Pictured above: By keeping chickens, the priests can raise chickens to sell, and the income from the sale of eggs helps the priests' families financially.
Under great financial hardship, pastors in Sri Lanka, supported by their spouses and children, have planted churches in areas where there are no Christians. Often they have received almost no pay for this important work, sacrificing everything and facing persecution to share the gospel with their fellow citizens.
One of the priests is Lestor, who tells his story here: I have been serving in the Rathnapura area for seven years. During that time, I have sent out eight other church planters who go to villages, evangelize and make home visits.
With the rising cost of living, I find it difficult to provide for my family Lestor
I pastor people from Sinhalese and Tamil backgrounds and therefore conduct services in both Sinhalese and Tamil. There are also some Muslims who come to church, but as soon as they are cured of their diseases, we don't see them anymore.
Those who come to the church from a Hindu or Buddhist background stay and grow in the Lord. Because of my work with Hindus and Buddhists, I experience a lot of resistance from the villagers and religious leaders. I often feel that I am not welcome in my own village and there are many who are against what I do.
It is with great fear that I go to certain villages to spread the gospel there, but my faith and trust in the Lord is greater than my fear Lestor
There is currently a lawsuit against me, and the Evangelical Alliance has helped me a lot in this time of persecution by providing me with legal advice in this desperate situation. Under these circumstances, it is very difficult for me to simply pay for my travel costs, but I trust that the Lord will provide for me, just as he holds my hand in dangerous situations.
However, with the rising cost of living, I find it difficult to provide for my family with the fluctuating income I receive through my service. I have a four-year-old son who needs proper food as he is growing and I also need to pay for his schooling. I hope to start a self-help project that will enable me to pay for my family's
growing needs and a good education for my son," concludes Lestor.
Pastor Lestor is one of the pastors in Sri Lanka who is waiting for help in the self-help project. We can enable them to earn their own money - in a dignified way - so that their children can be fed, clothed and educated and thus have the best conditions for a good future.
Depending on local demand, pastoral families can either receive 25 chickens, 1 cow, 2 goats, help to start a small shop or 1 sewing machine so they can start a sewing business. On average, it costs DKK 1,720 to help one family become self-sufficient.
Thank you to everyone who provides crucial help to Lestor and other poor pastoral families in Sri Lanka.
