By Lucy Napitalai
Photo courtesy: Francis Gemo

       East Boroko, Port Moresby, PNG 26 October 2021 -- After several rescheduling dates throughout the year due to the pandemic, the Don Bosco Technological Institute, Boroko Staff Spiritual Retreat was held from the eve of 22 October to the afternoon of 23 October 2021, at the Emmaus Conference Centre, East Boroko.

       It was a risk that we took, considering the state of mind that we were in as a week before, we were in a lockdown. But I believe it was timely as we all needed to be refreshed from the anxieties of the pandemic.

       During the retreat, a session had us watch a video titled “River Mee”, a production of Bosco Eastern Africa Multimedia Services 2006, which is a narrative of the flow of rivers from its origin to its final destination. We had moments of reflection and discussion of the film. The retreat to me was a realignment of my thoughts and actions on my journey through these uncertain times. Below is my personal reflection of the video that I would like to share.

       One of the many things that I look forward to when I go home during the holidays is the beautiful rivers and lakes. When I am inland, I’m always excited to go on an adventure into the forest to see the origin of the rivers and creeks. Even if it means to climb up and down steep valleys. When I am in the midlands, I enjoy the beautiful streams and falls. While at the coast, I enjoy that part of the river that meets the ocean, the estuary.

       I learned that as the river flows, along its way it may go through detours, stagnation, flood, dry spell or drought. On the other hand, the river is also joined by other streams flowing into it that enhances it. The flow of the river from the inlands ultimately strives to make its way to its final destination, the ocean. When it flows into the vast ocean, it is renewed and strengthened by the ocean’s mighty waves and powerful tides. Like the river, I spring up from the origin of my mother’s womb.

       As I grow older, I flow through different courses and channels and even take detours due to bad decisions and other disasters. in these present times like the pandemic, we may call it a drought or dry spell in our lives. I understand that I should not succumb to the drought or dry spell. The dry spell of the pandemic presented me with the options of either drying up or cling to hope. I know that I must choose the latter and look within myself, reflect and make some changes in my life in order to continue flowing through the right path toward my destination.

       Just the same, I must embrace enhancement from my rivers of positive influences and most of all, identify what I am clinging to as my hope and adjust my course to flow in the right direction. I know that while flowing through this maze of life, I should not focus on the droughts or dry spells of these uncertain times but focus more on my hope in the final destination, who is God. I need now to purposefully put a foot forward a moment a day, flowing in trust and hope in Him.

       The following scriptures have been my source of hope:

       Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

       Ephesians 1:18 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

       Job 11:18 And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.

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