My wife and I had saved money all year to take a cruise along the coast of Mexico. Cruises are nice. You pay the fare and put your money away. Eat as much as you want, when you want and where you want because there are places to eat almost everywhere on the ship. It is a great way to spend a vacation.  Cruise ships can take you practically anywhere in the world.

There are some drawbacks, however.  Not many, but some.  One soon learns to adjust.  Take communications, for example.

These days, almost everyone has a mobile phone. To use a mobile phone,  you need to get connected to Wi-Fi someplace.  When you are aboard the ship, the ship is the someplace.  The ship will sell you wi-fi time so you can communicate by phone or email like a busy corporate magnate. But it is expensive.

For those of you who don’t have to worry about money, stop here and go book your next cruise.  That leaves 99% or more who have to stop and think before initiating an email.   Remember, the clock starts when you log on to the Wi-Fi.

Time flies when you are having fun, and it really flies when you are using email. Last week  I sent three emails, and my bill was over $40.  That got me to seriously consider my situation.  Now, when  I sit down to send an email, I ask myself these questions

• Is this a message that can wait until I can get on Wi-Fi ashore?
• Can I write one message that I can send to à group of people such as a “having a good time, wish you were here” type of message?
• Can I pass this on to someone else who can handle this matter?

You get the idea.

I decided to wait until the ship got to port the next day.   Finding a business ashore that offers free Wi-Fi is not usually a big problem, although it may take a little searching.  Cafes, bars, restaurants, and some other businesses have no fee but expect you to buy something, then they give you the access code for the Wi-Fi.

I was lucky. I found a  bar/coffee shop/ restaurant offering free Wi-Fi.  I ordered a Coke,  went to work sending out emails while sipping my Coke. Life should be so good.

Then the floor literally opened up and swallowed me!   I had forgotten to bring any money.

Most ships have a small safe in each cabin in which to put valuables, including wallets.   I usually take out some money when I  go ashore.  Not this time.

Various scenarios went through my mind.

• Walk back to the ship and get my wallet. No, because I would still leave without paying.
• Offer to leave my cell phone as security, then go and get my wallet.  Good  Idea except the ship was due to sail before I could get back.
• Admit my stupidity and really convince the owner I was weird by offering to send the two dollars by Western Union as soon as I got home in a week.
• Various illegal solutions like robbing the store next door or mugging a little old lady in the alley.
• Swallow my pride and ask some other customer to lend me the money to pay my bill.

 

Nearby were many other customers and most looked like they might be shipmates.  Sheepishly, I approached a nearby table. Hesitant to interrupt the conversation, I just stood there. Finally, I spoke to a blue-haired lady with a kindly face and explained my predicament. She looked at me and said something I couldn’t understand. I thought of a line from an old W.C.Fields movie,  “go away,  kid,  you bother me.”

Sensing my embarrassment, another person at the table motioned me over and asked me, in a friendly tone, what  I wanted. Once he understood my plight, he reached for his wallet and handed me 50 pesos, more than enough to pay the bill. I  introduced myself. His name was Roger.

I  wanted to get his ship cabin number so I could repay him, but  he waved me off  and wished me a safe and happy journey

Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.   Luke 6:30-31

Roger was a man who literally was living this passage from Luke.

Afterwards, walking back to the ship, I thought how much the Vacation Bible School (VBS) volunteers were like Roger.  They see a need for the children and act without hesitation.  They give willingly in abundance. They do all this without expectation of reward. It is the right thing to do.  Roger gave from his wallet, the volunteers give from their heart.

We teach the children in so many ways.  I wonder if Roger ever attended a VBS?