reedster

sri lanka crisis update

Here is the latest:

Sri Lanka crisis report

Explaining the security situation in Sri Lanka is complicated. To most people it doesn’t make complete sense and I don’t always get it. There is a conception that there is a raging war with bullets flying and bombs dropping. This is/was true in one sense but at the same time there is has been no significant aggression pursued by either side. I believe it is best described as a continual system of perpetuating cycles. I have been here since last April, there has been a continual flux in the security situation, especially in Trincomalee and the Northeast. There will be days, weeks, and months of peace where there is no violence or incidents and everything is normal, only for it to flare up again without much of a warning. Trincomalee has been through this cycle many times in the last year and will probably continue in this sequence until a long term solution is found to the root problem.

The major concern over the violence in April was that it was the first time I saw the mob effect and large numbers of innocents affected by the political/ethical violence. I will admit that last month saw probably some of the worst violence the country has seen in the last couple years but then again, like the cycle, the situation is returning to normal. The last week there have been no real incidents and there seems to be a peace returning to the town. Things are getting back to business and most international organizations, spare a very select few, and are back in Trinco working. The landscape will be temporary scared for the moment, there are houses and businesses that are missing and at the moment there are still refugees seeking shelter in schools and churches but that number is diminishing.

Personally I don’t think that this is the last to the political/violence or that we have seen the worst of it but for the moment the situation is progressing towards peace. Please continue to pray for the situation in the country and that the Lord will work in the hearts of the leaders of this country to strive for restoration, especially the Church.

The issue with the visa looks surprisingly positive. Last week I spent a solid two days working on getting all the paper work together and talking with government officials asking them to fix my problem. Upon entry into the country the immigration officer made a mistake which was a problem when I went to get my permanent visa. The Lord did a miracle and I was able to get the government to correct their mistake and provide me with the proper me with correct approval. The office of immigration accepted my permanent visa and is in the process of reviewing it. I was told to come back this Wednesday to pick up my passport. Then I will only know if I have received my permanent visa.

In regards to the rest of my life and work in Sri Lanka these next couple months will be extremely busy. I have a trip to Trincomalee planned for Monday-Tuesday to distribute clothing, mats, and relief items to the refugees in the Trincomalee district. I get to see if my visa application was accepted on Wednesday, a wedding of an associate on Thursday, my coworker Katie comes in on Friday, and then Saturday-Sunday I have debriefing for Katie and Meredith. Somewhere in there I have to write three reports and prepare for the debriefing. It should be fun. Those are all the prayer requests, and then that in the midst of all of this I might remember where my time should truly be devoted too, my Lord and Savior.

I appreciate everyone’s support and prayers it’s been a tremendous encouragement to me. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or give me feedback on any questions or concerns that you might have. I would love to know how I can support and pray for those of you back home so please feel free to contact me anytime via email or via my blogspot or xanga. God bless and hope to provide you with another update shortly. As soon as I find out about my visa!! J

In Christ,

Benjamin Reed
ACTION project worker/ ADT Consultant
24 Ebenezer Approach Dehiwala
Colombo Sri Lanka
0779116629 mobile

posted by reedster @ 20:13