Tag Archives: Joy

1st English Class at Home

19 Jun

It’s another rainy day. Stayed home to read. Millenia brought 6 classmates in the rain for English class. They were all in school uniforms, had just come from school where class was cancelled. Cancellation of class is very common here when teachers are away for training or meeting in Dili.

 

Was really glad they came to study instead of going out to play. We started learning greetings & self-introduction. Girls were really enthusiatic in learning that they wanted to learn more. So next written on the white board were numbers from 1 to 10, days from Monday to Sunday, helping me to revise my Tetum at the same time :)

 

When I was spending time with these Primary 6 girls, Lucia called & asked if she could come over to read with another friend. I was overjoyed! God was at work touching people’s hearts that they wanted to come & connect, there was no need for me to solicit friendship, how encouraging!

 

Lucia & Emelia are in Secondary 3 levels & they were in my class last year, so able to read English story book quite well. After we finished reading the Honey Bunny book, Lucia taught me how to sing ”Nai Hau nia Dalan” (You are My Way), a local Catholic hymm. They were very impressed that I wanted to learn their songs & really put in extra effort. And I managed to learn it before they left for home !

 

It was rather tiring to teach 4 hours without any help (as R was not feeling well) & then having to prepare & cook dinner. But I find strength in the LORD as He is the source of my energy & help:

The LORD is my strength and my shield;
   my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
   and with my song I praise him.

                                                                                           - Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

 

With Love from Maubisse,

Lydia

19.6.2010

Zoro & Brinco

14 Jun

Zoro & Brinco - our security guards

 

“R, the floor is wet, stay inside for a little while longer please …..”, this is what I have been saying every morning for the past 3 days. I have just mopped the porch. It has been raining non-stop day & night since Friday and our dog, Zoro (the white, handsome male dog) has just dirtied the porch, again! 

 

Even though we use a piece of zinc sheet (those for roofing) as the gate to our porch, the agile Zoro is able to jump over to seek shelter from the rain, when we are asleep, of course! His wet paws left many muddy prints on the white-tiled porch every night. So I have to mop the porch every morning to make it clean & safe when the kids come in for classes later. It can be tiring doing this every morning followed by a long day of teaching, singing, cooking, washing but the delight I find in the Lord keeps me strong & focused on the reason why I am here. And the intercession by my prayer partners help to keep me going without being worn-out!

 

I also think of how these 2 lovely dogs are protecting us especially at night with their barking at anything (people or animals) that pass by our house. They will give chase if these people or animals refuse to move away.  The kids have been warning me not to get too near to Zoro who is always fighting with other dogs & very protective of his territory (which includes our house, the pig sty, the coffee & avocado trees behind our house)! I cannot thank God enough for providing these 2 dogs who are willing to stay with new owner (they actually belong to my landlord who is very kind to leave them with me)!

 

Brinco, the female dark-colored dog, is limping in her right hind leg. She is very wary of human as her leg was hit by stones threw at her by the kids. Dogs are everywhere here in Timor but they are not of the same class as those in Singapore. They are not kept as pets. They are kept as working animals, to guard the house, the crops & the valuable animals (like pigs & goats which are bred for sale).

 

I am cooking rice & vegetables for them everyday as they are now in my care. It’s quite nice that the rental of the house comes complete with security guards! And I hope in time to come, I will be able to get near to Zoro & Brinco to pat them, just like what I do with dogs in Singapore :) !

 

Love from Maubisse,

Lydia

14.6.2010

Birthday Celebration in a Timorese’s home

6 Jun

Our faithful friend, M has been keeping in touch when we were back in Singapore. He came to the airport yesterday to welcome us & invited us to celebrate his niece’s birthday today. It was a simple celebration at home with his family over a delicious lunch. Even though we did not understand each other in words, his family’s hospitality was warmly felt the moment we stepped into the home.

 

We were served cans of Coke & Tiger beer, reserved only for honored guests. His brother fussed over the computer so it could play music. His sister then made every possible effort to play the “right” songs so we would be properly entertained. His mother kept bringing plates of food to us to eat more.

 

Happy Birthday, Babra!

 

There was no fancy icing on the cake. Nor was there any candle. Just birthday songs in Tetum then in Portuguese for the occasion but the little girl, Babra was ecstatic with so many people especially foreigners celebrating her birthday!

 

 When it’s photo time, M’s parent went to change into formal clothes before taking the family photo together with us. That’s how important they view us as their guests & I am truly honored to be part of the occasion!

 

Dressed up for the occassion!

 

With love from Timor,

Lydia              

6.6.2010

 

Hello, Timor!

5 Jun

Beautiful People with Charming Sunset at Dili

This morning, we said goodbye to family & friends at Changi Airport T2 to go back to Timor-Leste. It’s not only to complete our OneLife.OneYear missions when the team left abruptly last Nov, we hope to restore relationships and to wrap up the one-year missions properly.

