission office, to a sandwich shop for lunch and on the way home we stopped at the grocery store and bought a few items that we can't get in Sri Lanka.  At 5 pm our driver came to take us to the airport.  We were able to leave about a 1/2 hour early because everyone was there and boarded onto the plane.  It was a wonderful adventure but we were tired and glad to be home!

Elder Michael Senevirtne after setting
apart with APs and President Anton

    


Hotel in Bangalore



View from breakfast



Streets of Bangalore



Last week after I wrote our blog, we went to the Church and met with President and Sister Funk, Elder Michael and his mom and dad. They are not members of the Church.  President Funk explained what Michael would be doing as a missionary.  Michael's mother, like all mothers, was very emotional.  Sister Funk and I tried to reassure her that her son would be fine. I told her, "he will leave a boy but he will come back to be a man."
This has been a week with lots of preparing.  We had several lessons to prepare: two english classes, two seminary and institute classes, two missionary prep classes, and a temple prep class.  It was a job just remembering what we were to teach each day.I had to prepare to teach the Primary Children a new song this week.  Elder Meyers also had an inservice class to present on Friday. The only thing I had to do for that class was give the thought.  I also prepared lunch for the three other sisters that attended.  I was so happy with my lunch of mandarin chicken, rice, chocolate cake made from scratch(they don't have cake mixes here), and I also served ice cream with the cake. 
On Thursday we were invited to go to the cancer hospital.  The Church had donated several pieces of equipment to the hospital and the leaders were turning these items over to the hospital.  It was interesting to see the inside of the hospital.  Of course it isn't like our hospitals in America.  There were up to one thousand patients in the hospital.  They sit in chairs all day and at night they put down mats for the patients to sleep.  Think of someone with cancer and imagine how hard that must be on the ones that are really sick.  Their government has socialized medicine but they do without so many things.
We held our last Break the Fast in Negombo.  This was a program started by the previous couple.  President Funk and Elder Cheuk our CES Supervisor has suggested that we discontinue this program.  They said they would be willing to fund an activity for the Young Single Adults in each branch once a quarter.  They have asked that we show the CES Firesides that are broadcast to all the Young Single Adults throughout the Church. So that is what we will do.  When the leaders speak, we obey!

Mom, Elder Michael and Dad

Nurse and Hospital Director showing
the new equipment

We returned to the India Visa place and we were granted our visa to go to India.  We will be leaving for India on March 7th and returning on the evening of March 9th.
The big event this week was getting to met our mission president and his wife. They are Randy and Andrea Funk.  They are from Colorado.  They came to visit with us on Saturday, March 26th.  We had a great visit and I prepared lunch for all of us.  After lunch Ajith, a van driver, came and took us to Negombo.  Negombo's new church is complete and they were holding an open house.  The members did a wonderful job of sharing their church with the people of the community.  The auxiliary leaders furnished a display for their organization that showed what they do.  They also had ward members answering any questions.  Elder Meyers and I were asked to be in charge of the material table.  We had lots of books, pictures, fliers, and handouts for the visitors.  Many less actives came and lots of the community supported the open house.  At the end of the tour the people were treated to cake and punch. At 7 pm there was a program.  President Anton told about the Church history of Sri Lanka and President Royce shared the history of the Negombo Branch.  It was very interesting for us to hear many of the facts. The Primary Children sang "The Chapel Doors" and the Branch Choir shared "Love is Spoken Here".  These people are so remarkable and humble.  The Lord has truly blessed them with this beautiful building. President Funk gave the Dedicatory Prayer.  The Spirit was so strong!  I once again had my testimony strengthened as that prayer was given. We left Negombo with Ajith and the Funks.  Ajith dropped the Funks off at their hotel, The Colombo Hilton, and then brought us home.  It was a terrific day! 
Today was Sunday.  We went to Church as usual.  While I was visiting with the sisters in the hallway before church, President Kolitha asked me if he could visit with me.  I asked him if I was in trouble.  He just laughed.  We went to his office and he asked me to be the 2nd Counselor in the Primary.  He said they also want me to help the children learn the new songs for their Sacrament Presentation.  I asked if he had talked to my husband.  He said he had.  When I went out in the hall I told Elder Meyers and he said he didn't know anything about it. President Kolitha did talk to him before I was sustained in Sacrament Meeting.  I'm excited about the call! I love Primary!! This just means that Elder Meyers will get to teach the Temple Prep Class during Sunday School by himself.

