Elder Vino with his mom and dad

Tomorrow marks our sixth month anniversary on our mission.  One of our first assignments was to get Elder Vino, Rumesh Kumar Ramiah, into the mission field.  He will leave tomorrow to enter the MTC in Provo.  He has been called to serve in the California, Santa Rosa Mission.  He is so excited to  get going.  His parents are also excited to see him enter the mission field.  We are happy that our assignment in this area is complete.  Elder Meyers has worked hard to make sure everything is in order and runs smoothly as Vino leaves Sri Lanka for two years of service to the Lord.
We had a few hours this week to do a little sight seeing.  We went out to Beira Lake and walked around the Buddhist Temple on the lake and we also walked around the children's island.  It actually looked like lover's lane to us. We saw a lizard about three feet long on the island.  We thought the grandchildren might enjoy seeing a picture of it. After that we went to the large Buddhist Temple a few blocks away.  It also had a museum.  There was also a live elephant.  The elephant kept spraying water all over itself and everyone that was near.  It was nice to get out and see some of the beauties of the city.
We are healthy and happy that we are able to serve the Lord and His people here in Sri Lanka.

Live elephant

Monitor lizard

Bridge to Children's Park

Buddhist Island Temple

Buddhas at the museum

Buddha elephant draped with jewelry

We are excited about all the things that we have been involved in this week. 
 We had a Colombo Branch Primary Activity on Wednesday.  We told scripture stories and had role plays with them.  The children enjoyed games and doing the Hokey Pokey.  There were about ten children in attendance.  The children and parents enjoyed the refreshments and visiting. 
On Friday President and Sister Funk came to our apartment for lunch.  Elder and Sister Fluckiger, the other senior couple here in Sri Lanka, joined us.  They brought three young men with them so they could interview with President Funk. Two of the young men are getting their paper work in to serve a mission.  I made chicken noodle soup, homemade rolls, and chocolate cake with ice cream.  I thought the young men were going to pop from eating so many rolls.  The Sri Lankan people love bread!
Saturday was the first day of the Colombo District Conference.  Elder Anthony D. Perkins, a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, was the presiding authority. It was interesting to us that his father is our son Jason's bishop.  He is a wonderful man and we loved hearing all of his stories.  He told of two missionaries that were riding their bikes in Japan when the Tsunami hit.  They were near the Church so they rode as fast as they could go.  They reached the Church and ran up to the second floor.  The water was coming in rapidly.  They climbed onto the roof.  When things settled down, everything in the area was destroyed except for the Church.  Elder Perkins said, we all know that the Church was saved because there were two elders on the top of it. As he told this story he had tears in his eyes.
 Elder Meyers and I were invited to a luncheon on Saturday before the conference started.  Sister Ann had it catered.  It was a lovely luncheon with fried rice, lemon chicken, something that looked like collards but it was spicy, tossed salad, potato salad and a custard for dessert.  After lunch we attended the Priesthood and Auxiliary Training that was given by Elder Perkins, President Funk, Sister Funk and Robert William.  The Adult Meeting was held after that.  Many people got the opportunity to speak.  Thank goodness we didn't. 
 Today, Sunday, we went to Negombo with Elder Perkins, President and Sister Funk and Robert William.  We thought there was going to be a change in the district presidency but there wasn't. It was a wonderful day!  I played the piano for several of the songs during the meetings.  After the meetings we went to lunch at the Fluckigers.  We arrived home about 8 pm this evening.  We're tired but it feels awesome!
Our high light of the week was when Yohan, our repair man for our air conditioner and refrigerator, called Elder Meyers and said, "I'm outside the Negombo Church."  I have been teasing Elder Meyers that things are breaking just so Yohan has to come to the apartment and repair it.  Yohan is a returned missionary but he married out of the Church and has become less active.  A few weeks ago when he was at our place Elder Meyers told him about the conference.  He said, "I should go."  We were shocked that he actually came.  He was greeted by the members with open arms. Our hearts were filled with gratitude as we watched Yohan being hugged and welcomed by his brothers and sisters in the gospel.

Primary Activity

Lunch with Elder Perkins

Yohan

Elder & Sister Meyers with Elder Perkins

This has been a week of highs and lows. 
When it was time to teach our English class, it was pouring down rain.  Many of the regulars didn't show due to the rain.  We were amazed to have eight new students for the class.  We so enjoy meeting new people but we have a terrible time pronouncing their names.  We have learned most of their names after a lot of practice.
We finally got our air conditioner put in.  We have been without an air conditioner in the front room for over five weeks. I'm glad you weren't here to see how we dressed during those five weeks of unbearable heat!
We held a Young Single Adult Fireside at our apartment today.  There were five young single adults in attendance.  We had a nice luncheon that I had prepare with mashed potatoes, gravy, fried chicken, cabbage salad, veggie tray, fruit tray and chocolate cake for dessert.  We planned to have ice cream also but our fridge is having problems and the ice cream melted.  We enjoyed watching Sister Rosemary Wixom, Primary General President.