 

Upon arrival in Dili & after check-in to the hotel, we made our way to Ocean View Beach Hotel for dinner. Just as we were driving along the beach we missed so much, our friends D & E walked out of the hotel & making their way to the deck (restaurant & bar) by the beach front. We were all so excited to see each other! As we hugged each other, we felt as if we were gone for only a few days (when in fact we had been away for 7 long months!).

 

Another friend at the hotel, T commented that weather today in Dili had been very cool & windy, rather unusual during this time of the year. She said that it’s probably to welcome us back!

 

Even though we were all so excited, we did not forget to capture the precious moment especially with the beautiful sunset as our backdrop! As we settled down after greeting the hotel staff whom we had grown very fond of, we ordered our favorites: roast duck and steamed parrot fish! The food tasted yummilicous just as we remembered. And the portion was huge; we were so full at the end of the meal.

 

As we listened to D over dinner, we had the sense that the country is progressing well economically with businesses penetrating into the districts and hotels are enjoying higher occupancy rate. We were really glad to hear the people have been enjoying stable and peaceful political times.

 

Yummilicious Pisang Goreng with Ice Cream!

As we chat & enjoyed the good company, our night was complete with the best dessert we have tasted: steamy hot pisang goreng with ice cream! The crispy batter and the melt-in-your-mouth banana just tasted amazing with the ice cream.

 

The night went on with more good conversations, we did not want to say goodbye but we had to rest for the long drive up to Maubisse tomorrow. So we went back to the hotel with a warm but reluctant heart.

 

I went to bed with a big smile on my face recalling every moment since this morning when I left Singapore Changi Airport. Not only friends in Singapore woke up early to come send us off with their best wishes but to be welcomed by friends in East Timor warmed my heart greatly! My Almighty God has gone before us to prepare the way! I am grateful to be back to continue His kingdom work.

 

With love from Timor,

Lydia 

5.6.2010

 

God’s Invitation

5 May

 

 God has invited me to go back to Timor-Leste!!!

 

It has been 6 months now since my pre-mature return and today, the Church Board has given their blessings for R and me to go back to Maubisse to wrap up the one year short term mission.

 

The waiting period has not been easy. But I know God is teaching me patience. Many are surprised I could actually hang on until now without getting angry or bitter with God or the Church. I am surprised too. I could never do it without the grace of God. I am thankful God has been very generous to take time to mould me, to shape me and to prepare me for His kingdom works.

 

Jesus has said in John 4:34 that “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” As Jesus has obeyed God to go to the cross, I am fulfilling my promise to God that I will go wherever He wants me and to join Him in whatever He is doing.

 

God is already doing the work as evidenced in the English class for kids when God brought the kids to the door. The Holy Spirit has been working among the people that they have been very friendly and helpful.  God has even sent a culture helper whom I met at the hospital when I fractured my right foot! There are so much more to thank God and I am just grateful that He has called me back to Timor after this much needed period of rest and restoration.

 

Because of His grace,

Lydia 

Be Still

14 Jan

At the asking of a fellow missionary, I have accepted the Lord’s invitation to spend 3 days in silence retreat. I have not done this before and am not sure if I can remain at ease not talking at all when there are people around. Many friends are equally concerned that I may feel very uncomfortable considering my bubbly personality. I am thankful that God is gracious to bless me a great time of rest and joy.

 

Upon checking in, I found out I will be the only one staying on the ground floor. Sr. Cecilia has specially arranged the room for me because of my fractured foot whereas everyone has to “climb” the stairs to get to their rooms on the 2nd floor. It was a big place. With not much light outside, the memory of the trauma at Timor came flooding my mind. But the Lord spoke, “Do not fear for I am with you“. God’s comforting words calmed my heart,  I did not fear for the first time since returning home.

 

I felt safe, protected & peaceful that I became very comfortable as I sat on the bed, and before long, I was sleeping soundly… more rest followed the next day with naps after breakfast and lunch. It had been a restful time.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

- Matthew 11:28

 

It was refreshing to be in God’s presence, just BEING with Him, enjoying Him and not have to DO anything. In the absence of man, we can hear God. During this retreat, God reminded me of the joy I have in Timor, the smiles on each of the kids in Maubisse, the gifts I have been blessed to connect with the kids at their tender age. Not forgetting their parents & many others whom the Lord has brought into my path. I thank God for blessing the friendships to blossom & I pray that I will earn the privilege  to bring the truth to them one day. At the same time, I am also reminded to rest & trust in God to take me back to Timor, at His time.

 

As I checked out of the retreat centre, the passage spoken by the spiritual director lingered on …. 

Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
       and because I love you,
       I will give men in exchange for you,
       and people in exchange for your life.

 - Isaiah 43:4

 

Indeed, we are all precious & honoured in our Father’s sight. Praise God for His unfailing love whose power will see us through all circumstances. I am thankful for the people God has sent to care & comfort me, helping to heal & restore my soul. Amen.

 

In His Love,

Lydia

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