Test of faith
01.09.2008
A Columban seminarian reflects on a boat trip that taught him lessons for his vocation journey.
My family lives in Fiji. Its location in the South Pacific means that it's in the pathway of hurricanes that cause widespread destruction to property and injury to people.
Some years ago a hurricane hit Rabi, the island on which my family lives. I was on vacation from the Columban seminary and saw the devastation firsthand. Many homes were flattened and all the crops destroyed, there was anxiety about the threat of famine.
It was a source of great relief when Columban Fr Donal McIlraith, who lived in the capital city, Suva, contacted my family. I knew him well. Indeed, an encounter with him some years previously had prompted me to join the Columban Fathers. When I went to the seminary he was my spiritual guide and professor.
Fr McIlraith promised to bring food aid. He would, however, need a boat to transport it so my brother-in-law, Tampa, who is a fisherman, agreed to assist him. We set off to meet him in our 18-foot long fishing boat, powered by an outboard engine. The journey to the other island took us only 40 minutes.
When we arrived Fr McIlraith had gathered a large supply of basic rations such as canned fish, flour, bread, rice and sugar. We loaded the provisions onto the boat and set out on our return journey with Fr McIlraith who decided to come with us.
Due to the extra weight of food and people in the boat, the outboard engine slipped off its hook and into the water.
I dived in after it and rescued it before it sank into the depths. Even so the ignition was exposed to the water. We tried desperately to fix it, but in vain.
As a consequence, we were adrift. Our destination - Rabi island - was visible in the distance but we had no means of steering ourselves in that direction. Instead we found ourselves heading towards a large reef that could smash our boat to pieces. In desperation, we tried to re-start the engine.
Suddenly, the engine sparked and gave a few brief puffs. This was all we needed to change course and avoid hitting the reef; then the engine cut out again.
Night fell and we were still drifting, where to, we did not know! We decided to drop anchor and wait for daylight. Under the clear night sky we recited the Rosary, meditating on the Mysteries of Light. Later we drifted off to sleep and awoke at first light to light rain; then we realised that the boat's anchor had come undone and was lost somewhere in the sea.
We were in danger of becoming lost for our boat was being carried away from the islands by a powerful current and a strong wind. We had no place to shelter from the blazing sun. We ate some of the canned fish and bread we had on board. Though we were surrounded by water, we could not drink it to quench our raging thirst.
Exhaustion and desperation seized me as thoughts of impending death came into my mind. Fr McIlraith seemed unperturbed through it all. He sat at the stern of the boat, his rosary beads in hand, praying continuously. I joined him, hoping to find a way to restore my hope, trying to distract myself from the awful fear that gripped me.
Later that day, the wind suddenly changed direction and we began drifting in the opposite direction! I was filled with amazement but still so frightened that I dared not hope. As darkness fell, the lights on the islands seemed to come closer and brighter. We continued praying the Rosary.
That evening my brother-in law's experience as a fisherman led him to realise the wind had brought us as close to land as we could possibly hope for. Fortunately some of the islanders working on the coast spotted our boat and sensing our dilemma, helped bring our boat ashore.
They welcomed us warmly into their homes where we quenched our thirst and heaved a huge sigh of relief.
We set sail again a few days later, knowing that the people of Rabi would be still waiting for us. This time our journey was without incident and we arrived safely.
Today, when I look back on that boat journey, I realise that it contains lessons I need for my vocation journey. As I continue with my preparation to be a Columban missionary, the desire within me to help those who are suffering, grows stronger. However, when I try to respond to the needs of people around me I encounter unexpected obstacles and fears, which at times discourage me.
Then I recall that my life - including my problems - are not my own, and that I should continue to surrender everything to God in prayer. God will surely lead me to my destination, most probably in unexpected ways!
Taaremon Matauea is studying at St Columban's International Theologate, Chicago, IL 60615.
