:: Timor-Leste (East Timor) 11th - 18th June 2011 ::
This is my first mission trip, and I know I would love to go back again someday. This beautiful land and its people has captivated my heart…and I have learnt so much from Lydia and the lovely people in Maubisse…about life, about love, about ministry.
We spent 4.5 days in Maubisse - a place around 1500m above sea level and 2.5 hour drive from the capital Dili, and 3 days in Dili…experienced both the coldness in the mountains and the hotness in the city. Indeed, God is good…and He knows what is the best plan for us. We see His hand upon us and leading us, so real and true.
Listed below is among the many more of His abundant blessing during this trip…
[1] We arrived at Maubisse safely at 7pm just before total darkness and despite driving in low lighting at the last 1hr.
[2] The landlord’s family at Maubisse received us warmly at our arrival, and prepared our dinner!
[3] We met some UN police guards from China at Sara ‘restr’ at Maubisse, and learnt that they are now stationing here (previously were Indonesia). This is a blessing, because Lydia is unable to communicate well in bahasa, but is good at speaking chinese! They were friendly and exchanged contacts with Lydia.
[4] ‘Jamming’ at Lucia and Leonardo’s house, a blessed and wonderful evening.
[5] Lydia’s interview for work visa and the extension of her tourist visa went smoothly, and all settled within a morning!
[6] Managed to find the CHEGA exhibition by CAVR, and learnt a lot about the history and stories of this land.
[7] Met a Singaporean missionary couple when we were at Cristo Rei in Dili, and that eventually led us to visit Maubara the next day. We were amazed by what a Portugese community organiser has done in this village.
[8] The Portugese at Maubara noticed our flat tyre, and he also offered his help to change it. This is important, because our team is incapable of changing the tyre of a 4WD Pajero by ourselves!
[9] The tyre workshop which Lydia knows of were closed by the time we returned to Dili from Maubara. But we were told of another workshop and it is run by a Chinese boss! It is a blessing for Lydia to have this contact, because the workers in the previous workshop speak only bahasa which Lydia is not good at.
[10] While we were still roaming around and wondering where is the convent kindergarten which Lucia’s sister is working at…and then suddenly, we saw Lucia’s sister on that street!
”Love your neighbour as yourself”
Some people ask me why go for mission trip, and they wonder what difference could we make within such a short period of time…well, below would be my answers:
[1] Having first-hand experience and encounters with the people, I now have a better understanding of the condition in Timor-Leste…and the needs of the missionary there. This enables me to pray specifically with passion for this land.
[2] Meeting people and playing with the children…I cherish all those moments and friendships…and I can now pray by names and with faces from my memories with them.
[3] The children and the people are very happy to have foreigners visiting them and spending time with them. Their joy, laughters and hospitality are genuine and undeniable, which touches one’s heart.
[4] The time spent, our presence, and the little help and support we contribute, whatever small and minor…is meaningful and of great encouragement to the missionary working there.
[5] This trip changes my perspective…about life, about love, about ministry…and am blessed to encounter God’s leading, so real and true during this trip.
On facebook: Maubisse Yellow House
Posted in Ah ga ga, Christianity, Places
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