My name is Nayomi Ganendran and I live in Sri Lanka. For many years my family and I have served the church in rural areas and right now I am a church worker in a church in the town of Matale.
The last two years have been extremely challenging for my family and our church. The economic crisis in the country is one of the worst crises we have experienced as it has greatly affected our financial situation and our church. Since we only have a small income that is not enough to cover our expenses, the church has taken care of us. However, many of the church members are day laborers and due to the crisis, many lost their jobs. Furthermore, my husband had an accident and was bedridden for a long time. This affected me in particular, as I then had to take care of the family and lead the church alone.
Read also: Poor and discriminated pastoral families in Sri Lanka get help to help themselves
But I thank God. He healed my husband completely and provided for our needs. The biggest blessing came through NCEASL (Danish European Mission's partner, ed.) who gave me a grant that allowed me to keep goats. Together with my husband, we will use the goats for milk production for resale, and with that income we will bless the church and the community.
Thank God and thank you to all of you who have supported us.
In 2022, 53 pastors and church workers from persecuted and marginalized backgrounds received self-help support. Through this support, the pastors and their families can generate an income. The project has further enabled the pastors to create job opportunities, thus helping the local community as well. Initiatives can thus contribute to greater acceptance of the church in the local community.
