Well, when you put a timing belt on, it doesn't matter which way the letter is facing. What you don't want to do is pull it off after it's been run and switch it around though. Why did he not go ahead and put a new one on? Seems like cheap insurance to me. I, as a general rule, always put the lettering facing where you can read it from standing in front of the vehicle, but it really doesn't matter.

1995 Trooper LS auto 3.2 DOHC /w SOHC intake
1989 Trooper 2.6 auto
1989 I-Mark RS DOHC 1.6
1991 Stylus XS DOHC 1.8