Sri Lanka is an island country located in the Indian Ocean with a rich history dating back about 3000 years. After gaining their independence from British rule, the country witnessed a devastating civil war that ended only in 2009. Today, Sri Lanka is best known for its famous tea, beautiful beaches and welcoming people.

The New Apostolic Church in Sri Lanka is under the care of the Canada District and has been looked after by District Apostle Helper Devaraj from India since 2013. This beautiful country was an ideal location for the Asia Apostle’s Meet (Canada District) of the New Apostolic Church. The program was attended by Apostles and their spouses from five different countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, India, Pakistan) along with a few special invitees and took place in Colombo from the 26th of September to the 2nd of October 2019.  

A Beau`Tea`ful Town

On the morning of the 27th, the Apostles, their spouses and the guests made the journey from Colombo to the smaller town of Nuwara Eliya. The town is spotted with colonial era bungalows among vast tea estates and gardens.

Ride Along with Joy and Praise

The journey of about 160 kilometers took 7 hours to complete.This long bus ride gave them a unique opportunity to bond with each other. This journey would not only bring them closer to the newly built church in Upcot but also expose them to the culture and landscape of this beautiful island country. Everyone sang songs of praise and worship, each in their own language, showcasing the unity of our faith and the diversity of its expressions.

The journey provided many opportunities for the group to interact and learn more about each other. They shared pictures, stories and meals and and really enjoyed the time that they spent together.

Learning About Our Members’ Lives

The group had a chance to visit a few estates and a tea manufacturing company. There, they not only learnt about the commodity but also about the lives of the people who live and work on these vast plantations. Many of the estate workers are 4th generation migrant workers from India who work tirelessly in all climatic conditions picking at least 18 kilograms of tea each day. Many of the members of the New Apostolic Church in Sri Lanka are tea estate workers. Visiting these plantations gave the Apostles and their spouses a special insight into the lives and circumstances of our members

As they continued on their journey to attend the dedication service at the newly built church in Upcot, it was not surprising to find it in the middle of a large tea estate!