May update
Blessings and Greetings from the land of tea and curry!
Lately I have had the privilege of practicing being consistent with my communication and dialogue with those who faithfully stand behind and support me. I am very thankful for all that you have done it assisting the Lord’s work in Sri Lanka and enabling me to continue through your prayers, encouragement, financial support and interest in what is happening on this little island in South Asia.
The last couple of weeks there have been limited updates about what I have been doing and the situation in general. In this case, no communication is a good sign as things have leveled out but have not really improved. Initial reports are always shocking and grab our attention but that soon fades and become distant memories allowing us to forget and return to our personal lives. However, the other alternative possesses a similar looming problem. Regular updates and reporting on violence can become tiresome and mundane resulting in a loss of compassion and concern for those suffering and being inflicted. Unfortunately the situation in Sri Lanka helps perpetuate both of these common occurrences. So how do I accurately address and communicate this problem and the needs that it presents?
I do not write this as a disclaimer but as a way to articulate what is happening in Sri Lanka. Violence and attacks do continue but under the banner of a cease-fire. In many ways things are calm yet volatile; there is peace but there is war. People say this is a contradictory statement and that it is not possible, but in the land of Sri Lanka oxymorons are realities. BBC wrote a great article that addresses this issue. Living in the midst of this situation I face this issue almost daily and realize that life must go on and continue. The Lord is faithful, He is my protector and I praise Him for the safety that He has given me up to this point and for not allowing me to be fearful in light of the circumstances. I live in the midst of this reality but also in the midst of my own conundrum; where I must remain neutral while life continues forward and presses on but in the midst of hardship and struggles from the political/ethnic violence. In the midst of this I seek to live a life of Christ’s love, compassion and service.
So please pray for me, that I might grow in my intimacy and love for Christ and have the opportunity to share this through discipleship. Recently, I have been given the opportunity to build friendships and connections in a couple of local churches with young men. This has been a blessing and provision from the Lord as it has given me accountability and friendships during a time when I am becoming isolated. Yes, in a matter of days I will be the only remaining ACTION team member in Sri Lanka. Meredith Dean [children’s department] went home on the 19th of this month and Katie Toop [Water and Sanitation engineer] will be leaving on the 6th of June. Both have done excellence work out here and it has been my pleasure to serve them in Sri Lanka. They will be missed.
In the meantime, I have been kept very busy. A variety of different tasks, projects and commitments have required all of my attention and focus. A large part of this has been sending off and debriefing Katie and Meredith. The rest is consumed with starting a psychosocial children’s program, planning pastor conferences for my parents when they come in July, preparing to host my girlfriend Sara Maultsby and her mother for two months and then of course, my responsibilities to project and personnel management in the Northeastern District of Trincomalee. In Trinco, which has been a focal point of the conflict, we currently working on an intensive water project and there is need for recruitment and hiring of additional staff for the children’s, livelihood and possibly housing projects. This is compounded by the fact that there is no active District Coordinator and Team leader. The head office has asked me and pushing me to assume this position but it has been my desire from the very beginning to see a local Sri Lankan fulfill this role. This continues to be my perspective. This is one area that I would really appreciate your prayer for; that we can find a local Christian man to become the District Coordinator, who will be able to take charge and will allow me to work and assist him in the development of projects and staff.
One final prayer request is for my financial situation. The last couple months have seen a significant drop in my monthly support. This has been a concern as I will continue to be here in Sri Lanka for another seven months but the Lord has faithfully provided for me in every way in the past. This has come through the faithfulness of my supporters, family and friends. Thank you. I trust the Lord that He will continue to provide for all my needs during the remaining seven months that I am here. However, I also embrace the challenge of doing what it takes in the meantime to budget and work with the situation the Lord has given to me. Part of this is my responsibility to ask and openly explain my actual ministry needs. At the moment, I am on a budget for $1500 a month; including $700 for all personal living expenses and $800 for ministry expenses. I have monthly pledges accounting for $650 a month and with the balance of some previous one-time gifts it allows me some additional funds for ministry expenses for the next couple months. Working with a tight budget gives me a great opportunity to learn personal financial skills and a Christ centered approach to this issue and I look forward to this challenge.
Again, I reiterate my request to you all. It would be a honor and privilege for me to pray, support or assist you in what the Lord is doing in all of your lives. Don’t hesitate to contact me regarding anything or just to send a greeting. As I live and develop in my job, life, and responsibilities I realize the importance of support from others especially in prayer. This is why I extend my offer. May the Lord bless and keep you and make His face shine upon you all!
In Christ,
Benjamin Reed
ACTION Project Worker
ADT Trincomalee Consultant and Advisor
Mobile: 0779116629
32 Ebenezer Place
Dehiwala 10350
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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