J U L Y 2 0 1 5 T E A M 1
DAY 1 - BELLE
The flight from Adelaide was a real killer - leaving at 10pm, arriving at 2am and hanging around the airport till our 6am connection to Dili. Our flight from Darwin to Dili was quick and painless with an Aussie-style pancake breakfast. Looking out of the plane window I could see the most beautiful sunrise as it awakened from beneath the mountains. We exited the plane thinking it would be stifling hot but it was actually quite pleasant except for the mosquitoes and the dusty air. The airport was more like that of a small country town and the visa process was long as only one man was serving. Anabel welcomed us - it was nice to see a familiar face. Driving to the YWAM base it became evident that we weren’t in Australia anymore. Large drains, chaotic traffic, beeping horns, rubbish accumulating on the sides of the road - all set the scene for our new landscape. The YWAM base was set out with Western-style toilets, showers and beds - a very impressive start! We rested as we were exhausted from the ‘red eye’ flight and then reconnected with everyone at lunch. It didn’t take long to engage the local children through volleyball and paper plane making. The children were interested in us, asking our names and wanting to shake our hands. The children are friendly, eager, and energetic, they play outside the base amongst the rubbish pile, chooks and dogs. It is a community here. As you will walk along, you are greeted and joined. The temperature was about 32 with 80% humidity that made sleeping at night a bit hard, as did the barking dogs and the crowing roosters. The island has had no real rain for several months.
DAY 2 - ELI
To kick off the day we had a traditional East Timorese breakfast consisting of pancakes and maple syrup! We left the YWAM base early to visit the Jesus Statue travelling in the “troupie” which was really cool. That’s one of those Land Cruiser 4WD cars that have two bench seats along the windows instead of regular seats which meant we could all cram in together - 10 passengers, but 14 at a squeeze! The Jesus statue is on top of a hill at the end of the bay overlooking Dili city and it is massive (20 meters high). Belle and I were very curious about how many steps leading up to it, so we counted
every single step of the climb! For the record there are 584 and poor old Tim had to do the whole climb on crutches – ladies, he’s single!! From there we went down to the beach riding in the back of Anabel’s ute, it was so much fun. The beach was refreshing, the sand so smooth and it was so beautiful, I love beaches. After lunch back at the base we went out again to the Timorese Resistance Archive & Museum. I love history and found it very interesting. It explained all about the invasion by the Indonesians in 1999, the year I was born. The civil war struggle lasted for 40 years and about one quarter of the population was killed. In the evening we had a team meeting. As that finished something caught my eye. The local children outside the YWAM base had made parachutes from plastic drink bottles and plastic bags and were tossing them into the air as a game. It was so cool! I went outside with a plastic bottle and bag of my own that I had found. What you need to know is that white skin is very uncommon here, so as soon as I walked out the gate, the kids flocked to me! It was so funny! The kids made me the parachute bottle and then taught me something else really cool, card throwing. It was so awesome to be able to throw it 8-10 metres. They taught me how to throw it like a pro! Belle, Tim and I spent some time talking to the local kids hanging around outside the YWAM base. I tried speaking to them in Indonesian and that worked quite well. It seems some Indonesian words are the same in their Tetun language. They couldn’t get over how big Tim was. They were really friendly and it was fun playing and trying to talk with them, we kept cracking up laughing with them!
