I Sailed the Seven Seas on a World War II Ship…
and lived to tell about it
~You cannot discover new oceans until you are willing to lose sight of the shore~
I inherited my love to travel from my father, and I had once dreamed of traveling the world for God, but now divorced, and a single mom, I shelved that dream … until I married my prince charming in my forty-second year.
After the fall of Soviet Union Communism in 1991, Rob and I were invited to assist in the new Christian schools in Estonia and Russia. My mind raced, Go to Russia? Are you crazy? Then a Voice asked, are you going to let fear rule you? Shoulders back, I took a deep breath of faith, blew out every ounce of fear, and in the dead of winter, I was on the way to my first international journey. From Tallinn to Tartu, from Leningrad to Moscow, for two weeks I was like a little girl in a candy store, soaking in new traditions, unfamiliar languages, delicious foods, but best of all, meeting warm and caring people.
After returning home, we felt God calling us to attend an international Bible college in Sweden, but I reasoned away the idea. We can’t leave our jobs, our ministry, and our family for a year. Then one night as I struggled for sleep, a challenging thought came. Don’t you want to live your dream? Faith swept over my tired body, and in the summer of ’91 two expats leased their home, sold their cars, bid their family and friends farewell, and boarded a jet plane for Sweden.
Our year was full of learning, from books to museums, but it was the people who taught us valuable lessons. I’m grateful to my Swedish neighbor who took me shopping at the centrum market and showed me that mayonnaise came in a tube instead of a jar. Later that evening after brushing his teeth, Rob informed me that Swedish toothpaste was yummy…tasted like mayonnaise. Oops.
After graduation, we toured Israel, and then joined a team in St. Petersburg to live for a month on the former Youth Communist propaganda train to distribute humanitarian aid throughout Siberia. There we were—twenty-five Russians, twenty-five Swedes, and the two Americans. Via interpreters, English was the main language spoken, but there were moments when I had to flee to our tiny cabin to escape the constant blending of Russian, Swedish, and Swenglish—a humorous combination of Swedish and English—to keep my head from spinning off. And heaven forbid if I left the train without my day’s supply of toilet tissue tucked in my pockets! (I learned the value of used newspapers, which most hospitals, orphanages, and homes supplied upon request).
The Russian’s kindness made every inconvenience fade and erased my doubts of traveling in the once-feared country, but I couldn’t wait to touch American soil. There would always be short trips, but to live abroad again? Never. Until …
Two years later a flyer crossed our path asking for volunteers to work on a WWII ship that was moored in Seattle, Washington, whose sole purpose would be to rescue Russian Jews from the Black Sea to Israel. Rob was ready to set sail. Not me. I didn’t want anything to upset my comfortable lifestyle, and I certainly had no desire to live on an old troop transporter ship the government had stored in mothballs after the war. She had only 93 running days, so there was no guarantee that her maiden voyage could even make the journey from Seattle to Stockholm, much less sail to the Black Sea and Israel.
But I wondered, Could this dangerous assignment mean an adventure of a lifetime? Hmm, I guess this is where faith must kick–again. So in spite of my fear of water and the unknown condition of the ship, the expats once again packed up, leased the house, quit jobs, sold cars, and bid farewell to family and their safe harbor. God had new oceans waiting.
As we sailed the seven seas, it didn’t take this lady long to fall in love with another lady, the MS Restoration. However, it was sometimes a stretch to love-thy-neighbor while living in such close quarters…a cabin large enough for a bed and four gym-size lockers, sharing dining experiences with a forty-plus crew in a small troop mess that often smelled like diesel oil. I often asked while cleaning stained toilets and hairy showers, God, what am I doing here?
