HARVEST FORCE 2023 ISSUE 3
Timor-Leste
WE ARE ONE IN GOD’S FAMILY: SERVING TOGETHER AS A TEAM Mission trips have resumed in the new normal after the pandemic. Read the reflections from the team leader of a youth mission team who went to Timor-Leste in June 2023 for a week:
Stephen Wee
Feeling like an old man stuck in an 18-year-old boy’s body, Stephen may be young but his body aches attest to the active person that he is. He has been to Timor-Leste five times, and he has decided to return to visit whenever he can. He serves the Lord through playing drums in worship. And, recently, he took up the role of a mission trip leader.
One common purpose: to serve the Lord and serve the people of Timor-Leste together as one family in Christ.
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Our mission team consisted of 10 members: six youth from Aldersgate Methodist Church (AMC) and four (2 youth and 2 adults) from Holland Village Methodist Church (HVMC). Even though we were from different churches, we were all going to Timor-Leste with one common purpose: to serve the Lord and serve the people of Timor-Leste together as one family in Christ.
Christo Rei: Sitting at the feet of Jesus as a team.
In our weekly team meetings that started in April, besides planning for the trip, we prayed for the missionaries. We also fasted and prayed for the trip as a group. When we first arrived in Timor-Leste, we were fortunate enough to be able to squeeze in a time for a prayer walk and devotion at the Cristo Rei. It was a time of spiritual preparation as we prayed over the country. The team spent three days at the Sundermeier Home on the mountain of Gleno. This hostel was managed by Uncle Joseph and Aunty Grace. We were blessed to have the opportunity to have fellowship with the hostelites and to teach them how to play the keyboard, cajón, and guitar. They could use these skills when they worship God during their daily devotions. We also taught simple English and led in devotions. At the Sunday service, the assistant leader of our team, Mark Feijen, shared from the book of Philemon on the importance of forgiveness.
Team at Sundermeier Home.
Team briefing BB/GB camp participants.
