The Storm



We stopped in Aden to get fuel and water for the longest stretch of the entire journey, as we were to cross the Indian Ocean to Ceylon. Soon after we left Aden and reached the open sea, a fierce storm blew up. 



I stood on the deck, fascinated by the storm. Sometimes the waves crashed over the railing just a few feet from where I stood. The lightning lit up the dark sky where the clouds chased each other. Occasionally a star glanced at me before the clouds hid the star again. The sea was furious, but I was not afraid.



Questions began to arise within me. The sea kept its secrets down in the depths. Would the stars tell their secrets to the one who asked? The wind whipped up the waves up to high mountains. Our vessel was like a piece of driftwood among the high waves. Would we ever arrive at our destination? If the sea devoured us - would this trip have had any significance?



No one else was out on the deck, except the crew members taking down and securing the sails. Dad came down from the upper deck and was astonished to see me out in the storm.

“Lisa, what are you doing out here? 
At any moment you can be washed out to sea by a big wave. Go inside immediately!”

I obeyed. Yet the majesty of the storm has stayed with me through the years.



Dad had the main responsibility for the trip, even though his brother Aarne was the captain and Paavo Kauppinen was the first mate. They were both experienced sailors. They wanted to turn around and wait out the monsoon in Aden. The Ebeneser could barely move forward due to the headwinds and ocean currents.

Dad was sure that a long wait in Aden would wear down the crew's patience. Apart from that, both Aarne and Paavo had only promised to guide the ship to Ceylon and then return to Finland. What would they do in Aden during the three months that the monsoon lasted?

Dad persuaded Aarne and Paavo to let him take the following night watch. In the morning they could decide how they would proceed. Dad prayed all night.


When Aarne came up in the morning the sea was calm. Not a word was said about turning back. The trip continued in fine weather. 

I stood on the deck that morning. The crashing storm had calmed to rolling waves. The ship was still rocking side to side on those waves.  One moment I saw only the sky. The next moment, I just saw water.  



A pleasant wind filled the sails and helped to increase the speed and recover the time the storm had robbed us. Two and a half weeks later we reached Colombo.




When the storms of life are raging
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTHaOEZjBpc

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