A 12 hour bus ride from Kupang to Dili, will take you across the border of Indonesia & into Timor Leste; which was previously colonised by Portugal and occupied by Indonesia. In 2002 it gained independence, today making it the world’s youngest country.
Timor Leste is beautiful. The flora & terrain here are very similar to the North West of Australia; white eucalypt in the arid, rocky, mountainous areas, acacia trees blossoming with bright yellow flowers, tropical palms. The harvesting of lontar palm sap is big here also, and there are many fishing villages with small, basic wooden huts along the way. The coastline is ridiculously stunning; a winding road along the edge of undulating mountains and cliff edges, which are not prone to rockslides. The view of the ocean reminds me of the Grand Pacific Drive in NSW through Stanwell Tops and surrounds, but instead, with small wooden huts and third-world infrastructure. Tropical, mountainous, rich, rugged coastline.
97% of the population are Catholic, however there is still a high rate of domestic violence. There are quite a few organisations such as The Asia Foundation in place to assist women and children suffering from violence- I sat next to a guy on the bus who spoke perfect English & worked for this specific organisation. Although Timor Leste is bordering Indonesia & looks & feels like Indonesia- it really is its own country & is vastly different. Timor Leste uses American currency, & very few people speak English or Bahasa Indonesian- the official languages being Tetum & Portuguese.
I met the most amazing woman at the bus terminal- Elise- she was wearing this bright yellow t-shirt with Jesus & the cross on the front, and just beaming joy out the depths of her soul. Originally from Timor Leste, she also speaks fluent English & Bahasa & grew up in a Catholic family. It wasn’t until 2016 when she started reading the Bible for the first time that her life began to change, and she really came to know Jesus. She shared with me how she was earnestly praying in a mosque (don’t ask me why a mosque haha), saying “Jesus I just want to see you, I want to see your face…” Jesus revealed himself to her, just that once. She could not see his face fully, because it was pure light, the love of God; too great to comprehend. Many friends of Elise’s have had the Lord reveal himself to them in dreams, and lately have been receiving visions & dreams of angels sounding trumpets. Which is fascinating, because we just had Rosh Hashana, which in the Jewish / biblical calendar is known as the Feast of Trumpets & a marker / favourable time for the Lord’s return. The trumpets are blown on this Jewish new year to gather God’s people, rouse them to repentance, and will one day coronate our reigning King Jesus, who will be accompanied by the sound of trumpets upon his return. (Zechariah 9:14). Both the Old & New Testaments in he bible speak of this promise, of Jesus coming back for his bride.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 says “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the TRUMPET call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage one another with these words.”
The Lord is revealing himself & giving people dreams & visions in Timor Leste.
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17
I asked Elise how many people really know Jesus here (not just as a religion / a Catholic veneer but as true followers of Jesus) She said she’s not sure, but that she has a spiritual mentor (who’s originally from India!) & there are 300 others in Timor Leste being guided by him, who are deep in the word of God.
Indo transport. Photo via Evaneos -still waiting on maaa film photos guys, yeehaa.
Dili uses a super cool bus system- these crazy vans that are vibrantly coloured and embellished with images of Jesus & different slogans. You can jump on and go as far as you want for 25 cents. Blasting loud Indo-bop pop music, I took note of tapping the coin on the metal hand-hold bars to tell the driver to stop there. Motorbike rental is super expensive here because of the low demand- costing you $20 a day, so it’s best to use the public transport for 25 cents. No-brainer.
Whilst travelling by bus across Timor Leste, it was interesting to note how much China plays a prominent role here. Speaking to the owner of the $20 a night apartment I stayed in- the economy of Timor-Leste is largely dependent on oil reserves and faces shortfalls in infrastructure-funding necessary to develop the non-oil economy, hence borrowing money from China since it’s independence. He said the country needs to be wise in not putting all their cookies in one bag; because ultimately, when you are in debt to another country, and they own your port & a large number of your assets… it is a recipe for political turmoil & overthrow.
China’s approach to its relationship with Timor-Leste has been underpinned by goodwill gestures, with the objective of expanding its influence in South-East Asia. China was the first country to formally establish diplomatic relations soon after independence in 2002. Over the years, China funded the construction of a number of buildings in Timor-Leste, including the Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the military residential headquarters. For that very reason, Australia has been keeping tabs on movements, recognising the need to counter potentially competing foreign influences. I could go more into the 99 year lease that China has over Darwin's’ port & the small asia-pacific islands that the country has been closely forming ties with, but really, there is no need to get overwhelmed & caught up in it.
For as Matthew 24:6-7 says “ You will hear of wars & rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines & earthquakes in various places.” And to finish the chapter Jesus says: “Heaven & earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
For those that believe in Christ, we have a great peace & hope, for everything that has happened and is yet to happen- is written in the scriptures- the Holy Bible. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Isaiah 46:10
Australia continues to be the biggest aid donor to Timor Leste & have played a significant role in its economic development.
Dili also happens to have a giant statue of Jesus. 27 metres high. ‘King of Kings, Lord of Lords.’ Puji tuhan- praise the Lordddd.