YFC GAT'09: Nothing to lose and everything to gain
By CHRIS DE JOYA (YFC Melbourne)
So far I haven’t gone back to school for various reasons but GAT has changed the way I perceive a lot of things even just at home or when going for a drive.
Flying over Melbourne, I guess I probably saw the whole city. I began to realise that I live in such a spacious city, yet there is such a small population and we have so much land to share. That being the case, there are still so many people that take the land we live in for granted.
Even just going for a ride home added to my awareness. It is probably a standard that the average Australian family has at least one vehicle. What I remembered from my stay in Batangas was that in the whole village, I didn’t see one vehicle in sight. So I definitely feel more privileged that I get a ride to school every morning even though my school is just down the road.
When I got home from the airport my house looked bigger for some reason. When my family went to bed I took some time to reflect in my lounge room. Sitting there on that couch I noticed that my lounge on its own was bigger than the house I lived in at GK, and yet from what I remember from my pre GAT memories was that I was complaining that we should have a bigger house. During my stay in GK, my host family was so content with what little material things they had but it wasn’t their material possessions that gave them true happiness. They were happy enough just to have a proper roof over their heads, they were happy because they had each other but most of all they were happy that they had God.
GAT really opened my eyes. Now I know how blessed I am and I can never give enough back to God for all that he has done for me. But even though he has blessed me heaps, it doesn’t matter to me because having God is enough. He is much greater than anything the world has to offer. I thank God for sending me to GAT and everything I experienced there; even the trials. I know it wouldn’t be a great adventure tour without the trials. It was during the trials that I was able to utilise the spirit of strength, love and self control to the best of my ability. I have come out stronger, prepared for 2009 and anticipating how my change will be perceived by the real world.
One more thing to add for those considering to go to GAT again or for their first time. Here’s a little quote of mine.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain when you give your all. :)
