Thee abnormal Adventures of Jeff Kelly

Awoken by books, an alarm clock, and a travel power adapter crashing down on my face at 3am can mean only one thing Voyage Time.   While most nights are surprisingly calm during voyages our first night leaving Western Australia’s beautiful port city of Perth was reckless havoc. The degree of role on the ship since we left has been 17 percent, as explained by the captain,” that’s the worst degree role we’ve had on the Doulos in several years”.   The role (side to side movement) of the ship is vastly different than the normal pitch (front to back) we’ve experienced in the past.  The whole ship was in chaos last night starting at 12:25 am when a 6 meter (20 foot) swell exploded into the left side of the ship sending books, food, and roommates sprawling about the floor.  This is what sailing on the open seas feels like, I thought as I dragged myself out of my bunk stumbling in the dark for the light switch.

While visiting Australia was a life long dream come true for me, I am very glad to be leaving the first world and getting into the Dirt and Hurt of the World.  East Timor is an interesting port to be visiting next after spending three weeks in a comfortable middle class tourist town.  While Perth and Western Australia has its needs and concerns they don’t even begin to match up with the very basic human needs of clothing, medical supplies, literature, and food that have packed our holding spaces for the desperate of East Timor.   A local surfing store has donated loads of clothes free of charge for the locals as well as other generous individuals who have given wheelchairs and encyclopedias for the cause.  Its been a joy loading all these donations throughout our time in Australia, the Aussies have great compassionate hearts for their needy neighbors.

Looking out for pirates, arrrr!!!!

For most of the 70 people that joined the Doulos with me almost 2 months ago this will be the first time they see extreme poverty and for half the first time they visit a third world country in general.  I believe it’s hard to fully prepare for the things that we are going to see but the ships program team has been doing a valiant effort in talking about what to expect from this war torn nation.  While it’s been 3 years since I’ve been to Indonesia (East Timor’s Neighbor) the images and thoughts are still fresh in my mind.  After leaving Indonesia the last time I visited in August 2005, I made a personal vow be back one day and make a real difference when I do.  It’s great how God’s will for my life has brought me back to a wonderful place filled with luscious jungle and beautiful people.   We will be in East Timor for seven days, but I whole heartedly believe these upcoming seven days are going to be a powerful time not only for the people on the island but for crew living on the ship as well.   My specific prayer for our time in East Timor is that God will give each one of us HIS heart for the people and the suffering that we will meet once stepping foot in Dili, the capital of Timor. In particular, God’s compassion and encouragement be felt by every person that enters or even hears about the Ship.  I feel that often times in lands that have little education and distractions Jesus is more powerful and can have a greater impact on peoples hearts.  Once the mind is out of the way people can accept with their hearts and allow God to work throughout a community, city, Nation.       

an evening off of work enjoying Gods wonderful creation

a look from the bridge

My role in lifeboat drills