This was our first visit to the mission in Flores, Indonesia. Prior to this we had met the pioneer brothers (Emmanuel, Nerlito and Ronel) at the MOP Mother House in Kingston, Jamaica in April of the same year. At this time the three brothers were preparing to embark on their journey to set up the new mission in Labuan Bajo. They eventually arrived in Labuan Bajo in June and rented a house near the airport (Komplex Bandara). We arrived at the fledgling mission in late October 2010 after an international flight from Brisbane to Denpasar, Bali and then the following day on a domestic flight (‘Lion Air’) from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo (about 1 hour & 15 minutes). We stayed with the brothers and four aspirants for about a week. We commenced assisting the mission by taking the brothers shopping, and we helped with one of the very first children’s English classes by providing assistance with the teaching, cooking and serving food. At that time, supply of water and power was intermittent and combined with the tropical conditions we had only to admire the conviction of the brothers in this new and difficult land.

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Our first visit to the mission being greeted by the brothers (26 Oct 2010)
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Being made honorary locals (26 Oct 2010)
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Tina with Br Emmanuel overlooking Labuan Bajo and the harbour (27 Oct 2010)
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Heading off to the local shops (27 Oct 2010)
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Shopping downtown (27 Oct 2010)
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Aspirants ceremony (27 Oct 2010)
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Associates of MOP ceremony (30 Oct 2010)
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Market visit (27 Oct 2010)
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Feeding program at the English class (28 Oct 2010)
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English class (28 Oct 2010)
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Neighbours