My wife and I have been working for the Daru-Kiunga Diocese as family life coordinators for 13 years. In 2017, she attended the same programme in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) that I was privileged to attend in 2018. My four months’ stay in the institute was a very enriching experience for me. I learned many things from the facilitators. As a lay person, I have always wondered how I can get more formation so I can be more effective in my work. I feel very blessed to have received very good spiritual insights for my ministry. Encountering Jesus, especially in prayer, community Masses, team outings and sharing of life experiences, gave me a big push and a new outlook in my ministry.

The modules were very much related to my work. They were presented simply so it was easy for me to understand and integrate them in my own plans. For example, I have already planned what activities I will be doing in my programme on family and domestic violence, and how I can integrate the new things I learned from the module on Integrity in Sexuality and Ministry.

Praying with St Ignatius by the river Cardoner, Loyola School of Theology, Manila

Before I left Papua New Guinea, my wife joked that perhaps after I have finished the programme and gone back home, I would look for another job that would make us more money. I told her that it would be very hard for me to look for another job. I think I have the best job. Even if the salary is minimum, I have the heart for my work. The only thing my wife and I can do is to ask the Lord to guide us so we can continue to care for our children. Thanks to God my first daughter is already a teacher and my second daughter is soon to become a teacher too. My third daughter is considering entering religious life while my youngest child, a boy, is only five years old. We come across challenges but otherwise, my wife and I are always happy. We have a strong life in Jesus.

I think I have the best job. Even if the salary is minimum, I have the heart for my work.

We spent the last remaining days of the programme in prayerful reflection. Our facilitator said that we are like seeds that have been sown. Some seeds grow, some seeds die out. Am I going to grow or am I going to die out? I am confident that I will grow in my own capability. I will do my best to grow because I hear a spiritual voice inside telling me, “You can still do it”.  I know it will not be easy, but it is also not impossible.

This article is part of a series of reflections from participants of EAPI’s residential programmes, which run for four or six months.