We dashed to church this morning to make sure that we were there on time for 08:30. The bell rang but things are a bit more relaxed here! The service was late starting and most people sauntered in afterwards! The service structure was just the same as back home. The priest who was preaching very kindly gave us an English transcript of his sermon. I was invited to introduce myself to the congregation at the end of the service. All of the children here are expected to attend the church service and they followed the service word for word. Some of them led the intercessions (with no notes), another one read the NT reading and another child took the collection. After the service followed an hour’s Sunday school. In their free time this afternoon they wanted to make more loom bands!

This morning Steph and I did a bit of washing. The girls do their own washing at the well but there is an old twin tub with a broken spinner that Chris and Alf (the English couple who are staying here) use. So we give it a go and were really pleased with ourselves!

We had a look around the train station this morning which is right opposite the House of Joy. It is like going back to Victorian times! The station master (who lives in a room on the station platform) was very friendly and there was a photograph of Evelyn Karney on the wall as benefactor of the station.

 

This afternoon I went to the hospital which is next door to the House of Joy (built by………..yes, you’ve guessed it ……….Evelyn Karney). My mosquito bites have become infected on my legs and so I went to see a doctor. He gave me four prescription items for the price of 300 Sri Lankan Rupees, which is approx. £1.50. I’ve got to go back tomorrow evening to make sure the swelling goes down and that the redness is fading.

One of the Priests who lives on the site had an accident this afternoon when his motorbike went into a dog. He has injured his leg and been ordered to bed to rest. The girls were all very upset and they chose a bible reading and asked if they could see him. He agreed, and children, staff and English visitors included all trooped into his bedroom. The girls prayed for him, read the bible reading and then sang him a song. It was very moving.