Fourteen months on board the Restoration reminded me of life’s simple lessons: You don’t need a lot of stuff to be happy—four gym lockers will do. Instead of criticizing, (why do the Swedish cooks serve pancakes and—yuk—pea soup for lunch?), take time to understand their customs. Instead of judging (why does she have special privileges?), practice patience and find out. And no matter how small, boring, or unthankful the task, it is a very big, exciting, and thankful event in God’s eyes. Today, I remind myself of these lessons as I clean my own toilets and showers.
You’re probably wondering why I had to live on a WWII ship to learn these simple lessons. I asked myself that question often until one night while we were sailing across the Black Sea. As I gazed up at the stars, a familiar Voice spoke to my heart. I have chosen you to be a small part of my big plan to help bring my people home to Israel in these last days. From that moment, I felt honored to have been on this amazing journey.
The Titanic was called the ship of dreams, but the MS Restoration was our ship of miracles. Food, ship parts, bedding for the crew and Russian Jews, donations for fuel–the list goes on–showed up expectantly. But the greatest miracle was our changed hearts. Living on the Restoration truly restored everyone’s faith in God, in human kindness, in relationships, and in faith for forgotten dreams. And the dreams continue.
Read Lady and the Sea for my complete story. I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings … and enjoy your journey! www.sharonleaf.com
SHARON LEAF: Born in South Carolina and raised in California, since turning forty, Sharon Leaf has traveled to sixteen countries, lived in Sweden to attend an international Bible college, traveled on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and sailed 26,000 miles on the WWII ship, MS Restoration, to transport Russian Jews from Russia to Israel. She received a degree in theology at sixty, proving that it’s never too late to fulfill another dream. Lady and the Sea is Sharon’s debut novel. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and keeps busy swimming, zumba-ing, and writing short stories (author Linda Kozar’s Moving Tales). www.sharonleaf.com
SONIA MARSH SAYS: What fascinating life experiences you’ve had, and there are two phrases that stuck in my head. 1). Are you going to let fear rule you? Shoulders back, I took a deep breath of faith, blew out every ounce of fear. 2). You don’t need a lot of stuff to be happy—four gym lockers will do. So true Sharon.
VOTE NOW for your favorite June “My Gutsy Story®”
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Thank you, Sonia, for the opportunity to share a small part of my life’s journeys. Simplicity is truly one major key to happiness. And of course ‘finding faith for forgotten dreams.’
People talk about living by faith, but you really do it Sharon! Look where that has taken you. Thanks for sharing your Gutsy Story.
Carol Bodensteiner recently posted..What to do when you finally let go? – Soles4Souls
Carol, I’ve learned that living by faith is much exciting–and sometimes challenging–but always rewarding! When God calls you to do something, He will always provide. He is just waiting for us to say ‘yes’, say farewell to our comfortable shore, and jump into that big blue ocean that He has waiting for us.
I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings, Carol!
Sharon-
I was just reading your comment to Carol ‘after’ I wrote my comment about your story. I had to laugh…we must be alike in many ways…he he. I totally saw you jumping ship when I was writing my comments.
What a wonderful story of courage and faith! I have also found how little space one needs to live happily! You answered His call more than once, and each time it has enhanced your life! Kudos for listening to that little voice. Thank you so much for sharing this part of your adventure!
Liz B recently posted..I Used To Be….
Liz, I still find myself accumulating much more than I actually need. Perhaps I need to install a few small lockers in my rooms and do away with my walk-in closets! *smiling*
Oceans of blessings to you, Liz!
What a wonderful story of overcoming your fears.
As an ex-pat Brit living in Sweden, you get used to pancakes and pea soup as a meal!
Lady Fi recently posted..Fairy faces
Hello Lady Fi! Now I love P & P, but it took awhile to getting used to! I also love their Jul Must, a holiday drink that I can only find at World Market here in South Carolina.
Oceans of blessings, Lady Leaf
Did I mention that i had a heart attack while laid up in Athens? And that my major fear was the water, since I didn’t know how to swim (forgot to mention that on the volunteer application). Yes, I overcame my fears, step by step, wave by wave. Happy sailing!
