Sri Lankan airlines another replica of Thomas Cook with tight seating. A favorite for Indians going back on visits to Sth India. 10 hours to Colombo then a link with the flight to Chennai leaving at around 07.00.

Mine host was there to meet me and soon I am in the comfort of the ac guest room of Colombo Theological Seminary the fruit of the perseverance and hard work of Ivor Poobalam a Methodist pastor who saw the need to revitalise his Church with positive biblical training. Taking over a few old shed like buildings he began in faith and hope being rewarded with this modern up to date structure with an active faculty and thriving student body.

The class is smaller than last year, the subject Introduction of Mission, more prosaic and normal. There are two junior pastors as well as a woman in IT amongst the group. The course is a part time MA. In addition to the lectures I have set them a major research project investigating the state of Mission in their Church.

The pastor from Galle, 2 hours train ride south of Colombo, tells of a Buddhist monk converted by reading a discarded tract who founded a Church in a totally unreached area only to be murdered by a fanatic. At the time a great disaster but today in a living example of the corn of wheat falling into the ground there are thriving Churches in the area.

Sunday saw me at the House of Fellowship sharing with the group by translation into two languages Tamil and Sinhala making for an hour and a quarter presentation.

Fellowship included sharing with the Principal, Dr Ivor Poobalam, over lunch hearing of his vision and rejoicing in the way the Lord has enabled in this strategic ministry.

Mano Emmanuel the Dean who was an accountant in England but felt the call of God to return to her homeland beginning by training at London Bible College. Now upgrading through a college in Manila with a D Min course. Her thesis interest Reconciliation and Peace Making an important topic in Sri Lanka today as the healing needs to take place between the Sinhala majority and Tamil communities.

Prabho another returnee who was studying at Regent, met his wife Dorothy in IVF circles then returned to become a lecturer in Sinhala at the Seminary. Dorothy looks after their two active boys as well as lecturing in ESL. The Nationalistic emphasis putting heavy emphasis on Sinhala the national language is now being corrected with a more balanced approach to English but many have left school weak in this important subject and skill.

Dr. Bernard De Costa came from Lanka Bible College where I taught a course last year. We were discussing the possibility of a visit there in 2011. They also have a part time external MA course as the demand is strong from many who wish to improve their Bible knowledge and understanding.