DAY 3 - MEFF
Off at last to Bahareduk! We travelled east, up the coast to Manatutu. Hugging the coast, we had beautiful views of blue seas and pebbly beaches interspersed with dusty dry country. We passed by several tiny fishing villages, and stalls selling cassava, coconuts and delicious bananas that tasted like fruit salad. As we travelled the road climbed and we negotiated a series of switchbacks. Our drivers had to warn oncoming vehicles by tooting at each corner. At the little town of Manatutu we turned south and our excitement grew as we headed toward the mountains. At this point Anabel, who was in the lead, stopped and picked up a young boy of about 12. He was from Bahareduk and was looking for a ride home. He had hurt his foot and could not walk on it. While the country was still dry, the vegetation now became more tropical. We passed through rice paddies with grazing water buffaloes. On we went, with vegetation becoming thicker and the road becoming narrower and rougher until eventually we were on dirt road. From the small market town of Crebus we climbed upward. The vegetation became thicker and we noticed that many of the trees were a type of white trunked eucalypt with broad leaves. Suddenly, through the trees we caught glimpses of the river, which causes Bahareduk to be completely cut off in the rainy season. We could see why! The river, at this time of year, is a solid bed of rocks and stones about 500 metres wide. As we reached it we slowly drove
up the river bed on a rough track for about 50 metres before crossing diagonally. The vehicles, in 4-wheel drive, crept painstakingly, bump by bump. We crossed through the water of a couple of flows that were still running and finally made the other side. Now we drove along a narrow bush track, 2
more creek crossings, another kilometre of winding track. Around a bend, over a rise and we were greeted with the sight of a mass of brilliant purple bougainvillea. We had arrived at Bahareduk! After all the excitement and anticipation I found our arrival somewhat unreal. We tumbled out of the vehicles and looked around. We had pulled up outside the Chief’s house, a basic concrete block hut with a makeshift galvanised iron verandah roof. In
front of it, slightly to one side, a magnificent tree with branches spreading out to form a canopy of shade. My first impression of the village was one of
space and beauty and peace. It was surrounded by mountains. Hens, roosters, dogs, pigs, and goats wander amid well spaced huts or half built block dwellings. To one side there is a large open soccer field. The Chief, his wife, and some other men stepped forward to shake our hands. Curious, shy
children gathered but when we tried to talk to them they shrank back with embarrassed giggles. Then Annabel Longden saw 2 girls playing a hand clapping game that she knew. She joined in their game and all reservations melted away. It was like an instant connection through play. Although we live such different lives and in such different parts of the world, a simple children’s game could connect us and make all those differences disappear. It was a beautiful moment. After lunch we set about moving in and helping each other to erect tents (with varying degrees of expertise!) All the while, we were closely watched by a growing audience of fascinated children. In the late afternoon we assembled with many of the villagers outside the Chief’s house. There we were formally welcomed by the Chief and his Elders. He spoke of their gratitude to Westbourne Park Uniting Church for our support both financially and ‘on the ground’. He said that they were simple people and that they acknowledged that they needed our help and that they were very grateful for all we were doing. He presented Jenny Carver and Sarah Flynn (on our behalf) with cloth stoles that had the church’s name woven into them. In East Timor, the giving of a stole is an honouring for the recipient. It was a very moving ceremony and a wonderful way to cap off a very memorable day.
DAY 4 - DONNA
After devotions, members of our team went their different ways. Some started some house building with the village men, whilst others ran a health and dental clinic. The canopy of tree shades the stumps that we use for our seats. Swe Nge cleans the eyes and noses of the children and we watch their faces be transformed under the dirt. Margie shows the young children how to clean their teeth. Their new toothbrushes and a tube of Colgate continues the transformation, as they are now white teeth that sparkle next to their dark skin and their brown eyes are framed by their eyebrows. For some we have medicine, for ALL we have a prayer. We are struck by the progression of a condition that would be so easily treated in Adelaide: a simple splinter left leads to a large internal foot abscess. Eczema in the baby that has become infected has led to large boils and multiple infected sores with barely any skin free from the trauma, children with fever that just needed a simple Panadol to break it. For these children we have medicines to help, those with chronic pain, possibly the result of harshness of their life, for the lady with cataracts whose sight is almost gone - we pray - as never before we have been so impacted by the necessity for God as the primary source of healing. As we pray, they smile and hope is returned to this village.
DAY 5 - MICHAEL
This morning we shared worship under the Cherry tree in front of the Chief’s house. Words of praise in two languages through song, prayer and scripture reading. The day then involved small jobs including: a second medical and dental clinic run by Donna, Heather, Margie, Sara, Belle, YWAMers, plus local assistance, tiling of the toilet and shower in the bunkhouse by Kym, David and Tim and site work preparation by Brian, Ian and
Mike. Others walked into the nearby hills, noting wild peas, beans, bananas and coffee. The women return from the stream bathed and refreshed. Many of us walk around the village, studying the 3 forms of housing: traditional raised bamboo huts with thatched roofs, on-ground to the hearts with woven wall panels and tin roofs and new, on-ground concrete block and galvanised roof houses. The older structures are kept as sleep-outs, stores and drying areas. At about 5pm, warm–about 26°C, blue sky with dotted clouds, a gentle breeze from the south, down from the mountains through this glorious valley. Overall, it is quiet, with children playing, a rooster call and chats around the YWAM bunkhouse. Tim and Belle practice on the ukulele for the evening service, an East Timorese man walks past carrying long timbers to build further up the village. Women and children bring down produce as a pony and rider canter past. The community soccer match has just finished with a loud cheer. So another special day with worship, gatherings, working together, sharing and learning about Bahareduk, the place, the people, the peace and God's presence.
