Papua New Guinea runners’ marathon of learning

The Hope and a Future team sang, led worship and gave their testimonies at the Gold Coast Temple Corps.

BY SIMONE WORTHING

Since completing the 42.2km Gold Coast Marathon last Sunday (7 July), the young participants in the Hope and a Future program have been learning, serving and enjoying some downtime from Tweed Heads in Northern NSW to Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Major Earle Ivers led the leadership training at the Gold Coast Temple Corps.

After a well-deserved rest on the Monday, the team spent Tuesday morning at the Gold Coast Temple Corps, where Corps Officer Major Earle Ivers shared some leadership development sessions adapted from the Officer Training College campuses in Port Moresby and Kainantu, Papua New Guinea. This included the topic of understanding and leading yourself before you can lead others. “This was a very significant time for everyone as they spent time focusing on their own life’s marathon,” said Major Lynne Medland, Program Secretary, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory, who is travelling with the team.

Tuesday afternoon and evening was spent at the Tweed Heads Corps, joining the carpet bowls program and small group time.

Sharing a meal and discussion at Tweed Heads Corps.

Wednesday was back to the Gold Coast with the team sharing with the women’s fellowship group and watching a timbrel display. After an afternoon off at the Spit, the team enjoyed a meal at the Temple with some corps members, and then either joined the Gold Coast Temple Band for rehearsals or the Bible Journalling group. The team led devotions to conclude the evening.

Thursday held a special surprise for the team. Sea World Gold Coast generously sponsored entry passes and a dolphin experience for the team. “The opportunity to meet a dolphin right up close was a highlight for everyone, and the Leviathan roller coaster is an experience that will never be forgotten and is being retold with a lot of laughter,” said Lynne.

The visit to Sea World was a delightful surprise for the team!

“It was a celebration day for all the hard work over the past six months – the early mornings, the hours of training, the sacrifice of family and personal time … I am insanely proud to have walked this journey with all of you all.”

Sunshine Coast

The team continued their activity-packed schedule, visiting Salvos Family Stores, a 5km parkrun at Golden Beach on Saturday morning and a ‘Just Men’ conference for the men.

During the Sunday morning service at the Caloundra Corps, Bill Hunter interviewed two team members – Parka and Kari – and the group sang. Sunday afternoon saw the team singing, sharing their testimonies and marathon experiences at God’s Sports Arena in Brisbane.

The team shared again at God's Sports Arena.

“It was a great afternoon of celebration, faith, love, kindness, enthusiasm, energy, encouragement, with some emotion thrown in for good measure,” said Envoy Bill Hunter, who leads GSA and is head coach for Hope and a Future. “Love, encourage and don’t judge.”

The team then joined young Salvos for the youth night at North Brisbane Salvos.

“On Monday, we went to the Broncos for a tour and received two large bags of footballs to take home,” said Bill, who is also a former chaplain to the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team.

The team returned to Papua New Guinea yesterday (16 July), processing all they have learned and experienced and looking forward to the hope and a future that awaits as they continue their studies and training – a future not just for them, but for their corps, communities, workplaces and nation.

To see more photos, click on the slideshow below.