For circulation among Graduates and Students of C
Quarterly newsletter published by FOCUS Easter 2011 Only
“Why?” you ask, does the FOCUS discipleship. And so the FOCUS out to you a Whole Gospel vibrant publication emphasise lifestyles and staff continues to grapple with how and life changing and ask that you work choices in its quarterly we help students to experience the consistently pray for this ministry. newsletter to Christian students in presence of God in their lives. tertiary education and those who Dr Jacobina's profile and Jasmine As this year comes to a close, we prayerfully support the ministry? Obeyesekere's reminisces of her acknowledge with gratitude God's Why read books on Justice and days in University give us a goodness and faithfulness. And we Management; why talk about glimpse of the student to student thank all of you who have supported cricket & engineering and dedicate ministry that we encourage and this ministry over the last year. so many pages to life in campus? Are promote. Our desire is that with Given below is a summary of the we diluting the Gospel of Jesus? Are both SCOPE and with financials incurred in 2010/2011 we not concerned about Evangelism www.focus.lk, that we would hold and the budget for 2011/2012. and Mission? As we come to the close of one financial year and the beginning of another, it is good to ask these questions and review what we stand for...
I like to think that we are not changing the Gospel, that we do want the scriptures to form who we are and how we live and that our lives will be a holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which will be our spiritual service of worship. We are a ministry then that longs to change how we talk about faith and 01 FOCUS on Engineering A redeemed People: A sinful people: As Christians, we believe that Because we are fallen, sinful God is redeeming us and the beings however, engineering can world back to himself, and we often be used for bad purposes. are called to be part of this. This is what happened in Genesis chapter 11 when the inhabitants of One way in which engineers can the earth tried to use new redeem the world is by looking technology to glorify themselves out for and tackling its biggest through a tower in Babel that problems. Most GCE(A/L) maths stream reached to heaven. God students are focused on getting into confounded their plans and An example is Joseph Bazelgette, engineering. I remember an scattered them across the earth. who was referred to in the Times alumnus from my school a few years of London (16 March 1891) as senior to me, who by then was We must recognize therefore that 'that great, far-sighted already doing a Chemistry Special Technology is a powerful tool. engineer, who probably did degree at Colombo University, We must also grasp the idea that it more good, and saved more advising me to do the same, saying is NOT neutral (Neither Good lives, than any single that “Chemistry takes you to the or Bad). The nature of the Victorian public official'. Hand of God”. I did not take his technology itself can influence Bazelgette was the chief engineer advice, entering the engineering the shape of our communities. to London's metropolitan board of faculty myself a few years later. works, responsible among For example, it is argued that other things for building Where does Engineering London's sewerage system. take you, then? (Before this London's sewage Engineering is probably used to flow in surface drains, not more about the hand of conducive to good public health). Man rather than the The Times continues, Hand of God. highlighting the great but largely unseen impact of engineers on the A creative people: quality of life, saying 'Of the great We celebrate in sewer that runs beneath, engineering the God Londoners know, as a rule, given ingenuity nothing, though the Registrar- (creative cleverness) of General could tell them that its men and women who existence has added 20 years to responsibly use natural their chance of life'. resources to deliver products and services for the good of computer and communications It is good also to remember that all. This ingenuity is a gift of God's technologies have converted the Engineers are often out of the creation. world to a “global village”. “public eye” because they work in However, the many millions who groups rather than as individuals. Then the Lord said to Moses, “See I do not have these technologies However, it is good to become God's have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the are “left behind”. And even those missionaries in the field of son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and in the “village” tend to behave as Engineering even if we do not get I have filled him with the Spirit of individuals, each one absorbed the personal prestige that God, with skill, ability and in their own visual screens. accompanies doctors, lawyers and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to architects! make artistic designs for work in So, because of the fall, we must gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set develop a suspicion about Prof. Priyan. Dias stones, to work in wood, and to technology, even if we do use it engage in all kinds of and promote it. craftsmanship.” (Exodus 31:1-5) 02 users can study scriptures online with message of the biblical text. Other those from different parts of the world movements use creative forms of and seeing how our cultural presenting the bible stories through background affects our reading of the culturally popular formats like comics text. The use of non-linear methods in ('Manga bible' - training how to study scripture was http://www.bible.or.jp/e/manga.html) emphasised rather than the linear and even lego characters method of going from observation to (http://www.thebricktestament.com/). interpretation and then finally application. The current “soundbite” The participants agreed that no one generation are also attracted by 'catch particular way of studying scripture is phrases' in how you present the reading applicable for all