DAY 6 - MARGIE
As I contemplate the day ahead, I realise my limitations. How driven one becomes and focused on ‘doing’ instead of ‘being’. After literally having the ‘wind taken out of my sails’ (a story for another day) and needing to observe the day and my beautiful brothers and sisters in Christ, I am listening to others, taking time to be at peace and reflecting on our very privileged lives. How amazing to sit in the community’s meeting tree and listen to the word given to us by Tim and Annabel. (John:10, 10-16) I encourage you to read this and also reflect. As we discussed with the person next to us, it became clear when we take on a mission - whatever that may be - how easy it is to walk in as the ‘saviours’, the ‘hero’, the ‘conqueror’ and then go home to our comfortable life with little thought given to our responsibility to support or follow up on the people we have left behind. The day was somewhat turned upside down when breakfast was delayed and the morning activities reversed. Due to running out of one bottle of gas, it reduced the pancake cooking to one burner instead of two, (we couldn't just nip down to the local cafe or Maccas to eat, or go to the local servo for gas – Dili is three hours away). Plan A (our plan): breakfast, devotions and school visit (the school visit was also scheduled at the same time as devotions). Plan B (God's plan): devotions, breakfast, school visit. The later opening time of the school enabled our young folk to accompany Meff, Jenny and Kym to the school. This is but one small example of letting go and letting God show us the way. Encouraging, patience, tolerance, team spirit, inclusion—opening our eyes and hearts. We are learning from these beautiful people of Bahareduk - innovation - to make a bucket out of an old tyre, a sieve using a kitchen strainer (compliments to Kym) to help David sift out stones from the grout to enable an easier application of the grouting for the tiles in the toilet of the base camp. What a day of achievement. Walls going up on houses, trenches (the ladies work team of Meff, Swe Nge, Heather) an amazing effort. The camaraderie, the laughter, working in harmony brings great waves a a joy to be the observer Contemplating the day, I think back on Annabel and Jenny’s words ‘that it is not just the big jobs that count but listening to another person’ whether it be a team member or a villager, talking to a child, touching her hand, singing with joy, cleaning the toilets, filling water buckets, watching the volleyball play-off with Australia versus Timor-Leste. Australia 2, Timor-Leste 0 - all in good spirits. Our team meal at the end of the day by candlelight. Candlelight with its soft yellow glow, calming and encouraging gentle conversation. Then listening to Annabel recount her life story. Inspiring us to realise again all things are possible if we let go and let God! A very important moment. Today around 4:30pm, we heard a shriek of delight from Donna as the shower sprayed forth and heralded the beginning of the prospect of real showers (albeit cold water – remember average daily temperature is over 25°). The end of bucket-showers thanks to our ever resourceful ‘boys’. We continue to be comforted in the knowledge prayers back home will sustain us. We acknowledge our failings, but we know the flip side is strength and that no matter what, we are walking in God’s Grace.
DAY 7 - SARAH & ELI
It is really like waking up in the middle of barnyard here. Every household would have a rooster and they wake around 4am, dogs bark and night, pigs and the piglets grunt and snort around our tents. I’m pretty sure the cows wandered past one night too. Chooks and the chickens, goats, plus the local birds – it is no surprise the day starts before sunrise. No one would be able to sleep through noise anyway The experience of staying in the village is a bit like camping. Washing up: this takes place behind the kitchen on a trestle table setup with 3 large bowls. Jenny has all on a roster to do the dishes each meal. After scraping the dishes onto the garden for the dogs and chooks to wrangle the scraps, the first person washes the dishes with a soapy sponge on plonks it into the first bowl to rinse. Second person rinses this and transfers the dishes to the second bowl Filled with diluted bleach solution, then they transfer the dishes into the third bowl for draining and drying. Going to the loo: we now have a toilet that flushes - woo hoo! Prior to that luxury we had to manually flush with scoops of water from buckets lined up next to the toilet and those had to be filled in advance as well. We cannot put toilet tissue in the loo so that all goes into rubbish bag hanging from plumbing below the hand basin. The worst part of all this is to then get rid of it. Maggie and I took it upon ourselves to feed the waste paper into a pathetic fire made in the furnace we discovered near the base. I don’t think we were at all qualified for this task as we very nearly smothered the James on several occasions. Needless to say it wasn’t a pleasant job, but somebody has to do it! Taking a shower: well that’s a bucket wash with a scoop of cold water in the shower alcove. Haven’t successfully managed to get a shower flowing properly yet –something about poor water pressure due to the broken pipes further up the hill, but we still live in hope once the
pipe is fixed. Clothes washing: again this takes place in a bucket of water with a bar of wonder soap –just like camping! This morning Eli led devotions under the Chief’s tree. He gave us the opportunity to reflect on some questions: what excites us about being here, where are we feeling challenged or stretched and what am I learning about myself? The afternoon was spent with the team going about different building tasks: digging the trenches for the bathroom pipes to drain away from the building, connecting them up and then filling in the trench.
