Madonna McGahan – GIG 2005 - East Timor

It sounds somewhat trite to say that after a GIG experience in East Timor, one can never be the same again. But that has certainly been my experience and I am sure it is shared by the entire 2005 GIG group, although expressed in many different ways.

Personally, the East Timor experience was an opportunity to remove myself from everyday realities which are generally focused on long hours of work, making the next deadline, and delivering on performance indicators. Instead, this was an opportunity to look at life from someone else’s perspective and to be less focused on myself and the excessive importance I place on some of life’s everyday activities.

I was deeply touched by the people of East Timor who were willing to share so much with our group. I experienced true hospitality, the kind of hospitality that is unconditional and immeasurable. I experienced communities that are deeply relational. The communities and people we met shared their and our stories. The economic poverty in East Timor certainly is confronting and cannot be overstated; I’m sure it has motivated many of us to contribute in material ways. Despite this, the enduring memory is one of hope and optimism for the future of this beautiful country and its people. An experience of this kind allows one to take a closer look at our own inner weakness, brokenness and poverty. It puts into perspective the really important things in life, and how we might make more of a difference in what we do, the way we do things, and in the lives of people we meet and interact with every day.

The role of Catholic Mission in facilitating and leading this experience is to be commended.