Reflection of a visit to Timor Leste

Reflection of a visit to Timor Leste

Jamie van Heel, AMCF VP of the  Pacific visited Timor Leste between 16-22 June to meet with and encourage the Timor Leste Military Christian Fellowship. Two delegates from Timor Leste, Chaplain Rui Gomes and LT Tome Soares attended the AMCF World Conference in Sao Paulo Brazil in October 2024. They were escorted by LTCOL Eric Bettanin who is currently posted to Timor Leste as part of the Defence Cooperation Program. Eric generously offered for me to let me stay with him and his family in Dili, which was much appreciated.

The purpose of my visit was to meet up with the two Timor Leste delegates who attended the AMCF  World Conference, as well as, LTCOL Salus De Vasconcelos, and Captain Christian Dias (Police), of the Timor Leste MCF and others. My role in the Pacific is to encourage and mentor the leadership and members of MCFs in the Pacific Region to enable them to grow their MCF. On arrival on Mon 16 June I was picked up at the airport by Timor Leste members and taken to a local café where we were able to introduce ourselves. Cristian then took me to the Christos statue where there are great views back to Dili. On the Tues evening I was hosted by the Timor Leste MCF at a restaurant in Dili where further conversations took place about challenges and opportunities of the Timor Leste MCF. On Wed 17 June Eric and I were taken to a Police Unit where we met three of their mascots (crocodiles) and were able to feed them (a definite highlight). Another important connection was made here where Tetum Bibles were offered to the Police Company Commander who then was provided with 100 Bibles on the Friday to distribute to his company. Cristian is also looking to distribute these Bible to new Police recruits. On the Friday I met with Chaplain Rui Gomes at the F-FDTL Headquarters and socialised an opportunity to have a Timor Leste military camouflage Bible produced in Tetum language with the Commanders foreward and suitable Timor Leste military photos.

On the Saturday there were two locations for a Timor Leste MCF Conference held at a rural church 40 minutes outside of Dili, and then an evening service in Dili itself. Both services had local worship bands and I was able to provide them with a presentation on AMCF and how they could grow spiritually. At the conclusion of the presentations I was presented with a Timor Leste scarf that was particular to that region. I was also able to provide gifts to the pastors and Timor Leste leadership that MCF-A generously provided to me.

I am planning to visit Tonga toward the end of September with the new Association of Christian Conferences, Teaching and Service (ACCTS) Executive Director Terry Wichert while he is visiting the Pacific. I also plan to visit Fiji in 2026 to encourage their MCF leadership teams.

Jamie

Feel free to contact Jamie or the MCF-A Office if you’d like to discuss being involved with AMCF or ACCTS.