East Timor Reflection no.1

    

Dinner with Aussie friends at Gleno - Orphanage founder, water project co-ordinator, educationalist, English trainer, community project manager, handyman. (the ladies are preparing food in kitchen)


 At Mary McKillop East Timor - Tetun Literacy Programme, Marungi(Moringa)workshops, compassionate care, sponsorships, justice advocacy, health education

This trip has been an eventful one. Besides losing my trail in climbing Mt.Ramelau, the other exciting aspect of this trip would be the no. of contacts and knowledge I have gained about those who are working in East Timor and for East Timor.

Even though my visit was only a short one week, God had used me to link up people and to share information with those on the field. I am glad I was of some use to those on the ground. However, there are some thoughts that lingered at the back of my mind after these encounters.

"Are we intentionally spending time to find out the good work that others are doing? Even if they are not Christians. Do we make an effort to know them? Or even to humble ourselves and learn from them?"

"Are we caught up in a "I want to do it on my own" mentality? or are we able to join/partner/support existing programs that are already running so that we do not waste resources? (and have an open door to share the good news with them as well)"

"Are we connected only through a Christian network? How about connecting with other workers and NGOs (even if they are not Christians)? Are we that exclusive (or seem to be that exclusive)?"

"Why are we not partnering or working with other groups? Is it because we failed to see that joining them (and in the process be a witness to them) is much more effective than getting them to cross over the barriers to join us? Or is it because the rigid institutional structure does not permit us to do so?"

These questions certainly makes me feel frustrated, and especially so when I am not in Timor. Perhaps it is because I've seen similar things like this happen in Cambodia, in Timor and even in Singapore. The followers of Jesus must stop being exclusive amongst themselves, and amongst other people. No church belongs to itself, and no members belong to his own church alone. All belong to Christ and are in Christ. You and I are the body - whether you're a full time worker or not. We must break out of our 'exclusive' mould.

My conclusion: The need to spend time with people who are doing a great job in Timor - Christians or not - is necessary. We better go with a humble heart or fail trying.