DOT CG @ Jurong Fishery Port
19 Nov 2023
Bringing God’s light to the seafarers
Mission work has always been close to my heart, particularly with marginalised communities. But, as someone with physical disabilities over the years, it is not always easy to do so. So when I heard there was a divine opportunity to serve the seafarers locally at the Jurong Fishery Port with DOT (Disciples of Christ, my cell group), I jumped at it.
Why do we serve?
Personally, this is one of my first outreach sessions with a cell group, which I’m very thankful for. The Bible clearly tells us to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). We know that seafarers, often coming from other countries, have little voice on our soil for their needs and rights, and often spend many lonely months away from their families. As God’s servants, it is our duty and hope that we can walk alongside them and offer practical help, such as providing necessities.
Serving also cultivates a heart of genuine empathy and love for one another. Perhaps the most impactful takeaway from this session for me was learning how the seafarers literally put their lives on the line with every fish they catch due to the rough seas. One wrong move, a slip or a jerk, and they might end up in the deep and scary seas for good – a very high price to pay for the fish they put on our dinner tables.
Do we face such dangers in our everyday lives at work? Probably not for most of us. What, then, does this mean for us to still try to share the Gospel with them? What can we say or do to alleviate their struggles, even if it might seem like just a pin drop in the vast ocean?
Society divides us but we are one in Christ
I believe we always need to look to Jesus, and ask, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” We can also ask God for His help, wisdom and strength to guide us, when we struggle to find words of comfort for others.
Things on earth may not be perfect currently, but we have the full assurance of His second coming when He will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4) and make all things beautiful again (Ecclesiastes 3:11). That is the truest hope we can offer not just to the seafarers, but to anyone else.
I sincerely hope that the work by the International Lutheran Seafarers’ Mission (ILSM) with these seafarers will continue throughout 2024, and that I may have more opportunities to serve alongside them in future.
Read more about the International Lutheran Seafarers’ Mission here: https://lutheran.org.sg/ilsm/
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