Joining Doulos in 2005 brought Veronika Rajoo into a community of Jesus-followers where the gospel came to life. Now a human resource personnel, Veronika learnt many lessons, both on board and on shore, about Christian living.
Veronika Rajoo’s desire to join Doulos was first sparked as a curious young girl visiting the floating bookshop. The warm and welcoming people at the gangway caused her to think to herself, “someday I hope to be one of them serving in the Lord’s ministry.” As a youth, she was able to serve as a port volunteer when Doulos berthed near her hometown of Johor Bahru. She remembers speaking to one of the volunteers on board about this passion for the ship ministry that she could not seem to let go of. The advice was to pray and see where the Lord led.
It was only years later, when Veronika was low spiritually, and burnt out by the rat race of the corporate world, that she felt God nudging her to realign her life and reminded her of her commitment in her younger days. So, in 2005, Veronika joined the Short Term Exposure Programme and was placed in the galley.
“The gospel came to life. It showed me what a community of Jesus-followers is like, and the grace we extend to each other.
“Being part of the daily responsibilities on board - serving meals, washing, scrubbing - taught me humility and thankfulness.
“When I had the opportunity to serve in the community in Africa, I saw what poverty was like. Yet the faith of my Christian brothers and sisters there was rich and full of praise. Their hearts were filled with love for our Lord Jesus. That spoke to me more than anything else, to know that Christ is real. Jesus reminded me what faith, mercy and love are.”
Veronika’s passion to serve God’s community has stuck with her ever since. The Lord has helped her see the needs of others who are struggling in life’s challenges - to journey alongside them, pray, offer comfort and hospitality…
She now works as a human resource personnel, a role that has led her to many meaningful conversations and opportunities to pray with her colleagues over the years in the different workplaces she has been at. Her time on the ship also inspired her to pursue a certification in Biblical Counselling recently and to serve as a church lay counsellor.