GK YGAT PNG - A journey that will change my life forever...
By LALAIH VASQUEZ
My journey to PNG started on the day I decided to go, when obstacles arose - from not having enough leave (and at the same time, it also happened to be the busiest month for me at work), to the countless negative stories about PNG, which ultimately led to a lack of full support from my less than enthusiastic family and friends, whom I knew were just looking after my best interests. But God is so good, He gave me signs and I felt the confirmation to follow my heart and continue my venture to PNG.
So I gave in my resignation and took all the negative stories with me as my source of motivation, as I also knew that I had my GK Family to support me. As the date was getting closer, mixed emotions built up – excitement, worry, on what to expect, and fear, of me messing up where instead of me helping out, I could make the situation worse. But I took that as a challenge and besides, PNG is the land of the unexpected.
From the day we arrived in PNG, my heart was filled with love, from the people we met. I wondered how they did it, how they could show so much love to complete strangers, effortlessly and without any hesitation, without any words but by just simply showing it, it comes naturally to them. My overwhelming happiness was revealed on the day we were welcomed in the GK Village in Gerehu-Stage 6, tears just flowed into my eyes.
During the 5 days we shared with them, they showed me so much about life, that sometimes I take for granted. They encouraged me to face my life without any expectations and just be happy along the way, to be patient because life is too wonderful to fill it with worries about time, and most of all, they gave me love that I will cherish forever.
I am so proud to say that I did not let those obstacles stop me from going to PNG. I am so thankful to God that I was given the chance to experience the love I experienced on this trip. So all I can say now is Thank You to everyone who made this trip more special than I could ever imagine. Good luck on your own journeys and our paths will meet again soon enough.
Bamahuta for now and I love you all!
