As I look back, I can't believe I've already been here for a month, the time has passed by so quickly. The highlight of my time so far has definitely been the 15 days spent in Bahareduk with a team of 18 Brazilians. Maybe not so much the first few days as I grew accustomed to the noise level (even at breakfast) in a language I knew little of, but certainly the remainder of our time there was very much enjoyed and I will miss my new friends greatly when they leave, although a trip to Brazil could now be on the to-do list in the next year or two. The weather during our time in Bahareduk, was very windy, often with an evening and overnight shower and rather cool.  I even had to wear a jumper on quite a few days, although I suspect not as cold as Adelaide at the moment.

​

Activities in the mornings were spent working in the garden, clearing land for further planting, tidying up around the base and block-making at a couple of houses. There weren't many houses making blocks due to a lack of cement, although a recent delivery should ensure this kicks into gear in the coming weeks. The afternoons were spent in a range of ministry areas. Some of the team visited families, sharing the gospel and praying with them, whilst others focussed on children's ministry.  This involved some afternoons at the school where the children learnt about the creation story and had the opportunity to draw the story day by day.  We also had a number of singing sessions, which for those who have been will know can last for hours. Fortunately I now know a number of Tetun songs so we don't have to repeat the same songs over and over and over again. 'Jesus Is The Rock' is still a favourite and they love dancing to 'Give It Away'. A few of the Brazilians really enjoyed this time and were able to teach a few Portuguese songs as well.  The Brazilians have also really taken to 'Jesus Hadomi Hotu Hotu' which they have enjoyed singing at every opportunity!!!!

​

Team Brazil also held two Sunday afternoon church services in the village, which were well attended, particularly by the children. At the second service, a small group of the village girls performed a dance to 'Every Move I Make (Na Na)' which was a highlight.  They had spent every afternoon that week learning the dance from a couple of the Brazilians and they did really well.  The services were a great opportunity for different cultures to come together and worship God. Evenings were spent playing card games and chatting about the day with conversations either translated or where the use of many and varied hand signals was required, as you can imagine there were a lot of laughs as well.

​

Other highlights of our time there were making our way to the very top of the village (past the water source and beyond where our teams have gone before) for a devotional time one afternoon, a number of the Brazilian team being baptised in the local 'pool', and just the pure joy on the children's faces as they hung around the team playing games and learning new languages. Oh and I must mention the excitement of the night the boys caught the rat that had been tormenting them for over a week. I must admit I felt sorry for the poor thing after watching them hurl abuse at it for over 10 minutes. After Bahareduk, the Brazilian team spent a week in Hera at the school with Soraya and this week are back in Dili.

​

My time in Dili is fairly quiet, simply doing odd jobs around the base, trying to learn some more of the language, worshipping at different churches (so far it's been a different one each Sunday), enjoying a few luxuries (e.g.,  electricity, movies and ice-cream) and a couple of days spent at the beach.

Once the team from Brazil depart we will head back to Bahareduk for a week or so before beginning preparations for the arrival of Team WPUC.