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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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Special journey for Mission to Seafarers chaplain |
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The day dawned bright and mild as my wife Lee and I stood on the pilot observation deck of the MV Cape Denison, a 34 000 tonne 300 metre long container ship. We watched with interest the maneuvering by tugs within the tight confines of Newcastle (NSW) harbour. We were finally on our way-first stop Hong Kong, approximately ten days away. We were the only passengers on board this state of the art working ship for two reasons-a fortieth wedding anniversary excuse for a different holiday, and to see how officers and crew cope with living away from home for nine months in a job which can be dangerous, sometimes boring, living within the close confines of a ship. We were also very interested in how the twenty-three Philippine crew and Croatian Captain and Chief Engineer related to their Maker. Easy introductionWearing my 'Flying Angel' MTS badge proved an easy introduction. All seafarers recognise this international organisation as an unconditional friend. Nevertheless there was an uncertainty in the crew's manner toward us. It's one thing to have a visiting chaplain on board to help whilst their ship is in port; it's another thing to have a chaplain and his wife hanging around for 55 days! We decided to give them time to get to know us, praying for opportunities to witness and share. Three chaplainsWe were privileged to meet three other MTS Chaplains and their co-workers in other cultures. The Rev. Peter Ellis, a Welshman who has been chaplain in Hong Kong since the 1970's, is a gentle man, but not afraid to walk the streets of Hong Kong in his clerical collar or to say grace before our meal in a busy restaurant. At the Mission in Kobe, Japan we met Englishman the Rev. Peter Yeates, and his wife and young family. They were previously in New Guinea and will move to parish life in Beaufort, Victoria. The Rev. Simon Noh and Monica of the MTS Mission in Pusan, South Korea are dedicated people who operate the Mission out of a converted container. Simon only sees his wife and child when they are able to visit him from their home in another town. Deign to prayAs the 'cruise' developed, our relationship with the officers and crew became friendly and at ease. Our steward was once reduced to tears by the fact that we would deign to pray with him for family concerns. I have been shocked, since returning, by a perception of seafarers as being coarse, aggressive, not to be trusted etc. I really don't think seafarers can be categorised any more than any other occupation. PrincessLee was treated like a princess and the crew appreciated her witness amongst them. It was interesting to see the sensitivity of the captain towards his Philippine crew. Once when we changed course to dodge a typhoon, the captain organised an evening BBQ on deck for everyone because he thought the crew would be homesick. Philippine crews don't fare so well in some Australian ports-the local 'wharfies' can give them a bad time. AglowUnfortunately not all seafarers are treated as well as the crew of these 'Cape' ships. Seafarers are often expected to man unsafe ships for minimal wages with poor and insufficient food and are sometimes stranded in a foreign port without pay. The Mission to Seafarers around the world attempts to bring practical Christianity to all seafarers regardless of rank, race or religion. One little place now stands out in our minds and prayers-a converted container sitting on the industrial docks of Pusan, South Korea. A container, very ordinary from the outside but aglow on the inside with smiling, welcoming faces that practise what they preach, giving comfort and hope to all. |
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