Apostleship of the Sea...

The sea is vital to us all. 90% of world trade is carried by sea giving work to more than a million seafarers. 41 million people live from fishing.

Life at sea means separation from family and community. Globalisation can mean fierce competition, low wages and harsh working conditions. AOS works in solidarity with all those whose lives depend on the sea offerring them welfare, hospitality and spiritual support.

AOS today

Today, globalisation dominates the lives of People of the Sea. Meeting the challenges of the new globalised world was the theme of the latest International Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea (Rio de Janeiro 2002). The fierce competition of global commerce leads to exploitation of workers among the world’s poorest communities.

But there is a positive side to world developments. New technology gives us better global communications. New encounters between people of different cultures provide opportunities to learn and grow. Globalisation can and must be given a human face. This is the task which the international network of the Apostleship of the Sea gladly accepts as we remember the words of Our Lord

Do not be afraid, I am with you always.

Matthew 28, 20

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AFRICA MERCY

Joyce & I returned to be given a tour of the ship from Bridge to Cargo hold. We passed through wonderful accommodations for up to 480, school for 70 children, leisure facilities, village square, restaurant, galley & hospital. Operating theatres of which there were 6, sterilisation rooms, labs, wards, pharmacy, reception areas, waiting rooms, family areas. Every thing that would be found in a very modern hospital was there and much more besides. Then on to the cargo hold from where it was obvious what the ship had once been and how it had been transformed to what it now is. On our tour we met many more of the crew of all faiths and none. Good humour was prevalent with a Danish engineer who was quite sure that Pagans had a great time before Christians spoilt it all.

It was during this tour of the ship and meeting so many of the crew that it became apparent what the presence or feeling on the ship was. Firstly I felt the commitment of all around me, it was only then that the love of God which oozed from all became obvious. Some of the stories of commitment I heard made me feel a little bit ashamed of how shallow faith can be. One of several was as follows, please keep in mind that this was a stranger who was telling his story to me. As he told it he was supercharged with love and emotion so much so that we were buoyed up by it.

Some years ago a couple living in the north of England felt a calling, but as yet didn’t know what it was. The couple very successful, they had two businesses which were running well, a large Georgian house and a good circle of friends and family. When the calling became identified it was Mercy Ships. The husband had also been a pastor at the local church. So when the opportunity of being an on board chaplain arose he was the perfect choice. Time went by and the call came. House, businesses, wagons, car, effects all had to go. This raised the funds with which they were able to sponsor themselves as chaplains on a Mercy Ship. Not only do the crew or staff on these ships do all there work voluntarily but they have to pay crew fees. These are to pay for food and accommodation. This applies to all from captain to sailor, chief engineer to cleaner, surgeon to nurse, cook to security. Some are on board for days, others for years. “What a commitment”. Back now to the story. After some years the money ran out and they were in quite a dilemma, minds were in a turmoil it was as if no solution could be found. Crew fees were owing, debts were mounting, was their no way out? After walking for miles on the hot West African beach getting quite badly sunburned and seeing no way out the man said to his wife “Did God really ask us to do this work” “Yes” was her reply. “Are you sure” he said, she reaffirmed him “Yes” “Then this is not my problem it’s Gods”. It was as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. On their return to the ship they were informed there had been a phone call for them, and that they would call again at a certain time. When the call came it was his previous church saying they were going to sponsor them. Which they did, “God will provide”. Similar instances were also related to us. As these events were related the faith of the people multiplied as did there love of God and there fellow men & women, politeness and courtesy were very evident.

Fr. Murphy was taken on the grand tour and was I think very impressed. So much so the next weekend’s homily gave a wonderful account of all he had seen and heard. A Russian bulk carrier captain requested a visit to the ship. When permission was granted He, the ships surgeon, and the second officer, were given the grand tour. All were amazed at what they saw. The surgeon was open mouthed when visiting operating theatres, scanners, labs, wards etc. The concept of paying to work was difficult for our Russian friends to accept.

Our visits continued a couple of times each week we were fortunate enough to be able to attend the weekly crew meetings. Announcements were made, songs and hymn’s sung, prayers prayed, the Bible was read and a talk given. It is absolutely wonderful to witness God being praised with JOY. Themes were first class and multi cultural, bearing in mind almost 40 nationalities were present..

Music for the first week was African, whilst the talk compared the journey of Jesus to our journey. Think of the journey not the destination, who will you meet? What will you do?

Week two the music was mainly provided by captain Jan, this proved to be very moving. Arthur was our speaker and proved to be far from rubbish, the emotion in his voice as he spoke about the project and prayed for it. The casting off of the lines in the Tyne, and the breaking free, of the ship, or the freedom to progress as he spoke with love and passion about God and his mission.

Week three had a similar format with good music being provided by the very talented ships crew. The speaker spoke of what makes a wow day

The final meeting took place the night before the ship sailed for Rotterdam. A local group provided the music, prayers were led by ships chaplain Phil. The Bible Society presented a special bible to the ships Captain. Paul and Neville our friends and colleagues from Port of Tyne were in attendance, Neville had a satellite phone with him to enable African crewmembers to call their families courtesy of AoS. The speaker was Don Stevens founder and president of Mercy Ships. It was very inspiring listening to him as he spoke of ideals, the love of God, the love of and service to our fellow men and women. How the charity had moved and advanced over the years. The night climaxed with the ships company singing Jubilani Africa. Soft drinks and cakes were served in the dining room.

On that final evening because of the efforts and generosity of our friends we the AoS in Blyth were able to make a donation of £500. This was given to the ships chaplain on your behalf.

Next day early in the morning we were down to say our farewells to people we had known for what was only a very short time. But because of that common love of God and our fellow men and women and the will to be of service, Love and emotions were running high and many tears flowed. Prayers were said over the P.A. system, some hymns were sung and as they departed we Prayed.

Many hearts have been touched by the people of Africa Mercy and many seeds sown. Let us pray to God our father that these seeds may bare much fruit.

At the beginning of my writing I said I was aware of something, but of what I did not know. It quickly became very clear that of which I was aware, that which impressed me so much, can be found easily in the words of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

“Love one and other as I have loved you”

Austin Dolan

Serving the people of the sea...