Couples for Christ Timor Leste: Reflesaun sira (Reflections)

God's Timing Is Always Perfect
(husi www.jesuschristfollower.com)

What follows is a sharing on my journey of faith, from Timor Leste to Manila and how God showed that He is indeed my way, truth and life and His time is always right and perfect.

There are 4 experiences that made me believe so:

1. “I thought my plan was the best but in the end, it is God's plan that is best of all.” When I decided to respond to God's invitation to become a missionary, we had already prepared to join the missionaries' training in January in the Philippines. But on the last minute, the plan didn't push through. I was very sad but I sat down to reflect and I felt God telling me not to be sad but just relax and continue serving with patience and with my all heart. He told me that I would experience something very beautiful that I myself never expected to happen. At that time, I still didn't feel convinced but at that time when it was farthest from my mind, He gave me a surprise regarding something that I often worried about everyday – my thesis. Because my trip didn't push through, I was able to have my thesis defense on February 24. This was despite the fact that I myself had doubts about my defense because I hadn't prepared for it well. My defense went very well. In the end, God lightened this burden that I had.

2. “Our plans are always wrong, full of doubts, fears, stress but God's plans is always right and lovely, making us special, making us feel light and making us laugh all the time.” When our papers were all ready, I was really scared because we didn't know where we would be staying in Kupang and Jakarta. I didn't tell Quina, the other trainee, but I just kept it to myself and we just left. Eventually, my fears were left unfounded because God set us up in a place that was truly beautiful and calm. This was what He gave us – something that we never even imagined.

3. “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” - John 15:16. When I arrived in the Philippines, my difficulty was my English. And in my reflection, I asked God, “Lord, I'm one who isn't that good in English. Why did You choose me to come here?” And God said that all I needed was my heart to understand everything. In the end, my English was still bad but I could understand and know what my ates and kuyas were saying.

4. “I have prepared everything for you to feel and experience what it is that I have in store for you.” In the end, I get to the conclusion that God doesn't need my doubts or my fears or my shyness but He really needs my presence to feel and know His will which He has already mapped out. This is because His plan is lovely and right, and not what we people think it to be.

- Aleixo do Rosario Pereira [East Timor]

God Experiences
(husi www.jesuschristfollower.com)

March 29

Restful weekend - During this weekend, I was really happy because God gave me time to rest and reflect even with no one to guide me. I felt as if I was on a retreat. In my reflection, God told me that this life is a grace, that's why it is filled with different kinds of wonders.

All in all, I feel that He speaks to us through our experiences. God loves us so much that's why He wants us to experience all sorts of things in our lives. The experience of difficulties, joy, suffering, sadness, all have a reason:

When we experience joy, God wants to show us His love as a Father – King. That's why He wants us to give thanks to Him.
During the times when we experience sadness, God wants to show us His love as a Father – Teacher. He wants us to learn.
During the time when we experience difficulties, anger or other temptations, He wants to show us His power as a Savior. He wants us to never lose hope, but to “struggle to overcome.”
During the time when we are very happy, when we are fascinated by lovely things. God wants to show us His love as a Creator. That's why He wants us to honor Him.

During this week, I was also happy with the additional lessons I got from ate Nirva and her mom, even if it was not part of our schedule. But I learned that what I learned is relevant to my personal life, especially about offering up my whole self to God's will in my life. Also, I was struck about recognizing and being aware of my self, all my weaknesses, so that I can be a complete “Quina” in front of God.

March 30
Arrival in Cebu - In the days that followed, I was also happy with my vacation in Cebu because I was able to feel God's presence through ate Karen's family. What touched me was their great commitment to God by giving their entire selves to serve us like their own children. We were also able to visit the famous spots in Cebu.

April 1
Holy Week - During this special time of Holy Week, I was also able to have a special time indeed to reflect again about Jesus' truly great love for me and His desire to surrender Himself up to death because of my sins. One more time, I discovered that God's plan is really more beautiful than my own plans.
- Joaquina Barreto Da Costa [East Timor]

Wainhira o hetan terus, haree no kompara tok ho o Nai Jesus nia terus!