Pictured above: Ebeneser with her children.
Often they have received almost no pay for this important work, where they have sacrificed everything and been persecuted for sharing the gospel with their fellow citizens.
Pastor Ebeneser tells his story here: "I was faced a lot of persecution when I first arrived in the village Badulla. All the villagers and the Buddhist monk were against me coming to the village and opening a Church. They threatened and beat me several times to discourage me from opening a church, but I never gave up".
"Slowly I started sharing the gospel with individuals and a few accepted Christ. The people in the village were mainly Buddhists and did not want any kind of Christian presence in the village. It was very difficult for me to find a house to rent and we could only find a small room for our family of seven to stay (mother, father, four children and Ebeneser's mother ed.). We had to live there for a long time because no one would rent us a house, as the villagers didn't want us there".
"My kids couldn't go out to play or go to school without us going with them because we were afraid of, that the villagers would take their anger out on the children".
The children also paid a high price as the family lacked food. Often the family could only eat one or two meals a day.
Ebeneser continues: "It was very difficult for me to get to share the gospel, but my wife and children supported me and encouraged me and that gave me the strength to continue and not give up. In the midst of all the problems, they helped me a lot and my wife always told me to remember that God will never turn His back on us and that He will always be there to protect us. It's something I still do to this day believe in and stick to".
It's powerful to read how Ebeneser's wife supports him - and stands with him - despite the fact that the family has paid a high price for this service. However, Ebeneser experienced a turning point in his relationship with the village when he started helping the villagers in a practical way. Then they began to accept him.
He explains: "I started helping a number of people in the village in different ways by praying for them, visiting them and helping them in their distress - especially with funerals, and I got involved in village life. The villagers have now accepted me because I help them in different ways, but I still face a lot of resistance and persecution from some of the villagers and from the Buddhist monk, but I continue my service. Now my church has grown significantly and the congregation numbers around 60 members".
"In the beginning, I had no income and really struggled to support my family, and we went through a very difficult time financially. It was typical poor people. tea pickers who came to faith, and their contribution only amounted to an income of around 2500 rupee a month that would cover food for my family, groceries and school fees for my children. I managed all this by the grace of God."
Selling eggs and chickens was a financial turning point for the family
Financially, however, Ebeneser experienced a positive change when, with the support of Danish European Mission's donors, he received 25 chickens whose eggs he can sell. He sells an average of 12 eggs a day for 10 - 15 rupees each, equivalent to 4500 rupees per month. In addition, Ebeneser sells 25 chickens a month for 200 rupees each, giving him a total monthly income of around 9,500 rupees.
Today, the family can eat three meals a day. Ebeneser concludes: "Now I earn around 9,500 rupee per month on the poultry stock I have received and it has been a great blessing for me to be able to take care of my family and feed my four children".
There are many more pastors in Sri Lanka who need help to support themselves and their families. Our partner, the Evangelical Alliance in Sri Lanka, has asked the Danish European Mission to support poor pastoral families in the country.
Depending on local demand, families can either get 25 chickens, a cow, 2 goats, help to start a small shop or a sewing machine so they can start a sewing business. On average, it costs DKK 1,720 to help one family become self-sufficient, corresponding to a total budget of DKK 257,968.
We can lend a helping hand to poor pastors and their families. We can enable them to earn their own money - in a dignified way - so their children can be fed, clothed and educated, giving them the best conditions for a good future.
We can make a very concrete, positive difference for these vulnerable and poor pastoral families. They will feel that Christians stand with them and support them in their important work.
