Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This is the first newsletter written upon our return to Sri Lanka. We arrived without much problem on Saturday morning at 3 AM. The only problem we had was that on January 1 they had changed the visa requirements and I had to purchase an arrival visa before going through immigration. Then due to fatigue I couldn’t remember where I had put Shanthi’s Sri Lanka passport which had her dual citizenship stamp. Thinking it was in my carry-on bag (which I had to check in Abu Dhabi) I cleared immigration and headed to baggage claim where I proceeded to check not only my carry-on bag but all our checked bags, but couldn’t find the passport anywhere. I then returned to immigration to get Shanthi. I was now fully aggravated about the whole situation, tired from very little sleep over the last 36 hours, and prayed, “God help me find this passport.” I went through my notebook one more time and found it in a place I didn’t remember putting it; guess I should have prayed first, it would have saved a lot of frustration. On Monday we went to immigration to get my residence visa. This is usually a three hour job, but now it took four days, and as my passport expires before the two-year period I only got 1 ½ years so will have to get an extension next year after I get my new passport. Along with this Shanthi’s Sri Lanka passport had expired and we got her dual citizenship stamp put into her new U.S. passport. Hopefully next time we come back to Sri Lanka things will go a little easier by not having to carry several passports.

Shanthi went to see a doctor here about her knee which is swollen and has been giving her some pain as it is much cheaper here. With tests and all we will have to remain in Colombo longer than we anticipated before heading to home to Koddai Kallar.

As we begin this trip we are once again reminded of what a blessing you are to our lives and ministry. Thanks just seems so inadequate but we want you to know how much we appreciate your prayers for us and your support financially of our ministry. We always lift you before our God asking for his blessing upon you and the work you are doing for his glory.

Because of Christ, Steve and Shanthi

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It seems as though 2011 just started a few weeks ago and now it is gone.

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas season that was centered on Jesus Christ and his birth. We were able to spend some time with family and friends over Christmas which is a real blessing and joy for us. While we were busy we weren’t too busy so it was even a little relaxing.

We spoke to our kids in Sri Lanka at least most of them on Christmas morning, some had gone for caroling when we called (it was Christmas night for them), and got phone calls from our preachers and other family members actually over two to three days which was very nice as well.

As we begin a new year we make lots of plans which is a good thing to do as long as we remember what James says, “if it is the Lord’s will,” we will do such and such. The longer that we do mission work the more aware we become that it all depends on God’s will, his timing, and plans not ours! While we do set goals and make plans we know that God will work things according to his plan each time.

You have faithfully prayed for us and sent financial support throughout the last year and we thank God and you for these.

We thank you for enabling us to continue the work in Sri Lanka and partnering with us in this work.

There is so much uncertainty in our world today but one thing is certain the time to reach those without Christ is short and we need to be busy giving hope to all we contact.

We are confident that throughout this New Year God will continue to work in your life as you submit to him and he will continue to bless you for the blessing you are to us.

Because of Christ,

Steve and Shanthi

OUR RETURN TO SRI LANKA

We leave the States for Sri Lanka on January 19th and arrive there at 3 AM on the 21st.

Our plan is to be there for another two years unless God has other plans.

The visa situation in Sri Lanka is in constant change it seems. When we left they were implementing online visas required to land but that doesn’t seem to have worked as I checked and they still have the same visas as before.

Our email address in Sri Lanka lamplite@sltnet.lk

Pray for our safe travel there later this month.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS WELL ATTENDED

We haven’t gotten a detailed or written report on the programs but all the preachers we spoke with said that the programs went very well and were very well attended.

Now comes the most important part for our preachers and workers, to meet the families who have sent their children to Sunday school over the last year and share with them the hope we have because of Christ.

This is a big challenge but something that is a primary importance for the ministry. Every year we reach new people with the good news through the Christmas programs so we are confident that this year will be the same.

So many of you sent special gifts to help with the financial needs of these programs and we want to thank you for this.

To be honest more than half of it came in after we had already sent the funds to Sri Lanka so we took funds from the general fund to cover which was okay, so we were able to replace those funds and still had money left over so the kids will be receiving school notebooks this weekend as part of their Christmas gift.

Many parents struggle with purchasing school books for their kids so this will not only help the kids it will help the families too.

WEDDING BELLS

One of our college girls who completed her two years of study is going to be married. This is one of the things we have asked prayer for in the past.

Tangas, (pronounced tonguess) is to be married in Colombo a few days after our return to Sri Lanka and she has asked me to preach the wedding sermon.

It is so difficult to find good Christian husbands for the girls and many times their families force them to marry Hindu boys and usually then they become less active in the church and many times revert back to worship of the Hindu idols.

We had hoped there would be a young man who would work with us in the ministry but we are praising God she is marrying a Christian and that he is involved in ministry in Colombo.

Please pray that God will use them in His work there in the years ahead. Also pray for the other four girls to find good Christian workers for husbands.

NEW ADDITION

Our Onthachimadam preacher Illangovan and his wife Susila are to have their first child on January 1st.

Things are very different there than here when it comes to the birth and care of babies. The mother is usually admitted to the hospital a week prior to the due date and labor is induced within a day or two of the due date then at least another week in the hospital after delivery. At this writing we don’t have any report for you as yet maybe next month.

HELP US SAVE MONEY

Postage and paper continue to increase in cost as you know. In an effort to keep our mailing costs down if you could receive you monthly newsletter by email this would help us to save some of our monthly expenses.

Just send us your regular mailing address AND your email address and we will switch you over.

Return envelopes are sent twice a year if you send funds.

PRAYER NEEDS

1. Our workers to make contact with the families of the Sunday school children.

2. Our safety in travel back to Sri Lanka on the 19th.

3. God’s direction and blessing for us and all our workers in Sri Lanka.

4. Safe delivery and a healthy baby for Illangovan and Susila.

5. Our workers to make contact with the Sunday school children’s families.