Thee abnormal Adventures of Jeff Kelly

There are 3^rd world countries and then there are countries that have only been established for 6 years having just ended a brutal civil war. The island of East Timor is characterized as the later, and by the looks of the city you would not think twice. Having been to 12 different developing countries in the past I thought I knew exactly what to expect as I sat in the Doulos Dining room, day dreaming of a tropical island lifestyle with little worries or connection to the problems of larger nations. Having just ended (2006) a horrific War of Independence from long time Islamic mother country Indonesia, the Timorese people are still shell shocked and waiting for the bombs to rain down again any day now. Through the vicious fighting over the past 25 years, all but few Males over the age of 30 live to see freedom.

One of the very few men over the age of 30

In other words 80 percent of the 1 million people living in East Timor are under the age of 25. With little infrastructure such as roads, buildings, schools, and restaurants still standing many just wander the streets all day or sit and chat, smoking cigarettes by the main harbor shell shocked; awaiting for the United Nations with other respected agencies to rebuild their city for them.

It comes to no surprise after knowing all this that while the Doulos was in the capital city of Dili for seven days that we saw an average of 7,000 people come on board per day. This is a huge difference to the amount of visitors that we welcomed in the previous ports of Western and Southern Australia.

On Saturday I had the privilege of attending a friendly soccer match between the EAST Timor National team and the Doulos men’s Soccer team. Every port we come to the sports ministry on board looks to set up soccer matches with a gospel presentation following the match. While I was late on signing up to play in this match I did make it to the event and was able to take some pictures for all to see. We surprisingly ended up winning the match and what a great opportunity the boys had to spread Christ’s love through this encounter

a good neighborhood in East Timor

On my evangelism day I was able to join a mixed group of 6 others and share at East Timor’s only prison. Having only been told the night prior that I was to go with, I was feeling nervous and anxious at what I was to share with these men I had little in common with. After bringing it before the lord in prayer and meditation, I began writing versus proclaiming Hope in Jesus down, and based a message around the Hope we can find in Jesus. I do believe the Lord gave me exactly what the Men at this prison needed to hear because after peaking for 15 minutes through an interpreter I noticed a few hardened men began to cry as they listened contently. I have never been to Prison, not even to visit like some people do in schools so this whole experience for me was completely foreign, God knew and had this plan for me all along.

God's precious Children

Statue of Christ in Dili

As we ventured back to the ship from our day at the prison we decided to stop along the roadside which was crowded with hundreds of people, relaxing out of reach from the terribly hot sun. As the taxi driver drop us off we quickly discussed about what program we should do for the people here. After a minute we decided to start off with a song, follow it up with a quick testimony, then openly share the gospel with these hurting needy people as they smiled and enjoyed the free entertainment. It was only a few days prior that I lay on the main lounge floor of the Doulos and read a devotional from Martin Loyd- Jones on not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus. How relevant had that become now as me and 5 others shared our testimonies and proclaimed Gods love over the country of East Timor without any shame. The main point that stuck with me from the devotional that I kept saying to myself was that the Gospel was so powerful that it will transform lives on its own and all I have to do is present it in truth and love. Many times I feel inadequate or pressured because I don’t have the Bible memorized like I should, or I am not strong in evangelism. During this experience God showed me again that its Him who delivers the power and opens the hearts of people he wants to hear the great news. The pressure was lifted and 15 people came to know Jesus as their personal savior that Afternoon. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

Sharing our faith among street folk

Sunday morning came and finally I had a day off to relax and spend time in fellowship and in prayer as Sundays often bring. An opportunity presented itself for me to go along as part of a church team to share and I jumped on the chance. Church teams are a great occasion to meet and bond with people on the ship that you otherwise would never share with, mostly because of different work departments, ages, or interests, but in Church Teams all those things are thrown out the window. We were picked up by two Christian brothers around 8:15 am and piled into the back of a 1987 diatsun pickup truck with a wood truck bed. Imagine the looks on locals faces as 7 brightly dressed white missionaries droves passed them in the back of a truck camera’s and bibles in hand. I shared about the ship for 10-15 minutes, a basic presentation going over most of the numbers concerning people on board, books sold, visitors, age of the ship, and how many cockroaches making their home the Doulos (1 million!!!!).

Naked local kids climbing up our anchor

While a few things were lost in translation between me and the 15 year old translator, repeating things 3 or 4 times didn’t bother me much, as long as the crowd eventually got the message. After the service which lasted about 4 soggy hours, we hung around and gave out free books and took pictures with the congregation which totaled roughly 100 people. The women pastor thanked us in her mother tongue and we got back in our oversized pickup truck and made our way back to the ship full of sweat.

The week we were in East Timor was such a blessing for me and the ship in whole. For many it was a great opportunity to see just what a developing country is like, for me it was great seeing God work in the lowest, poorest of places in the world. A true sign that no matter how bad things may get or how far away from the rest of the world you may slip, you can never get away from God’s Love and mercy. I made many friends while in Dili, email addresses and souvenirs exchanged; but the most important thing was the Gospel was fully alive in East Timor.

CARPOOL

Friendly Visitors

BLISSFUL REFLECTION

Hand carved transportation

Having fun at work

locals eagerly awaiting the bookstore opening

Timorese Sunset