environments and and study of scriptures. Phrases like cultures. However they were all united 'bible study' are now being replaced by in the belief that the bible continues to more catchy phrases such as be 'useful for teaching, rebuking, “WORDilicious Investigators” and correcting and training in A GLOBAL GiGs (“Groups Investigating God”). righteousness, so that the servant of COMMUNITY More and more movements are also God may be thoroughly equipped for OF THE WORD using various media and drama as a every good work'. form of creating interest and helping the students to dig deeper into the Yohan Abeynaike The IFES Bible Study Consultation was held in Singapore with the participation of 30 young staff and students from 24 countries representing all the The University – A place of Mission 11 regions of IFES global ministry. The purpose of the Sheila Richards and I were two stressed included understanding and Consultation was to “ freshies” after our first taste of having identifying with the culture of our understand the ways in which been ragged. Late night that first day on university community by living Scripture is used in each of campus, we were encouraged by Evan alongside the people we hoped to the regions, the questions Ekanayake who read to us the story of impact with the gospel. This idea that need to be addressed and Joshua about to enter the Promised had an impact on how frequently to develop ways and means to Land. It was a surreal Bible study, by some of us went home to Colombo for strengthen Scripture torchlight in the middle of the night the weekends. On average, I went Engagement in each region. It huddled on Evan's bed while her home only once in 3 weeks, using the was a blessed time of sharing roommates slept..but it was a and brainstorming as we wonderful commissioning to what experienced the power of God had in store for us in the God's Word and developed years ahead. ways in which to share that to a new generation of students. In looking back at my student days in Pera (1992-96), I find that In an increasingly online the following were key culture the participants characteristics that undergirded discussed various ways in what Mission looked like. which Scripture Engagement could be catered better for the Being rooted in our place of students. In FES Malaysia, ministry Bible reading is promoted Vinoth Ramachandra introduced us to the idea of being 'buried' in the weekends to catch up on work and through their website by visit fellowship students in other highlighting a “Book of the place we desire to serve. This is the example of an incarnational lifestyle halls of residence and generally just Month” with useful tips on “being” with people. For Sheila “How to Read” and “Some that Jesus demonstrated and about which he talked when he said that Richards and myself, (who were Questions to Think About”. batchmates /roommates/partners in There was much discussion “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single ministry in campus and school) who on the feasibility of gave the student ministry our best developing a website where seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24). To us, mission in terms of time, both at the local 03 Cont. page 4 Cont. from page 3 fellowship level and in matter – Homosexuality is wrong. leadership at the NSE, mission Simply because it violates the original once meant that we deliberately B purpose of God for humans; God chose not to go down to Colombo created human beings - man and for a poya day programme, woman to be a company in all times. because we realized that we o God instituted marriage and He saw weren't spending much time that it was good and he blessed them: with our non-Christian friends o Homosexuality violates marriage. at Pera. When we had our 2 But most importantly, does this leave week break in the first year, Christians any room to accuse, judge Cheryl Poobalan (Arnold) and I despise and label homosexuals? travelled together from Colombo k to Pera for a couple of days so The author emphasizes that the weekly Bible study very much on personal could continue to be held since all Review struggles and individual the leaders (who happened to be Homosexuality – A moral issue pains that are hidden behind the social Arts students) were on vacation which has evolved around revolution. He boldly brings to light the and the E Fac was in session and mankind since its beginning, and prejudices of self righteous Christians we knew that students would come to a significant position in who overlook their own personal sexual show up. I believe we used that our society including our everyday impurities and point at homosexuals. trip to stay on an extra day, lives. From being labeled, despised Jesus reached out to sinners, not to organize a prayer night, visit and deprived of social and legal accuse them but rather to set them free. students etc. acknowledgment, Homosexual The author speaks of the responsibility The students in our batches activists have been able to build a of Christians to reach out to knew us, we hung out with society that accepts and homosexuals with love and care and different kinds of students, not acknowledges homosexuals and help them find Jesus. He says just our friends or fellowship redefine social norms and “Christians who cannot yet deal with members. This helped when we traditions. the issues calmly and compassionately had to go against the grain. I In this context, Christian leaders should keep their mouths shut, and once stood up to voice a protest at and teachers have debated, they should certainly stay away from a packed meeting of the student discussed and reasoned out the the front lines of ministry and public body in the Arts Theatre, where matter with various views and policy debate - not to mention television the Arts Fac student union were biblical adaptations. But what talk shows. [...] They must be calling on all to boycott lectures, really is the actual Biblical view on convinced that the way of Jesus is the in retaliation against the the issue? way of the Wounded