Mission for the Poor: Serving the people of Flores and Timor Leste

Our last post focused on what a typical morning was like at the monastery at Labuan Bajo. Our visit in early March gave us a very well rounded understanding of the many tasks and outreach programs that the brothers and young aspirants participate in during the afternoons and evenings. During our stay at the mission, we were given the experience of joining with the brothers in visiting poor families in the town, catching up on the brothers during their afternoon tasks, watching their outdoor games and teaching the local children English during the Sunday afternoon classes.

Most importantly we experienced the brothers tending the disabled residents that live permanently in their apostolate, attending Stations of the Cross on Fridays during the Lenten period, praying daily rosary and of course quiet prayer before night. Our time was certainly busy, but fruitful and we were very appreciative to witness the wonderful gifts that these young men have in living out the Beatitudes of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.

See you next time with more updates, including an up to date post on the sponsor children: signing off for now, Trevor and Tina Lambkin (7 June 2016).

We start to visit poor families that have sponsored children

Letters from the Australian sponsors are delivered to the families

Br Nerlito administers the sponsorship on the ground at Labuan Bajo

Record keeping is important for the sponsor child’s family and the sponsor in Australia

Br Marc with sponsor child Giu and his family

Some shopping, …

…at the hardware store…

…and back at the monastery receiving the supermarket supplies

Jobs at the monastery continue, water filling…

…and cleaning

As dusk settles, then time for games

On a Sunday afternoon the brothers teach English to the local children

There are about 80 children in the English class

Then feeding the children after class

Other brothers then feed the disabled residents in the apostolate

Tend to their well-being, …

…and more importantly provide them with love and attention

During Lent, Friday’s Stations of the Cross, starts in the chapel…

…and travels through the whole monastery

The 2016 group of young aspirants after dinner

The rosary is a mandatory part of the day, right on dusk

The sun sets on Labuan Bajo

Night prayer starts with song

Then meditation

A short homily by Br Geoffrey on tomorrow’s Gospel reading and then…

…silent prayer

‘Protect us Lord as we stay awake, watch over us as we sleep’