Day 7 Exodus 28:16 – Exodus 40:21
Today (because its nearly Friday now) I travel to Paranthan in the northern territory.
I had thought to bring some books with me but decided against for the purposes of keeping luggage weight down, and knowing that there's a library here anyway. Even so, I have been loaned four books:
So no shortage of light reading while I'm here, so long as the power doesn't go off too often. (Different light.)
I am ignorant of this country and it's struggles, that all I can do, realistically is listen to these ministerial candidates, young men and women, single and married, with children and without, from both ethnic groups Tamil and Sinhala and some converted Buddhists.
Since each of the persons present at this seat of theological learning have lived through their civil war (1983 - 2009) either as an adult, or as a child growing up through childhood adolescence and early adulthood - each will have a story to tell.
Their stories and experiences will colour and inform their individual ministries.
In the aftermath of the immense suffering caused during the 26 years of the Civil War, with their own pain and heartache, discontent, abject anger and frustration they will stand before a thirsty people, they will stand as representatives of Christ, as agents called, sent by the living God to serve, they will stand as those given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians:18), and yet in that reconciliation I fear there is still a need of justice, peace and understanding.
Neville Jayaweera writes “The conflict between the majority Sinhala community and the minority Tamil community is so deeply embedded in their respective histories that is resolution will require more than rhetoric and denunciation from either side or a military triumph of one side or the other. It will require a visionary understanding of history and a willingness on both sides to conciliate on a scale not evidenced hitherto” . (Jaffna Exorcising the past and holding the vision, an autobiographical reflection on the ethnic conflict. 2014 p27)
I travel to Paranthan it's around 7hrs by car
So today I ask your prayers for Steve and Christine Pathmarajah with whom I'll be staying, their community peoples and school.
Today (because its nearly Friday now) I travel to Paranthan in the northern territory.
I had thought to bring some books with me but decided against for the purposes of keeping luggage weight down, and knowing that there's a library here anyway. Even so, I have been loaned four books:
- The history of the Methodist church in Ceylon 1814 to 1964
- God of life Reconcile us perspectives on peace building
- Jaffna Exorcising the past and holding the vision, an autobiographical reflection on the ethnic conflict.
- The Splendour of Nandana Uyana a history of the theological college of Lanka
So no shortage of light reading while I'm here, so long as the power doesn't go off too often. (Different light.)
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| College Chapel |
I am ignorant of this country and it's struggles, that all I can do, realistically is listen to these ministerial candidates, young men and women, single and married, with children and without, from both ethnic groups Tamil and Sinhala and some converted Buddhists.
Since each of the persons present at this seat of theological learning have lived through their civil war (1983 - 2009) either as an adult, or as a child growing up through childhood adolescence and early adulthood - each will have a story to tell.
Their stories and experiences will colour and inform their individual ministries.
In the aftermath of the immense suffering caused during the 26 years of the Civil War, with their own pain and heartache, discontent, abject anger and frustration they will stand before a thirsty people, they will stand as representatives of Christ, as agents called, sent by the living God to serve, they will stand as those given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians:18), and yet in that reconciliation I fear there is still a need of justice, peace and understanding.
Neville Jayaweera writes “The conflict between the majority Sinhala community and the minority Tamil community is so deeply embedded in their respective histories that is resolution will require more than rhetoric and denunciation from either side or a military triumph of one side or the other. It will require a visionary understanding of history and a willingness on both sides to conciliate on a scale not evidenced hitherto” . (Jaffna Exorcising the past and holding the vision, an autobiographical reflection on the ethnic conflict. 2014 p27)
I travel to Paranthan it's around 7hrs by car
So today I ask your prayers for Steve and Christine Pathmarajah with whom I'll be staying, their community peoples and school.
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