A Brief Nod to the Cultural Red Tape We Navigate Through in Ship Ministry

Once or twice a month, I will head to the port of Busan with some members from my church. Lately, we have been accompanied by students from Korea Maritime & Ocean University, who lead worship on the ships we board. 

About to board the Anthea

It's a big group. There's a certain comfort this provides when you board new ships and prepare to meet strangers. However, I can feel how unwieldy we are moving through the narrow corridors of the ships. Unlike my preoccupation with our group's physical size going through the physical structure of the vessels, Russel's is that our bigger group might actually be hindering our attempt to reach out to the seamen on board. He wants to simplify it; boil it down to the essential of introducing or re-introducing Christ to men whose lives, whether on land or at sea, he believes ought to be anchored in Jesus. 

When not utterly exhausted from these excursions by mid afternoon, we take the time to exchange a few words about what worked and what didn't and what we could have done better. It seems to boil down to all of the cultural red tape present - something seemingly inherent in a company composed of multiple nationalities trying to serve the needs of those from other countries.

At the very core, we agree that we are there to minister and spread the Gospel of Christ. However, after this point, any other activity can be imposed upon our trips' itinerary by church leaders that might, upon second thought, seem unnecessary if not altogether unhelpful. 

Piling out of the van

Grabbing our gear

Looking up at these huge structures always inspires awe
(and the irrational fear that I might die by one of these things dropping on top of my head)

I love their uniforms!

Their uniforms might make them look older, but they are actually way younger than me! 

Welcome to Korea!

Going through security again on our way out

Anddd, we are finished! Heading back to the van to grab lunch together

MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU

For those who are involved in [ship] ministry, how have you conducted your outreach? What worked for you? What did not work? Do you have any interesting stories to share about your time boarding ships and meeting people from different countries?

The Parable of the Lost Seaman & Other Stories from Our Ship Ministry

Our ship ministry is with Korean International Maritime Mission in the Port of Busan. I became involved when the church told me such a ministry existed and, upon conferring me with this knowledge, simply expected that I would be a part of it. Thus began my trips to the Port on many a Saturday morning.

WHAT WE DO WHEN WE DO "SHIP MINISTRY"
Once or twice a month, I join Jibsanim John, a former sea captain and member of Ttang Ggeut Church's English service, as he drives to the Port of Busan and ministers to the seamen currently docked there. Most of them are Filipinos, making Russel's presence vital. We board the ships (lately joined by students from Korea Maritime & Ocean University who lead worship), and settle into their dining area where we spread devotionals, magazines, and Bibles. Sometimes, we bring food and small gifts, which disappear quickly from our extended hands. One time, we have even brought wifi on board with us - something that really excited the men, who hardly paid attention to Russel's message as they logged on to their various mobile devices and checked their Facebook and email accounts.

Our group along with some of the Filipino seamen we met today!

RUSSEL SHARING THE GOSPEL IN 5 MINUTES

Whether he has their attention or not, Russel usually preaches for 5 minutes. That's it. He tells the men it will only take this long right off the bat. The men are busy, joining us in the dining area in waves, disappearing now and then, and ducking their heads in out of curiosity. Those who decide to join us answer or ignore their handheld transceivers as they crackle, and generally insist on remaining standing even as we ourselves recline in chairs - one tuning a guitar here, another nervously shuffling music sheets there, and yet another engaging a neighbor in conversation.

Sometimes, we will have 12 men; sometimes eight; sometimes three; and sometimes just one.

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SEAMAN
When it is just the one, I often think something along the lines of, "...Wait - what? This is it?! This is what the 12 of us came here for??" 

And then I get over myself and remember that even just the one is worth all of our efforts. We do not go to the ships just to bring magazines for the men's entertainment, or food for their enjoyment, or wifi for their leisure. We come to share the very good news of Jesus Christ. If only one man hears this news and comes to receive it right then or later, it is worth it!

Reminding myself of the parable of the lost sheep in Luke has changed the internal monologue that plays in my head when we go out. Even when we board a ship where none of the seamen are available to meet with us, it is still worth it. They know we are there. They know we came for them. They know we will come again. 

THE BEGINNING: BOARDING THE SHIP

LOGGING IN OUR INFORMATION

READY, SET, ENTER

SEXY PHOTO CALENDARS & MY THOUGHTS AS THE ONLY WOMAN ON BOARD

Sometimes during these gatherings, (and while I am totally minding my own business), it will happen that my eyes will alight upon a sexy photo calendar hanging prominently on a wall. After the initial shock, I avert my eyes as quickly as possible lest any of the men in my company trace my stare and all kinds of awkwardness ensues. As if by not continuing to look, the photo of barely-clad or stark naked young women casually chilling by the wall (as if also listening in to Russel's message) will cease to exist; and as if the seamen who have been living and working on that ship will have never noticed what I noticed within minutes.

The ships have their own culture, I understand. But, man, is it super awkward to be the only woman on a ship full of men! Even though I am clothed in layers, I feel immediately exposed. This has happened a couple of times.

One of these times, Russel was standing immediately in front of the calendar. He continued to talk to the men, encouraging them in their walk in faith, and challenging them to call on God that night before they go to bed. There was no way he did not see the picture, and I was curious if he would ever acknowledge it. And how.

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MEN STANDING UP FOR WOMEN IN FRONT OF OTHER MEN
And, eventually, he did. I don't remember exactly what he said, but I do remember that his words didn't condemn or judge. He spoke what to me seemed like the language of men and, once again, challenged them even in this area. Because I was hyper conscious of the photo, I may have subconsciously evaluated the manner in which he handled this situation. I would give him a solid B-. There is a lot of room for improvement (especially because he was very vague and round-about when he addressed it), but he nevertheless did what most men would not even think to do.

Men standing up for women in front of other men. That's what we need more of.

TAKING OUR LEAVE

HEADING OFF TO THE NEXT SHIP

A bit grainy because this was taken inside the van

The other ship we boarded

The aftermath

UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEAK VISAYA
It is usually mid-afternoon when we finish and return to the Seamen's Center.

I am glad to be a part of all of this even though many things are new, and even when I hardly understand what's really going on. Often, there will be men hailing from central or southern Philippines and I am able to talk to them in their native tongue. They are amazed when they hear me speak - some having assumed that I am, somehow, Korean or a woman of a different nationality. A handful of them have asked if I am not a Filipina married to an older Korean man, alluding to many instances when this is the case.

These are the moments when my research as an undergrad stares me straight in the face, and I blink.