Our first attempt at ministering to the women in Sri Lanka came after considerable concern for the lack of intentional discipleship of women. We brought in two women from the States to lead a four-day training on the Character of God. The empowering, two-part training attracted eleven women from different parts of the island for the first session.
The women who came were from two ethnic groups — Sinhalese and Tamil — but most worked for tea plantations and earned little more than $3 a day. The women’s eagerness to learn was inspiring. They were amazed that their questions about the Bible were being taken seriously and were even celebrated.
Six months later, when the time for the second part of the training arrived, almost all of the women were unable to attend. We discovered that the women who came for the first session had sacrificed a week’s income to attend, or they had neglected their culturally-bound domestic roles and responsibilities. There were other cultural complications, as well, such as women not being able to travel alone and not owning a Bible for study.
We had to re-evaluate our approach. We could not ask the women to leave their responsibilities for several days. First, we identified Sri Lankan women in the Church of God who can be trained and who can organize local women’s ministries. Second, we asked churches in the States to help us provide a Bible for every family in the Church of God in Sri Lanka.
The women’s ministry in Church of God in Sri Lanka is in its beginning stages. We have begun developing ministry opportunities that we can take to women in their village. Your support of the mission in Sri Lanka will help provide continued growth and discipleship for the Christian women of Sri Lanka as we work to develop a women’s ministry that fits into the Sri Lankan culture.
The women who came were from two ethnic groups — Sinhalese and Tamil — but most worked for tea plantations and earned little more than $3 a day. The women’s eagerness to learn was inspiring. They were amazed that their questions about the Bible were being taken seriously and were even celebrated.
Six months later, when the time for the second part of the training arrived, almost all of the women were unable to attend. We discovered that the women who came for the first session had sacrificed a week’s income to attend, or they had neglected their culturally-bound domestic roles and responsibilities. There were other cultural complications, as well, such as women not being able to travel alone and not owning a Bible for study.
We had to re-evaluate our approach. We could not ask the women to leave their responsibilities for several days. First, we identified Sri Lankan women in the Church of God who can be trained and who can organize local women’s ministries. Second, we asked churches in the States to help us provide a Bible for every family in the Church of God in Sri Lanka.
The women’s ministry in Church of God in Sri Lanka is in its beginning stages. We have begun developing ministry opportunities that we can take to women in their village. Your support of the mission in Sri Lanka will help provide continued growth and discipleship for the Christian women of Sri Lanka as we work to develop a women’s ministry that fits into the Sri Lankan culture.
 |  |
THEIR MINISTRY FOCUS
Steven and Peggy work alongside the Church of God in Sri Lanka, partnering to teach and train Sri Lankan pastors and leaders. Together with Sri Lankan church leaders, their goal is to connect pastors across the nation and develop a strong, self-sustaining, and multiplying church. The currently serve as transitional members of the national leadership team.
Thank you for your contribution to the 42.10004 - Beverly, Steven & Peggy (Sri Lanka) Project
Steven and Peggy work alongside the Church of God in Sri Lanka, partnering to teach and train Sri Lankan pastors and leaders. Together with Sri Lankan church leaders, their goal is to connect pastors across the nation and develop a strong, self-sustaining, and multiplying church. The currently serve as transitional members of the national leadership team.
Thank you for your contribution to the 42.10004 - Beverly, Steven & Peggy (Sri Lanka) Project
RSS Feed