With a group of priest from West Timor (Sinode GMIT), I visited East Timor to celebrate their independence day. It was a great week, everybody was happy to celebrate their independence from Indonesia. I also visited some historical places like Liquisa Church. I stayed at Pdt Daniel Marcal;s home, closed to GKTT Synod.

I visited Timor Leste in Dec 2008. I enjoyed my visit to Dili and Atauro Island. I thought the people were great but felt that the lack of an economy and a from of real unified nationalism was sad. I thought everyone spoke Portuguese before I went there. But I found that only the rich, privaliged and those who had been exiled spoke Portuguese - most people spoke Tetum. I spoke to people in a mixture of Portuguese and Bahasa Malaysia and was understood. Besides most young people were eager to learn English. I felt sad about the recent history - but optimistic that the Timorese would eventually make good.

I’ve been in East Timor to help the Timorese people making the presidential and parliamentary elections. It was a wonderful time, I really enjoyed all the time that I’ve been there. They have very good and beautiful beaches. I´ll never forget this mission, it was my first mission I will remember it forever!