2 yrs now and still looking for my song

I decidedly to randomly check my blog tonight and it has almost been 2yrs. to the day that i have written anything, and I am not just talking about this blog.  I am talking about even in private.  I have felt like the song I had before was taken, it was taken shortly after I returned to the states and I have missed having a song to sing or a picture in my mind inspire a paragraph or two.  The tide strangly came in and refreshed me in N. Africa and I have not seen it since.  There have been a few showers but the sun has shone harshly and brightly shortly thereafter just to dry up the little bit of refreshment.  Soon, though very soon, hope will appear and life will string forth and for me oddly enough that life usually shows up during the cold cloudy months.  

local Art in Sri Lanka "Cannon Ball flower" found in Sri Lanka Sales man Colourful Flower-girl Tuc-tucs (like taxis) Sri Lankan Artist Soccer Guys Fisherman (how many make their living) Amazing Friends A women shaving her legs Wedding

color palettes

Color palettes of Sri Lanka. Color Clothing is bright - infused with the stories of the people of Sri Lanka. It's comprised of the neon ceremonial fabrics and the muted tones of their hard work ethic. The multi-faceted colors of their environment accent their lives with the organic hues of the earth. Here is to capturing the essence of the Sri Lankan story we are about to share. We have many different avenues and directions to tell the story. Let's be bold and vibrant.

Color Palette 1: Muted neons of their ceremonies.

Color Palette 2: The work day.

Color Palette 3: Bright blend of ceremony/work.

Color Palette 4: Muted tones of ceremony/work.

Color Palette 5: Muted organic hues of work/environment

Color Palette 6: Darks

The eye is very drawn to the organic, darker hues of Sri Lanka that are reflected in their everyday lives. The neon and bright accents are dramatic set against the magnificent background colors that carry them. A great platform and palette will communicate the consistency of who they are and celebrate what makes the beauty of the Sri Lankan culture.

'Heavy losses' in S Lanka clashes

At least 52 Tamil Tiger rebels and 15 soldiers have been killed in clashes in the Jaffna peninsula in northern Sri Lanka, the country's military says. More than 70 soldiers were wounded in the heavy fighting, which broke out along the front line in the Muhamalai area at 0200 (2030 GMT), it added. There has been no independent confirmation of the casualty figures. Fighting in Sri Lanka has intensified since January, when the government pulled out of a formal ceasefire deal. The government said the rebels had used the truce signed in 2002 to rearm and regroup. It has said it aims to crush them by the end of this year. At least 70,000 people have died since the civil war began in 1983. 'Front line crossed' Two divisions from the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) took part in the offensive on Wednesday morning, military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara told the BBC. They attempted to get near our positions - that's when the clashes erupted Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan Tamil Tiger military spokesman Soldiers crossed the front line dividing territory held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from government-controlled areas in the peninsula after the rebel group attacked army positions, he added. Brig Nanayakkara said the troops were able to advance about 500m (1650ft) along an 8km (five mile) wide front, overrunning the rebel's first line of defence. They were now attempting to protect the territorial gains, he added. The Tigers, who have fought for a generation for an independent state for the Tamil minority, have not released any casualty figures. The group's military spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan, accused the army of sparking the battle. "They attempted to get near our positions. That's when the clashes erupted," he told the Associated Press. The pro-rebel TamilNet website quoted the group's Northern Forces Operations Command as saying the army had been "forced to retreat, leaving behind dead bodies of their troopers" after the battle ended at 1230. "Special commando units of the Tigers were also engaged to confront the SLA units that attempted to advance using Main Battle Tanks amid heavy Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL), artillery and mortar fire," the website reported. On Tuesday, the Tigers said they had destroyed a tank during battles with the army in the same area. The military said 10 rebels and one soldier had died in the clashes. Correspondents say both sides frequently exaggerate enemy losses and play down their own. Story from BBC NEWS:

RELIGION IN SRI LANKA Sri Lanka is the oldest continually Buddhist country, Theravada Buddhism being the major religion in the island since its official introduction in the 2nd century BC by Venerable Mahinda, the son of the Emperor Ashoka of India during the reign of King Devanampiya- Tissa. Later, the nun Sanghamitta, the daughter of Asoka, was said to have brought the southern branch of the original Bodhi tree, where it was planted at Anuradhapura. From that day up to the present, the Buddhists in Sri Lanka have paid and are paying the utmost reverence to this branch of the Bodhi Tree under the shade of which the Master achieved Enlightenment.

Monks from Sri Lanka have had an important role in spreading both Theravada and Mahayana throughout South-east Asia. It was in Sri Lanka, in the 1st century AD during the reign of King Vatta Gamini that the Buddhist monks assembled in Aloka-Vihara and wrote down the Tripitaka, the three basket of the Teachings, known as the Pali scriptures for the first time. It was Sri Lankan nuns who introduced the Sangha of nuns into China in 433AD. In the 16th century the Portuguese conquered Sri Lanka and savagely persecuted Buddhism as did the Dutch who followed them.

When the British won control at the beginning of the 19th century Buddhism was well into decline, a situation that encouraged the English missionaries that then began to flood the island. But against all expectations the monastic and lay community brought about a major revival from about 1860 onwards, a movement that went hand in hand with growing nationalism.

