By Lisbeth Gamst
Pictured above: The Gamborg and Gamst families
Why did we choose Sri Lanka? There is no single reason, but we liked the fact that the country was described as beautiful and lush, geographically manageable and with lots of historical, cultural and natural experiences. From home, the planning of the upcoming vacation began - there were many choices to make. In our research on safari tours, whale watching, adventure experiences, mountain hiking, temple visits, tea plantation excursions and beautiful beaches, we came across a travel description from Felix Travel to Sri Lanka. It referred to a collaboration with the Danish European Mission, which helped arrange Bible distribution to churches in Sri Lanka. What we didn't know beforehand was that there were so many poor Christian churches in Sri Lanka that Bibles were not commonplace. There were also persecuted Christians in the Buddhist-dominated country. We contacted the Danish European Mission and investigated the possibility of participating in a Bible distribution. We were met with a lot of helpfulness and were put in touch with the Danish European Mission's partner in Sri Lanka, Evangelical Alliance.
Monroe, who was responsible for the Bible project in Sri Lanka, arranged a meeting place and time with him and a few colleagues in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka's second largest city. He would bring Bibles in the two official languages of Sri Lanka: Tamil and Sinhalese.
Image: Bible distribution in full swing.
During our 14-day tour in early 2018, we had a fantastic driver who was very happy to share his broad knowledge and insights about his country. We had some thoughts and concerns about how to tell him that we were going to participate in a Bible distribution. It turned out that he was a Catholic himself and was very understanding of our wish.
We met up with Monroe and his colleagues. Together we drove off, and both the houses and the environment looked more and more like poverty. Together we walked to the church, which was a few rooms in a backyard. The Bibles had been brought to the church in advance. We hadn't really given much thought to what we were going to meet. Perhaps that's why we were deeply moved when we were welcomed into a church hall filled with people. On an ordinary weekday afternoon. Children, young people, middle-aged and elderly. Several had come from neighboring small churches to bring Bibles home. We participated in the planned worship and prayer, and then we were allowed to hand out Bibles. With handshakes, cheek kisses and beaming eyes, they received the Bibles. Being allowed to pass on God's word in this way was a moving experience for all of us.
With handshakes, cheek kisses and beaming eyes, they received the Bibles Lisbeth
Image: The Bibles brought joy.
The young boys of the church were then quick to challenge our children to a volleyball match outside the church hall. It made such an impact to meet "brothers and sisters" in their everyday lives, and experience their complete trust that God knows the way for the future. We thought we were going to help give them hope for the future that Jesus preaches to us. After all, we were the ones to give and they were the ones to receive. Instead, we humbly left the church with a huge testimony of "going all out" in faith in Jesus. After all, they had everything.
We thought we were going to give them hope... instead, we humbly left the church Lisbeth
We sincerely thank the Danish European Mission for facilitating this contact, as it gave us the opportunity to give an adventure vacation a completely different perspective than just relaxation and traditional holiday experiences. We will never forget our visit and the special warmth we were met with in the church in Kandy.
The Gamborg and Gamst families
You can help ensure that a poor Christian family can have the opportunity to read God's word in their own home. It only costs 30 kr. to give a Bible. Thank you for any gift.
