“THE PEOPLE THAT WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT: THEY THAT DWELL IN THE LAND OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM HAS THE LIGHT SHINED.” – The Bible.
After our meetings at Moonkil-Aaru we proceeded further up north to the township of Pallai in the Killinochchi district. It’s been more than seven years since the Sri Lankan military defeated the LTTE ending a civil war that had raged for more than 30 years, but the shadows of the conflict still loom large over this region. Up until two years ago a Defense ministry permit was mandatory to visit these parts, but now all travel restrictions to the war-torn north have been lifted. Life in Palai is limping back to normalcy; but parts of the town are deserted and is dotted with empty homes, as if they were grim reminders of their sad past; memorials to their loved ones who are dead, and who will never return.
We held a Gospel Rally in a small school ground and invited the villagers. It was a community of 135 families consisting of newly re-settled IDPs (Internally displaced people). At first they were shy. The children came first and then the youngsters, and as the evening wore on, though the curfew culture of the past ensures that even now everyone steps indoors as soon as the sun goes down, in the gathering darkness they came out of their dwellings and filled the ground.
The Gospel of Peace, of Joy, of Forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and God’s free gift of Everlasting Life to all those who come to Him was presented in word and song. When the time came for prayer, they all surrounded me wanting prayer for various needs. Those whose lives had been scarred by war; by broken homes; by broken marriages, incurable diseases, and those battling with demonic oppression, all came forward for prayer; but most of all they all wanted God’s forgiveness and His reconciliation. We will be going back very soon. Your prayers will be very much appreciated. (April 2016).
