The Dili congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Timor Leste is one year old. It meets to worship in the second largest lecture room of the University. Even as we gather at 9.00am, it is hot and humid. Though the room is on the second floor there is not a breath of a breeze, the leaves on the trees are still. The ceiling fans promise relief, but they remain still and unhelpful to our plight. The feeling of a clinging wet shirt even before a Service has commenced always makes me think of Queensland. I have memories of Christmas morning service at 7.00am with the same vivid feeling of a wet shirt sticking to your back. But then, as now, the feeling doesn’t matter because of the anticipation of what is about to happen. Today we worship God with His people.
Robert Benn has been wondering what his exact contribution to the Service will be. He is certain that he is preaching and has prepared for everything else as a contingency. In the car, Arlindo provides clarification. Yet, as soon as we commence things change. Flexibility. We sit on plastic lecture chairs with (righthanded) tables attached. The Congregation is representative of all ages, men and women, young and old, with many children. A plain table is covered by a blue cloth, and on it stands a vase containing plastic flowers and an offering bag.
The service was led by Daniel Marcel with Arlindo and Carlos sitting alongside in the front of the room. His opening prayer acknowledged the absolute gloriousness of God’s love, a love that cannot be cancelled. Our response to this love compels us forward in our journey towards eternal life. Psalm 1 is read aloud in unison by the Congregation.
The songs are printed on a sheet of paper. Lyrics seem to be Indonesian, Portuguese and Tetun, sometimes within the same song. Our first song, ‘Oh! Mundu tomak’ is sung with enthusiasm and warmth. Children come forward and are blessed in prayer, they then depart for Sunday School. On the way out we hand them copies of ‘Timotio Nio Istoria’ We stand and sing ‘Jesus Hadomi Mai Hau’ to the tune of ‘Jesus Loves Me’.
Their absence of the children leaves no gaps in the Congregation. The lecture room is full. All chairs are taken and people stand on the balcony outside the door. During his opening comments Daniel has mentioned that people will endure the heat to play sport or to shop, but will not come to church. It seems that this Congregation are an exception. There is no doubt a larger room is needed already.
A group of young people sings ‘We Just Came To Praise The Lord’ in Portuguese and English. Our Congregation have come to praise the Lord and we have come from the corners of the globe, a testimony to the power of God in the Gospel and the vitality of our Presbyterian heritage. There are East Timorese, Koreans, Brazilians, Australians and a number of the provinces of Indonesia are present. We sing a praise that is not printed on the sheet, but seems well known to the others present. RB prays. We hear a reading from Job. It is encouraging to see that almost everyone has brought there own Bible, though many, many translations and tongues are represented. Yet the one Holy Spirit, illumines the one inspired message in every heart.
RB prepares to preach from a makeshift pulpit. Lacking a lectern, he has balanced Rob Duncanson’s bag on top of his own so that his notes can rest at a readable distance and angle. John 21: 1-18 is read to the Congregation. God’s Word has been read, now RB preaches that Word. The sermon focuses on the principles of the Reformation and how they are important to the EPC-TL. Sola Scriptura, Sola Gracia and Sola Fide are both the heritage of the EPC-TL and are also its present hallmarks as it establishes itself, under God. The Scriptures are central because they are both the means by which we understand the truth through which He saves us and they are also the instruction by which we live as our response to His saving life.
The message was preached in Indonesian and translated into Tetun, so we also learnt later that RB had emphasised the firm, yet gentle way in which Jesus had dealt with Peter while restoring him. That grace and gentle character are much in evidence in the leaders and people of the EPC-TL, but they will need much more grace in days to come.
The sermon was well received by everyone. It was especially heartening to see that the foreign nationals who are supporting the congregation were openly supportive of what was being said. There is a like minded partnership gathering to encourage the EPC-TL. We stood to sing ‘Because He Lives’ with verses in both Portuguese and Indonesian.
A time of introduction was included after the Sermon. Arlindo made some remarks about the history of the Congregation and its makeup, weaving in the relevance of RB’s points about Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide. He acknowledged others from abroad who have been supportive as confirming marks that the EPC-TL was positively oriented. Then RB, Gary Ware and RD were introduced. RB was invited to respond, and was followed by RD. RD made mention that Arlindo’s introduction mentioned that Darwin was only 90 minutes away. While it is true that the physical distance exists, the reality is that the people of Timor Leste are right there in the hearts of the church of Darwin. Timotio is a tangible proof of that, the prayers of Darwin for Dili are another. That is the power of the Gospel. GW prayed for the Congregation, seeking God’s blessing on them and giving thanks that though we lacked a building owned by the Congregation we were worshipping as part of a temple not made by human hands.
Our final prayer was given by a Brazilian pastor and then we sang Nain Jesus hamutuk Ho Ita. A joyous couple of hours of worship and praise. RD mentioned that the only difference between services like today’s and heaven will be that no translator will be needed in heaven.
After the Service came morning tea. Not International Roast, Bushells and generic brand biscuits. We at sweet potato, banana, small pastry parcels and coated peanuts, flavoured by a couple of milder sambals. We try to be polite in consumption, but it was just morning tea. You never know what’s coming next. It was just as well we only ate modestly as it worked out.
We were able to talk to Celsus, a Brazilian Presbyterian who is supporting the work of the Dili Congregation. Sunday afternoon he and his wife Leiliane conduct a children’s ministry that serves up to eighty children. Celsus is pleased when we confirm that the Presbyterian Church of Australia is confessional and that its leaders subscribe to and support its subordinate standard. He anticipates our partnership and support as there is an open field for ministry here.
Arlindo is expecting his wife home at 1.30, but before picking her up at the airport wants to take us sight-seeing. While we were out RB received a phone call inviting us to lunch.
A group of expatriates from Menado were meeting together. Though they worship in different churches, they wanted to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ together and share a meal.
We were ushered to a couch at the front of the seating which was arranged outdoors on a lawn. The meeting was a short time, during which songs were sung, the Scripture narrative of the resurrection from John was read and prayers were offered up. The different folk had already celebrated the resurrection at Services the week before, this gathering was an echo of those meetings, enabling them to share their joy with each other. After the time together came lunch, traditional Indonesian fare. Rice, green vegetables, fried chicken, baked fish, beef stew all were very savoury and enjoyable. Conversations were shared as we learned some of the working and church backgrounds of this community.
The afternoon presented us with time to rest and type. In the interests of full accountability I confess that I watched Rugby League on the Australian Channel on TV as I type. Living in Mount Gambier, I have to come to Dili to watch a game of League.
In the evening we enjoy Arlindo’s hospitality, being welcomed at his home for dinner. His wife Kathryn has returned home from a brief overseas trip. A Canadian by birth, she is a passionate advocate for human rights and equity and fairness in all things. Their two young children, a girl and a boy are delightful.
We return to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we visit Aileu.
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