Setting the scene........

I'm now in 'Year 2' of my 3-year training for ordained ministry. As part of the 'Church and World' module I have to complete a 'Social Context' placement. So, in other words, I need to spend time participating in the life and work of an institution of some sort. We are also encouraged to go somewhere overseas if possible.

I'm particularly interested in inter-faith relations and wanted to spend some time in a place where Christianity is a minority faith. As the 'West Yorkshire and the Dales' diocese links with the Church in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist, it seemed the ideal location. Our diocese have two wonderful link partners in Paul and Pat and they have made the organisation of the trip so easy for me. They even arranged for my friend Stephanie to join me on the trip. We will be staying in a girl's orphanage which has the delightful name of 'The House of Joy'. Its in a small town called Talawa and is a several hour train journey from the capital city of Colombo.

So, today is the day when our adventure begins. I'll do my best to update the blog as often as I can so that you can share a bit of our journey too.