Sharon – I have always loved your contagious zeal for life! Not only by the words (in person & written), but you lend yourself as an example, testify to ‘jump ship’ for Jesus. I mean…you’ll do what He says in the face of not knowing what you’ll land in…ha! This scrippy comes to mind for you.
For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col. 2:1-3
Sydney, there were a few times when we ‘jumped ship’ to follow God’s leading that we were ‘oh so glad’ that we didn’t know what lied ahead! I think we can all look back and say, “If I had known ahead of time that I was going to go through, I probably wouldn’t have done it.” That’s why God doesn’t give us the full picture. He leads us a step at a time, a wave at at time. Thank you for the scrippy! Oceans of blessings!
Sharon, I’ve known you for 25+ years and you’ve always been one ‘gutsy gal’. A gutsy gal that hears God’s voice, and acts upon it. You’re an admired friend, writer and sister in Christ.
Debbie, I’ve been called so many things, but a ‘gutsy gal’ is one of the best compliments I’ve ever received. I find that it takes guts to get out of our comfort zone, leave our safe shore, and dive into a new ocean (unfamiliar surroundings, wherever that may be). But with God, diving is much easier for me. And I always end up swimming safely to shore. Perhaps that’s why I love to swim so much these days. Go figure.
Yes you are a “Gutsy Gal” Sharon, and I’m glad Debbie mentioned it.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Winner of the June 2013 “My Gutsy Story®” Contest
Sharon, What a fantastic story of adventure, faith, and courage even in what must be a very abbreviated form. What amazing journeys you have been on, both geographical and internal. I can only imagine all the stories to be told about your voyages on the MS Restoration. A gutsy story about a gutsy couple
Penelope J recently posted..Making a New Start – Not What I Expected
Penelope, that is why so many people encouraged me to write “Lady and the Sea.” Even the book doesn’t tell all, but enough to encourage readers to finish the books they began years ago, to go back to school for that degree, and to find faith for forgotten dreams.
I wish you oceans of blessings on your upcoming endeavors!
Lady Leaf,
I look forward to reading your book and hope you write another–for all those extras that got left out.
A truly remarkable life, full of adventures, but most outstanding is that all of the adventures were to do for others. That’s so commendable.
Take care,
Patti (another July gutsy story author)
Patti Hall recently posted..Writer’s Journal; Missing Alaska, My Home Away From Home
Patti, I considered it an honor to have volunteered on the maiden voyage of the MS Restoration in 1995 to transport Russian Jews from Sochi, Russia, to Haifa, Israel. The Russian Jews told us that after spending five days at sea with us that it was harder to leave the ship than it was to leave their homes in Russia. When I had a heart attack in Athens a few days before we left for the Black Sea, I prayed to God that my health would be restored so they wouldn’t fly me back home to the USA. I was well for the rest of the voyage! I do believe in miracles, both large and small.
A lovely essay.
Faith is critical for many people, but I keep coming back to the notion that God helps those who help themselves. What is most moving to me in your story is the courage you had to give up the safe and comfortable life — something I also did at age 40– to go out and live your dream. And like you, I learned and grew in ways that I never imagined.
Mary Gottschalk recently posted..Growing Past Self-Defeating Behavior
Thank you, Mary, for your insight. I do believe we can can have faith, but until we put ‘legs’ to our faith, it will never come to pass. “Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things NOT seen.” As we see that thing in our mind’s eye, then we do whatever we can do to make it happen. I wish you oceans of blessings, Mary!
You’re the gutsiest (is that a word?) gal i know!
Debbie, yes, ‘gutsiest’ is definitely a word in my vocabulary! Thanks for the gutsiest comment yet!
Ok, Sharon, I voted. Now let’s go to Hawaii. Ha! Lunch will do.
Blessings,
Deborah H. Bateman
Lunch it is Deborah! Thank you for the vote!