Educational Scholarship Program in Vanni

After the end of the civil war in 2009, the lives of many people were severely affected, especially those of young children who had lost their parents in the war. MFA partnered with Youth for Christ (YFC) in attending to the needs of these children, both physically and spiritually.

MFA established the Educational Scholarship Program (ESP) and began supporting 35 children – 10 children in Killinochchi, 20 children in Vavuniya and 5 children in Mullaitivu while they were still in refugee camps.

YFC volunteers visited these children while they were in refugee camps and continued to meet with them in their homes once they were released. Gradually, good relationships were built with them and their families.

YFC organise youth club meetings, Bible studies and camps for the children which provide an opportunity to teach them the Gospel. As a result of their efforts, many of the youth have committed their lives to Christ, which brought us great joy and happiness.

We provided bicycles for children who lived far away from their schools and did not have any accessible public transport. Of the many children who received scholarships, it gives us joy to see that two of them have now graduated from university. We pray that these children will find employment soon and that they may serve the Lord in their daily lives.   At present, there are 8 students from the scholarship program who have applied for courses at university and are waiting for admission.

Over the years, God has enabled us to expand this ministry and reach out to the youth as well as their families. YFC currently conducts weekly Bible studies, club programs, and music classes in the villages to reach out to people with the love of God.

Over the years of our partnership with YFC, we have seen 32 young people commit their lives to Christ, most of whom came from Hindu backgrounds. These youth continue to serve Him in their local churches. We sincerely thank and praise God for the partners who have been supporting these children and their families – without their sacrificial giving and prayers this would not have been possible.

Youth Ministry – Trincomalee

In April 2012, MFA was given an opportunity to support a newly established ministry in Trincomalee. This was a new mission field for YFC and initially it was a real challenge for YFC to connect with the youth and their parents.

We really saw the hand of God in this ministry and by His Grace, YFC in partnership with MFA, was able establish a discipleship and leadership development program for the youth.

Annual evangelistic camps and special events such as Christmas programs, sports tournaments, educational tours and outings are organised for the youth. In the last four years 49 youth have accepted Jesus Christ. 33 of them continue to attend Bible study programs. Through these programs, YFC has been able to build good relationships with families of non-Christian backgrounds. This has given YFC the freedom and opportunity to minister to the youth as well as their parents.

By the Grace of God, YFC’s Trinco ministry has now reached out to people in Paaddalipuram, which is a remote village located between Trinco and Batticaloa. The main sources of income for people in the Paaddalipuram area are witchcraft, snake magic and begging. A regular bible study group has been established and 24 youth currently attend these sessions.

YFC are also providing free tuition classes for students in grades 7-11 and there are currently around 80 students attending these classes. There are also night time study facilities for high school students who don’t have electricity in their houses. We are in the process of providing a tube-well to supply water for students as well as people living around the study centre.

Continue to pray that YFC will have an opening to reach the youth in nearby and remote villages and develop youth leaders to reach them. There are so many needs in regards to YFC’s youth ministries – pray that new sponsors will come forward to meet the emerging needs.

Youth Ministry Pallai

In July 2014, MFA commenced youth leadership programs in Pallai and appointed a full time YFC youth worker there. Pallai is located in the district of Killinochchi between Jaffna and Vanni.

Pallai a very remote and rural area with 98.5% of its population citing Hinduism as their religion with the rest being of Roman Catholic background.  About one third of the population are children of schooling age but there are no proper schools. Most of them do not complete their education and instead opt for labour jobs. Unfortunately, there are many children who are pressured by their families to get married early.

YFC has commenced a youth program that provides free music classes. A youth club has been established and nearly 22 children are regularly attending Bible studies.

YFC also commenced tuition classes for the children who are coming to youth activities. Continue to pray that YFC will have openings to reach the youth in Pallai and develop youth leaders to reach them.

Youth and Village Ministry, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

It was in April 2008, during the time of civil war, that MFA established a partnership with Living Light Mission in Jaffna to help the many who were displaced in Sri Lanka’s north. A child sponsorship program was established for children aged eight and under, who either lost one or both parents. Initially 36 children were sponsored through this program, with the aim of providing them with essential welfare and educational needs in a safe and healthy environment.

As the children entered their teens and started attending high school, MFA successfully initiated an educational program in 2013 with YFC Jaffna to enable the children to reach their full potential.  Accordingly, a full time youth worker was appointed to monitor the educational progress of the children on a regular basis.  These children now also actively participate in YFC youth clubs and camps.

As the civil war came to an end the displaced individuals, including many of the children in the program, moved back to their own villages.  There are currently 17 children who are continuing in the program and 3 children who are preparing for their A-Levels.

In order to help youth who were not sponsored under the LLM partnership, MFA also commenced supporting Youth Leadership Programs and annual evangelical camps through Youth for Christ, allowing these youths to meet our great God.

In addition to the child sponsorship program, MFA continues to support four ministry workers to enable them to reach out to the villages of Mallakam, Neervely, Marsiampiddi & Erlalai.  Many have come to know Christ and been baptised through these ministries. MFA is at present prayerfully considering expanding these village ministries outside of the Jaffna Peninsula.

The MFA members who have visited the village and youth ministries have witnessed the hand of God working here mightily.  All praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Over the last nine years many have come to know Christ through this ministry.