Healer, not the suspension of some students for Holy Terror” (P 173) ragging. It was uncomfortable Straight & Narrow' – by Thomas Schmidt also enlightens the reader on to get up in the auditorium with E. Schmidt gives a well the health and social effects of the heightened emotions of 4 hot researched, clear and biblical homosexuality. The book is complete headed batches to say something reasoning to a view every and comprehensive, and it addresses different, but I believe students Christian should hold regarding the subject well. In an ever changing respected the fact that I sat with the matter. In the authors words "I world, as Christians it is important to batch mates who felt differently am not writing to persuade the gay know the correct biblical perspective on or who chose to be silent while I and lesbian community or its matters like homosexual behavior and I said what I had to say, rather supporters, but rather to deepen believe this book serves that purpose than sit with the group that felt the understanding and sensitivity well. It is good that both who share the as I did. of those who question or disapprove of homosexual authors views and those who do not, reflect on the book “Straight & Community practice". Narrow”. However, it is perhaps most I think we firstly identified What interested me most about important for all of us to share his ourselves with the other the book was that it has not only attitude, and not be content with analyzed the biblical perspective holding a theologically “correct” to the issue, but also compared it position! with the arguments often used by many homosexual activists and Reviewed by Ayomi Marshall – revisionists. University of Sri J'Pura The Bible is crystal clear on the Cont. page 5 04 motivated purely by the good food, relaxed atmosphere and the promise of entertainment. Not exactly your Meet spiritual role model! real Conversion & Growth: The fellowship in Jaffna University people PROFILE however continued to visit her, pray for her and urge her to join the Bible studies held weekly. And things days and a discipline of fasting and changed drastically in April 1993. prayer. “In my childish way I would While attending the first worship ask God to give me the right answer” session at a camp Jacobina she says, describing how after she had confesses she felt “something completely committed the decision to different” stirring in her heart. As Christ, many people she knew would Dr. Jacobina Rohan-Prashanth, the day progressed into night she confirm the path the Holy Spirit had found herself unable to sleep, in the led her to decide upon. “So few years “I'm a very talkative person” Jacobina need to pray and just praise God. but we learnt so much; matured so laughs in warning as we settle down The next day Jacobina volunteered much in our faith & discipleship!!” to a good phone chat. True to her word, to share her testimony with the say both Rohan-Prashanth (from she has story after story to share, and others. “After that, I was like a bird” Peradeniya University) and Jacobina one cannot help but be inspired she laughs, describing how her (Jaffna University) listening to her. whole life took on new colour and how enthusiastic she was about Pray for Jacobina, Rohan- Early Beginnings: Jacobina was attending worship and praying and Prashanth, Mercy & Samuel: It is brought up in a small village in praising with other believers – their greatest desire to influence the Mullaitivu which had no church and things she had despised and railed lives of the many young Christians no other Christian families. “My against as senseless and stupid. they both come into contact with to father was a man of great faith” she Steadily, family and career were become disciples of Jesus in the way reminisces, describing his strictness replaced by a new number one in they were taught to live during their in terms of devotion, fasting and Jacobina's life – Jesus. student years. The decision to live, prayer in his family. “We just used to work and minister in Trincomalee, say the Lord's Prayer” Jacobina The greatest change in the way both to the community as a Doctor and laughs, “it was only a habit”. Apart things happened for her after that, to the highly fragmented church as a from the Reform Crusaders that and the greatest inspiration to us Counsellor, was a decision made in visited their area once or twice a year, struggling at a time of transition in the light of their faith with waiting on not until she was selected as a medical our lives, is the decision-making the Lord, fasting and prayer she student at the University of Jaffna did process that became a central part of confirms. Rohan-Prashanth works as Jacobina have an opportunity to step Jacobina's life. She recalls a 3 day Assistant Director, Planning, into a church and worship God with camp on decision making and so Divisional Secretariat, Trincomalee other believers. But Sunday morning whether it was her career, marriage, and Jacobina continues to work in the service in the university chapel was money, family, health, travel, General Hospital. an ordeal for her. “I used to hate it!” lifestyle or ministry, every decision she laughs, Her attendance at she made, she made around the FOCUS retreats and camps was principles first laid in her student
