Thursday

This morning we went to the New England Seafarers Mission. When we got there we were shown around the 3 levels/parts of the mission and given a little intro about it by Steve, who has been there for 20 years.   The goal of this mission is to provide anything from snacks, drinks, mail/packages, sending money back home, a simple smile, etc. for the Seafarers on the cruise ships that come in. Many of these Seafarers work on these ships because it is the best option they have to support their family. They are on a 9 month contract, work up to 14-16 hours a day, 7 days a week, and some of them get 4 hours off (when they get off the ship). This job leaves most of them drained emotionally, physically, and/or forgotten.

The mission has 3 levels... the first level is a store with a variety of choices of food, drinks, toiletries, phone accessories, souvenirs, etc. The second level is where the packaging action takes place. Seafarers have stuff sent to the Mission because it is WAY cheaper instead of sending it to their home town. Most of them will purchase a suit case and put all their goodies in there for easier transportation. The third level is where the Money Gram is located. This gives them an opportunity to send their money/paychecks straight home to their families. When the ship arrives, the Seafarers have about 4 hours to get/see/do what they need.

After the intro, we got split up into 3 different groups for the 3 levels where we learned how it all individually worked and got them ready for tomorrow when the ship comes in. Cheryl, Laura #2, Leah, and Livi were in the store. We stocked & organized shelves, priced items, learned how to use the register, and cleaned up the store. Joe, Jared, Ben, and Dan were in the packaging area where they labeled and organized the packages people had shipped there. Laura #1 was in the Money Gram room where she learned how to send large sums of money all over the world.

After the mission, we headed to The Commons of Boston. When we arrived we split up into 2 groups, we were each given $2 per person and told to go find something to eat for lunch, feed at least one other person with that money outside your group, and find some information about how a homeless person may go about finding food, shelter, a shower, clothes etc.

Group A was Joe, Laura #1, Leah, Ben, and Laura #2. We came together and decided to go get a loaf of bread, peanut butter, and some pretzels. As we headed back to the park area we came by a table that was selling water for $1, we had 70 cents left and they said that was fine. We went and found a bench under the shade, sat down, made our sandwiches and ended up with 4 left over sandwiches. After eating our own, we walked around The Commons, handed out our leftover food, visited some churches, and gathered information about the resources a homeless person might use.

Group B was Cheryl, Jared, Dan, and Livi. They decided to get a pizza and a couple apples. After they ate, they went about to try and find someone to share their food with but couldn’t find anyone who would bite on the offer of FREE pizza... crazy to think about in my opinion. They also had a little care package along to give away and were successful in that regard. After that, they went to a couple churches and gathered information about the area and resources.

At night, we had dinner, shortly after dinner we had a time of worship, and then a debrief session with group 2. While we debriefed about the day, we also reflected over the whole week which was neat to think back on and see God at work day in and day out.

Today was mainly a prep day for tomorrow when we return to the Mission and help actual Seafarers coming off the ships and get a small feel for what it may feel like to be homeless on the streets of Boston! Thank you for all the prayers and support, everyone. I think I speak for everyone when I say we couldn’t and wouldn’t want to do it without you! :)

Blessings & love- Group 1

Laura #2