Week 16
- Feb 22, 2018
- 6 min read
It’s close to 4 months of me being here in Sri Lanka, and it’s safe to say I’m still enjoying every second of it. This last week has been full of change and there has also been some FANTASTIC experiences held this week, which I hope to never forget.
In Jaffna we had a much sought after Japanese ministry team come and bless the church and the students at our school. Ron Sawka and his team of prophets spent three days here, teaching people in our church, and other churches in the local area too, how to pray confidently, how to witness healing amongst a few other types of ministries. We were lucky enough to have a Bank Holiday, in the middle of the week, allowing those who work, or cannot get time off from their job to attend at least one of his sessions. Alongside this, on the last day of the team’s visit, the older side of the school: Angel – Olive classes, as well as their teachers, were invited by the team to receive prayer and prophecies. It was a great experience for the children in our school, as so often we speak about the gifts God has given each of us, and for them to witness such a powerful gift in action, and be on the receiving end seems to have made a lasting impact on many of them.
Esther received such an amazing prophecy, which made her wholeheartedly consider her future, and what God has called her to do. Having never met her before, or even spoken to her, Ron said he felt she would face BIG problems head on; there would be issues with her area, country and the world, which would hurt her heart, and she would tackle and solve them. The little problems in her life, she would be able to laugh and shake off, and know that someone else will take care of them for her.
Over each of the teachers, and as the teaching staff as a whole, Ron then moved his ministry to us. He explained the teaching staff are revolutionising the ACE system in Jaffna, and we are able to use our gifts, to help progress the students and push them to reach high places. We then we prophesied over individually, where Ron felt compelled by God to tell me about my relationship with Jaffna. I was told that there is a reason for my love of Jaffna and Sri Lanka – it has a place in my heart for a reason, and not just for Paalam Project or Dust Project. He believes I have a tie to this country, because I may have had ancestors living here in the past; this is something I am very keen to explore/look into – imagine! As well as this, he heard from God I would get my inheritance in Jaffna; I will inherit the land, the place and the people, and my tie to Jaffna and Sri Lanka would be for even longer than I could ever expect or hope. Amazing. I must remember to request my recording from Karen, as I was too excited to press the ‘record’ button on my phone!
As well as this excitement during the early part of the week, we were faced with another thoroughly exciting day; SPORTS MEET! On Friday, myself and many of the teachers from both Paalam International School, and the C.C.TM School, met at 7:30am to begin preparations for the big day. We erected steel marquees, dressed team tents, organised ribbons and champion cups and laid out chairs for spectators. Even before the event, I was having so much fun and enjoying myself, so I knew the event itself would be a blast! It was amazing how everyone came together to help with this, half of the village came to assist with the pre-event things, despite not even having children or relatives who attend the schools!
With the event starting at 1:30pm, and being a ‘special guest’, I was requested to leave the setting up with ample time to begin getting ready; three of us spent the late morning/lunch time getting ready together, and one of the Paalam International School’s student’s sister helped me get into my saree. Just like with nights out in England, the getting ready part is always one of the best and most memorable bits of the event!
I reused my pink saree from the Christmas Program in Wattala, and when I arrived at the Sports Meet, I was immediately greeted by small children clinging onto me. After half an hour of walking around, saying “hello” to many of the faces I recognised and visiting the team tents, I was welcomed ‘officially’ as the ‘special guest’ of the event. I was given a flower garland, and invited to light a couple of oil lamps, which is much harder than it looks!! The guest of honour and all the special guests were given front row seats for the event, so we didn’t miss a thing.
At the start of the event, 6 flags were raised; C.C.TM School flag, Paalam International School Flag, the three house flags, and most importantly, the Sri Lankan National Flag. Generally, the Guest of Honour would raise the National Flag, but as a Government Member he is unable to do this, and so the baton was passed to me! As the National Anthem of Sri Lanka was played, myself and the head-teacher of the C.C.TM School raised the flag, placing our right hand on our heart as we did so. It was such an amazing experience, and I think I valued it more, after what Ron’s prophecy was over me earlier in the week.
Unfortunately, Esther, who I sponsor came last in all three of her races, but the team she was part of did win the relay event at the end of the games. I explained, I was never very good at sports at school, and there is nothing wrong with coming last – as long as she tried her best I was proud of her! Janet, who my parents sponsor, placed first in two of her races, and third in another – I even managed to send some pictures during the event to my parents to keep them updated with how she was doing!
Alongside all of these wonderful things, to top it off, at the end of the event, I was invited to give the closing speech. Normally I would bottle it, and refuse, but with one of the key lessons I am teaching my students at the moment is to have courage and not give into your fears, I decided I could not pull out! I think it helped only seven or eight people in the audience, as well as the students from my school, could understand English, and so it definitely made me less nervous. Angel translated for me, and after having compared the sports day in Sri Lanka to a school sports day in England, my speech was ended by a raucous applause – I must have done something right.
This week has also held some rather sad news; Miss Sapthika, one of my closest friends in Sri Lanka, and Jaffna will be departing us very soon. Her visa to live in England has been approved, and she plans to fly at the beginning of March. This means, she is due to leave school very soon, and so her class has now been split. I have gone from a class of 6 (very difficult children), to a class of 10 – (6 difficult children), (2 dramatic children), (1 needy child), (and then Esther). This week has been a real challenge in terms of getting to grips with the boundaries of becoming my sponsor child’s teacher. Previously it was fine as I was never involved with her teaching or learning, and so after school, and before school we would talk about her day or how things were going etc. however now, I am part of her whole day. I think for her also, she is struggling with this. I think it is something we will just have to work through. I would hate for her to see me as her teacher, and not her friend, but at the same I am her teacher. Let’s see how it pans out!
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