From the mission field: Mercy in Sri Lanka

Hatton, Sri Lanka, in 2019. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

The Rev. G. Nadaraja, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Westward Ho, Sri Lanka, presents a child with a school packet in January. (M. Anton)

The Rev. Steven and Martha Mahlburg serve as LCMS missionaries in Sri Lanka, where Rev. Mahlburg provides administrative support, Christian education and mentoring for the pastors, evangelists and laypeople of the Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church (CELC).

He also assists Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by conducting the English service, teaching Sunday school and providing English-language pastoral care. In addition, he supports the LCMS Asia regional director as a manager for other missionaries in the region.

As part of its ongoing mercy work, the CELC provides school packets filled with essentials such as pens, notebooks and rulers. This simple support strengthens families who are striving to give their children a better future.

This year, more than 550 school packets were distributed to children living on the tea plantations and to families in the inner city. Recently, tea plantation workers received a wage increase from 1,350 to 1,750 rupees per day. At first glance that may sound encouraging, but in U.S. dollars it amounts to an increase from only $4.35 to $5.65.

The simple act of providing school packets to the children of families in need is one small way that the church is sharing Christ’s love with the world. The CELC is able to continue this ministry of mercy because of the generous and faithful support of the LCMS.

To learn more about the Mahlburgs and their work in Sri Lanka, visit lcms.org/mahlburg.

Posted April 2, 2026