Cont. from page 4 Christians on campus, especially Tamil speaking E-fac boys, a understand one another and be real those who were part of Pera DC. We Sinhala medium boy, not only friends across ethnic, cultural and liked being together, not only those having our tri-lingual planning linguistic divisions. We used of us who shared a similar cultural meetings or prayer times, but holidays to visit a fellowship background, but also with hanging around together member in Matale and being at Christians who were culturally and afterwards for breakfast or tea. camp in Kegalle to visit a fellowship linguistically different from us. Our We took time and effort to member in Kegalle. When Culas core meeting times itself were a (from Mannar and Co-ordinator testimony to Christian after me) needed housing in community in the campus Colombo for a week, he stayed at environment, as we would sit my place in Maharagama1 . After around a table in the WUS graduation, Beryl Rasiah (from canteen –'kadu meddis' in jeans, a Batticaloa) and I have visited Tamil Special girl wearing sari, each other's homes, I have visited 05 Cont. page 6 Cont. from page 5 time that could be expected from We spent time with our batch-mates Jayakumar and Jeyamaran and some might be limited, saw others and imbibed the culture of the place- their families in Trincomalee and busy with a full schedule of extra – like being part of the Wala festival. attended weddings in Trinco and curricular activities and decided In addition of course there were Matale. I know that Sheila still that for the sake of the ministry at poya day programmes and NSE visits Beryl and Praba Mahadevan Pera, I will not take on additional meetings that we attended in when she goes to Batticaloa. commitments that will inevitably Colombo, National camps, Navaratnam Anasthas & I and our clash with the limited time Leadership camps, etc. families visit each other regularly in available. I took on the role of NSE Faithfulness is related more I feel to New York and consider ourselves Chair around the time my father being steadfast in the everyday family. Last month on a short trip to died of cancer. At this period I was work we have been called to do, Kandy limited in whom I could see Co-ordinator Pera DC as well. Our rather than having a lot of since my children aged 5 and 2 were family situation meant that I went quantifiable 'results.' When our with me, a main priority was to visit to Colombo much more often and batch left, there was no mature Aunty Malar, Senthil's mother as such decided that the area that I team to carry the ministry forward, whose home was our Sunday refuge would cut down time-wise was my even though there was a Core and during our student days. academic work. (I was reading for several Christian students, with a special degree in English). I put We saw ourselves as belonging to perhaps just one who had a vision in enough effort for a lower, the larger national body of students for university ministry. There was anything more would have meant who were interested in being Focus staff support for the significant reduction of witnessing communities for Christ 2 struggling group, but about a year or ministry/family commitments . in their campuses. Sheila Richards so down the line, the ministry was in I have never regretted my choice. and Shehan Williams (Ragama disarray and Shantha Pieris & P. Medical) accompanied Preethiviraj At a more everyday level, for all of (our staff worker at that time) to the 4 years at Pera, it took me Cont. page 7 help 'start up' the Eastern Uni about 6 hours to prepare to lead a fellowship together with Romola 1 hr Bible study – pray, do the study for myself, work out questions that would cover the necessary angles and translate my English questions to appropriate Sinhala questions and have the flow sufficiently 2 jk mßÉfþoh in my head that I would lead effectively. miqìu yd 1 jk mßÉfþoh BY%dfh,a b;sydifha w÷re;u mefha§
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RtpNr\j;jpd; gy ghj;jpuq;fspd; mtu; fhupak; Mw;Wfpwhu; vd;gijAk; vg;NghJNk mtu; tpUk;Gfpw tho;f;ifapy;> jhkjq;fs; kdjpy; nfhs;Sq;fs;. ,e;j Neuj;jpy; kl;LNk!. gpujhdkhdjhf ,Uf;fpd;wd. tp\aj;jpy; ve;jtpj Fog;gKk; Mz;Lfs; tpiuthff; fope;J> ,Uf;ff;$lhJ. Njtd; rupahd Njtdhy; thf;Fj;jj;jk; mspf;fg;gl;l jUzj;jpy;jhd; nra;fpwhu; vd;w J. Thusiraj xd;W elthky; ,Uf;Fk;NghJ> cz;ik gw;wp ehk; Nfs;tp vOg;g Faculty of Arts tho;f;if> kpfTk; Fog;gkhdjhfTk;> njhlq;fpaJNk midj;J tifahd University of Jaffna my Specialist has to operate and Specialist took another scan and remove the tumor before it spreads was surprised that the scan showed to other parts of the brain. My instead of the tumor that there was immediate response was John, DO some fluid in that spot and he was YOU KNOW THAT GOD CAN told this fluid can be controlled by HEAL YOUR SICKNESS AND tablets taken orally. TESTIMONIES DO YOU BELEIVE IN MIRACLES? At that moment he Praise the Lord, within a week after nodded to say yes, but in a half taking the tablets his headaches My immediate boss at work, named hearted response. So I were gone and everything had come John Sculli (Italian background) immediately went into action, by back to normal. Today, my boss is was diagnosed with brain tumour creating a prayer request and happy and smiling that he is free recently and he used to get severe emailing to five Christian from headaches and that he can headaches at work. He is a devout Organisations (Joyce Meyer, resume his supervisory work Catholic and he knew that I am Kenneth Copeland ....etc) to pray without any further hindrances. My closely walking with Jesus Christ for a miracle to happen. I also took boss now believes in miracles and and I forward good informative the prayer request to my two bible has become devoted to our blessed Christian emails to a closed circle of study groups, I attend every week Lord. office colleagues within my and we upheld that request to the organisation. Lord in prayer in faith. Praise the Lord! The Lord heals even in the 21st century. He came to me and asked me saying My boss took 3 weeks leave to do Don, will you pray for me as I have to further tests and when he Niranjith KUMARAPERU. go for a CT scan and most probably returned to work, he said that his 13 udisl hdÉ\ ld, igyk irijs cSjs;h b;d iqkaor w;aoelSula jk w;r, b;d lgql w;aoelSulao jsh yel. irijsh ;+, .egqï we;s jk w;r" iudc wka;arl%shdjo we;s fõ. kHdhka iïmdokh jk w;r, jsma,jo iudch ;+, irijsh ;+, yg .efka. fuksid irijsh ;+, l%shd;aul jk ls;+kq ixjsOdkhlg mejrS we;af;a buy;a ldarHNdarHhls' fuu ldarHNdarHh bgq lsrSu ioyd hdÉ\j w;HjYH fõ' ta ioydo Tn;a wm iuÕ tla j k ak` wfm%a,a uehs cQks m FOCUS ixjsOdkhg iïnkaO ish,q jsYajjsoHd,h ;+, ls;+kq isiq ls;+kq ifydaor;aj ke;s irijshka fokdf.a wd;ausl cSjs;h fjkqfjka isiq isiqjshka iqNdrxpsfhA i;H;djh ;+, ls;+kq lKavdhï ia:dms; lsrSu