Dili, Timor Leste — The sound of praise in Tetum rang softly from the congregation of the Igreja Evangelica Assembleia de Deus (IEAD) on Atauro Island:

“Jesus diak diak mai hau,

hau labele selu Nai nia amor o Jesus…”

(Jesus is good to me, I can't repay Jesus' love…)

The song was sung joyfully by children who had just received Bibles. This simple song of praise became a tangible symbol of God's love present through the One in Love program—a cross-country ministry mission implemented by the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) from September 22–27, 2024.

During this visit, LAI distributed 4,193 Bibles to various churches in Timor Leste. The distribution included 2,700 adult Bibles, 93 Study Edition Bibles for pastors and Bible teachers, 120 large-print Bibles for seniors, and 1,280 children's Bibles accompanied by 1,000 Bible comics. Deliveries were made to various regions, from churches under the Igreja Protestante Iha Timor Lorosae (IPTL) Synod to remote islands like Atauro and the Oekusi District.

"We are very grateful for the love and support from the Indonesian Bible Society. This assistance is a breath of fresh air for our ministry in Timor Leste," said Rev. Dominggos Alves, Chairman of the IPTL Synod, when welcoming the LAI One in Love team in Dili.

He added that for IPTL, the Bible is a source of spiritual life and strength for the church on its journey toward independence. IPTL currently oversees 76 congregations with a total of 12,809 members, but only has 45 pastors and 25 Bible teachers. Despite these limitations, they continue to strive to equip God's servants through the Theological Training Center established in 2021. "We are greatly helped by the Study Edition Bible. For young pastors, it is a learning tool that guides us in a deeper and more contextual understanding of God's Word," he said.

The Indonesian Bible Society (LAI)'s presence in Timor-Leste is not simply a distribution mission, but rather a loving encounter between two nations once separated by history, now reunited by the Word of God.

The LAI One in Love team, consisting of Erna Yulianawati, Alpha Martyanta, and Perlando Panjaitan, witnessed how the Bible answers the longings of people in remote areas of the country.

One of the Bible recipients was Akwildo Emmanuela Ballo, a member of the IPTL Maranata Church in Oekusi District. With shining eyes, she said, "We have long thirsted for God's Word. Many of us don't have personal Bibles. Now we can read them ourselves, teach them to our children, and feel a renewed passion for our faith."

She explained that in her region, Protestants are still a minority and often face social challenges because they are perceived as different from local customs. "The Bible helps us to remain steadfast. Amidst pressure, God's Word is a lamp to our steps," she added, her voice trembling.

In addition to distributing Bibles, the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) also engaged in dialogue with church leaders regarding efforts to translate the Bible into Tetum, the national language of Timor-Leste. To date, congregations there still use Bibles in Indonesian or Portuguese, which are then translated orally during worship services.

"We long to have the Bible in our own heart language, so that God's Word can be more easily understood by all groups, including children and the elderly," said Rev. Dominggos.

This visit served as a reminder that the ministry of God's Word knows no national borders. Although Timor-Leste has been independent since May 20, 2002, the spiritual brotherhood between churches in Indonesia and Timor-Leste remains strong. Through the "One in Love" program, Christ's love transcends historical and geographical barriers, bringing new hope to a congregation thirsting for the Word.

This mission may be simple, but its impact is profound. From the small congregation in Oecusse to the children on Atauro Island, everyone can now turn the pages of the Bible with joy.

And from that small place, a simple prayer is uttered in Tetum:

“Jesus diak diak mai hau…”

A song of thanksgiving that marks the point where God’s love has reached even to the easternmost point of the earth.