Yulianti Andris never imagined that saying yes to volunteering would lead her to witness God’s miracles in the most unexpected places. As a Kindergarten Teacher at TAIS (Timor Leste Adventist International School) in District Same, Timor Leste, she discovered that sometimes the greatest adventures begin with a simple desire to serve.
When Yulianti decided to become a volunteer teacher, her motivations were clear and personal. As an Adventist, she had always dreamed of teaching in an Adventist international school. She wanted to improve her English and grow professionally. But there was something deeper calling her forward. She had experienced before how working with people from different countries broadened her perspective on life and taught her to embrace differences with grace. That transformation—the way it changed her and deepened her relationships with others—was something she longed to experience again.
She arrived in Timor Leste full of hope and expectation, but reality hit her quickly. Adjusting to the new place became her greatest struggle. Everything was unfamiliar—the environment, the culture, the daily routines. There were days when she felt completely overwhelmed, questioning whether she had made the right decision. But it was precisely in those difficulties that she learned the most valuable lessons of her life: to embrace the difficulties, knowing that hardship will pass, and that she would emerge stronger with each new step forward.
Her days are filled with teaching, surrounded by little kindergarten students, each one unique and precious. Working with these children has been one of the most treasured experiences of her life. She often reflects on how she can witness that God is a genius in the way He creates people. Some of her students are fast learners, while others need more time and patience. Watching their brain development unfold fills her with awe and wonder.
One particular student touched Yulianti’s heart in a profound way. During the first and second semesters, this little girl struggled to memorize numbers. Yulianti worked patiently with her, wondering if she would ever break through that barrier. Then one day, something amazing happened—the girl memorized instantly a phone number that Yulianti had given to the class. Just like that! Yulianti was deeply impressed. The child’s development reminded her of their God who is a perfect and genius Creator, working in His own perfect timing.
But it was in August 2024 that Yulianti experienced a moment that would forever change her understanding of what it means to be part of God’s mission. She moved to another district in the same country, and when she arrived, they had only three kindergarten students. After a few weeks, a five-year-old girl registered at the school.
On that first Monday, the girl’s mother brought her and stayed the entire day, waiting until school finished. While she waited, Yulianti and the mother had a chance to talk. Their conversation naturally led to Yulianti explaining that school days only ran until Friday because this was an Adventist school. She mentioned that on Saturday, they went to church for worship.
The mother was shocked. “Why do you go to worship on Saturday?” she asked. “But you worship again on Sunday, right?”
“No,” Yulianti replied gently. “We worship on the Sabbath day, which is Saturday.”
The woman was genuinely confused—this was her first time hearing about this practice. “Why do you worship on Saturday?” she pressed.
Yulianti felt momentarily uncertain, knowing this required extensive explanation but not having the time. So she simplified her answer: “Because it is written in the Bible.”
They couldn’t continue the conversation because Yulianti needed to return to teaching. But the mother’s curiosity wouldn’t let her rest. That same day, she sought out the local missionaries and the pastor. They had a long conversation about Sabbath worship. Her husband came and joined the discussion, both of them asking questions and seeking to understand.
By the end of that day, they had made a life-changing decision: they wanted to study the Bible. From that moment until now, they have continued studying the Bible with the pastor and regularly attend the Adventist Church.
That experience showed Yulianti something profound about her role in God’s mission. God was showing her that she was not alone. He was there. He was with her. He was the leader of this mission, and she simply needed to be willing to participate in what He was already doing.
What Yulianti loves most about this volunteer experience is meeting people from different backgrounds and enjoying new delicacies. There’s something beautiful about sharing meals and stories with people whose lives are so different from her own, yet whose hearts beat with the same love for service and faith.
When asked if she would recommend this experience to others, Yulianti doesn’t hesitate: “Yes, absolutely.” But she’s also honest about the reality. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s worth trying. She knows that anyone considering volunteering will face challenges that test their resilience. There will be moments of doubt and discomfort. But there will also be miracles—in children’s developing minds, in hearts opening to truth, and in personal transformation.
Yulianti has learned that God doesn’t call His people to easy paths. He calls them to faithful ones. And when they say yes, He shows up in the most beautiful, unexpected ways. Her story is a testament to the truth that sometimes the greatest impact we make is simply by showing up, being present, and allowing God to work through our ordinary, everyday moments of service.