Eli’s notes:
Brought a wheelbarrow to the top of the hill to cart bricks to the building site. Put the children in the wheelbarrow for the ride down. A villager tied a rope to the front of the wheelbarrow, on the way up, the kids pulled the rope to help. On the way down I sat in the wheel barrow with a kid on my lap. Overall we carried 32 bricks to the top of the hill - a 150 metre distance. The locals are carrying bricks on their heads! When I was writing my diary, the locals came to where we were and brought with them six coconuts. They used machete to open them. Coconut water is yum. After dinner we return to the Chief’s kitchen to listen to a Attina share her testimony. It was quite incredible that she shared it in English. She is one of the YWAM staff with us and is a really sweet and faith filled person. A lot of her testimony revolved around her identity and her bad feeling towards her father following him leaving her mother. Through the Bible study and DTS education she has understood forgiveness and has the opportunity to give this to the father. The family’s acceptance of the decision to follow Christ has been a witness to them all. She is one of 9 children and she has shared the gospel with her whole family, they have all become Christians and her parents are together again. I love to hear from the heart, how Christ transforms and frees people.
DAY 8 - HEATHER & SWE NGE
After a breakfast of bread rolls, we left the village at 8am (Australian time - but that means on time!) for Crebus, the local market. The drive there, about 40 minutes, was made much more interesting with several stops to pick up our local villagers who all walk to the market. As well as the lovely East Timor mountainous scenery to look at, we ended up with 12 to 14 people in the back of the ute. Crebus market was really interesting, as well as being great fun. There were a few bamboo frames over which a cover could be put – mostly this was not done. Stall holders would put a piece of cloth or plastic down on the ground and then spread their wares out on this. A lot of locally grown vegetables and fruit, clothes (both new and used), all sorts of household goods from china, plasticware, maps, cleaning products, glassware, hair care products, umbrellas, etc. There was locally grown tobacco and children's toys. There were a number of stalls selling food – flatbread with herbs (yum), bread rolls with sugar, rice in a leaf package and cooked yams. And there was one stall selling some of the beautiful local hand weaving. There were also some very confronting sites. There were dogs for sale and also roosters. Cockfighting is very popular and these roosters were bred for fighting. But I guess worst of all was seeing small piglets trussed up live, hanging from poles. The drive back to Bahareduk was as much fun as the drive to the market. This time the back of the ute was piled up with goods of some of our villagers - bags of rice, all sorts of goods in bags and then topped up with 10 to 12 people of all ages. We also had seven people inside the twin cab ute. It was a great morning but as usual I found that I was left trying to deal with the great differences between our two cultures. The treatment of animals, the poverty of these gentle people, their kindness and generosity. After arriving back at Bahareduk, it was back to work at the base. And guess what? I escaped trench digging this afternoon. Instead I shovelled fill to put in front of the YWAM base for a patio area. After finishing
work I had a lovely cold shower. On the way down to dinner, I stopped to watch the volleyball match – East Timor versus Australia. I have no idea who won but it sure looked like everyone was having fun. After dinner we had devotions and then for me – bed.
DAY 9 - PATRICK
Patrick is 6 years old and this fact gave him one major advantage compared to the rest of us. He had no inhibitions in approaching the village children. He mixed and related very well with them. The village children quickly accepted him - showing plainly that the colour of our skin and our language should be no barrier to assimilation. Sometimes I think the village children are teasing me because they always laugh at me. Mum says they might be, but it also could be because we don't understand each other's language? Meff sees I am having a sad day today and goes for a walk with me. We walk all the way to the top of the village and then we turn and take a tiny track. The bushes are as big as me each side. There are lots of different flowers and
seeds. If Mike was here he would tell me what they all are - he likes plants. There are big bumblebees everywhere and it is really hot. At the end of the track is a cemetery. Jesus is there. There are graves of old people and graves of babies. I like it there it is a special place. Later I ask if Mum would like to see it. Margie, Sarah and Mum all come with me. I think they thought I would get them lost as the track is narrow and they kept asking “do you know where you're going?” And “how much longer?” They liked it there too but it was this time the clouds were black and the rain was coming so we had to leave. We got wet going home but I didn't mind because I like playing in the rain. Mum’s favourite smell is after the rain has come so we were all happy. Today was a sad day but I was able to find something special and share it.