The repairman that does the air conditioner and refrigerator is a less active member of the Church.  He served a mission a few years ago in Singapore. Every time he comes here to repair something we talk to him about the Church.  We invited him to District Conference next week.  He said he just might come.  I told Elder Meyers that everything is breaking just so Yohan can come and talk with us.  You can feel that he is ready to come back but a little afraid to make problems with his family.


Hagobian, John and in front V



Achala



It has been a week filled with lots of joy and rewards.  Vino and Elder Meyers spent most of this week off and on filling out paper work and going different places to arrange for Vino to get his visa to America.  On Friday he had his interview with the USA Embassy.  He was so excited when he called us to tell us that all went well.  He can pick up his passport with his USA visa stamp on Monday.  He can hardly wait to get started as a missionary in California. His excitement rubs off on us!
Our air conditioner in the front room has been out for a month now.  We finally got the landlord to agree to let us replace it with a bigger size that will cool all the area that is open.  He should give us the money back when we do a new lease in July but President Anton says that he will tell you that and not always follow through.  We hope to get most of the money back but right now and air conditioner would be nice.  We have gotten used to the weather and the sweating without the AC but it is still a lot nicer to have the AC.
Elder Meyers taught inservice to the seminary/institute teachers on Friday.  Sister Kumari was unable to attend because she was moving.  Sister Sheron was the only teacher in attendance other than myself.  We had a nice meeting and lunch.  I made tacos.  She had never had a taco and she loved it!  She ate three of them.  She came at 8:30 am because that is when her husband went to work and left at 6:30 pm when he got off of work.  We had a fun day visiting.  She took a nap while we taught an institute class at 3 pm.
Tonight we went to President Anton and Sister Ann's home for dinner.  They had fried rice, potatoes with coconut milk, chicken in a tomato sauce, and ice cream for dessert.  We had a wonderful visit.  It was nice to see where they live and to feel the special spirit that was in their home.  They live in an area where about five houses are connected together.  All the people that live there are related to them in one way or another.  They also let people that are needing medical assistance come and stay with them free of charge.  Of course President Anton is a doctor and most of those people are his patients.  President Anton and Sister Ann are wonderful people!  I don't know what we would do without their help and assistance.  As we go to leave they walk us to the tri-shaw and tell us that they love us.  It's a wonderful feeling to be able to return, "I love you too!"

Sis Sheron, seminary teacher in Negombo

Anton's cousin taking a nap

Papa K, Codi, Pres Anton, Milli, & Sis Ann

Kumarasamy Family with
Elder and Sister Meyers

We were suppose to spend most of the week working with Vino.  The missionary that was due to go to California.  He was to leave in May but we just got clearance from Homeland Security last week.  His date has been moved to June 28th.  This week he was to come and fill out his paper work for a visa but his father had a heart attack.  He is going to have open heart surgery soon.  Vino was here at our apartment earlier today and said he would be over to start the paper work tomorrow.  Actually it is all on the computer now. Vino's mother is very supportive of him and tells him no matter what happens to his dad, he most go and serve the Lord!
We finished our Temple Preparation Class today.  We had all the brothers and sisters in the class over to our apartment for lunch after Church.  We had fried rice, homemade bread, cabbage salad, fruit tray, veggie tray, deviled eggs, banana bread, chocolate cake and ice cream.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and visiting.  After we finished eating we showed the video, Together Forever.  There were lots of laughter and tears as we viewed the video.  I'm just so grateful that I do know that families can be together for ever.  I felt so much love in the room as we watched this video together.  Many of these brothers and sisters are the only members of their families.  They so much want their families to partake of the gospel and its teachings.  As I gave the closing prayer I asked Heavenly Father to soften the hearts of these brothers and sisters families so that they could draw closer as a family.  Of course I was in tears when the prayer was over and so were many of the brothers and sisters.  As they left each of them gave us a hug.  The brethren usually don't hug you but they all did today.  We felt very close to each of them. 
I can feel my love growing for these people daily.  As I was reading in Alma 31: 34-35, I too want to help the people in this area come unto Christ.  I know their souls are very precious!

