This was my very first mission trip, from 7 to 11 September 2025.
I never imagined I would go on one, but during Lent this year, in the midst of my devotions, the Lord challenged me to reflect on what it means to live out my discipleship in society.
When the opportunity for this Local Church Executive Committee (LCEC) vision and discernment trip to Timor Leste arose, I felt prompted to say “yes,” even though I was unsure what to expect.
As the days drew nearer, my anxiety grew. Yet God reminded me through His Word and the prayers of my Small Group and friends to keep trusting Him. Looking back, I can only thank Him for His protection, provision and grace throughout the journey.
Day 1: God’s Presence from the Start
There were 17 of us on this trip. Our journey began with rain in Singapore, but by the time we boarded our flight, the skies had cleared.
At the airport, Rev Adrian Ng, the pastor overseeing the Missions Ministry, shared a short devotion from Mark 4:35–40, where Jesus calms the storm. Jesus asked His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
That passage became our anchor as we flew into Timor Leste.
When we landed in Dili, we were warmly welcomed by Cheryl Chen and Rudy Wong from Methodist Missions Society (MMS).
That evening, we had dinner with missionary David Chan, his family, his eldest son and his team.
The warmth and joy of their fellowship gave us a glimpse of God’s presence already at work.
Singaporean David uprooted his family in 2015 to start St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) in Dili. His wife, Jessie, is a faithful partner in the ministry, serving alongside him while also caring for their children.
Day 2: St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) – A Place of Hope
The next day was spent at SPMS, which now serves 1,100 students from Grade 1 to 12. David shared how God gave him a vision to start the school, holding onto Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
His journey has not been easy, but his faith remains steadfast. “Education is the key to improving life in Timor Leste,” he told us. He also explained the three seasons of God’s call for the nation: the call to return to God, the call to rebuild the altar and now, the call to restore the fortunes of Timor Leste.
For context, Timor Leste was a Portuguese colony until 1975, later occupied by Indonesia, and regained independence in 2002. With a population of about 1.4 million and an average age under 25, it is the youngest nation in the region.
The school was buzzing with life. We joined their devotion and worship, where the children recited Bible verses and sang with such enthusiasm that their voices filled the canteen. Over lunch, we noticed their discipline — queuing patiently, finishing food, washing plates and cleaning.
In the afternoon, we divided into smaller groups to meet student leaders, teachers and managers. They shared their responsibilities, aspirations and prayer needs. One student leader described the school atmosphere as “joyful,” while another valued “Mr Chan’s servant leadership” and the way teachers consistently model doing the right thing.
As we ended the day with a prayer walk around the village, a majestic rainbow appeared — a vivid reminder of God’s covenant and faithfulness.
“Though the challenges are many, the glorious rainbow reminds us of God’s promises — He is at work, and through prayer, unity and support, lives can be transformed,” reflected tripper Alex Seow.
Day 3: Sundermeier Home – Discipleship in the Mountains
We drove two hours into the mountains to Sundermeier Home, a hostel for youth from remote villages in Gleno. It was started in 2016 by Joseph and Grace Mannar, who arrived in their mid-sixties. The home provides a safe place for students who would otherwise walk hours to school. Here, they are nurtured through Bible study, worship and training in life skills.
Joseph and Grace have since retired and returned to Singapore, handing over the work to two former Timorese students, Felix and Shinta.
Felix showed maturity and humility as he shared how they keep the home both functional and nurturing. Shinta worked diligently in the backyard preparing lunch for us. As we toured the grounds, we were struck by the serenity — a sense of God’s peace.
Some of our trippers stayed overnight at Sundermeier Home with the hostelites, while the rest of us returned to Dili in the afternoon.
Dunamis Home – Young Leaders for the Future
That evening, we visited Dunamis Home in Dili, run by former students of Sundermeier Home. These young adults now pursue university or vocational studies while also tutoring neighbourhood children twice a week.
We were encouraged by their discipline and sense of purpose. One young lady, studying midwifery, worked hard to honour her late mother, finishing second in her cohort. Danny, a recent community development graduate, plans to help set up a chicken farm at SPMS.
The hostelites led neighbourhood children in evening tuition, and the little ones sang with such energy and delight that it lifted the whole place. In that moment, we saw how God is raising up a generation of leaders in Timor Leste who love Him and are ready to serve.
Day 4: Meeting More Courageous Servants of God
On Day 4, we met Pastor Branca, a Brazilian missionary who has served in Timor Leste for over 25 years, through war, persecution and hardship. She told us simply, “Don’t ask why, but say ‘Yes’ and go by faith.”
Her ministry now includes a school for children with disabilities, providing dignity. When her church was burnt down, she held services under the trees until it was rebuilt. With conviction, she declared, “They can burn the church, but not the faith.”
Her life reflects courage, resilience and unwavering trust in God. She is brave yet tender-hearted, embodying both strength and compassion.
In the afternoon, Pastor Hans from Transformation Alliance spoke to us about the Love Timor movement.
“Look at Timor Leste as God’s gift to us. Just ask God not to leave you out.” – Pastor Hans, Transformation Alliance
He added, “It is not about what we can do for Timor Leste, but how God wants to disciple us through Timor Leste.” His words reminded us that mission is not about doing big things for God but about making ourselves available for His work.
Reflections on God’s Work
Throughout the trip, we were reminded that missions is less about what we can do, and more about how God is shaping us through the people and stories we encountered.
- A rainbow at SPMS reminding us of God’s covenant
- The heartfelt worship of children who have little, yet sing with all their hearts
- The perseverance of missionaries like David, Pastor Branca and Pastor Hans, who continued despite trials
- The hope in young leaders like Felix, Shinta and Danny, who are serving their communities
As tripper Emmeline Wong reflected, “Through the meetings with the missionaries and the youths, Romans 12:12 truly came alive — to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.”
“What amazes me is how God has put together missionaries from different churches to do His transforming work in Timor Leste. This appears like a movement orchestrated by God. And God, who started the good work in Timor Leste, will carry it on to completion. There is still much work to be done. The question for us is how Wesley Methodist Church can partner God in what He is already doing.” – Alvin Tay, LCEC Chairperson
Another tripper Alicia Chan reminded us: “Instead of going to a country just to give, I think it’s better to go with a heart that wants to understand. Before a mission trip, maybe we should take time to explore the country, enjoy its beauty and build real friendships with the people. When we talk with them and hear their stories, we can see how God is already at work — and we join in with love and respect, not just as helpers but as learners too.”
An Invitation to Step Out in Faith
This trip opened our eyes and ears. I learned that missions are not about being fully ready but about saying “yes” and letting God lead. Philippians 1:6 assures us: “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
If you’ve never been on a mission trip, or if you feel hesitant, I want to encourage you — don’t let fear hold you back.
I once felt the same — unsure and nervous — but I discovered that God doesn’t wait for us to be “ready.” He simply invites us to step out in faith, and along the way, He reveals His heart in ways we could never imagine.
God is already at work in Timor Leste and in many parts of the world. He simply asks us to bless others, but you will return blessed beyond measure.
Photos courtesy of Tho Lye Sam
Read also: “The good news is that God will bring to completion what He has started through us”: A Lamp in the Darkness Celebrates Two Decades of Ministry; Seeing God’s Healing in Remote Cambodian Villages
