It seldom happens that I meet a Turkish crew, but there they were on board the MV Besiktas Azerbaijan.
When I met the captain it was like we were friends from way back.
That evening as he entered the seafarer's center, the first thing he did was put a 'Question and Answer Booklet about the Christian Faith' and a ' Today for Seafarers ' in his backpack. My first thought was, 'Is this man a Christian? '
The next day I took him and three other crew members to Ladner as they wanted to go shopping. Our local barber was born and raised in Turkey so I decided to stop in at the barber shop. They had a wonderful time talking in Turkish ( of course ).
During our drive back to the ship the captain told me that he is a devout Muslim and that he was observing Ramadan. During this festival, Muslims fast for a whole month fasting from sunrise to sunset each day. In other words; no eating or drinking from 5 AM to 9 PM! It didn't seem to bother the captain.
When I asked him why he collected Christian literature he told me he was interested in the Christian religion saying, "We believe in the same God don't we?" I just told him to, " Read the Question and Answer booklet".
He then invited me to join him and the crew for dinner that evening, that is, after sunset. I had already eaten at six and there I was eating again - at nine o'clock in the evening, just for the experience! We did not eat at nine but exactly at 2 minutes after nine! This according to the time schedule posted on the wall, (see picture). The following day they would start dinner at one minute after nine. However, this list was only good while in port. When they sail the schedule changes all the time since the ship is moving from time zone to time zone; very complicated! During the meal, the captain once again mentioned that we believe in the same God so I reminded him to read the Question and Answer booklet again.
When it was time to say goodbye he gave me a big hug and his business card saying I was welcome to stay at his house and meet his family in Istanbul anytime I was in the area.
0nce more he said, ' We believe in the same God, don't we?' to which I replied, " Read the Question and Answer booklet". Leaving it up to the Holy Spirit to do His work, I am left with the memory of a great visit and a new friend in Istanbul.
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| The captain and Fiko, the best barber in Ladner! |
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| On the right is the chief engineer. He has been in 80 countries and 400 ports around the world but this was his first time in Canada! |
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| The picture you see in dining rooms and ship's office is of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first president of Turkey. He is credited with being the founder of the Republic of Turkey. |
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| Here you see the Ramadan schedule. I was on board of the 23rd day. |
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| The electrician also wanted to be on the picture. |
