Day 1 (13th Oct)
By 7am, the 17 of us assembled at Terminal 2 of Changi Airport, donned in our white Timor Leste T-shirts for checking-in. On arrival in Dili and after collecting our luggage, we proceeded to the car rental company for our three four-wheel-drive cars. Together with Julie (the missionary), the convoy of cars proceeded to Hotel Audian. We quickly deposited our luggage in our rooms and after washing up, proceeded to buy medical supplies and bottled water for the trip to Viqueque. After dinner, we returned to the hotel to organise the medical supplies.
Day 2 (14th Oct)
After breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and began the six-hour journey to Viqueque. We got acquainted with our two translators: Acasio and John. We visited the house of Francis and Grace, missionaries for St. John’s St Margaret Church in Singapore. The toilet in their home was a welcome change and it was refreshing to stretch our legs. After taking a break for our packed lunch, we arrived at the convent and prepared medicine for the next day’s clinic. We conducted the children’s program for the orphans from 8.00pm - 9:30pm.
The children’s program at the orphanage was based on the story of Baby Moses, with the lesson on the destiny of Moses.
Strong arms to carry supplies: Acasio (Translator, 2nd from left),
John (Translator, 4th from left),Timothy (2nd from right).
Days 3 to 6 (15th to 18th Oct)
Days 3 to 6 comprised of the usual routine of devotion in the morning, traveling to the village to set up the clinic and returning to the orphanage to conduct the children’s program. Breakfast and dinner was served at the convent while lunch would usually be packed and eaten at the clinics that we set up. At the village, the team would be divided into 2 groups: one to manage reception and the pharmacy, the other group to engage the children. Day 4, being Sunday, saw us strolling to the nearby church in the morning and returning to the orphanage for lunch before leaving for the village to set up the clinic.
Prior to this trip, my experience with orphanages had only been limited to day trips. In these six days, I was taken aback at how to respond to living with children at such close proximity. It was a new experience engaging with the orphans in song, games and impromptu dramatisations.
Children’s programme at the orphanage was based on the following stories:
Day 3: Samson & Delilah (Lesson in obeying God)
Day 4: Aesop’s Fable: Ant & Grasshopper (Lesson in Diligence)
Day 5: Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Lesson in Gratitude and Forgiveness)
Day 6: Parable of the Sower (Lesson in Fruitfulness)
Children’s program at the convent
Day 3, Clinic at Fatudere
On the first day, we had to take a little adjustment as we familiarised ourselves with the logistics. We left later than expected, and unlike previous teams, we did not have the time to steal a visit to a nearby beach. The first day left us feeling unsettled, especially since many of us did not know what to expect, but the debrief later that night helped us improve for the next village visit. It took me a while to adjust to serving the sick but at the same time engaging the curious children that were around the vicinity. I am sure it is an experience I will need for the years to come.
Day 4,Luca
We were pleased by the improvement in the flow of the clinic from the reception to the pharmacy.
Day 5,Lugasa
We were surprised to see young children carrying parangs. We learnt that this was to enable them to help on the farm. We thank God for seeing us through another day of saving about 50 sick children and adults. We also thank God we had managed to fix a flat tire before leaving the village to return to Viqueque.
Day 6, Biblieo
Unlike the other villages where the clinic would be held in a sheltered area, the clinic for this village was set up under the village’s big Bunyan tree. Thank God for the cool weather, occasionally sunny throughout but not hot. The clinic ended a little earlier than the previous days. God controlled the numbers and we just faithfully obeyed. We followed the children to carry tables and chairs across a field to their classroom before and after the clinic. A welcome sight to me was witnessing a piglet scurrying across the field.
Clinic at Luca: Fidelia (back row left) and Timothy (extreme right) in charged of crowd control
Clinic at Lugasa: Vincent (Photographer, left), Pastor Catherine (with black bag), Seow Eng (2nd from right) & Joycelyn (extreme right) (Pharmacy)
Clinic set up at Bibileo (under Bunyan Tree) L-R: Francis (crowd control), Julie (missionary), Cindy (reception),Siew Kiang (reception)
Day 7 (19th Oct)
After breakfast, we left the convent for the long drive back to Dili, stopping for lunch and filling up petrol along the way. We later checked-in to Hotel Audian, did some sightseeing and had a sumptuous dinner before going back to Hotel Audian.