Temple prep group

Dilitha, Raj and Bro Timothy

Buddhist's Flag



Pandal of Buddha's life



Lanterns in daytime

Nighttime lanterns

It was Vesak here in Sri Lanka.  For those of you that don't what Vesak is I will write what the Insight Guide to Sri Lanka says: Vesak, celebrated on the day of the full moon in May, is the most hallowed of Buddhist festivals, celebrating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death,  all of which are believed to have occurred on this one day.  Buses and cars are decorated with streamers and garlands, while shops and streets are decked out with myriad paper lanterns.  Tiny clay coconut oil lamps are lit in villages, while in the cities electrically illuminated pandals are put up, depicting events in the Buddha's life. Because it is considered meritorious to offer gifts of food and drink during the festival, you will find specially constructed roadside booths(dansal) where both are offered free of charge.  The fare on offer ranges from rice and curry to Vesak sweetmeats.  The devout dress in white and visit their local temples to spend the day performing religious observances, fasting and praying.
We got to enjoy Vesak a little when we returned from a dinner appointment at Raj's house.  Raj is the only member in his family that has remained active in the Church.  His mother, sister and father also joined years ago but are now less active.  Raj's mother invited us to dinner.  She had a lovely meal.  She started out by serving us butter cake and a fruit juice.  Other members of the family didn't partake.  Then after awhile they sat us at the table and brought a small dish filled with water.  We washed our hands and asked for some silverware.  Since everyone here eats with their fingers.  They brought forks for us to use. We asked if they were going to join us.  They replied that they were only feeding us.  They served us: string hoppers, potatoes cooked in coconut milk, curry, and a chicken curry dish.  The father kept saying, "eat more."  We were both stuffed when dinner was over.  On the way home it took us over an hour and half to get home.  It would usually only take a half hour.  It was a wonderful evening.  Anura kept driving around the block to show us the sights.  There were so many people all over the place.  We've never seen so many people like this.
The Colombo District Relief Society held its birthday celebration on Saturday.  The sisters from Kandy and Negombo joined us in Colombo.  We had 95 sisters in attendance.  They demonstrated macrame, facials, talked about a proper diet, and had a sister talk about journaling.  Then a simple journal was given to each sister.  We also were treated to a dance by the sisters from Negombo.  Everyone received a rice pack for lunch.  Elder Meyers and Elder Fluckiger spent their time caring for 22 children.  They showed videos, colored, played games and other activities.  All had a wonderful day!
On Sunday Sister Meyers was released as Branch Primary 2nd Counselor.  The new president Sister Premila was sustained with counselors Sister Primali and Sister Meyers.


Children playing duck, duck, goose



Negombo sisters dancing



Kristina-recent convert



New Primary Presidency: Sister Primali,
President Premila and Sister Meyers

 

The weeks are beginning to pass quickly.  We started the week with news that Sister Rosemary's father, Eric Carl Rozairo, had passed away. He was 89 years old.  They had his funeral on Wednesday at 4 pm.  We were unable to attend the funeral due to our commitment to teach  English class at that time.  We went to the funeral home and visited with the family and expressed our love and condolences.  Brother Rozairo was living with his son, who is a Catholic.  His son decided that he wanted to do a Catholic service so the LDS people weren't asked to help with the service in any way.  Rosemary said that she would have the grave dedicated later.
On Friday we went to visit with one of our institute students, Raj.  Raj has been a member of the Church for about eight years.  His sister, mother, and father were baptized at the same time as Raj.  Raj is the only one that has remained active in the Church.  He is 23 years old and a very dedicated member of the Church.  When we arrived at the humble home Raj was very surprised.  He was the only one home.  In a while his mom came home and we had a lovely visit.  I told her that we would like to invite her back to Church.  That the Lord loved her and He wanted her to come back.  She told us that she and the other members of her family were attending a church near their home because it was easier.  I said we each have choices to make.  Know that you are needed and missed.  She said that she couldn't come this week but she would be there in a few weeks.  The next day Raj came into institute class and said that his mom had asked that we come to dinner on Tuesday.  We said we would be glad to do that.  Raj said that his mom was very impressed with us and happy to see us.  Raj's dad is an Elder so they were active for a while.  It would be wonderful to see them reactivated!
Today we went to Negombo. Elder Meyers and I both spoke in Sacrament meeting. This is the first time that we had to have a translator.  It was very difficult to have a translator.  You can only say a sentence or two before the translator is repeating what you say.  I had to really concentrate on what I was saying.  After Sacrament I helped with music in the Primary.  Sister Fluckiger played and I helped them sing.  After Church we attended seminary/institute class.  It was taught in Sinhalese so we didn't understand most of what was said.  They do read the scriptures in English.  To complete the day we had lunch with Elder and Sister Fluckiger. 
HOORAY FOR ISRAEL!

One of our English classes

Sussiladevy and Raj