The Church is true!  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do live.  They love each of us and want us to be happy.  They know us by name and desire that we come unto then and we will be happy!!!!

New Negombo Chapel



Assembly meeting room

 

Primary room




Young Women's room





Sri Lankan cutie



Sister Ann, Pres Anton, Bro Kumarasamy, Pres Funk and Sister Funk



This week we had to stay in a lot because we didn't have a current visa.  Our visa expired on February 11th and we weren't able to get a new one until February 17th.  We went only to places that we had to go.  President Anton left town and went to Singapore.  He came by our apartment and said, "If you get arrested call Ann and she will get you out of jail."  He laughed but I didn't think it was too funny.  Staying in gave me some time to experiment with my cooking.  I made flour tortillas, homemade bread, chocolate crinkle cookies and taco soup. When President Anton got back in town he brought over our passports with the new visa.  He was so excited.  He thought that we would be granted a one year English teaching visa but we were granted a one year visa for religious workers for the Church of Jesus Christ.  He said that was a great step up for the Church in Sri Lanka.  We felt we were free at last!!
We have been invite to attend Zone Conference in Bangalore on March 7th.  On Friday we went to the India Visa place and applied for an India visa.  Michael went with us to apply for his too.  He will be flying to India with us.  President Funk will set him apart for his mission then Michael will fly on to New Zealand to the MTC.
We go back this Friday to see if the visa to India will be granted.
I had made a large pot of Taco Soup for lunch today.  We thought that Fluckigers were coming for lunch.  They decided to go home early and so we were left with a big pot of soup.  We invited Sandi and her two kids, Garrett and Riley over for lunch after church.  Nishan, Sandi's husband, came and ate later when he finished counting the tithing.  We had a good time together.  The kids made us feel right at home.  They reminded us of our wonderful grand kids.
This evening we attended a charity dinner for the Humpty Dumpty Charities.  They invited three Buddhist Venerables and several from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  These two groups were invited because they help sponsor the charity in this area.  Several of the representatives from the United States were here touring the area, looking at their past projects and overseeing a new medical project to vaccinate workers and children in the highlands.  They gave us a tour of a realistic Sri Lankan village and explained what life is like in these villages.  Then we were treated to an authentic Sri Lankan buffet.  The chef guaranteed it wasn't spicy hot.  He answered all our questions about the food.  Most of it was good!  It was a wonderful evening and we learned much.

Guide explaining rice storage



Village home



Village pond with 5 flowers

      

Chef with our buffet



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

 


 

We are finally getting into a routine.  We are able to get around the city a little more and actually know where we are.  We spent a few hours this week paying our rent, cell phone bill and finding our way to the various banks so that we could cash a check to pay for our one year visa.  President Anton had us fill out our paper work for our Multiple Entry Resident Visas to teach English.  He then took our passports, papers and money. He took everything to the people who will process the visas.  We hope all goes well so we can continue to stay here in Sri Lanka and do what we have been called to do. 
Anura is our favorite tri-shaw driver.  Here in Sri Lanka they call tri-shaws, tuk tuks or taxis.  Anura is the branch clerk.  He is a quiet

Our favorite Tri-shaw driver

gentle man.  When we went to the bank to cash a large check, Elder Meyers put the money in my backpack.  I laughing told Anura that he was my bodyguard.  He said, "Take that backpack and put it in front of you."
When we went to Church on Sunday, a member of the Branch came up to us and introduced us to his friend.  He said, "My friend wants to get baptized."  We were shocked.  We looked at each other and I said, "I think we might be able to help you with that."  As we talked to the young man that wanted to be baptized we realized that he didn't speak much English.  We told them that we would talk to the Branch Mission Leader and get something arranged.  When we went to look of the mission leader he wasn't at church.  That will give us something to work on tomorrow.
After church there were two eight year olds that were baptized.  Their names are Shamitha and Haran.  I was asked to play the piano for the services and Elder Meyers was a witness.  These people are so humble and loving.  After the baptisms we were all treated to some Sri Lankan cake.
The big happening of the week was holding our first English Class.  It was awesome!  We only had five people attend but everyone seemed to really enjoy the class and we felt good about our teaching.  A couple of the businessmen asked if we could meet on another day so we will have a class on Tuesday and also one on Wednesday starting this coming week.
Here in Sri Lanka they have at least twenty five holidays.  When it is a holiday, everything closes down.  We are told as foreigners to stay in our apartment.  On Friday it was their Independence Day. So we had a long day filled with things that we needed to do right here in our apartment.