Courage under fire
Some of the Investa Trek guides holding a wooden carving made for the ‘Courage Under Fire’ trek (Photo by Mick Webber).
In its 5th year of operation, Captains Jacob and Julie-Anne Robinson share how The Salvation Army’s Investa Treks is continually providing new opportunities for outreach.
Investa Treks operates as a trekking company that specialises in guiding people along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. These treks focus on investing in the lives of the clients who walk the track, as well as Papua New Guineans in need.
It started in 2007 when Captain Jacob Robinson went to Papua New Guinea to walk to Kokoda Track. Whilst there, he noticed the great need amongst the local people, so, in 2008, he returned with a mission team: “My purpose for Investa Treks was just to do something, rather than not do anything,” says Jacob.
He soon started the trekking company, Investa Treks, with the blessing of The Salvation Army.
However, with Jacob and Julie-Anne juggling Investa Treks as well as their Divisional Youth Secretary roles, they soon realised they couldn’t continue giving to both ministries with their full potential. In January this year, they began a full time appointment overseeing Investa Treks, and have been blown away by the response. The number of people showing interest in doing a trek jumped from just 10 in January 2011 to 80 in January this year.
“It was really just God’s confirmation of timing,” says Jacob.
During some of the Investa Treks trips, trekkers have the opportunity to take part in building projects, such as working on a new child-care centre or church, to enhance the lives of locals in communities close to the Kokoda Track. In October this year Investa Treks plans to build an Elementary School at the start of the Kokoda Track. They are also working on a Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters which will be used by Salvationists of five regional villages.
“Territorial Headquarters in Papua New Guinea have had this on their building agenda for quite some time but they haven’t actually been able to get the materials in place and get the work completed. Now with improvements to the access road we have a team of 18 trekkers completing the project,” says Jacob.
Apart from the building project treks, there have been some other special treks on offer, to try and appeal to people outside of The Salvation Army.
In April this year, the Courage Under Fire trek was run, a trek that will now be held annually. The trek is offered to people who have been bereaved through the death of a loved one during active duty with the NSW Rural Fire Service. The concept for this trek first came from a regional manager of the NSW Rural Fire Service, John Parnaby, who had walked Kokoda himself and knew the life changing impact it could have.
“He wanted to try and replicate that and provide that opportunity to people who had been impacted by loved ones who had died,” says Jacob.
In September, Investa Treks will trek with an accident survivor and Tamworth Salvationist, James Suttor. After a serious motorbike accident when he was 17, James was left with a severe head injury and mental and physical disabilities. Despite these setbacks, he is focused on conquering the Kokoda track. “He has been really dedicated to rallying interest and support in the community,” says Jacob.
There has also been some interest shown in a proposed Schoolies trek for the end of the year, to provide an alternative opportunity to school leavers rather than the Gold Coast experience.
“We want to provide a positive opportunity for people to use their time to go across and have an amazing life experience, where they realise they can actually give back and help others,” says Jacob.
As the ministry continues to grow, Jacob and Julie-Anne cannot deny that God’s hand is upon it.
“I love how we get to provide the opportunity to trek with, and share the challenges with people,” says Jacob. “It is so impacting on people’s lives, especially when they experience the love of the locals for God!”
For more information on an Investa Treks experience visit the website - http://salvos.org.au/investatreks/, or http://kokodatrack.org.au
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