Hello! My name is Annabelle Cauchi and I’ve just returned from my first mission trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG). This two-week trip, known as GKYGAT (Givim Kea (Pidgin English for ‘give care’) Youth Great Adventure Tour), was an experience that will forever be remembered!
Seven of us departed for Port Moresby on the 15th September 2008 and upon arrival, spent some time in Boroko, Port Moresby. We attended festivities celebrating PNG’s Independence Day, met local dignitaries and went to two schools to share the GK vision: “To help restore the dignity of the poor through the improvement of living conditions”.
Our main focus was Gerehu Stage 6, notoriously known for being the most dangerous place in PNG…that was before GK entered. GK has truly brought hope to this village. Twenty wooden houses have now been built and more families are waiting to have their slum housing transformed into wooden houses when more funds are made available. We worked with the villagers to build a medical center, which they will complete in our absence. Each of us stayed with a different host family and was immersed in the local way of life.
The villagers welcomed us as if we were a part of their families. If ever we wanted mangoes, the children would go to the trees and pick them for us immediately. We helped to teach the 60+ kids there and learnt a few songs in their tribal tongue ‘Motu’. The kids were smart and learnt things very quickly; one thing that stood out was their faith and love for God and others, despite their meager material possessions. Our presence there meant so much to them that when the time came for us to return to Sydney, they were all crying, not to mention ourselves.
There were some challenges, such as missing the comforts of home. Despite this, the experience was enjoyable. I grew from this experience in living with the poor. I thought I was going to give to them and indeed I did. However, they gave more to me, through their love and patience. We experienced no trouble whatsoever whilst there, nor did we come across any cannibals as all of us were briefed on before leaving Australia.
The Papua New Guineans have become like my second family and I look forward to future visits over there. In the meantime, I’m going to keep in touch through mail and will keep them in my prayers. I encourage anyone thinking of joining the GK Y GAT PNG group next year to see how life-changing it will be, just as it was for me.
