Charlie Sarlie

CHARLIE SARLIE

As I have said before, when a Missions to Seafarers padre goes on board a ship, he never knows how God will use him or her.

It can be very challenging and it is no good saying to the seafarer, 'Come to church next Sunday and I will preach on that subject', because the ship will have sailed. The chaplain is required to think on his feet in front of the seafarer.

For instance, I recall sitting in a ship's cabin on board the SA Vaal drinking coffee with a seafarer called Charlie Sarlie. There was a knock on the door, the door curtain was drawn back, and William Oliver, a 60 year old second steward, came in and asked me if I would baptise him.

A little later, the same thing happened again. This time, Brian Poulson, a 3l year old ship's carpenter came in, and asked if I would baptise him.

Again, a few minutes later, Dereck Alexandra, a 36 year old engineer came into the cabin - and guess what he wanted? Yes, you have guessed it, he too wanted to be baptised!

Finally, Christian Moodley, a 26 year old steward came into the cabin and asked if I would baptise him. [I began to wish that clergy worked on a commission!]

As we talked and enjoyed coffee, I began to wonder what had brought these four seafarers to the stage in life when they wanted to be baptised.

I soon discovered that every evening, Charlie Sarlie would throw back the curtain over his doorway, and share with any person who chose to come into his cabin, his Christian belief, concluding with the reading of the Bible and night prayers. It was through this gentle influence that these four seafarers had come to know Jesus Christ, and now wanted to commit their lives to him.

Later that day, with the noise of the nightly disco entering the chapel of the Good Shepherd below the dance floor, I baptised William, Brian, Dereck and Christian, using an old ships bell as a font, in the Missions to Seafarers centre in Liverpool.

Over the years I have lost contact with Charlie Sarlie. However, wherever he is in the world, I can be sure he will be witnessing to his faith in his cabin, amongst those with whom he works.