isiqjshka" wOHhk ldrl uKAv,h" fnod .ekSug W;aidy lrk i|yd uÕ fmkajsu ,ensu' FOCUS ldrl uKAv,h fjkqfjka f,ih' jsYajjsoHd,h ;+, ksarudKd;aul f,i" ixialD;shg irS,k msKsi iqNdrxpsh fnod .ekSu. hdÉ\ iy nhsn,a l shjsu oskm;d mj;ajd f.k hdu i|yd. jsYajjsoHd,Sh mrsY%%D;sh j s Y a jjs oHd,hg wdfõks l ;+, fhaiqia jykafiaf.a prs;h ms fojk i;sh FOCUS isiq isiqjshka iuiA: ls;k+ q Y+oaOd;auhdKka jykafiaf.a n,h levqKq mjq,A miqnsïj,sska, iNdj ;+, Yla;su;a f,i idudcsl;ajh ;+,ska ls;+kqjka fkdjk isiq iqNdrxpsh fkdokakd iy jsjsO m%Yak iy kdhl;ajh oerSu' isiqjshkaf.a yoj;a fjkia lrk we;s isiq i siqjshka fjkqfjka. l s;+kq f,i hdÉ\ lsrSu' ifydaor;aj ;+ ;+ka jk i;sh FOCUS ixjsOdkh wfkla ls;+kq jsYajjsoHd, ls;+kq ifydaor;ajhka ls;+kq isiq i siqjshka Y +oaO cSjs; .; ixjsOdk iuÕ tlai;a tlais;aj jev lrk ys kdhlhka fjkqfjka iy Tjqkag lrk f,ih. f,i hdÉ\ lsrSu' wjYH wd;ausl fmdAIKh ,efnk f,ih' jsfYaIfhka ,sx.sl cSjs;h leïmia lDDfiaâ, frdaudkq lf;da,sl iïnkaOj mjs;%j isgSug W;aidy ix.uh iu. jev lrk f,i oerSu i|ydh. i;r jk i;sh msgrg isgsk WmdOsOdrSka fjkqfjka" iudcSh f,i ijs{dKl;ajhla ls;+kq isiq isiqjshka iy ldrl wiSre foaY.=Ksl ;;ajhka, ixialD;sl we;s ls;+kq isiq isiqjshka uKav,h fjkqfjka. FOCUS ;+,ska fjkiajsï iy wOHhk lghq;+ iuÕ f.dvkexjS u" iudcfha irijsfha Yla;su;a idlaIshla jk fmdr nosk ish,a,kg. wjYH;djkag m%;spdr olajk nejsks msrsila jSuo" irijsh ;+, we;s fjk rgl isgsk w;r fhaiqia jk .egqu ioyd ixfõos f,i jykafiag lSlrej isgSug wjYH m%;spdr olajk f,ih' lshjsu iy nhsn,h .fõIKh Yla;sh ,enSu ;+,ska ;u flIa a;%h jevs oshqKq lsrSugo W;aidy lsrSu ;u jD;a;sh ;+,ska iudchg n,mEï irijsh ;+, ls;+kq ldrl l,yels WmdOsOdrSka f.dvkÕk f,ih' uKav,h fjkqfjka" isiq GCF iuÕ iïnkaO;d meje;ajSu isiqjshka iuÕ iqyo j ls%hd ;+,ska Yla;su;a ls;+kq mrmqrla lsrSug wjYH Yla;sh iy {dkh f.dvkÕk f,ih' oSu' 14 KjyhtJ mth;fSf;F NjtDila thh;j;ij kPJ thQ;ir Vw;gLk;gbahf n[gpf;f Ntz;Lk;. Ntjhfkj;NjhL $l> fpwp];jt Gj;jfq;fs; kw;Wk; rQ;rpiffs; thrpg;gjpy; mf;fiw nrYj;jTk; mtHfSf;fhf n[gpf;fyhk;. khztHfs; cs;@H jpUr;rigAld; ,ize;J nraw;glTk;> mNj Neuk; jkJ FLk;gj;Jf;Fhpa Neuj;ij nfhLf;fTk; n[gpf;fyhk;. gFjp Neu Ntiy nra;J nfhz;L gbf;Fk; khztHfs;> jq;fs; Ntiy> gbg;G> FLk;gk; kw;Wk; If;fpa $l;lq;fs; Fwpj;J mf;fiwAld; ghuj;NjhL nraw;gl mtHfSf;fhf n[gpf;fyhk;. khzt rKjhakhdJ> RtpNr\j;jpw;F XH msg;ghpa re;jHg;gkhf cs;sJ. fpwp];jt khztHfs; Vida khztH kj;jpapy;> RtpNr\j;jpd; cz;ikj; jd;ikia vLj;Jf; $wTk;> mjd;gb nraw;glTk; (thHj;ij kw;Wk; nray;) fpwp];JTf;fhf rhl;rp gfu mtHfSf;fhf n[gpf;fyhk;. ew;rhl;rpAs;s fpwp];jt khztHfspd; nraw;ghLfSf;$lhf> Vida khztHfs; fpwp];Jtpd; gf;fk; fpl;br; NruTk;> ,t;thwhd kde;jpUk;Gjypd; %yk; How to pray Vw;gLfpd;w Fog;gq;fs;> gpur;ridfs; ePq;fTk; mtHfSf;fhf n[gpf;fyhk;. for Students? fpwp];jt khztHfs; gq;F gw;Wk; fUj;juq;Ffs;> epfo;Tfs; kw;Wk; ghriwfSf;fhf n[gk; nra;Aq;fs;. ,jpy; ,tHfs; ngw;Wf; nfhs;Sk; khzth;fSf;fhf gbg;gpidfs;> gapw;rpfs; %yk; vjpHfhyj;jpy; XH gy;ypd kf;fs; kj;jpapy; flikahw;wTk;> jq;fs; Ntiy %yk; Mz;ltiu kfpikg;gLj;jTk; mthpd; vg;gb n[gpf;fyhk;? rpj;jj;ij epiwNtw;wTk; n[gk ; nra;Aq;fs;. Ethics of cricket The World Cup going on these days Sidat Wettimuny, Ranjan has made cricket lovers go crazy. Madugalle, Aravinda de Silva, The scramble for tickets is so much Arjuna Ranatunge and others and that many both here and in the other also some of the past two Asian countries have missed administrators. Reading the FFromrom tthehe opportunities of watching them on responses of these stars and administrators who recalled NNewspapersewspapers the field. While cricket is loved by all cricket fans, even by our village lads nostalgic memories of the past era, one common factor that emerged and lasses, cricket lovers should also the cup the day after they arrived to in all these interviews was the reflect on the ethics of cricket and Mrs Dissanayake who broke down extent to which Sri Lanka Cricket see that the game is kept clean. in tears... was clean and the caliber of those who were at the helm of Sri Lanka The Island newspaper recently These cricket administrators of the cricket. Special mention was made published a series of 50 articles by past worked tirelessly for the love of of leaders like Robert Rex Clementine where he the game and to uplift our standards Senanayake, Dr. N.M. Perera, interviewed many of our shining and not for any other consideration. Gamini Dissanayake, and Ana cricketing stars of the past like Politicians like Dr N.M. Perera and Punchihewa. Arjuna Ranatunge Duleep Mendis, Anura Tennekoon, Gamini Dissanayake never allowed made special reference to the role politics to influence SLC. These past played by Gamini Dissanayake in cricketers also spoke of the financial bringing Sri Lanka to its present difficulties under which SLC status and in winning the world developed and their own financial cup. Arjuna in his interview difficulties. Unfortunately soon mentioned how as a token of after the World Cup victory saw a tribute to Mr Dissanayake he took Cont. page 16 15 change in administration and the cross hung around his neck. along with it all ethics and moral This, in a small but very values of Sri Lanka gradually significant way in a declined. The greed for power and predominantly Buddhist money soon entered SLC. country, is a true Christian Allegations of corruption were witness, and it would be hard to leveled against the imagine that any such player administrators. The ultimate would betray his Christian result has been that SLC has principles. It would be pertinent since been administered by here to mention the name of a interim committees who are not former top Sri Lankan cricketer accountable to the stakeholders. Rumesh Ratnayake who has on While some of these interim several occasions openly committees have had men of declared his deep commitment to capability and integrity as the Lord and his faith. chairmen, the moral and ethical standards of others have been As a senior citizen still very questionable. The media has much involved in Christian often spotlighted shady deals and youth work, I appeal to all young irregular appointments and been leveled against our local Christian