Seafarers on shore leave in Seattle find friends at the Mission
The Mission’s centre in Seattle is a place to hang out, play pool, a change of pace from the monotony of a ship, which has no Internet, no TV, just some DVDs.
There is a computer, and a television, and, if you want, the driver can stop by a convenience store so you can buy a beer.
“We get lonely, but we need to work for our family,”
The sailors are not what you’d call demonstrative about personal stuff.
“This is our profession, our job. And thanks to the Mission we have a lifeline when things go wrong.”
“Divorce is high among the men,” says Director for the Mission in USA, Ken Hawkins.“They have families they think about every day,” he says.“Some of them have a child born while they’re at sea, and have never seen.” – Seaman Fior
