by Felix, Ex-hostelite of Sundermeier Home, Timor-Leste.
I am Felix and 27 years old this year. I am one of the first hostelites who joined Sundermeier Home in 2016. The year before, in 2015, Papa Joseph Mannar was in my school to help teach Grade 7 English when I was in Grade 9. he asked my school director to recommend 40 students (20 girls and 20 boys) because Sundermeier Home was about to be opened. But about 80 students registered.
Because there were so many students, we all had to go for interviews every Friday and attend English class with Mama Grace. But some of my friends who registered did not want to stay in Sundermeier Home because they knew it was set up by Christian Protestants. Some of my friends told me, "Felix, you better don't go anymore. If you continue to go, you are going to follow their Protestant religion." But I told my friend, “I will not stop going to learn English because it is a very good opportunity for me to learn English. It's free and I don't need to pay any money. Why do you ask me to stop?”
During the English class, I also asked Mama Grace about the rules in the hostel. She told me that I had to get up early to do the work of cleaning, prepare breakfast, do the garden, and learn to cook. I asked whether I could go to attend mass on Sunday, Mama Grace said yes.
I came to this hostel on 2 January 2016, and I was one of the first students to live here. I didn't understand much and break many rules because I didn't want to listen to the leaders. As my family followed another religion, I believed in and worshipped many gods, and I didn't want to listen to the gospel during devotion time. I violated other regulations in the hostel and Papa Joseph had to punish me. I was not allowed to play soccer and guitar during my free time but I was to focus on my studies, do gardening, and prepare myself for school. By the end of 2016, only 13 boys and 13 girls were left in the hostel.
Eventually, in June 2017, I began to slowly understand what Papa Joe and Mama Grace were saying. I decided to understand and obey the rules and be hardworking and focus on studying. Every day, Papa Joe and Mama Grace taught me how to read the Word of God, memorise verses, and learn to pray. I committed myself to the Word of God, listen to His word, and listen to Papa Joe and Mama Grace’s sharing during devotion and Sunday Service.
In 2018, 10 girls and 9 boys graduated from Sundermeier Home. When I graduated, I gave my life to serve God in ministry. God blessed me and opened the way for me to learn more about Him through His word by studying basic theology in Timor-Leste. I also took an online course by Arrows College, Australia. I was also mentored by Pastor See Swee Fang who was our dearest Mama See in Dunamis House, our hostel in Dili.
By God's grace, I can come back and serve as a full-time leader and chaplain at Sundermeier Home today. Thank God for changing my life. My new life began with Jesus. I am grateful to Papa Joe and Mama Grace for their teaching and discipleship. And for Mama See and Papa See who looked after me when I was doing my theological studies in Dili.
Not only do I believe but I also want to serve God in ministry. As Joshua said to the people of Israel, but for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. God has sent me back to my home place, where l first came to know Jesus.
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Dear Felix, Praise God for sharing your faith journey. It is awesome. I thank the Lord for your steadfast faith in the Lord as you address the issues and concerns that you had encountered @Sundermeier Home and Dunamis House. I am especially glad that you had assumed the challenge to serve as Chaplain at Sundermeier Home. May the good Lord continue to bless and guide you as you serve His divine purpose. Take care. Shalom.