undergraduates and politicization of even the present players, and the recent not so young Christian graduates committee. unfortunate news commentary in who belong to the FOCUS and GCF a state television channel casting families to reflect on these thoughts It is unfortunate that aspersions on two of our leading and build public opinion to keep international players too are now players is vehemently deplored. cricket clean and help in re-building very often lured by big money. good ethics of cricket. The recent scandal where top From a Christian perspective all Pakistan players including a these factors described above boils Nimal Bhareti former captain were involved, is down to the question of ethics in just one example. The IPL league cricket. It is not the game alone but (The writer was an undergraduate is another example where players the spirit of the game that counts. at the Peradeniya University in the and teams are auctioned and It is refreshing to see all our 1950s and is a retired senior state bought at a price and where big Christian bowlers making the sign official) betting is rampant. Fortunately, of the cross when they start hardly any allegations have so far bowling. One of them even kisses Responding to ‘Ethics of Cricket’ It is vital that the ethics of cricket nastiness taints sportsmanship, in games/life/work/church, all of us be reexamined, especially in the and spectators/players who cannot are faced with the phrase that light of it being a game that has accept defeat. However, with glory preceding generations nostalgically developed and grown much over and recognition come the repeat - 'it was not so in our days' - the turn of the century, especially disadvantages of it. If we want which we in turn will repeat to those in Sri Lanka. As with all global recognition for cricket, we who succeed us. The fact of the internationally famous games, should also be willing to deal with matter is, when we 'advance', cricket too has to deal with the the subsequent weight of its 'develop' and 'grow', each generation pressures of being a 'big' game, daunting 'newer' pressures. Like has to deal with issues that are (in a along with which come “greed for sense) different to those of the power and money” which paves previous generation. Can we face the way for “shady deals and We need to encourage the challenges of the present in irregular appointments” in “ our Christian learning from the past and cricket committees, where cricketing 'heroes' to rereading the Bible (whose values “players and teams are auctioned live out the values are constant) in trying to and bought at a price” and “big understand its message for the ascribed by their own betting is rampant”. Likewise, we present? see spite in spectators who cry for hero - Christ 'revenge', players whose Apart from the ethics of the game 16 ” alone, can we encourage and positions of power to hold support our Christian cricketers administrators accountable to to withstand the pressures of their decisions, even if it requires the game and hold them them to lay their careers on the accountable to the standards of line? In other words, can they the Bible? Cricketers who take the Christianity they proclaim the lordship of Christ practice on the field beyond the in their lives need to ensure that cricket field as well? We need to Christian principles govern encourage our Christian their entire life, professional or cricketing 'heroes' to live out the personal. Even within their values ascribed by their own hero professional lives, symbolic - Christ, and challenge through gestures of crossing themselves their own witness, the values before bowling need to be upheld by other Sri Lankan substantiated by their actions 'heroes'. (i.e. on the field towards rival teams, in the dressing room, at Any takers from FOCUS? practices, during interactions with managers/coaches etc., when Our present cricketers are seen as deciding on offers that are made to heroes across the island. Can we them nationally/internationally). challenge the Christians among They need to bring the game of them to adhere to Biblical values cricket under the lordship of Christ outside their profession? While by being agents of His values. One contributing to increasing the way in which we see hope, is in that resources given to the game of the Sri Lankan team embraces cricket, could we also ask them to Have your say... ethnic differences. There was a time contribute to the development of when cricket had ethnic and class the game outside (even rurally) Join this discussion boundaries which seem to be 'privileged' schools? Can they, on Ethics of Cricket relaxing, though there is far, far individually or collectively, online at more that needs to be done in this support and encourage children area. Can Christian cricketers who cannot afford the training, www.focus.lk and assist in sustaining this practice in maybe as a personal project? Can leave your comment. SLC and be the salt there? we ask our Christian cricketers in Interested? In continuing to receive SCOPE?? Will you please let us know... 0777882069 25A, Waidya Road, Dehiwala Leave a comment at www.focus.lk As we would like to post SCOPE only to those who would like to have it 17 foaj iajrEmh ~~wmf.a iajrEmh wkqj" wmf.a ,oafoa hehs m%ldY fõ ^W;a' 1'27&' tfia msßKeuQ j¾Kkdjl fufia i|ykafõ( iudk;ajh f,i ukqIHhd ujuq~~ kï" fulS ~iajrEmh~ YdÍßl ~rgjeishd foúhdf.a fijke,a, jeksh" ^W;a' 1'26w& ,laIKhkag iudk;dj wÛjk mo.; odihd rgjeishdf.a fijke,a, jeksh∙ w¾:fhka woyia fkdjk njg ks.ukh kuq;a rc;=ud foúhdf.a iajrEmhgu ukqIHhd ~foú÷kaf.a iajrEmh~ wkqj l< hq;=h' iudk jkafkah'~ foaj iajrEmh oeÍu yd ujkq ,eîu nhsn,fha t 2'2' ukqIH f.!rjfha jákdlu ukqIHfhda úkdYjkafka wúfhka muKla fkdj' iudcfha wl%ñl jd;djrKho ukqIHhka laIh lrhs' wka ishÆ jegqkq iudchka fukau wfma iudcho ;u ika;;sh i|yd tu jegqkq iajNdjh ;= Good to Great Good to Great by Jim Collins is a book that many businessmen read and many Christians are now reading in Sri Lanka. In April this year, we will start a reading group that will explore the book – its underlying