07/19/09 - 07/25/09

Dear seafarer's friends, 07/19/09 - 07/25/09

Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (1 Pet. 1:2)

Our web-link is: www.lifelinetoseamen.org
ships visited this week
4 ships on Monday:
FORMOSA THIRTEEN, AN NING, PACIFIC CELEBES, and BELUGA
FANFARE - All Chinese; All Chinese; British, Russian, Filipino, and Chinese;
Filipino, and Ukrainian. We were on the first ship and the third ship last Mar.
Two Christians on the second ship, the second engineer and an able seaman.
We ministered to them individually and prayed together.
Steven Chao from WHCC came and helped the ship visitation today.
3 ships on Tuesday:
DE ZHOU, RICHMOND BRIDGE, and HELENA OLDENDORFF -
All Chinese; All Indian; All Filipino. All receptive. There were three Christians on
the Indian ship, chief cook, fitter and an able seaman. (see picture 1 for the group we prayed together).
5 ships on Wednesday:
SPT CRUSADER, GULF PEARL, and ANGELICA SCHULTE - All Indian,
Romanian, Filipino, and Indian; Polish, Russian, Venezuelan, and Filipino. We
were on the first ship last Oct. Three Christians on board, bosun, an ordinary
seaman, and an able seaman. (see picture 2 for the group I prayed with)
LIAN YUN HU, and KIRAN PACIFIC - All Chinese; All Turkish. We were
on the first ship last Nov. (see picture 3 for the Chinese seamen). (see picture
4 for the Turkish seamen).
8 ships on Thursday:
MANUELA, SEA VOYAGER, CLIPPER ORION, FILITSA, and MORITZ
SCHULTE - All Filipino; All Filipino; Norwegian, and Filipino; Greek, Romanian,
and Filipino; Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Romanian, Ghanaian, and Filipino. We
visited the third ship last Sep. They were all responsive. I prayed with them and
blessed the crew.
AL AMERAT, DOBRUDJA, and ANDROMEDA - All Indian; All Bulgarian;
Polish, Lithuania,German, and Russian. We visited the second ship last Apr., the
last ship last Aug. There were two Christians on the first ship, wiper, and bosun.
We had a small prayer meeting on board. (see picture 5). They all receptive.
6 ships on Friday:
BRITISH HOLLY, GENMAR ALEXANDRA, EAGLE OTOME,
SAFMARINE ANGOLA, NCC HAIEL, and ONEGO MISTRAL - All Indian;
Indian, Russian, Ukrainian, and Filipino; Indian, Ukrainian, Filipino, and one
Chinese; Filipino, Russian, and Bulgarian; Filipino, and Russian; All Filipino. We
visited the second ship last Aug., the fourth ship last Dec., the fifth ship last Nov.
There were five Christians on the first ship, chief cook, general steward, bosun,
oiler, and an able seaman. (see picture 6 for the Christians and others). Prayed
with them and blessed the crew. There were two Indian Christians on the third
ship. We used our own mother language to pray together, and I concluded with
an English prayer. I also prayed with the Chinese third officer on board. They
were receptive.

Evangelism is soul winning proclaiming the suffering, dead and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s sharing the Good News with the seafarers. As we do so, their spirits are open for a Gospel witness. In love we minister to them spirit to spirit. So often as the Word is spoken, we are able to perceive the Holy Spirit touching their spirits. At this time the seafarers are open to listen to the Word. There is now an encounter to engage in a discussion pertaining to spiritual things. We always endeavor to communicate with them the truth of God’s Word. It’s the Truth that will set them free.

In Luke 5:1-12 we learn by example this seafaring story. Jesus told Peter to launch out into the deep. After hesitation he obeyed and made a miraculous catch. Jesus said to Peter that from now on he will be fishers of men. This is evangelism.
Seafarers can identify with this story. Peter worked hard to make a living as a fisherman. Constantly facing death, seafarer’s monotonus daily life on board is working, sleeping and eating. There may be a little recreation to enjoy. They always welcome a chaplain on board to serve and freely give ourselves to them. We counsel individually and collectively as the need arises. We always keep our witness Christ centered. Without Christ , there is no Good news.
When you gain their confidence, they’re willing to share with you their fears, difficulties and aspirations. Since there’re away from home so long, they have personal and family problems with no one to confide in. A young Chinese cadet was lonesome for his family, and we directed him to Christ. A Filipino’s mother had died, and he wasn’t able to attend her funeral. We brought comfort to him from God’s Word. There are so many opportunities to be Christ’s example. God has placed us in a strategic ministry. Thanks for your prayers and financial support. God richly bless you. Maranatha!
For those who are interested in knowing about TWIC, the phone number is (866) 347-8942 The link is www.twicinformation.com.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (1 Pet. 5:14)

Your brothers In Christ Tom Malone and Thomas Tao