A Hope and a Future
Six young people from Papua New Guinea – who have been identified as future leaders in their country – are in training for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon on 4-5 July as part of The Salvation Army's Hope and a Future program.
The program – piloted in 2014 by the Australia Eastern Territory – gives PNG nationals the opportunity to be mentored in leadership skills. The program is modelled around four key pillars – faith, fitness, education and leadership.
Over the next few weeks in the lead-up to the marathon, we will meet some of these participants and hear their stories
Greg Vali
Greg, 23, who attends the Hohola church in South Central Division of PNG, will be taking part in the 42km marathon.
He is studying a Certificate III in Information and Digital Media Technology and hopes to become a specialist in this area.
“In our Christian walk of life we are running toward the finish line. To finish the race is the challenging part that helps me today to keep running on the track that God has made for me. I am so grateful to God for giving me this awesome opportunity,” he says.
After the marathon, Greg will attend EQUIP, where he will take part in sessions relating to music and tech production to assist him in his roles in youth ministry and the worship team at his church in PNG.
Joyce Gabi
Joyce, 17, who attends the Boregaina Corps in the South Eastern Division of the PNG Territory, will be competing in the 21km
Her ambition is to become a teacher or to represent her country as a marathon runner.half-marathon.
Joyce is excited to be travelling to Australia for the first time to experience a new environment and meet new people.
“I am grateful for the fact that God has blessed me to go and experience new things and learn new ideas that will help me as a young woman,” she says.
“For me, The Salvation Army is my home, where I am given spiritual nourishment and learning so that I can know more about Jesus.”
Joyce attends The Salvation Army’s FODE centre in the capital Port Moresby. FODE stands for Flexible Open Distance Education, and offers teaching for 900 students from Grade 8 to 12 who, due to various circumstances, are unable to complete their secondary schooling through the normal system.
Following the marathon, Joyce will attend EQUIP, a discipleship and ministry skills camp for youth and young adults, where she will explore leadership skills.
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