Start from next port in Reunion island, I will officially take over the responsibility of Media relations officer. And meanwhile I will join the leadership team for the role of Director assistant. Which means; I have to leave the ministry I was deeply involved and spent two fine years with. This email is actually an epitaph-like article for closing the chapter of my time in PR and Tours. However, I am willing to pass on the baton and start a new page. I pray that many more will see the need of treating people (each one in million) valuable in every dimension of our ministry….

Responsibility is the thing people dread most of all. Yet it is the only thing in the world that develops us, gives us manhood or womanhood fiber.

Frank Crane

Dear friends:

So, here comes to the end of my time with Public relation/Tour ministry. I thank God and leaders on board had taken me on a ride (almost 2 years ago). From Mersin, Turkey through Europe, Middle East, and eventually to East Africa, thousands of tours were given, tens of thousands of people we met and hosted.

I can tell you stories and challenges like leading 15 kids toured around the ship. However, I choose not to. I just want to share with you something called "Attitude"”.

Attitude is that "single string" that keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there's no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge to great for me. Charles R. Swindoll

January the 2nd 2005, the very first day I came back from furlough, I delivered a 12-page proposal to Anja and Daniel. "What kind of experience for the public we want to represent ourselves?" "Serving with Excellence is not assaying but something we practice." The same questions I brought to the people who were wiling to join our team. There is no such port as an "Easy port" unless we didn't take initiatives to serve. Once we fixed our eyes right, everything just come along side. I extended one more year just to see this baby (PR) grow and get solid. And people got blessed through our extra miles.

Sharing good news with random visitors in the bookshop, dealing with the crowd riot at port gate in Oman, carrying babies away at the gangway from a fainted lady, hosting archbishop in Gibraltar, having a debate with secret police at coffee bar in Sudan, dragging thieves out of the ship in Djibouti, touring 68 senior citizens who came without booking in Durban... I had loads of ingredients for my book after these 2 years.

I might not be a perfect leader in a team like this "too nice, indecisive, compromising" are all cliches for me. Especially for those who worked in physical-demanded department, they definitely have all the reasons mocking our team in a judgmental perspective. I took people out for dinners, overnights; gave extra off days, e days; and never said no for personal requests regard to break days... But for those who had worked with me, you knew where I stood and how much integrity and toughness it would take in a position like this.

Now I looked back last two years time in PR/Tour team. There were a few things I could boast about.

1. The appearance of the ship's public areas is friendlier than ever. People can relate to pictures and stories we provided. The project, "Doulos is about people" spoke itself for me.

2. The public ministry departments felt the love from our team effort by sharing their burdens, literally. Anytime, anywhere, any task.

3. There is no hidden agenda between me and the team, at least for now. Since there were over 170 people I had been working with; these harsh moments of frictions made me a better person.

4. I am proud of doing something which benefits the ministry in a different way. I love my job and my people. It was a memorable ride.

For those who are going to seize the baton and run the race, I just have a few words to pass on for you.

There are really only three types of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who say, What happened?

Ann Landers

Chose to be the one who always makes things happen.

Cheers and ciao,

R

Ray Peng from Taiwan...

PR/TOUR team

M/V DOULOS

Gute Bücher für Alle. e.V. - Bringing Knowledge, Help and Hope

(Good Books for All)