DAY 10 - BRIAN
The morning started in its usual fashion at around 4am with an array of local animals calling to announce a new day. After another wonderful breakfast and devotions, working parties moved to all sections of the village. Block making continued at the top end. Dave Longden set about installing windows into openings much bigger than the windows supplied. With the finest of bush carpentry skills, by the end of the day he had them working wonderfully. Mike O’Connell with his helpers continued digging trenches and laying waste water pipes that would make an old E&WS engineer proud. Inside the base Kym Dixon, with pad and pen, walked around compiling a list of materials we were to purchase on return to Dili ready for Team 2. His second task today was to relocate and organise the existing materials and tools. Ably assisted, he completed this with military precision of a British army quartermaster. Having spent my time around the village helping with block work walls, Ian Andrews and I had planned to work at the YWAM base
building to prepare forming to make a concrete bench slab for the proposed kitchen. The plan is to pour the concrete on the ground, in three separate sections and lift them into place supported by concrete blocks. The bench is over 5 metres long and provides for a double-bowl sink, drain board and preparation area and will be tiled. White ants are a real problem, thus eliminating the use of timber. Our preparation on the formwork for the kitchen bench was interrupted when Thomas (the Chief), with a band of helpers, came looking for some assistance to prepare timber for door and window frames.
DAY 12 - DAVID
We awoke in a bed, complete with mattress and air conditioning - free from the sounds of roosters crowing, horses neighing, goats bleating or dogs fighting. It felt quite strange. The water from the shower came direct from the shower head with no sign of pouring buckets. 7:30 breakfast was usual. Jenny isn’t well, Annabel has the day off, so we debate the schedule for today. Church was the first item on the agenda. Traditional versus nature. Kym, Tim, Eli, Swe Nge and Sarah headed out to an English speaking service. The rest of us hit the beach. Tide was high, peaceful, idyllic and calm. We shared easy conversations around relationships, missions and reflected on the last 10 days. It was evident that we had all grown closer to each other as the conversations were open and honest, deep and meaningful, void of the walls that come with “how’s the weather”. We join the others back at the YWAM base for lunch to hear of their inspiring church service. The sermon was centered on David and Goliath and moved quickly into battles with the devil, not being ours, but God’s and to stay firmly fixed on God. After lunch we went to the street market and then said farewell to Margie who headed back to Australia a day earlier. Maggie is always buoyant, bubbly and positive and sees humour where ever it sits. She has been a delight to have around. The boys headed to the beach with Kym and had a great time throwing mud and doing what young boys do. We are starting to wind back, to think about packing and what lies in wait for us back in Australia. We farewell this beautiful country and its people tomorrow.
DAY 13 - SARAH & ELI
Whilst we woke in Dili, I think for many of us our minds were already halfway home, eager to reconnect with our loved ones and share our experiences on this mission trip. It was with much joy that we had Jenny C rejoin us in the day’s activities after being pretty much housebound with a gastro bug since we returned from Bahareduk. The timing couldn’t be better, for as we departed, Team 2 arrived and for her the whole adventure was about to
begin all over again. We had the best part of the day to spend in Dili. Being Monday, the city was busy, the roads very congested and the dust already making a clear blue sky very hazy. As a group we did attempt to set out in 2 troop vehicles to visit a craft workshop supporting women in need in East Timor, however we somehow managed to get separated in the chaos that is Dili traffic and one of us got lost! We ended up abandoning all efforts to find this workshop and instead lobbed into The Plaza – if not for the free Wi-Fi access and a quick connect with home in Australia, a Gloria Jeans coffee or a gelato ice cream, the only location in Dili for these luxuries. Back at the YWAM base the staff were cleaning and making ready for the arrival of Team 2. Brian and Kym had visited the hardware store for supplies Team 2 would need in the village; x3 block moulds (to make the house bricks), x30 boxes of tiles, plumbing fittings, wire, grease, a circular saw. And it was Day 1 of the DTS – Discipleship Training School. Seventeen fresh faced young East Timorese men and women faithfully embarking on a five month journey. I found it amazing for just a moment, to imagine what the flow on effect from this will be. Bring on His Kingdom here on Earth I say! Then it was time to farewell our new friends amidst the hugs and tears and begin the lengthy, boring and extended waiting periods at the airport and between connecting flights, to home. A highlight during our 8 hour lay-over in Darwin was nipping off to The Wharf for dinner where a T-bone steak, fish, burgers and a salad with chips were the orders of the day – no rice to be seen on
any of our plates! We are grateful to be Australian citizens returning to our privileged lives, but our thoughts and prayers will be with our East Timorese neighbours and particularly our friends in Bahareduk whose lives are hard and poor, but whose spirits are hopeful, in part due to the love in action of the whole WPUC community, those that visited in person, and those too that were there in spirit.