Volume 02October/December Year 2015/16

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From the Editor’s Desk

It’s Christmas Time again. Year after year we celebrate Christmas. The people are busy with their spring cleaning, colour washing and shopping for Christmas, spending too much of time & money in preparation for Christmas. But I wonder how many are really preparing for Christmas spiritually.

Jesus came to this world as a Babe because he loved us and to redeem us from sin through his suffering on the Cross. His entire life is a sacrifice for the love which no one can understand. His love has no conditions it is freely given as a gift to everyone whether you are a sinner or not.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” —Romans 8:1 (NIV)

You are good enough for me. Just as you are. You don’t have to earn my love.

Remember Christmas mornings as a child? You ran downstairs in your pyjamas, excited for the gifts you were about to get. Did you worry about having to earn those gifts? Did you think of your grades, number of friends at school, or the amount in your piggy bank on Christmas morning? You were free to open your gifts without having to prove your worth. They were gifts given in love.

God’s love is a gift, freely given to everyone.

Still some people won’t think they are good enough. They will work harder, try to be a better person or fight for Gods’ attention. They think they have to stand out from the crowd to be noticed.

No popularity contest, or success meter, or amount of wealth, can ever change his love for you. He is not looking for you to perform or earn or do anything to deserve it. You don’t have to fight to get his attention. It’s already on you.  “I delight in you right now, as you are”.

Just enjoy the gift & have a Happy Christmas with Joy, Peace and Love.

YL Suranganie Francis

Rejoice the Spirit of Christmas with

Family, Friends and Colleagues.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

Inside this Issue

Editorial Pg. 1

Christian Emphasis Pg. 2

Club Activities & Pg. 3

Special Projects

YMCA Liaison & Pg. 4

International Relations

Funny Quotes Pg. 4 & 5

Grandmas Hands Pg. 6

Picture Gallery Pg. 7 -9

Christian Emphasis

It's Just Another New Year

While listening to the radio I heard a song I had not heard before. It was "It's Just Another New Year's Eve." You see, in just a few days it will be New Year's Day. Perhaps there are many people who look at each year as "just another year."

It is good to look back at the previous year to see the many experiences, good and bad, we have faced. We must believe they are stepping stones in our lives that help us grow. Certainly, it is important for us to learn from our past and to incorporate the wisdom we have obtained to help us in the future. No matter the situation, the Lord is with us. He will lead and guide us as we seek Him.

Isaiah 58:11 (NIV) teaches us: : "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

Now as we look into the New Year we can look with fresh eyes filled with faith, trust, and hope.

Psalm 39:7 states: "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you." Also, the Word says "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  Psalm 25:5:

You may feel that New Year is just another day or each New Year is the same as the previous one, but our thoughts should be of expectation for what the Lord has for us. Whether it is a need for a better job, increase in finances, healing in our bodies, salvation of loved ones, a new home or car, or whatever your need may be.

Remember having great needs to care for your family. There would have been occasions when you were in difficulty for finances or otherwise and crying out to Lord. One time, as I was crying out to the Lord for help, I heard His words to me, "Who have you blessed lately?"

This was a clear message for me to give to others even with my lack so I too could be blessed. It's a kingdom principle to give and it will be given to you.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Our lives will be full of blessings in the New Year as we trust God, share His love with those around us, and walk into each new day with great confidence of God's faithfulness.

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning”

Club Activities & Special projects

The following are some of the monthly on going micro projects :

1. Donated 10 kg of rice to the David Jaya sundera Home for Elders monthly - sponsored by YM Ranaraj and Mnt. Mystica - Cost Rs.3,000/- @ Rs.1000/- per month

1. Rs. 3000/- was given to a university student studying at the Peradeniya University for his educational expenses monthly at Rs.1,000/ each - sponsored by YM Deepthi and Mnt. Shanthi Kusum.

1. Rs. 3000/- was given to a deserving student coming to YMCA Moratuwa for educational

Purposes monthly at Rs. 1,000/- each - sponsored by YM Deepthi and Mnt. Shanthi Kusum.