Since then Buddhism has flourished and Sri Lankan monks and expatriate lay people have been prominent in spreading Theravada Buddhism in Asia, the West and even in Africa.

Some of the most marvellous monuments in the Buddhist world belong to Sri Lanka, and her sculpture is closely associated with the early art of the Krishna valley and the later Pallava and Chola kings, owing to the close relationship that existed between south India and Sri Lanka. (above: Seven-metre-tall standing image of the Buddha in a rare cross-armed pose at Gal Vihara).

On December 26, 2004, a devastating tsunami swept over coastlines in Southeast Asia killing over 250,000 and leaving an estimated 2 million homeless. Among the hardest hit nations was the island nation of Sri Lanka, which is located just off the southern tip of India. Our church, Antioch Community Church , in Waco, Texas, quickly mobilized seventy-five volunteers and staff to go and serve the survivors. In Tangalle, Sri Lanka, we sovereignly discovered a small refugee camp of ninety families comprised primarily of the Morakatiara fishing village. Their loss included family members, boats and nets (their business), their homes and virtually all of their belongings. A constant reminder of this tragedy is a grave at the entrance to their camp holding the body of Susantha's young wife who was lost in the tsunami. She was six months pregnant with their first child. Unlike a typical aid and relief effort, we have been a daily fixture in this village. We have expressed God's love for them in a myriad of practical ways by treating medical needs, conducting school for the children, listening and crying with them as we walked thru the ruble of what was “home”, letting them share their gripping stories of survival, engaging the men in construction projects, providing food and clothing, and praying for and counseling with them. God has also given us remarkable favor with local and national leaders in the Sri Lankan government, including several meetings with the Honorable Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He has even toured our camp and praised the work we are doing for his people! The Prime Minister has extended to us a remarkable opportunity to rebuild ninety homes for families in the Morakatiara village on land near where they once lived. We have secured twenty-eight acres and have begun clearing the land for “Restoration Village”, which will soon be home to these dear people. In a biblical context, the word “restoration” means, “to be brought back into an original state of being…to rebuild” . Surely God desires to rebuild people, not just homes, and prepare heavenly dwellings, not just earthly ones for them. In addition to houses, we will be building a community center, a playground, a cricket field and a structure where medical services can be offered. In short, we are rebuilding an entire community! As we build relationships with these precious people, we daily have opportunities to minister God's love to them. One elder of the village, a 53-year-old fisherman named Tudor, shared a testimony with me after a meal in his home. Two days prior he tearfully described his despair about losing his boat (his only source of income), his home and his dignity. “Without work, how can I rebuild my home … my life”, he wept. But after a few days of love and care from our team, he declared, “Since you people have come and cared for us, my heart is much better, much better, thank you, thank you, thank you!” This time he cried tears of hope and gratitude. This is one of countless stories that display the power of God's love extended by ordinary people to others in need. At this writing, two members of the village have given their hearts to Jesus, and one of the new believers has read through the entire Bible we gave him. His comment, only days ago, was, “don't all of our people need to know Jesus?” God is opening hearts and eyes to see Him! Our long-term team (arriving by mid April and staying 5-10 years) will move to Restoration Village to continue this ministry with the focus of seeing an indigenous multiplying church established. This has been the strategy and process God has called us to for almost 18 years. Will you (your church, your family, your organization, your company) consider adopting one of these ninety families or investing in another part of Restoration Village? Adopting a family means providing the $10,030 to build them a new permanent home. Sri Lankans, including men from the village, will build the homes. The total cost of the project is $1,079,000. The following chart shows each need and specifies the costs of each aspect of Restoration Village. We are providing an experienced contractor from our church that will live in Tangalle until the project is finished, to serve as the on-site project manager. We have been given an amazing opportunity to cultivate bonds of friendship through rebuilding a community. God is now using these relationships to open the door for the gospel of Jesus Christ! Is God asking you to be a conduit of His love and provision? Will you please pray and ask God if He wants you to be a part of restoring a village and a nation? The families of “Restoration Village” await this most practical expression of God's love and provision. God Bless you for your response to this crisis and for your response to the words of Jesus; Matthew 25:40; “…whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Financial contributions can be made payable to “ Global Hope ” and returned in the enclosed envelope; or you can visit the project website at www.restorationvillage.org to make an on-line contribution. Your gift is tax deductible. For more pictures, updates and information on Restoration Village , visit us at www.restorationvillage.org

PICTURES OF RESTORATION VILLAGE

THE VILLAGE AFTER THE TSUNAMI A FAMILY HOLDING PICTURES OF THEIR LOVED ONES LOST RESORATION VILLAGE BUILT BY PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME (VOLUNTEERS) A FAMILY ON MOVE IN DAY STANDING IN FRONT OF THEIR HOME LEXIA (A FRIEND AND HERO) ORDINARY BUT WHOSE LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO GOD AND THESE PEOPLE IS EXTRAORDINARY. SHE WILL BE A GREAT HELP TO US!

They each have a story. Look into their eyes, imagine. Dream.

OK GIRLS...HERE ARE SOME PICS TO DRAW FROM!!