St Peter's School 'Skyped'

The miracle of technology means today I was able to chat to pupils at St Peters CE primary school in Fulwood live on their big screen in the school hall!

3 pupils had questions about a traditional Sri Lankan Christmas - we have Christmas trees, but no Christmas pudding or turkey for me this year!
Sri Lankan people love to visit one another over the Christmas period, with relatives returning from overseas to sit and chat with one another for hours.

Thanks St Peters for all your prayers and support!

Photos from Nepal

CMS People in Mission Conference Nepal 2008

What a wonderful week of worship, prayer and fellowship! Stories were truly inspirational - there are some really amazing people involved in mission work. I met Mission Partners from all over Asia; India, Nepal,Thailand, The Philippines, Singapore, S Korea and Japan. I was privileged to meet some co-mission partners from Mizoram in North India, 5 young men and women who had dedicated their lives to serving Christ and were now on their way to different locations, one to Bangalore to work for Kergyma Youth ministry, others to teach in schools and work in hospitals. Bible study was led by Chye Ann Soy, the theme being 'Christ at the heart of Mission' and developing a Christ centered mission spirituality.
A text that particularly spoke to me was from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12: 1-10, "Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities for the sake of Christ: for whenever I am weak, then I am strong."
Thank you Chye Ann for this precious gift.

Photos: Phil Simpson - CMS Asia Director with member of Sundar Dhoka (Beautiful Gate) Church.
Pam (MP Japan), Chye Ann Soh (Outgoing CMS Asia Director), Adrian Watkins (Regional Manager for South Asia).

Elephant War Victim!

At the well known tourist destination, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage we came across this poor girl. As you can see her foot and part of lower leg are missing, blown off by a land-mine. She moves surprisingly quickly on 3 legs and surprised us by coming down to the river, approx half a kilometer away to join the others for bath time.

Spiralling Violence

Spiralling Violence

A Statement by the Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo

[The Church of Ceylon (E-P) - Ceylon] The assassination of Parliamentarian DM Dassanayake and his MSD bodyguard Mr Ratnayake adds to the long and unending list of utterly senseless killings that continue to engulf us and must be condemned. In today's chaotic culture of contending power struggles, this could well be the work of any one of the several armed groups that operate with impunity. Yet, the greater probability is that it is the work of the LTTE.

We offer our Church's condolences and prayers to the families of Mr Dassanayake and Mr Ratnayake. May the God of consolation share your burden of grief and deliver us all, victim and perpetrator, from this brutal cycle of violence. We also offer our prayers for a speedy recovery of the several other MSD personnel and civilians who were injured.

The abrogation of the CFA, the desperation of the LTTE and imminent elections in the East will clearly lead to a further escalation of violence in the Country. We are fast heading towards the option of chaos and destruction that only the few on both sides who manipulate our political destiny do not seem to mind.

Recent events such as the assassination of Mr Mahesweran and the intimidation, now, of media personnel connected with the State-controlled media, reveal that the enemy has always been dissent, no matter from where or whom. As one source of dissent, community or group is dealt with, the next will be taken on.

We must all take responsibility for this trend that threatens to swallow all that stands in its way. None, either within this culture in North or South, who imagined they could draw a line and share the spoils with clean hands, or outside this culture in North and South, who imagined they could draw a line and complain that the "others'" hands are dirty and then do nothing, can be exonerated. A people receive a political culture that they have, one way or the other, created.

Our strongest hope for a return to normalcy and peace is a collective people's return to common sense. All is not well. The signs are clear. Yet, may we never give up hope for our beloved Sri Lanka. May we return to our senses and pray and work for peace through change. May the God of creation and change encourage our visions of peace and inspire and accompany us.

The Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera
Bishop of Colombo 10th January 2008

Look who's come to visit!

My Mum and Dad have come to see me!

New Link's

Many thanks to all those supporting me both individually and through their local Church.
May I extend my thanks to the following new link parishes:

All Saints, Hunmanby and Muston (Vicar: Jeff Hattan)
St Margaret's, Ingol (Vicar: Mike Hatton)

Please continue to send me your prayer requests...