Issue: III
   Sun City News
March 1, 2006   




Site Spotlight: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean, just south of India. For such a small island, Sri Lanka has numerous nicknames. It is known as Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, and Pearl of the Orient. It has a population of 20,064,776 and 69% of the people are Buddhist. The entire island is full of life, from colorful birds to exotics like elephants and leopards. Sri Lanka has an intenseness and beauty that keeps people coming back year after year. Since the Tsunami in December of 2004, parts of the country have fully recovered while others still lie in partial ruins. Being able to overcome such a horrendous disaster in so little time shows what a truly resilient and amazing country Sri Lanka is.

The Animistic Spiritualist
Koffi was demon possessed. Evil spirits drove him to live in the jungles of the Ivory Coast to invoke death on people through incantations and sacrifices. He became an animistic spiritualist. Koffi was respected throughout the area, but he was a slave to the demons. They physically harassed him during the night. Sometimes he awoke with visible wounds on his body. Trying to escape the evil spirits, he went to various religious sects. But after each religious encounter, the demons would punish him. One day Koffi met a Christian from a local Assemblies of God church. This man said that only Jesus Christ could liberate him. Koffi went to the church, the pastor and congregation prayed for him, and the evil spirits left. Koffi was free. Many of Koffi's customers came to him to buy more charms. He urged them to abandon their worship and accept Jesus. More than eighty people have come to know Christ as a result of Koffi's testimony.

Adapted from a short story written by missionary Yobose K. Eugene as found in "Whosoever" (1991). Springfield, MO: Assemblies of God, Division of Foreign Missions.

Internship Opportunity!
Is it time to take your God-given gifts to this fallen and hurting world, offering hope to lost and dying people? Since 1990 we have been equipping, training, and sending adults, families, and youth on short-term mission trips (more than 10,000 people!). This year, Sun City Missions and Twenty-Four|Seven have partnered to offer Core, a short-term missionary internship program with a youth leadership emphasis.

A Little Humor
The first day, while Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.

The second day, some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God.

The third day, Jesus returned to one of the towns after escaping to the hillside for prayer. Along the roadside he found a man sitting on the ground with his knees pulled up to his chest and his face in his hands crying out in dispare. Jesus said to the man, "Why do you cry?" The man replied, "I live in Springfield!" So Jesus sat down beside him and wept.

Adapted from a story told by John Bueno.

  Full Article
Internship Opportunity!

Is it time to take your God-given gifts to this fallen and hurting world, offering hope to lost and dying people? Since 1990 we have been equipping, training, and sending adults, families, and youth on short-term mission trips (more than 10,000 people!). This year, Sun City Missions and Twenty-Four|Seven have partnered to offer Core, a short-term missionary internship program with a youth leadership emphasis.

Young adults (ages 18-23) interested in Core should download an application from www.suncitymissions.com or contact Sun City Missions' headquarters for an application. Core is $5,000 for the year; this includes housing, food, training materials, team-building retreats and outings, and two short-term mission trips. One of the trips will require flying, and the cost of airfare is included in the program.

This internship is focused on training and equipping the applicant in four areas: youth ministry, local community outreach, world missionary work, and missionary organization operations. As an intern, you will work hand-in-hand with the staff of Sun City Missions, sending thousands of people on short-term mission trips. You will also participate in Twenty-Four|Seven events, serving more than 200 youth with weekly youth church activities, small groups, and follow-up responsibilities. During the week you'll receive daily training in biblical studies and theology, as well as practical ministry training in a classroom setting. Throughout the month, interns will also develop their drama, music, and speaking talents by traveling to and serving various churches in the Pacific Northwest.

Act now! Space is limited to twenty participants, and only applicants with completed paperwork will be considered. Applications will be reviewed in the order received. Grow yourself in a dynamic, Christ-honoring, and cutting-edge ministry cooperative that will develop your cognitive skills, communication abilities, and appreciation for lifelong learning and service. Questions or Core application requests can be directed by phone to 1.800.4.THE.LOST or by email to staff@suncitymissions.com.