We hurried ourselves down to Nobby’s point in Newcastle last Tuesday morning to see what 200 of us were there for – the arrival of the Pacific Link. All of this preparation and excitement was meant for this moment! A few of us in our blue YWAM (Youth With A Mission) shirts made our way to the end of the point, squinting to see what we thought might be a ship, not too far off shore.

A man and his dog were walking towards us and seeing many others dressed the same, he finally had to ask.

“Excuse me, what’s ya-wham?”

I smiled and explained what YWAM was and what 50 young people, clad in blue shirts were doing down on the pier. “And now we’re waiting for the medical ship to arrive,” I said.

“Oh?” he remarked, looking down to the end of the point.

“Well, maybe I’ll have to take a look.” He and his dog turned around and followed the rest of us to the point.

After a few minutes, the Pacific Link finally made itself visible and teeter-tottered its way to shore, following a small yellow boat. As it passed by, those on the pier shouted their hellos, cheered, waved Australian flags and jumped up and down with excitement.  The crew of the Pacific Link waved back, more than happy to be ending their 6-day journey from New Zealand. We’d heard rumors that their entry had been delayed due to four-meter swells out at sea the night before.

Waiting at the wharf was a crowd of YWAM staff from Newcastle and Townsville and local spectators. We gathered eagerly at the dock as the Pacific Link crew threw their lines to the wharf. Each knot that tied them to the dock elicited cheers from those that watched.

News cameras, press and customs agents awaited the plank to hit the dock so they could board and document this momentous occasion. It’s not every day that a medical ship lands in Newcastle, fit with crew eager to bring aid to the needy people of Papua New Guinea while connecting with the young people of Australia.

Mike, the singer of Five Star Streets, was standing on the wharf when he spotted Ken Mulligan, director of YWAM Marine Reach Australia making his way through the crowd.

“She’s here, Ken. She made it,” said Mike as he and Ken eyed the Pacific Link, finally docked on Australia’s shore. Ken glanced out at the sea and returned his gaze back to the ship. With a hint of relief and a glimmer of excitement, he echoed Mike.

“She’s here.”

Stay tuned for more of the first stop on the Pacific Link’s Southern Tour!

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