HOME AWAY FROM HOME: CHRISTMAS IN TIMOR-LESTE

Dr Cheryl Chen, MMS home-based missionary. She worships at Aldersgate Methodist Church with her husband, Rudy, who is also an MMS home-based missionary. With no green thumb (having murdered even succulents and air plants), Cheryl now has some success cultivating kefir, and is currently enjoying the homemade probiotic fizzy drink.

For Christians all over the world, Christmas is a special time of the year where we remember the greatest Gift God has given and celebrate the birth of our Saviour. Christmas is usually spent with family and friends over good food and much laughter. For some of us, Christmas is also a time of reaching out as we have an opportunity to share the reason behind the season with pre-believers, and give gifts to demonstrate the love of God in tangible ways.

Christmas is also a time of reaching out as we have an opportunity to share the reason behind the season with pre-believers, and give gifts to demonstrate the love of God in tangible ways.

How then, do missionaries who serve in the mission field celebrate Christmas? What is it like to be away from home and loved ones as they serve God and His people in another nation? We hear from Grace Mannar, a missionary serving as house parent in Sundermeier Home in Gleno, Timor- Leste; and the Chan children who serve with their parents, David and Jessie, in St Paul Methodist School in Timor-Leste.

Grace Mannar

Grace and her husband, Joseph, are sent as missionaries to Timor-Leste by Bedok Methodist Church. They have been the house parents of Sundermeier Home since the hostel was established by MMS in 2016. They have three sons, and are the proud grandparents to two girls. She reveals how they celebrate Christmas in the field:

Joseph and I have been serving as missionaries for nine years. I think we only returned to Singapore once for Christmas in the second year we were here. With our three adult children having their own families and programmes, we have spent every Christmas in Timor-Leste.

Our Christmas celebration is usually held on the first week of December as the hostelites will return home to their villages during the school holidays. Before the pandemic happened, we had a cell group from Bedok Methodist Church that would visit us every year on the first week of December to run programmes for the hostelites. Their visits would end with a big outdoor BBQ celebration that the students really enjoyed. We are thankful that the cell group is able to visit us once again this year, and we look forward to more mission teams coming in with the easing of travel restrictions and availability of flights to Timor-Leste.

Celebrating with hostelites and their parents at Sundermeier Home, Gleno

In Timor-Leste, a predominantly Roman Catholic nation, Christmas is celebrated for a week and often with a loud bang! Fireworks are legal here so you will see many families setting off fireworks and children playing with sparklers from Christmas Eve to the New Year. There is one advantage to being high up in the mountains, the fireworks are beautiful against the dark night sky with no light pollution at all.

Although most hostelites will return home to their villages during the December school holidays, there would always be a few who stay back for some time to celebrate Christmas with their “Papa Joe” and “Mama Grace”. We would have a simple dinner and thanksgiving service in our hostel to remember all that God has done for us.

The Chan children

Together with their children (Isaac, Joy, and Isaiah), David and Jessie Chan are missionaries sent by Aldersgate Methodist Church since 2015. David is MMS Country Director for Timor-Leste, and Principal of St Paul Methodist School (SPMS). The Chan children love playing OverCook, board games, and PUBG with their friends in Singapore and Timor-Leste. Joy, in particular, loves drinking unique bubble tea flavours.

We praise God that our missionaries are able to celebrate Christmas with their family, both biological and the wider church community, in their adopted home of Timor-Leste. We are inspired by their heart of service. This Christmas, we offer our prayers for all the missionaries we know. Pray that they would always find a home away from home in Jesus wherever He calls. Pray that they would be filled anew with God’s love and compassion for the last, the least, and the lost as they obey God’s call.

Celebrating though songs and games to children in a community

How do you normally spend Christmas in Singapore?

All: We would go for church service, and spend time with friends.

What is the best part of Christmas to you?

Isaiah: Spending time with family.

Joy: The food!

Isaac: All these, and opening presents!

How did you spend Christmas when you weren’t able to return to Singapore because of the pandemic?

Joy: We did a Christmas outreach programme at a poorer neighbourhood. We sang songs, did a skit, and gave small gifts to the children.

Isaiah: We had a staycation too!

What do you miss about spending Christmas in Singapore?

Isaiah: Friends and FOOOOOOOOOD!

Joy: Having sleepovers at friends’ house.

Isaac: Hanging out with my cell group, family, and friends.

What is special about spending Christmas in Timor?

All: We get to celebrate with fireworks!

How are you celebrating Christmas this year?

Isaac: We’re not too sure yet. But there is always one thing needed for Christmas, and that is to be with family.

Chan’s kids together with a local youth (Ana) presenting the Christmas Story to the children

Art and craft celebration with children

Merry Christmas! Boas Festas do Natal!