Rememberance

Hello :)

Well its been quite a busy week, I have started back at work on my camp again. But for a change I have been sent somewhere nice to work. I requested to work at the Naval Chaplaincy in my time off the ship and that is where I have been sent! Its very rare for things like that to work out so easily!

As I should imagine just about everyone here in the UK already knows its Remembrance Sunday tomorrow. (I think its called veterans day in the US and held on Monday).

I have to admit, I really don't like Remembrance Sunday. People may think that's strange, but just hear me out. I am glad there is such a day as Remembrance Sunday, I am glad there is a special marked day for people to remember those who have fought and died in many different wars.

However after spending so much time in Iraq, having lost quite a few friends over the years out there and seen some really horrible stuff, I don't need a special day to remember. I remember it all daily; and quite often all the TV coverage and talk about it brings back too many things I just want to forget.

But then as I say I am glad there is a day set aside when the whole Country can remember, and people should remember, as we would not have so much freedom in so many ways if it were not for the sacrifices people have made through the past 100 years.

This week here in the UK the Salvationist magazine did an article where 4 members of the Royal Navy (either serving or having served) wrote about life as a Christian in the Navy. I was asked to contribute and as I know a vast majority of readers of this Blog come from places other than the UK I thought I would post the section of the article I wrote.

I hope you all enjoy it:

While serving on a warship in the Indian Ocean, Steve Callister writes about the challenges and opportunities he faces as a Salvationist sailor.

I grew up going to Falmouth Corps, but when I was 16 I turned my back on God. I joined the Navy and spent many years working in the Iraqi desert. In 2009 I was on an 18-month promotion course in Portsmouth. One afternoon I decided to look up ‘Christians in the Armed Forces’ on the Internet. It’s amazing how one Google search can change the path of your life. I discovered the Naval Christian Fellowship and subsequently met a group of Christian sailors. I started hanging out with them and going to church. When I was drafted to RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, I decided to go back to Falmouth Corps. It felt like I had returned home.

In January 2012 I became a soldier. It wasn’t an easy decision to make. I was not sure if being a soldier in The Salvation Army was compatible with life in the Armed Forces, but I soon had the opportunity to find out; just a few months later I was drafted to a ship on anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean. I have been on the ship for almost five months on my current rotation.

Life at sea can be very challenging. I am the only Christian on my ship out of a crew of nearly 200 people, so maintaining my Christian integrity is a daily struggle.
In every situation people are always watching to see how I react. It is like walking a tightrope; wobble too far one way and you will be branded a ‘Bible basher’, but if you act the same as everyone else, people will not even know you are a Christian. I have found this balancing act very tough and there have been many times when I have wobbled one way or the other.

A particular challenge is the drinking culture. The bar area is the only space to relax and socialise, so there is often a lot of pressure to drink alcohol, but by standing my ground, people have learnt to respect my decision. My reasons for not drinking are also a good conversation starter.
Another aspect I struggle with on the ship is isolation. I have spent 11 months out of the past 13 here at sea which puts a lot of strain and pressure on almost all of my relationships at home. However, being a Salvationist also allows me to develop relationships on the ship. Many people come into my office to chat about home, work, hopes and fears for the future, faith – just about everything! If all I have achieved in the past 11 months is helping a few people with their problems then I feel as though my service has been worthwhile.
Obviously one of the biggest challenges is maintaining my faith. I am so far away from other Salvationists and I don’t have a church that I can attend each week. To keep strong in my faith I immerse myself in Bible study and prayer. I am also taking part in the New Testament Bible Challenge and write in my prayer diary every day. Fortunately, I have occasionally been able to attend some Salvation Army meetings in Dubai and have made many new friends there.

The Internet is also extremely beneficial in maintaining my faith. I created a Facebook group called Salvationist Armed Forces Fellowship. There are about 30 members. Most are bandsmen in various regiments, and some serve in the Navy and RAF. We are able to support each other, and some of us have even been able to meet. This kind of support is essential when away from home and the Army for such a long time. I also write a weekly blog on being a Christian in the Navy.

Being a Salvationist in the Armed Forces is not easy. It takes a lot of integrity and you have to earn the trust of those around you, but if you stick with it the rewards and satisfaction are worth the effort and sacrifice.

The Sailing Salvationist