Happy Lunch on the MV POS Challenger

Yesterday I was invited for lunch by the Indonesian cook of the MV POS Challenger. When I showed up he  was happy to see me and asked me what I wanted to eat, Indonesian or Korean food? I said, ' Give me fifty fifty! ' I was going to eat with the crew but thought it wise to first greet the Korean captain and chief engineer. The captain upon seeing me immediately invited me to join them for lunch. With only two Koreans on board and the rest of the crew Indonesian and Philippino they were probably desperate for some fellowship and conversation with a visitor. I must say they were very friendly and hospitable. In fact when the food arrived the captain stood up and showed me how you mix the Korean dish that was put in front of me. The food was delicious.

After the initial conversation about family, work, South Korea etc. we discovered that they were Roman Catholic and that I was Protestant/Evangelical. The captain tried to explain the percentage of Roman Catholics and Christians in Korea. I tried to correct the captain that any one who believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior is a Christian. I threw a few Bible verses at him to make my point.  After that I think he tried to change the conversation because he then asked me how old I was. " How old do you think I am? " I asked. " You are 52, " he guessed and seemed surprised when I said that I am 60 years old! I thanked him for that very positive comment and told him I would tell my wife and also my doctor whom I will visit later this week!................A great visit and a happy lunch.

The captain is on the left and the 60 year old chief engineer on the right.