It is an old, decrepit ore carrier... full of rust, disrepair, damage. All indicating that the end of its life is knocking and threatening. Once on deck, your conclusion is simple, but damning. This carrier will soon be reduced to scrap. For now the owner clings, stubbornly, to borrowed time. It is clear that they will tap the last bit of life from sailing this ship. In Coega they have to load another cargo and reach another destination from here.  In the heart of the ship, in the hold, the men are working and living. They have to keep the rickety ship on course and above water. 

       A very young server works in the dining area. Upon Danie’s question, he explains that he has been working at sea for three years. Beneath the face of youth one can detect a little something reflecting the condition of the ship - decline, ruin and decay. These seem to have stolen something from the young man.  

       It is the unpacked CSO Bibles that eventually sways the discussion in the direction of the young man’s heart. He struggles with concern and feeling powerless, but these are now so embedded that you can see the effects in the way he walks, as well as the way he handles those around him. He has been away from home for eight months, with only thirty days left before his booked flight ticket will take him home again. What awaits him there includes horrible realities that incapacitate his soul. Sitting in front of Danie in the dining area these make him look worn out, wrecked and defeated.  

       “How will I survive these thirty days?” he asks urgently.  “Please give me a word of encouragement”.  It is an unashamed cry for help. The young eyes plead for words from someone or somewhere to carry him until he arrives home.  It costs listening, care and empathy to help him calm down. He also did not only get a single word but received ‘The Word’. In the Tagalog Bible they search for God’s words of encouragement and they do so together. He reads and hears that God is with him and his family. He finally finds a way to place his concerns at God’s feet.  

       Danie got a few more opportunities to visit him before the ship left the harbour for the next destination. He did not only take his new Tagalog Bible with him for encouragement, he could also treasure the time that he spent with Danie. This simple treasure of such value will help carry him until he goes home.  Every person that is worn out, wrecked and defeated deserves to be seen and to get the absolute reassurance - again and again - that there is always hope in Jesus Christ...

Please consider in prayer and deed to support us financially. It will help us remind every seafaring man visiting our harbours of this eternal treasure.

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