At 82-years-old, Roeli Elbers is still going strong spreading the gospel and serving weary travellers through her work with the Norway Seaman’s Mission.
“It’s the Lord!” said Elbers of her ability to coordinate the work of the ministry, which provides a home away from home for cruise workers and seafarers while their ships dock at Norwegian ports.
Elbers, who is from Holland, previously worked as a missionary in Suriname with her late husband before moving to Alaska with a view to working with the native people groups there.
“I never had it in mind to work with seafarers,” she said. “Never say never!”
In Alaska, Elbers began working with the seaman’s ministry and stayed for ten years, becoming its assistant director.
“I love different languages,” said Elbers, adding that the mission provides Bibles, New Testaments and other Christian materials in many languages for those who visit their centres.
In 2010, Elbers moved to Norway, recognising the need to provide similar services there. Many seafarers needed internet access to contact their families while travelling, so the mission provided free WiFi at a flat in Bergen and invited them in.
“We are on the frontlines to show Jesus’ love,” Elbers said, noting the practical ways the mission can support visitors with a warm drink or just someone to talk to.
Approximately 1,000 seafarers visited the flat over the first summer, and the following year a bigger space was located to accommodate the growing numbers. Today, the Norway Seaman’s Mission has five locations at different ports around the country and has served tens of thousands of people. Last year, more than 13,000 visitors came through, most taking away some Christian literature in their own language.
“Everyone is welcome. Whether they are officers or cleaners it doesn’t matter,” Elbers said. “Everyone needs a home away from home.”
