Sri Lanka (MNN) ― Sri Lanka's refugee camps are being called "an epidemic waiting to happen." The overcrowding combined with monsoon rains and bad sanitation threatens the camps with cholera and typhoid.
Adrian De Visser is the national director in Sri Lanka for Asian Access, and he describes their action plan. "The short-term, of course, includes food, clothing, water, shelter and medical needs." Before the crisis, he established a center for widows, which both houses the widows and their children and teaches widows and men a vocation to provide for their family.
De Visser is no stranger to the needs specific to the region. He is founder of the Kithu Sevana Church church planting missions movement in Sri Lanka.
Kithu Sevana is translated as "Shadow of the Cross" or "Shadow of Christ." Its meaning gives hope to people in crisis because it takes someone from the insecurities they face and introduces them to the solid assurance of the promises of God, once they've come to Christ. In much the same way, the Kithu Sevana workers becomes the hands and feet of Christ to share the hope of the Gospel as they meet physical and spiritual needs.
It's no surprise that De Visser hopes to see growth of the existing ministries in areas where they haven't been--areas where war has so recently devastated. "Long-term, we are looking forward to: setting up boys' homes, girls' homes, widow centers, and vocational training centers."
Because the hospitals are understaffed and inadequately resourced, they have also asked for help from Asian Access (A2). "A humanitarian crisis presents a platform to serve the people that long-term provides acceptance of the church."
That kind of response eventually means outreach. De Visser notes that they're hoping to launch an Asian Access project in the northern sector. Kithu Sevana and Asian Access work together because of roots in the country and A2's expertise. "There is a need to train some of the available pastors to become effective in becoming good shepherds of their own people."
Pray for Christians as they respond and for reconciliation between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. If you can help A2 support these new church leaders and outreaches, click here.
