THE Richards Bay Mission to Seafarers Centre will have a new asset on its property after the shipping fraternity chipped in to move an unused park home from its former location at the coal terminal.
‘Since the early 90s, we have used the cabin at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) as a mini centre for seafarers on board coal vessels,’ said Seafarers Chaplain Mark Classen.
‘The reason for this was because RBCT, as the largest exporter of coal in the world, has very fast turn-around times.
‘However, over the years the mini centre progressively attracted fewer seafarers and we closed it down. For a long time it stood unused and deteriorating.
‘So our Mission committee decided we could move it over to our site just outside the port’s west gate, where we could have it renovated and eventually use it as a kiosk.
‘Obviously this was going to mean tens of thousands of rands, which we don’t have.
‘After much prayer and spreading the word, the Lord eventually brought five key, passionate people with hearts of gold to assist us… for free!’
The task was not an easy one, involving first the removal and transportation of the huge cabin from its RBCT site to the Mission, where a section of land had to be especially prepared to accommodate it.
With the deepest appreciation and gratitude, Seafarers thanked the following companies and people for their gracious acts of kindness: Blackie Swart – Cycad Garden Services, Bruce Smith – RBCT, Kenny Naidu – NRB Logistics, Captain Rob Farren-Handford – ACME and Dennis Matthews – BPO.
‘There were also the labourers, the riggers, the drivers and assistants who did all the hard work in the sun.
‘To one and all who were involved, thank you so much for this sacrificial act of mercy. May the Lord bless you all, now and forever,’ said Chaplain Classen.
