UNITED

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

OF

DearDear Prayer Prayer Partners, Partners,

GGrreeeettininggss f frroomm U thCeF U SCriF L Sarni kLaa!n ka!

We take pleasure in sending herewith our updated newsletter for December 2014

No. 11/7 Mendis Avenue, Idama , Sri Lanka +94 11 2647670 +94 11 2644086 +94 11 2644086 [email protected] www.ucfsrilanka.org

The Joy of Sharing and Giving

Christmas reminds us of the greatest gift of God to mankind – His Son Jesus. Although many attacks and criticisms have been leveled against the Christian Church, year after year, faithfully every human being looks forward to the Christmas season. An event on the calendar never to be ignored.

To Christians, Christmas is a special time for giving in various forms and activities. In effect, Christians are trying to portray the example of giving set by God Himself. If the spirit of giving has been lacking, make this Christmas a meaningful experience by giving of your best to the less fortunate. You will be amazed with returns. “Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom” (Luke 6:38).

Another aspect is sharing. Sharing is generally limited to the family, kith and kin. Jesus taught us a great lesson. He said that each time we consider the needs of others, we ought to do it as “unto Him”. No wonder, each time we stop to help others in the name of the Lord, God bestows blessings on us. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

I wish to express my thanks and gratitude to you for your continued support to the United Christian Fellowship in numerous ways in 2014, and take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed and prosperous new year 2015.

Rev. Ranjan S. Fernando

Prize giving for Children & Christmas Service, Badureliya

The Christmas prize giving service was held in Badureliya Community Church, which is working together with UCF, on 30th Nov at the church premises. Over 60 children received gifts from Reggie and Christobel Dissanayake from Sri Lanka who are long standing prayer partners of UCF that live in Sydney. They have provided these gifts to needy children accompanied by Agnes Fernando, wife of Rev. R. S. Fernando.

Bro. Reggie sharing the word of God Congregation 2

Prizes distributed by Sis Chris Dissanayake Chris and Agnes distributing the gifts to children

Landslide Disaster Relief Programme, 22nd November 2014

Location: Moragolla & Diyanagala Victim Camps in Hali Ela ( District in Sri Lanka)

Many thousands of laborers work and live on the hilly mountainous tea plantations of Sri Lanka. These are very low income families, some even with almost no income at all.

The area of Koslanda experienced continuous rain commencing the last week in October. On the 29th October 2014, tragedy struck the hilly slopes of Koslanda and a massive landslide occurred, burying a large number of houses situated along on the slopes of the mountain. It was reported that more than 300 people lost their lives with entire families engulfed by the mountain of wet sand that covered them. Those who escaped the landslide were camped in community halls and in other school halls close to the affected area. Many children lost both parents and were orphaned.

This sad event was reported both day and night by the local media with requests for material assistance to those who had survived. This is a rare occurrence; a landslide of this scale has not been experienced previously in Sri Lanka. The now-homeless and parentless children were attending school at the time.

Therefore, to show our love and compassion at that tragic time, UCF upheld the survivors in prayer and was subsequently able to reach the stricken area which had been cordoned off for security purposes later to help by providing 150 families who were living in the camps of Moragolla and Diyanagala in Hali Ela of Badulla District with boxes of dry ration food items and blankets, towels, and soap. UCF conducted the disaster relief programme in both camps amidst the heavy rain.

UCF still seeks your prayers and contributions in whatever way possible in order to show our love and compassion through action, as demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ.

”Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will honor me” Psalm 50:15

Preparation: Food items and non-Food items

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Loading the boxes of goods to the truck in Moratuwa

At the Moragolla Camp

At the Moragolla Camp Site

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Divisional Secretary speaking to the victims at the People coming from the camp to the main road to Moragolla Camp collect their relief goods from the truck

Long line of people headed by the village leaders to the main road to collect their relief items

Receiving the boxes of dry ration food items & parcels of non-food items

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Divisional Secretary along with other officers

At the Diyanagala Camp

Receiving the boxes of dry rations & parcels of non-food items

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Divisional Secretary along with other officers

Landslide Relief Programme, Badulla District Brief Story by a lady, Rani, from Diyanagala Estate

Rani, a widow with 2 children, living in Diyanagala estate, was affected by the landslide disaster. Her house was buried by the landslide; fortunately, the family survived the disaster. She now lives in the camp with her children. Their lives are full of hardship. She shared with us that the goods we provided were a great relief and a blessing to her. She was very thankful. She says they have no idea how long they may have to stay at the camps.

