Saying Goodbye's: Here are pictures from a couple goodbye dinners last week.

Wednesday night was dinner at Sunil's. (He's the server from Budde's - remember?- our home-away-from-home at the beach.) He has (over the span of 8 years) bought a piece of land in the middle of a cinnamon grove and built a beautiful home for his family... it's a little ways inland - was incredible quiet and peaceful. We were so impressed with the whole experience. His wife and family cooked (hands-down) the best Sri Lankan meal we've had in the past 18 months. We really enjoyed the chance to sit and chat with him in such a relaxed setting: "Superb." (as Sunil says).

Sunil and his wife and son

Sunil and his two sisters and nephew.

Adam, Sunil, & Chris

Thursday night was the staff farewell dinner at a local vegetarian place in Hikkaduwa. Kicked off with group singing...

Benjamin (Construction Technical Officer), Chris (Project Manager), and Raj (Office Manager)This is the only photo ever taken of Raj smiling... it took only 4 attemps, and Chris tickling him.

Sisila, Mark, Dinuka, Robert - leading the pre-meal sing-song.

Inoka (Livelihoods), Mindy (CCD), Kokila (Livelihoods)

Jayantha (Combatting Human Trafficking) and Tucker (All non-tsunami Projects)

Adam and the Construction Guys -

Kapila, Benjamin, Adam, Mahinda -- they are quality guys - super, super hard workers and a fantastic team.

Here's the "tough guy" picture (no smiling).

It took 3 or 4 attempts to keep Mahinda (far right) from smiling... He just can't help it.

with the CCD staff - kneeling: Nalinda (Child Development), Hasitha (Child Development), Rajendren (Spiritual Life Coordinator). standing: Mark (CCD Coordinator) & Chamani, Sahara & Ruwantha (CCD Field Officers), Sisila (HIV/AIDS), [us], Dinuka (CCD Field Officer), Eranga & Naomi (CCD Field Officers)

Benjamin gave us each a huge going away gift (wooden, hand-carved statues)

with Hasitha (CCD Child Development) and his wife Harshini

Saturday night was dinner with Mr. Ariyapala and his family (Remember? - he's the driver from Ampara). His oldest daughter (Anoma) is married to the pastor (Wijenama) of the Colombo Central Church, and dinner was held in their home in Colombo. They are a dynamic couple... love the Lord and others (just like Ariyapala). It was very nice to be in their Christmas-y home with the whole precious family... they went all out with decorations (Christmas placemats and floating candles!).

Also, a word of explanation - these dinners are a little different than the average celebratory sit-down we're accustomed to. At these dinners, where we're the "guests of honor," we sit at the table and are served by the family. One or two family members might join us (below, the two English-speaking men were designated), and then the family eats after the guests have left.

with the whole Ariyapala crew... (minus one son and a couple grandkids that couldn't make it).