Ministry in Sri Lanka
Ministry in Sri Lanka
Late last year, Sohani and I decided that we need to visit family in Sri Lanka as we have not visited since our mom passed away in 2016. As we planned for 2025, we sensed that this was not going to be an ordinary vacation. Much prayer went into this trip. Hours and hours of prayer. We decided to leave on February 12th and return on March 6th and informed some of our family and friends that we will be in Sri Lanka during this time.
I received an invitation from Pastor Roshan Wickremasinghe, New Covenant Life Centre, Thalawathugoda to share my testimony and the Word on February 23rd at their morning service which I accepted. Subsequently, I received an invitation from Pastor Allan Fraser, The Christian Centre to share the Word at the evening service, on the same day, February 23rd. I have never ministered at 2 services on the same day and I knew the Lord was stretching me. The more I prayed and prepared, excitement built up within me.
Both pastors, their families and many people in the church congregations had played a huge role in my life investing their time, caring for me, teaching and praying for and with me at the time I was very sick, new to the faith with no hope of recovering from the multiple medical conditions I was suffering with. It wasn’t just for a week or two, or sporadically that they provided spiritual care for me. It was consistently for decades. This is where I received a solid foundation of the Word on which others have helped me build and I myself am building and is bearing fruit thousands of miles in Canada and in other countries where I have shared and ministered God’s love and compassion. Hallelujah!
Colossians 2:6 & 7
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
On February 23rd when I stepped into these churches it felt like I had never left. Some relationships are lifelong and I cherish the memories that were created during this trip. At the morning service, Shanis Silva did the Sinhalese translation. What a profound moment for Shanis and I to stand on the same platform. She is a key leader in my life who visited me faithfully and regularly to pray for me and encourage me not to give up at the times when pain and sickness were at its worst. On the way to the service, we witnessed to the taxi driver, Sachinthaka and later, provided him with a bible.
I visited Heather Abeywardena, the lady who brought me to Jesus! Heather used to visit me to share the Gospel and my response to her at the beginning was cold and not interested but she did not give up on me and kept coming, always with a warm loving smile. I thank God for bringing Heather into my life. This visit was very significant and profound for me.
We witnessed to 2 of our domestic help who came to visit us on February 24th. For years, we have been speaking to them about the Lord however, this time when I asked if they would like to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour they said yes! Overflowing joy is the only way I can describe how I felt.
We also prayed with a lady at a clothing store who shared with us that she was having pain in her leg and the oil treatment she was taking was not helping. It was definitely a God moment to share the Gospel with her and pray for her inside the store! The Lord has asked all His children to be ready to be a witness for Him.
On February 27th at a beautiful resort, I baptised a lady who asked me if I would baptise her. This was my first baptism. The resort we decided on, which had a beautiful pool for her baptism was an idyllic resort on a hill with stunning views of mountains. When the Lord blesses, He goes above and beyond, lavishing His love on us.
In addition, a family road trip to Jaffna, a train trip to Kandy with friends, a road trip to Sigiriya with friends, visiting with Scrabble Club friends, Hostel friends, School classmates, Cousins get together, day trip to Negombo where I was born, to visit more family made this trip to overflow with fun, laughter and adventure. Each day I sensed God’s loving presence.
For the sake of financial accountability, all expenses of this trip was covered by Sohani and myself personally.
I have shared some pictures below. When the Lord blesses, He blesses lavishly, abundantly, and surprises us with unexpected adventures and this is an under-statement of what we experienced on this trip. I am grateful and thankful!
With joy,
Rochelle Soza
Founder
Sound of the Lord Mission
Bench Talk
This is a picture taken while on holiday in Sri Lanka. We visited our old neighborhood and it brought back many nostalgic memories. This bench was outside the church I used to attend.
As amusing as it is to imagine sitting next to Jesus on a bench, wouldn’t it be exciting to get an opportunity to ask Him all the questions that sometimes bombard our mind? Imagine listening to His replies to all our ‘why’ questions.
If I was given that opportunity, how would I react? What would I say?
I asked a few of my friends this question and here’s a short compilation of their answers.
- I’m so happy to see You. Am I doing enough for You?
- Did I miss Your direction somewhere?
- Where is my healing?
- Why did my children turn away from You?
- Lord I’m tired, I want to come home to You. Why did You make my burden so heavy?
- Can I go back and redo life?
- Why is there so much darkness and pain in this world?
We ourselves have asked some of these questions at some point in our lives.
Let’s look at some of Jesus’ answers to questions thrown at Him by religious leaders, the disciples and His followers during His time on earth. They all had the privilege of asking Him in person.
Silence – Matthew 27:12 And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
Delays His answer. – John 8:6 This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not.
Some questions will never receive an answer – Acts 1:7 And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.
That’s not your concern. You follow me. – John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me.
Looking at the above scriptures we see that even those that literally walked with Jesus, sometimes had to walk away shaking their heads at His response. The religious leaders were infuriated with His silence, the disciples were confused with His replies and His followers were baffled by what He meant.
Can we identify with them?
Even though they had their ‘bench talk’ with Jesus, they too faced trial and tribulation, lack and loss. They cried out in fear, had to deal with disappointment, and had anxious thoughts.
Sound familiar?
It’s tempting to think that they had it easier because He walked with them on this earth however, we would be envied by them because Christ now lives in us. We don’t have to go looking for Him or wish for a bench date with the Lord. He is even closer to you than you think. Your life is infused with His fragrance, His presence and glory go wherever you go because it is His promise never to leave, or forsake you.
Our Father is too loving and merciful to withhold answers to our prayers, blessings and breakthroughs to cause us grief and pain.
The one thing that He wants us to do is trust Him on our journey.
Trust Him in His responses to your questions and doubts. Whether it’s silence or He chooses to allow the answer to linger in His hands for a while. His heart is always to see us prosper and overcome.
He will not abandon you. It is His promise.
In His Service,
Sohani Faria
Director
Sound of the Lord Mission
We would love to pray for & with you!
Prayer requests can be emailed to
soundofthelordmission@gmail.com
Redeem the time and maintain a strong prayer life. Stay Blessed!
Rochelle Soza
Founder, Sound of the Lord Mission