Summer 1999.

Greetings from the children in the war zone of Sri Lanka. There is news. Much of it is good news, so praise the Lord with me for the good and for the bad. This is a collection of some items which were sent by email to those on my mailing list who are interested. If you are, drop me a note to vos@netmedia.net.il and I'll include you for the future as well.

I've received writing from Rev. Jeyanesan:

I found the following article on the internet:

I want to ask you to pray for these people. They are under constant threat.

If there is anything you can do on behalf of these children, let me know. I find it discouraging that so little good responses are coming in. I pray that the Lord will open the hearts of believers for the almsgiving needed.

I have just received back details about some of the orphans and when I read through them all, I could not help myself crying. I want to share some of the personal stories with you:

Pushpamalar Sukumar, 12 yrs, this girl is a bit weak, often fell sick, has improved much since reaching the home. Father was caught in crossfire between the armed forces and the rebels and was shot dead. Mother was mentally affected by her husband's death and was depressed. Mother committed suicide by setting fire to herself. An uncle of hers brought her to the orphanage. She is quiet. Does her work well.

Renuka Balaratham, 11 yrs, this girl was a bit weak but is well now. During ethnic violence her village was attacked one night. Many houses were burnt and many were murdered. The father and mother were stabbed to death. Child brought by aunt. Very bright, sings well, cheerful, mixes well with children.

Vijitharan Nadesaratnam, 14 yrs, healthy child. Father was shot dead while visiting a village where there was ethnic violence. Mother died on the way home during a fight between armed forces and the rebels. Recommended by village chief. Brought by an aunt. Sings well. In choir.

Pratheepan Packiarajan, 9 yrs, defect in right hand, can still be used. Father was killed in their village during a confrontation between the armed forces and the rebels. The mother was affected by her husbands death, was ill for some time and died two years ago. Quite intelligent and good in studies.

Vijayaledchumy Nadarasa, 12 yrs, healthy girl. Father committed suicide by drinking poison. Did not have a permanent job. Because of poverty he was depressed. Mother died in 1994 due to cancer. Grandmother brought her to the orphanage. Very cheerful. Smiling all the time. Sings well.

Ranee Suntharalingam, 12 yrs, healthy girl. Father was a TB patient died 1997. Mother suffered of rheumatism and other complaints and died 1998. Brought by uncle to orphanage. Likes to play, very cheerful and helpful to the orphanage.

Joseph Nadarajah, 14 yrs, healthy boy. Father was shot dead accidentally while chopping firewood in a jungle near his village by armed persons. Mother died from accidental burns. While she was cooking, her hut caught fire. She was burnt together with the hut. Brought by aunt. Very bright student, takes part in sports at school.

Jesukumar Vethanayagam, 19 yrs, healthy boy. Father was working in southern part of Sri Lanka where the majority of people are Singhalese. During ethnic violence, the father and mother were stabbed to death by a mob. Uncle brought him to orphanage. Bright student, Very helpful and obedient. Good in repairing electrical items.

Jeevaratham Vijayasri, 10 yrs. healthy boy. Father was going to work and was shot dead in a confrontation between army and rebels. Mother is sickly person. left home without anyone's knowledge. Whereabouts still unknown. Grandmother brought him to the orphanage. Very cheerful, likes to study. Good in games. Takes part in sports activities.

I think you are crying too.

The web site features the following:

an introduction to the St. John's Orphanage Fund, a complete travel report which I made of my trip there in Easter 1999, a profile with picture of 39 orphans from the three homes and information on contacting us. I am planning to expand and improve the web site, so stay tuned.

I want to ask those of you who have a web site, to please consider including a link for the St. John's Orphanage. If you want, we can return the favor.

Please pray on behalf of the children in Batticaloa that this web site will bring in some help for them.

First the prayer letter sent out by e-mail on 23 June 1999.

And now the answer to that prayer on 24 June 1999, one day later:

And though it isn't sure yet, It seems that there is more: The same organization, the Samaritan's Purse, has a branch in Australia which wants to donate for bibles in Tamil.

One little bit of sad news is that the one of the most qualified young ladies who is a deputy warden at the large Girls' Home got married and is leaving the orphanage. While still there, I had arranged for a scholarship program so she could study English and teach it to the children. Now it leaves us without a well-trained warden and without a teacher. Please pray that God will fill the void. We need to get a program for the orphans to learn English, so they can study. The education system there is so that when they finish high-school, they have very little knowledge. All the good books are in English, so it is important for them to learn it.

That funds will be received for all the mattresses (cost US$20 each). That God will help me in planning and organizing my next trip to Sri Lanka. That God will protect the children and the workers. That we will find solutions for the problems of people leaving their positions. That Kids Care Clubs will get whatever is needed for the children in the homes. That God's Name will be lifted up in it all. That He may be pleased with all we do with the children and if not, that we may know of it and change our plans accordingly. That we will continue to walk in unity.

Thanks,

Joseph.