Container Ship

I went down to New England Seafarer's Mission in Boston yesterday.  The mission primarily serves cruise ship workers, who often have very difficult lives for what we would consider little money. It is often unclear whose laws they are subject to or protected by, and in that vacuum they are often not much protected at all. 

When the cruise ships aren't going, between October and April, the mission shifts focus to the container ships that come into port.  These have much smaller staffs. They are usually only in port a few hours, and only a portion of it can go ashore to do shopping for family back home. The docks are quite a distance from Wal-Marts or shopping malls, and because of security concerns for the port, taxis and ubers can only get so close them. When you only have few hours and are hoping to get a particular item, like compression socks, vitamins, specific cords for electronics, or snack foods you know you will like, walking the mile in the cold each way can be onerous, especially if you are unused to cold. We look if there are some who need rides when we leave. 

What we do is called a ministry of presence, of mostly just showing showing up and being friendly.  The main chaplains do find that just establishing that trust fairly often results in being asked for help, such as sending a package home, asking whether some treatment is legal or should be reported, confessions of loneliness and concern for family they have heard is sick. Some ask for prayers, and interesting, this includes the Muslims.  Makes sense, really. We also bring a couple of (heavy) bags of goods as well, which are sold at cost or just a bit more. Sim-cards are big. Chocolate and chips are universally understood worldwide. The seafarers like small souvenirs, like magnets with pictures, and especially flannel shirts and t-shirts that say "Boston." Those are fun back home.

Lugging the bags up the gangway is a bit harrowing. You become aware that OSHA rules do not apply here.  The owners do stress safety because of potential lost work time, but the stair design, railings, and riggings are designed for the experienced and fairly athletic. The wind is cold up there, and I am not fond of heights. Still you meet interesting people.  Yesterday's ship included a couple of Romanians and Indians, but was mostly Sri Lankans. I got to use my toddler Romanian.