As birthday celebrations go, this one is right up there in my Top Ten.
Due to the time difference between North America and Asia - I actually celebrated for 2 days!
Sunday in Sri Lanka started with a perfect cup of milk tea, enjoyed at dawn on the shore of
Bolgoda Lake. Water birds provided our morning's sound track and entertainment.
The traditional Sri Lankan birthday breakfast of
rice milk,
coconut jaggery, and chili paste was delivered by our friends and hosts Deepthi and Layasing. The apartment we are renting in a private residence has a kitchen/dining/living area - so we were able to reciprocate their hospitality and invite them to share the breakfast they so graciously provided. Did I mention they included a tasty coffee mocha birthday cake?
The day was spent doing laundry, catching up on correspondence, and relaxing. That evening we attended an English service at
Kollupitiya Methodist Church in Colombo. There is an reverent sense of history when walking into this 121 year old sanctuary with vaulted ceilings and stained glass. An inspiring expository teaching on "Why The Reformation Matters" marked the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation (Begun when
Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the door of the Wittenberg Church)
When my birthday dawned in North America, I was fast asleep in Sri Lanka. Electronic birthday greetings awaited when I woke up Monday. Morning chapel at
Adara Sevana included a rousing account of Peter fishing all night, singing, prayer, and a special birthday lunch - with more cake.
The students greeted me with Birthday wishes and another Sri Lankan tradition - bouquets of flowers from their family gardens. On this lush tropical island, that means vibrant exotic blooms. And lots of smiles and love. (Note: Adara Sevana means 'Love Shelter' in Sinhalese and is a non-profit school for the differently-abled.)
A special birthday lunch was served and enjoyed by all. Feeling well celebrated indeed.
Refreshed and ready for our last week in Sri Lanka. Thank you for being a part of what God is doing. Your loving support and prayers means more than you can know.
Not feeling my age - - Pat