Popular media productions often depict pirates as swashbuckling heroes of the past while ignoring their historical record of indiscriminate violence. The fact was, and is, that perpetrators of piracy are neither romantic adventurers nor a harkening back to bygone eras. Piracy is alive and well in 2015 and it disproportionally occurs in the developing world, where a combination of economic desperation and resource-strapped governments create vulnerabilities to seagoing commerce and travelers alike.
On the evening of February 3rd, 2015, I was notified that an SIL vessel, the Kwadima II, which had been carrying Papua New Guinean Bible Translators, had been overtaken in open water and boarded by pirates in off the coast of Alotau.
Soon afterward, I found myself on an SIL aircraft heading to Alotau as a part of team sent to investigate and debrief the incident. Over the next few days I toured the vessel, spoke to all who had been involved in the incident and worked with local authorities. My team- mates assessed and repaired damage done to the vessel and conducted critical incident stress debriefings for all involved.
Those of you who know me well know that I'm not a particularly emotional person. Nonetheless, this event impacted me and showed me, once again, the great need the world has for Christ.
Please remember the passengers and crew of the Kwadima II in your prayers. Please also remember the authorities who are charged with keeping order and, yes, please also remember the pirates and pray that they would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
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