By Soraya Kassim
We were running late. It was after nightfall and we were on our way to our evening accommodation when we found our way blocked by a broken-down truck. No problems: we hitched the truck to our 4WD and pulled it out of the way in order to pass. A bit further along though there was another broken down truck. A little more difficult this time – they were uphill and we would have to be pulling them from a water logged ditch. The solution: retrace steps to find an alternative route… But then there was a third broken down truck, this time needing a spare part.
If we were in Australia, most people I know would at this point erupt into a tirade of expletives and blame-placing: ‘you should have brought a spare’; ‘you don’t even have a shovel or winch with you’; ‘why didn’t you get your truck serviced before you left home?!’ etc.
But we were on an Encounter Tour in Timor Leste. So instead, all the drivers just got out of their vehicles and started helping each other. And – miraculously – three hours later, a spare part had not only been obtained (on a Saturday night) but had been fitted (by the light of torches in the pitch black darkness). We helped to pull the truck out and it drove off. And we went on our way – exhausted and requiring a program change, but on our way.
It’s a simple story, and one that doubtless happens literally every day. But it illustrates the essence of what a Palms placement teaches us. We might be going with a specific laudable purpose – fulfilling a necessary role, mentoring, sharing skills – but adjustments to the initial purpose will inevitably be required. There is much which is unpredictable, uncontrollable, and probably uncomfortable. However it all contributes to the rich learning which can only be gained by putting oneself in the situation of being an ordinary neighbour.
In our case there were multiple lessons: the value of patience, the blessings of community, the ingenuity bred of scarcity, the triumph of sheer grit and determination… and a natural overwhelming respect for our hosts.
These are the sorts of learnings which are common to every Palms placement. And they have inspired us to share this with our community in Australia in a new campaign we are calling ‘Simplicity September’. Read about it below, along with a report on highlights of the 2026 Timor Leste Encounter, some reflections from the field by one of our volunteers in Timor Leste, Wendy Baker, and updates on some of the roles available there now.