The team at Cristo-Rei (mountain-climbing)
Day 8 (20th Oct)
After breakfast, we checked out of hotel, went for shopping along the beach for foodstuff to bring back to Singapore, check-in at the airport and had some lunch before boarding the plane back to Singapore.
| Suggestions for future medical mission trips | |
| Currently | Possible alterations |
| Supplies are currently packed (haphazardly) in brown boxes | Use big plastic containers (such as Toyo?), properly labeled and categorised |
| Only one doctor available | Nurses/those trained in First Aid can help assist in front line assessment |
People: 1 – Connie, 2 – Pastor Catherine, 3 – Fidelia, 4 – Seow Eng, 5 – Grace, 6 – Francis, 7 – Lai Yin, 8 – Pastor James, 9 – Timothy, 10 – Jared (me), 11 – Cindy, 12 – Vincent, 13 – Audrey, 14 – Joycelyn,15 – Siew Kiang, 16 – John (translator), 17 – Shi Wei, 18 – Dr Hwee Woon
Absent: Acasio (translator)
Reflections:
Shi Wei – I enjoyed starting off a day with worship and a word delivered by Pastor James, and praying before we start work at the clinic because of the sense of peace and community it brings. Waking up at early dawn to the morning air at the orphanage is also something I looked forward to everyday. Even though travelling on uneven terrains can be quite taxing on most days, the overall experience was good, relaxed and peaceful. My greatest takeaway is the number of cases I managed to see and learn about beside the doctor, which is an extremely rare opportunity for aspiring doctors. Putting my first aid skills to use also gave me a platform to interacting with patients the way the doctor did. I thank God also for Timothy, John and Acasio, who really encouraged me with their testimonies/sharings, which helped me see how different and unique each one of us is in our life journey, and yet how similar we are in our spiritual growth. I had a lot of fun and satisfaction in engaging the children and teens at night as well, and teaching them what to do or not to do when they become aggressive towards each other, sometimes out of playfulness. I saw how the elder teens attempted to discipline the younger ones and how one boy would apologize and make peace with a fellow friend after an unintentional provocation. I guess most importantly, I thank the Holy Spirit for leading me to pray for a patient, a child and a friend in this trip, and renewing my passion and determination to become a compassionate doctor for him.
Grace – On my 5th trip to East Timor, I continue to be amazed at God’s hand in the planning and execution of the trip. He has put together His people of varied talents , skills and interests to fit into each of the needs to bring about success for the mission. Thank God for His guidance on the drivers as they maneuver challenging bends, the young and the old who bring both cheer and experience within the team. It’s another rewarding and satisfying trip!
Joycelyn Wong Ai Ha – This is my 1st medical mission trip to East Timor. Thank God for this opportunity to serve His people. This was really an eye-opener for me especially when we were visiting all the different villages. The poor medical and hygiene situation really made me realize how fortunate we are to live in Singapore. I have enjoyed myself fully and would like to be back for the next available mission trip if I could.
Timothy – I came to East Timor knowing God had a plan set for me here. I wasn’t fully sure what it was but I knew whatever he planned I needed to follow through socializing with the people here, I discovered an amazingly grounded joy through their simple life in which many of us would take as hardship. Playing with the kids, seeing their smiles behind shy faces, seeing God’s beautiful work unfolding in the hearts of the children of the orphanage. Their warmth engraved my heart and soul. The mornings filled with the voices of their singing; I couldn’t bear to wake up but to bask in their embrace. God has created miracles in me in this short week which felt like I had been reborn and brought a new lease of life. The people of those villages we attended to; everyone who came along with the trip, everything came together to fill in, mold new bonds all for the purpose of Your Glory, Father! I am still an infant Christian, struggling to walk, however it is not the end of my journey. I am so eternally grateful for this medical team, having truly enjoyed this place!
Audrey – Thank God for this 1st medical mission trip for both my husband Vincent and I. As I have retired from medical work for so long, I was a bit apprehensive when Pastor Catherine put me in charge of the Pharmacy. But praise God, He sent Joycelyn to join the team, a younger and still practicing nurse. It was indeed very fulfilling to be able to reach out to those in such remote areas whereby the villagers have no sense of knowledge or understanding of consequences to any serious medical conditions affecting their bodies. I feel very happy to be part of this great team, together with just one doctor, to serve God’s people in East Timor. God willing, by His Grace, I would like to be able to serve again in the near future.