assumptions and advocated principles of management – and prayerfully attempt to study it through the lenses of scripture and biblical principles which we believe Christians in business or management should seek to advocate in the marketplace. Anyone interested in joining our time of learning please do contact [email protected] Justice Conversations Justice Conversations is what we call the group of law undergraduates and graduates who have qualified over the last few years that has begun to meet to discuss THE JUSTICE PROJECT edited by Brian McLaren, Elisa Padilla and Ashley Bunting Seeber. Even as the book discusses the theological underpinnings that calls Christians to engage with Issues of Justice, this group will also provide for these young people a place to share their ideas, challenges and conversations while they study and practice law in the Sri Lankan context. The Justice Project invites readers to deepen their understanding of the injustices of our world and to take up the challenge of alleviating them. Please pray for this group that seeks to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God" in their desire to be the disciples of Jesus. 20 DESPICABLE Megamind Are people born evil or did the Even Jesus in the wilderness would society around them make them have given a lot of thought to what his that way? This has been a question purpose was. He might have been in a which has been debated in many Dilemma as to whether he should be circles. the King of the Jews who saves them from the Roman Empire or should he The follow up question to that is be the sacrificial Lamb who was to whether people who are extremely endure a painful death for the sin of evil can ever be extremely good? The mankind. When Jesus realised what answers to both these questions his mission was, he was focused were made into a movie as a result of towards the end goal and nothing the plot taken into consideration by could make him divert from it. the directors. It only needs a bit of love and compassion to make the At the end of both movies both characters worst of evil, good. The underlying find out that the way they have been living message was very clear or was it? was not how they wanted to live anymore. Movie lounge feels there is more to They have been identifying themselves be told. with characteristics which did not bring them happiness nor helped them belong to A similarity in both characters the society they lived in. Both made a portrayed in Megamind and strong decision to change who they are. Despicable Me is that both were hopeless at being bad. They hated How many of us are still to understand our that because being bad is what gave purpose in life? Are we living because we them an identity. Both were were born? The turning point for both actually afraid of losing that which characters in the movie was a gave them a sense of belonging in relationship which made them this world and a purpose for feel loved and helped them existence. This can be quite a open their eyes. Have you troubling thought process. Some encountered this relationship search for many years to know for with the one who truly loves sure their purpose of existence, to us? understand who they really are. Movie Lounge Cont. from page 23 issues in the workplace and help situation and to plan for the year them to be witnesses in those ahead. Please pray for greater places. commitment and understanding of mission for the leaders and for J'pura Fellowship willingness to trust in God more. The students have struggled to The fellowship members are also meet together recently due to discussing ways in which to raise other commitments. The core funds for the National camp and group recently met to discuss this request your prayers. 21 Fellowship News “Re-Think, Re-Imagine, our new committee for this year. Dr Solomon who visited graduates Re-Live” We continue to visit students and met with students. Pray that regularly and our thankful to God they will continue to meet and the The National Student Conference who has given us some new students will engage with the 2011 will be held from 9th-12th students. University in Evangelism and April in Jaffna for the first time in Witness. Pray also that these recent years. This camp is seen as a Four of our students graduate this students will be able to participate camp for hope as we rebuild our year and we held our going down & in the National Camp to be held in nation from the ravages of conflict welcome party on 16th of Jaffna in April 2011. and ask what it means to be February. The FOCUS national university students at a 'time like camp will be held in Jaffna from this'. Preparation for the camp has 09th to 12th of April. We are University of Colombo seen interesting changes in the greatly encouraged by this & Christian Fellowship dynamics of student ministry in Sri welcome all the fellowships to (UCCF) Lanka with the Jaffna students Jaffna for this wonderful event. taking the lead in organizing a UCCF held its AGM on February national event together with Thank God for…. 18th and the following were students from other regions. The l His leading & providing the appointed. structure of the conference will needs of our fellowship President: Mark involve more participatory throughout this quarter. Secretary: Yashinthini discussions and practical l Going down & welcome party. Treasurer: Priyangi excursions. l The new students who have Committee Members: joined us recently. Chrishanthan We would like to encourage you to l People who ministered among Dilanka pray for this conference and join us us. Ruth and support this new chapter in l The developing relationship Tiyani student ministry. between students & graduates We congratulate the new committee 1. Pray for the students as they Pray for…. and pray that God would be with make the preparations and all l Pray for our freshers who have them in a mighty way and would the logistical arrangements for just joined our fellowship. guide them through the year. We the camp They are regular for the also wish to thank the outgoing 2. Pray