1. Rs. 3000/- was given to a deserving student at Princess of Wales’ College, Moratuwa for educational purposes monthly at Rs.1,000/- each by YM Anil and Mnt. Srikanthi.

1. Rs. 4,500/- was given for educational purpose to a deserving scholarship holder studying at Nalanda College monthly at Rs.1,500/- each - sponsored by YL Jayanthi and Mr. Shirley.

1. PRD Godfrey and RS Suranganie sponsored a child for Rs.3,000/- through the YMCA Moratuwa.

1. \Milk powder packets to the value of Rs.12,000/- were given to the “ The Blessings Child Care Centre” at Moratumulla, monthly at Rs.4,000/- each - sponsored by PRD Godfrey and RS Surangani.

1. Rs. 10,800/- worth of dry rations was given to a poor deserving family in Moratuwa monthly at Rs.3,600/- each - sponsored by YL Jayanthi and YM Shirley.

1. Rs. 7,500/- is provided to a poor family in the community for sustenance monthly at Rs.2,500/- each - sponsored by YM Ranaraj and Mnt. Mystica.

The total cost of the micro projects for 2nd quarter (Oct/Nov./Dec.) - Rs. 49,800/-.

Special Projects during the Quarter :

1. A donation of Rs.36,000/- was given to ‘The Blessings Child Care Centre, Indibedda to provide meals to the lesser fortunate children coming there monthly at Rs.12,000- each. This donation was received from Denmark.

1. Constructed a toilet to the value of Rs.30,000/- for a poor family with two young girls in Indibedda.

1. Had a nearly new sale for the poor to buy their clothes for the festivities on 05th December, 2015.

1. Had a Christmas Party for the Children at “Bethany Home” Moratuwa on 13th Dec. 2015 where we provided them with Vouchers to the value of Rs.13,000/- to buy Shoes and Provided them Dry Rations too. Cost of the Project is Rs.24,000/-.

1. Had a Chrstmas Party at “Blessings Child Care Centre” at Indibedda, Moratuwa on 19th Dec.2015. Provided 37 children with Socks and Shoes, Shool Bags, Toys and Sweets from Santa. Cost of the Project is Rs.70,000/-. ( This was a donation from Elizabeth & Marguerite of Sweden who specially requested to provide the above requirements).

1. Had a Christmas Party for Children of Sarvodaya, Lunawa, Moratuwa and they were provided with new clothes, shoes and a meal on 23rd Decembe 2015, partly sponsored by YM Ranaraj & YM Mystica. Cost of this Project is Rs.25,000/-.

YMCA Activities :

Some of our Members took part in the Carol Service organized by the YMCA Moratuwa on 21st December, 2015.

International Relations

Sent Greetings to all our Brother Clubs in Denmark, Adelaide, Canada, India and Africa. Received Greetings from Denmark and Adelaide.

Funny Quotes : Husband & Wife

GRANDMA'S  HANDS

A must read thru to the end, please!!

Grandma, some ninety-plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she said in a clear voice strong.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really looked at your hands?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story: 'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years.  These hands, though wrinkled shrivelled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.  They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.  They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They  wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when  I buried my parents and  spouse.

'They  have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbours, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.

I will never look at my hands the same way again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of Grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

When you see this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you, and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for one another.

Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both.

Passing this on to one not yet considered a friend is something God would  do.Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you --

It’s not because they are nice, But because you are.

Picture Gallery - Highlights of Projects done during December 2015

Pic.1 - People buying clothes at the Nearly New Sale. Pic.2 - Donated Kerosene Cookers and food items at Blind Colony, Katubedda Pic. 3-6 - Gifting Vouchers to buy shoes and school bags to children at Bethany Home and handing over of Dry Rations to Sr. Shirani who is in charge of the Home.

Christmas Party at “Blessings Child Care Centre” at Indibedda, Moratuwa on 19th Dec. Children were

provided with School bags, socks and Shoes, Toys and a bag of snacks and sweets.,

Children with their Gifts at Blessings Child Care Center

Young Moratuwa members Singing Carols at Moratuwa YMCA on 21st Dec. 2015

Presenting clothes and sweets to Children at Sarvodaya, Lunawa on 23.12.201