My stay on Doulos

During Doulos's visit to Westport, Malaysia (6/7-30/7/06), I had the golden opportunity to stay on board for 2 nights..(11-12/7/06)..let me first give you brief descriptions about this amazing ship..www.doulos.org
*Built in 1914, DOULOS is 2 years younger than the Titanic! *DOULOS is the World's Largest Floating Book Fair, carrying 6,000 titles of quality literatures across the oceans to reach different parts of the globe.
*Staffed by an all-volunteer crew of 320 Christian young people and families from 45 different countries, DOULOS seeks to bring knowledge, help and hope to the nations.
*Since 1977, DOULOS has visited more than 100 countries, welcoming more than 18million people onboard!

My cabin was cabin No. 265,a twin sharing cabin, small but confortable..Initially, May and I were given separated cabin, but because both our cabin mates were not around, so ended up, both of us got to stay together for 2 nights in this small little cabin..How small is small, well, there were a double decker bed, a wardrobe and a dressing table and limited spaces for you to move around..We were fortunate enough to have a toilet for ourselves..(the crew members shared toilets)..The cabin was actually better than what I expected..Thank God for that..

On the next day, we woke up at 7am because we didn't want to miss the breakfast (7-7.45am)..On the ship, all meals served are simple and light..more towards Western style..Breakfast: cereals, home-baked breads/loaves, milk; Lunch: eggs, salads, home-baked breads/loaves, tuna; Dinner: rice + one dish..take a look at those pictures..So , imagine 365 days on the ship, you are eating basically repeating/same meals..and most crew members served 2 years on the ship..haha..don't know how they survive..

After breakfast, we went shopping with Makoto (a Japanese guy who served about 1.5 years on the ship and he was the one that helped us to arrange for this 'vacation' on board) at Tesco. He is leaving for Japan on Saturday for his sister's wedding and wanted to buy some stuffs/souvenirs back home..
Later in the noon, we hang out around the book fair. I bought a book on David Livingstone, bibles and cassettes..The prices were really cheap. All books sold are in units..100 units=RM8.00..Bibles are hot stuff on board..worth buying.

At night, we joined their program-Reality Walk.,.and also helped out in selling the Doulos T-shirt..I bought 4 shirts for myself, sis and parents..and I got the chance to chat with some International crew members on board..they were all so friendly and especially the guys (Germans in particular), so cute and good-looking..

The next day after breakfast (cereals only), I have to 'check out' early to work..though it was such a short stay but I was really grateful..at least I get to know what is it like to serve on the ship, their lifestyle, their missions and whether or not I could cope with it if ever I wish to serve God on this ship for 2 years...

On the same night, May, Daniel and I went out shopping again, with Makoto and Sam..at Jalan Taiping..both of them were really good at price bargaining..Somehow rather, I felt when Malaysians met foreigners, they were kinda happy and excited..'wah, foreigners came to my shop and buy things.."and of course, they will mark up the price..after a fruitful shopping, we went to eat 'lut lut'..yummy..I asked Sam a question: Why is the color Orange, the favourite color of Netherland? do you know why?..coz the surname of the Queen of Netherland is Orange!

May, I knew you are reading this too..just wanna express my heartfelt gratitude to you, for involving me in this ministry, working hand in hand with the Doulos line-up teams..be part of them..and also inviting me to stay on board with you..muaks..

I pray that God will continue to bless this Ship, wherever she goes and in everything she does..awaiting for her 100th anniversary to come..(8 years to go)