Samagama Shops Open!

Indika, along with his wife Nadika, have recently opened the village grocery store, The villagers can now purchase the everyday essential iems such as fruits, vegetables, spices, bread, as well as soap, toothpaste, and other dry goods. Also Gunasiri has opened his frame and glass shop. He has recently framed several pictures for us including the world map that Donna uses in reaching the children English. Tony, the baker, is currently away in Afghanistan, cooking for our troops at one of the Air Force bases. He will return in several months and open the new bakery in the village. Village life is normal for the 62 families living here and also the surrounding neighbors! We also enjoy picking up our fresh bread and fruit each morning!!

University Bound!

When we first met Thilika (blue blouse) 4 years ago, she and her 3 children were living in a mud hut. Her husband had died leaving her with 3 young children to raise. As a single mom she worked hard as a cleaning lady at the local school, but she instilled in her children the need for an education. After overcoming almost impossible odds by studying from a kerosene lantern for years, her daughter Nilanthi entered the University this August. All of her classes are in English and she quickly scanned the village library for books that might help her in her Business and Accounting courses. Being an accountant myself, I might have a few books at home collecting dust that might come in handy for her or someone else following in her footsteps. Today we are smiling also with Nilanthi and Thilika and are once again humbled at her accomplishments. She has two younger brothers who are following her lead and hope one day to get the same good news! University Bound!!

Arts & Crafts Lesson

In addition to lugging library books, dolls and toys, Donna has also brought beads for stringing bracelets and necklaces. One day a week they have an "arts and crafts" hour and our kitchen table becomes the assembly area for kids to pick just the right beads for their treasures! Donna never misses a chance to teach even though this is considered "fun time" as she has them all count the number of beads on their bracelets and necklaces once they are finished. We have noticed that a few days after they are finished, their necklaces are missing a few beads. Their little sister or brother then walks in and shows off the bracelet that big sister or brother has made them. Donna has had to set an age limit because the little ones require too much supervision. The older ones have found another way too learn to share! This is easy for us because we have so much. We are humbled because they have so little!

Nimal's Family

Nimal and his wife Nilanthi, standing next to Donna, are the proud parents of four daughters and one son. What makes this organic farmer and housewife so unique here in Sri Lanka is that their oldest daughter has graduated from the University and is currently a teacher. Her next two oldest sisters are currently in the University. The thirteen year old son, standing next to me, is in the 9th grade and 1st in his class. He will probably follow his sisters in 4 more years. To have three and possible all five of his children go to the University is almost unheard of here. Joining Nimal's two daughters this year in the University are two more Samagama young ladies. We'll get their pictures posted later. We are proud of these four young University students who are setting an example for the next generation in Samagama.

Donna's English Class

Every afternoon at 2:00PM our house becomes an English classroom. It has been raining every day, so the kids are enjoying spending time at our home. We have had family visits during the day averaging about 100 per day! That calls for alot of tea and bananas!! We love it, but hit the pillow every night around 8:00PM!

New English Class

Upon arriving in Samagama on Saturday, Donna immediately went into the teaching mode! A new class of three and four year olds sat at her feet eagerly listening to stories from the new books that were lugged half way around the world! She has truly found her calling as the next generation has found their way to our home. The eight new students have all been born since Samagama was started 4 years ago. The older students patiently waited on our front porch and I had an opportunity to spend time with them hearing all the accomplishments of the last five months. They are on summer break so we will have a steady stream in and out of our home for the next month.
I got my first view of Nawa Jeevana Vocational Traing Center today and all the renovation work has now been completed and all that's lacking now are the students! Hopefully the paperwork will go smoothly and the staff can be identified in the next few weeks with classes beginning before we leave! Hopefully pictures can be attached later in the week. Blessings, David & Donna

Arrival in Sri Lanka

We arrived after 35 hours of travel and immediately crashed at the Hotel for a few needed hours of sleep. Thank you all for your prayers as we were able to take advantage of an entire row and stretch out on our flight to Dubai. We are heading down to Samagama this morning and will give you an update over the weekend. Blessings, David & Donna

Departure Date

Donna & I are in the process of packing for our return trip to Sri Lanka on Monday, August 17, 2009. We have met with several of our prayer partners and hope that you will join them in covering us with your prayers for the next month. All who have traveled know the stresses and details that must be attended to before and during travel times. The main objective of this trip is to get the new vocational training center staffed and operational. Please pray for our wisdom and discernment to see and select those people that God has chosen for this project. Also pray for our time in Samagama that we might continue to encourage those families that we have come to love. We look forward to giving you updates and sharing with you God's victories!

Spring 2009 Repairs Complete-Nawa Jeevana

Two years ago we were searching for a site to begin a new project to train the people in the larger area surrounding Samagama. A Sri Lankan approached us and told of a family facility that was no longer in operation and was owned by his relative now living in Chicago. This facility had been used by his family as an orphan's home but was closed when they moved to America. We met with the owner and he became excited with our idea to help train the people in basic vocational skills, such as English, computers, sewing, and small machine repairs and maintenance. After repairs and a fresh coat of paint the facility is now ready for staffing. We hope to become operational in the 4th quarter of 2009.