for the speakers who will meetings and much involved committee for all their hard work in help us to re-imagine in our ministry. the past year and thank God for the discipleship for our times l Pray for the new JUSCF effort they were willing to put in to 3. Pray for students as they committee and the national see UCCF through a rough patch. prepare themselves to be camp committee. challenged by God's Word and l Pray for our staff worker We have begun to conduct faculty that all obstacles (financial, Pahee Anna as he gets level bible studies in order to reduce permissions etc) preventing married in April. the time table clashes and maximize their participation will be l Opportunities to share our participants. The Law, Arts and overcome lives with non Christian Management faculties have begun students and a willingness to their meetings so far. The visit and spend time with Management Faculty conducts their Jaffna University them. bible studies in Tamil and we are Student Christian grateful to Yashinthini and Fellowship (JUSCF) Jeshuran for leading those studies. Eastern University The Law faculty students had some Greetings to all in the blessed name Student Christian friends inquiring about the nature of of Jesus Christ. There are about 45 Fellowship (EUSCF) the Christian faith and recently held students in our fellowship who a discussion and debate in the regularly meet twice a week on We thank God for the 25 students canteen with the participation of Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as and graduates who met on Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim on Poya days. Recently we elected Wednesday March 02nd and for students. Cont... page 23 22 Fellowship News As a university body we continue l For the teaching session on we plan to organize for Tamil to meet regularly. At these 'Love, Sex & Marriage' students who came for the last fellowship meetings we conduct conducted by Asiri & Cheryl carol service. bible studies and have times of Fernando. l For our bible studies in the Arts praise and worship. Apart from l For the opportunity given to faculty & the common one on these a discussion was held on Kolitha aiya to speak on “Non Wednesdays and we hope to what we could do on campus that Violence in Christian start more cells at halls and would challenge us in our faith Perspective” & participate in faculties in Tamil & Sinhala. and push us to be more daring in an interfaith panel discussion l For the pre University our witness. This discussion at the opening ceremony of programs that we are planning turned out to be very thought Martin Luther King (Jr) to organize in Matale, Kandy, provoking and we hope to Memorial Workshop held at Rambukkana & Kurunegala implement some of those ideas in the University on 7th March. areas. the months ahead. We hope to l We had two meetings at the also get more Sinhala medium Arts faculty & the Student Christian students -whose voice has not Wijewardana hall with Fellowship of the been heard for a long time within Veronica Elbers, staff worker University of Moratuwa UCCF- involved in a follow up from Indonesia. This session (SCFUM) discussion. helped us to understand our strengths & weaknesses as a The fellowship members On the 28th of February Veronica fellowship & be challenged by participated in the carol service Elbers, a staff worker from her commitment & experience organized by the Catholic Students Indonesia, visited and spoke to us as a volunteer university Union in December last year. from Revelations chapter 3. She student worker in a cross encouraged us to trust in the God cultural setting. Much of the activities during this who opens and shuts doors. She period have been hampered due to shared her personal testimony Prayer Requests the closure of the Engineering which was very inspiring. l Pray that we will be able to Faculty following a clash between disciple those who are new to two student groups as well as UCCF also hopes to conduct a the fellowship (Sudarshan, subsequent examinations. fund raiser to raise money for the Jerald, Deric, Ashen, Helani) FOCUS camp that is to take place and help them to growth in The AGM which was due to be held from the 9th-12th of April. We their understanding and in December had to be postponed hope to hire out stalls on three witness to God's kingdom. and has been rescheduled for 31st days in March at the Wellawate l For our brothers & sisters March. Please pray for the new Christian Reformed Church. (Janani, Howshigan, Susila, committee as they re-organize the Karthik, Selverkumar , fellowship so that it becomes a more We ask that you keep UCCF and Quintan) who graduated vibrant community in the its members in your prayers as recently that they will university. they try to be the light and salt in continue to serve God in their their university. life choices and work. Fellowship members participated in l For a new leadership team and the Poya day programs conducted in more visibility in our activities January and February on the topics Peradeniya Discipleship within the University. 'God and Suffering' and Cells l At the meetings with 'Relationships.' These have helped Dr. Veronica, she asked us to the students to develop a deeper Praise God pray for Missions in other understanding about these issues l For the new contacts we have countries as it will help us to from a Biblical perspective. from the Engineering, Arts develop our understanding on and Veterinary faculties being a witness to our own Please pray for Buddhika and (Jerald, Kethieesvaran, friends in the University. Pray Kasun who have begun their Udani, Serenshoromi, for us as we develop this area. 6 month internship that God will Dilucksan, Lisban). l For the evangelistic program help them to understand the many Cont... page 21 23 If undelivered please return to: C Fellowship Of Christian University Students 25A, Waidya Road, Dehiwala. d;kh lr we;' W;am;a;s fmdf;a ±lafjk uejqïldr Èjeisjre foaj Woyig ,lafj;s' ux.,H wjia:dj" wjux.,H foúhkajykafia u fuys§ ;u ueú,a, iudc wmrdO" we;s ke;s mr;rh" wjia:djg fmr