Monthly Staff Training Programme 29th November 2014

A special staff meeting was held on the 29th at the UCF Center in Moratuwa . The guest speaker was Dr. V. Chandy. He was a former senior pastor at the Lighthouse Church in and also one of the Founders of Lanka Bible College in Kandy. He is a great teacher and preacher, and he started his ministry in a small village in the early 70s. God has blessed his ministry, and he has trained lot of Christian

7 leaders and pastors in this country. God is using him tremendously to fulfill His purpose in this country. He also has been a close friend of Rev Fernando for more than 40 years. His message, which was based on Power of Prayer, was a great blessing to all the staff. He is also a senior pastor at the New Covenant Church in .

Pastor Chandy speaking (right) and a pastor translating

Slum Project – Gift Giving and Children’s Christmas Concert 4 December 2014, Methodist Church Sunday School Hall, Koralawella, Moratuwa

This annual children’s gift giving concert was conducted by UCF Moratuwa. The children are from the fishing community in Moratuwa who are taken care of by the UCF slum project, as they are living in destitution. The children are provided with school stationeries, food and other basic needs while at the Center. The chief guest of the Christmas programe was the President of the Mount Lavinia Rotary Club and well attended by UCF friends and parents. The programme organized by the UCF staff was a success. The programe was also telecast on Independent Television Network in Sri Lanka.

We thank God for His Grace and blessings upon these children and providing their needs.

Nativity play Receiving gifts

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Sunday School Gift Giving Service 7th December, UCF community Center Moratuwa

Believers of UCF from , , and Moratuwa together with their children joined together at the service held at 7th Dec at UCF community Center in Moratuwa. Rev. Fernando shared the message of God on bearing much fruit at the service (John 15:1-8). After the fellowship service was a time of distributing the gifts to the Sunday School children. There were non- Christians that attended the service as well. Many shared their testimonies on how the Lord transformed their lives, which was an encouragement to everyone present.

9 Fuller Center for Housing Sri Lanka

Family Chandima Niroshika, Wewala, Piliyandala

The FCH have provided the assistance to repair the house by fixing doors and windows, plaster the walls, cement the floor, etc. where the work is in progress. The family is immensely thankful to the FCH for lending them an helping hand to overcome one of the biggest hurdles in life.

Upcoming Events

WATER BAPTISMAL SERVICE IN MORATUWA IN 2015

The UCF is planning on a Baptismal Service on the 1st of February 2015 in Moratuwa. 15 New Believers from non-Christian backgrounds are preparing themselves for this Baptismal Service. They are residents of Horana and Piliyandala.

We ask for God’s grace and blessings on them.

GLOBAL BUILDERS TEAM – FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING, USA

The first Global Builder’s team from the United States is scheduled to be in Sri Lanka in March 2015 to build a house for a needy family. Please pray that all their preparatory needs will be met for their arrival in Sri Lanka.

Urgent Prayer Requests

1. Pray for the political situation in Sri Lanka – for the Government in power and the people of the Country that democracy and human rights would be upheld.

2. For the protection of churches and Christian workers in rural areas since church persecution commenced during the past few years.

3. Pray for unity of the Churches in Sri Lanka, since Christians are but a small minority of the population.

4. For the Government and all leaders to govern the Country with sincerity and honesty.

10 5. Pray for the needs of the UCF and its ministries as well as the 25 field staff; for the Lord’s protection of them and their families; for their needs to be met, such as transportation, house rent, medical bills, etc.

6. Pray for the effective continuing function of the UCF activities in 2015, such as the Church Planting Ministry, the Seminars, Conferences, Medical Camps, Feeding Programmes, etc.

7. For the Fuller Center of Housing in Sri Lanka and abroad, which is an ongoing programme carried out among all communities in providing shelter for needy families. We ask for God’s Grace and Blessings on those who are connected with this ministry.

May the Good Lord Continue to bless you, your family and your work in this coming New Year!

Ranjan, family and the UCF Staff – Sri Lanka

We Wish You All a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2015!

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