07/26/09 - 08/01/09

Dear seafarer's friends, 07/26/09 - 08/01/09

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

Our web-link is: www.lifelinetoseamen.org
ships visited this week
6 ships on Monday:
CHIPOLBROK MOON, CHEMBULK NEW YORK, and GOLDEN
FLORENCE - All Chinese; Myanmar, and Georgian; Myanmar, Korean, and
Filipino. We were on the first ship last Mar., the second ship last Oct., the third
ship over a year ago. One Christian on the second ship, the chief cook. (see
picture 1). There were resistance on the first ship, but the Lord still gave me
opportunities to give the Scriptures, Jesus DVD's and other materials away.
FR8 ENDURANCE, JENNY N, and SEABULK ENERGY - All Indian;
Indian, and Filipino; All American. We were on the first ship over a year ago,
and visited the third ship last Sep. Three Christians on the first ship, chief cook,
second cook, and an able seaman. (see picture 2). Two Indian Christians on the
second ship, two third engineers.
9 ships on Tuesday:
FOUR SHINANO, HARBOUR PROMISE, OLYMPIC FLAIR, BOW
ARCHITECT, VALLE DI GRANADA, and IKAN VERACRUZ - All Filipino;
Filipino, and Russian; Filipino, and Greek; Filipino, and Korean; Filipino, Italian,
and Indian; Filipino, Indian, and Chinese. All receptive. We visited the third ship
and the fourth ship both over a year ago. We were on the last ship just last
month. They were happy to see us again. There were four Christians on the fifth
ship, chief cook, general steward, fitter and wiper.
MAERSK PROMISE, NAESBORG, and JUMBO CHALLENGER - All
Indian; Bulgarian, and Russian; Dutch, Russian, and Cape Verde. There was only
one Christian on the first ship, the third officer. And they were very busy, so we
didn't stay very long. All responsive.
Pastor Jonathan Chiu from EFCOH came and helped the ship visitation today.
6 of us from WHCC took a boat tour at Houston Ship Channel Wednesday afternoon.
(see picture 3)
13 ships on Thursday:
ETAGAS, TORM CAROLINE, JO SEQUOIA, FORTUNE EXPRESS,
EAST POINT, CLIPPER HERMOD, GANT VISION, and STOLT
MESTLAND - All Filipino; All Filipino; All Filipino; All Filipino; Italian, and
Filipino; Spanish, and Filipino; Romanian, Russian, and Filipino; Ukrainian,
Latvian, and Filipino. We visited the second ship and the last ship over a year
ago, the fourth ship last Jan. and the fifth ship just last month. (see picture 4 for
the Filipino sailors). They were all receptive. I prayed with them and blessed the
ships.
BBC AMAZON, BALTIC MERCUR, IKAN ALTAMIRA, RICKMERS
SINGAPORE, and PANAM PACIFICO - All Russian; All Russian; Filipino,
and Chinese; Filipino, Romanian, Sri Lanka, and one Chinese; Myanmar, and
Croatian. We visited the first and the second ship both in last Mar., the third ship
just six weeks ago, the fourth ship last Oct., the last ship last Apr. (see picture 5
for me and the only one Chinese seaman on the fourth ship). Prayed with them,
and they all responsive.
2 ships on Saturday:
LIAN HUA HAI, and RICKMERS SINGAPORE - All Chinese; Filipino,
Romanian, Sri Lanka, and one Chinese. We were on the first ship last Nov. (see
picture 6&7 while they were having dinner). That's how many people we prayed
together. I explained the Jesus movie to them. While I was leaving, they still
watching the Jesus DVD. I went back back to the second ship to see the only
one Chinese seaman. I found him in the Seafarer's Center, and gave him a copy
of the most current Christian Chinese Newspaper "Herald".

Evangelism is Gospel bearing. Last week we learned that an evangelist speaks the Word of God with all boldness and confidence. We're not intimidated by political correctness, but Biblical correctness is the basis for our witnessing. The Word is the power of salvation to everyone who believes. We always proclaim that the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ frees us from the bondage of sin and eternal death. So many seafarers are convicted by the Word and place their faith in the living Christ. Evangelism is a way of life. We're commanded not only to speak the Word of God with all authority, but to be living witnesses. Being doers of the Word is evangelism. Our behavior is closely observed by others. We're read like letters. St. Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 3:2, "You yourselves are our letters, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody." The Spirit of God is a living example as followers of Christ. Seafarers are taken advantage of in so many ways, but we gain their confidence by being truthful and genuine. Since they come into contact with many people worldwide, they want to see if we're for real. Our ministry is blessed when we conduct ourselves in a Christ-like way. Evangelism is being a loving friend. We exemplify God's love in a tangible way by our words and works. They experience our friendship by us caring for them. We don't have to tell them we're their friends. They'll know it by our love. A Chinese seaman observed my actions for 3 years before becoming a Christian. Steven takes seafarers to church and shopping. They become Christians and some are baptized. Thomas has Bible studies on the vessels and takes time sharing the Scripture with them. He has the anointing of the Holy Spirit to relate person to person evangelism. His love is contagious, and there is a great response to his genuine friendship. While handing out Bibles and praying with some seafarers on the docks, a person was moved to make a large contribution. He was investing for eternity. We urge you to pray and financially support the ministry on a monthly basis. 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