Earlier this year in April, Heru and Michele Santos visited the Missionaries of the Poor Mission in Labuan Bajo. Heru and Michele are from the Indonesian community in Upper Coomera on the Gold Coast. They heard of the mission through the Young Adult Ministry (YAM) Expo at St Stephens Cathedral which is held each August. YAM is part of the Catholic Youth Ministry Brisbane. Heru and Michele felt very drawn to assist their fellow Nationals in Indonesia. They have been a big boost to the mission, and during their visit in April they were fortunate enough to see the first intakes of disabled children into the mission apostolate. Many thanks for the visit Heru and Michele!

Well next week’s post will focus on some of the behind-the-scenes moments from Fr Ho Lung’s visit to Brisbane. Keep a watch out for that and we will see you next week. ‘Sampai jumpa lagi!’ (in Indonesian, ‘See you next time!’)

Traditional Indonesian greeting, Michele receives a chicken as a gift
Traditional Indonesian greeting, Michele receives a chicken as a gift
With some music and singing
With some music and singing
Heru also receiving the customary greeting with a chicken
Heru also receiving the customary greeting with a chicken
Arrived in time for Palm Sunday Mass
Arrived in time for Palm Sunday Mass
Very good Holy Mass attendance in Flores
Very good Holy Mass attendance in Flores
Many children at Holy Mass
Many children at Holy Mass
On our way home after Mass
On our way home after Mass
Weekly Sunday English lessons for local children, Our Father in English
Weekly Sunday English lessons for local children, Our Father in English
Michele helping out with the usual feeding programme after English lessons
Michele helping out with the usual feeding programme after English lessons
Time for a quick 'selfie' on the way home in the bus after English lessons
Time for a quick ‘selfie’ on the way home in the bus after English lessons
Children do enjoy time during and after the English lesson
Children do enjoy time during and after the English lesson
That night overlooking Labuan Bajo
That night overlooking Labuan Bajo
Looking south over the bay
Looking south over the bay
Nuns from the local order make a visit that night
Nuns from the local order make a visit that night
The next morning Labuan Bajo is as beautiful as ever
The next morning Labuan Bajo is as beautiful as ever
Lunch time with Br Emmanuel
Lunch time with Br Emmanuel
Some of the poor in Labuan Bajo, breaking rocks to sell bags of stones for building
Some of the poor in Labuan Bajo, breaking rocks to sell bags of stones for building
The people earn very little by selling bags of stones
The people earn very little by selling bags of stones
Heru and Michele have come to help the mission and its work
Heru and Michele have come to help the mission and its work
A rare photo of Br Emmanuel taking time out
A rare photo of Br Emmanuel taking time out
Br Geoffrey feeding John in the apostolate
Br Geoffrey feeding John in the apostolate
John
John
Michele feeding Patrick in the apostolate
Michele feeding Patrick in the apostolate

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Patrick
Patrick

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Brothers Emmanuel, Nerlito and Marc with the Indonesian visitors Heru and Michele
Brothers Emmanuel, Nerlito and Marc with the Indonesian visitors Heru and Michele