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The ship pictured loading log chips on the front page of the newspaper was a real surprise. Was there actually a new dock across the inlet from Anchorage? Because of the dangerous pack ice in the inlet in January, the ship had to leave its berth for more than a week. When it tied up again, Mr. Ham, our Korean ship visitor, and I were prepared to visit the returning ship. The first surprise came when the agent told us it was a 5 1/2 hour round trip to get to the ship. This new dock is situated in a place we don't often visit because there are few roads and the nearest town is more than 40 miles away. We headed up the highway with Indonesian and Korean literature and high hopes. After 40 miles of highway, we turned off onto a two lane road that was snow packed The sun was shining brightly and the mountains all around were magnificent. After about 35 miles and little traffic, we turned onto a very narrow road that was very icy with no traffic in sight. After 22 miles on this desolate lane, with not even one moose along the way to entertain us, we finally reached the top of the last hill. Below us stretched a breath taking view of the ship with pack ice all around, long conveyor belts carrying wood chips into the ship, with the city of Anchorage and the Chugach Mountains an awesome back drop. The city is only 1 1/2 miles across the inlet and about 97 miles by road! After being lifted onto the ship by cherry picker, over the pack ice 40 feet below us, the first two sailors we met were Indonesian Christians! The Korean captain and other officers were so thankful we had come. We gave out our Christian literature, winter clothes, calendars, and even a birthday present with song included. We prayed with each group of men we contacted. As we drove home, Mr. Ham and I talked about their visible joy at having a visitor who would pray with them. The drive was a real bush adventure, but their appreciation made the long drive a blessing. We felt so privileged we could serve the Lord!

What is Your Message?    by David Hawkins

“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." I Cor 2:1-2

On a frosty night recently I returned to Seward from a meeting in Anchorage. A pipe ship had arrived earlier that day. By the time I got to meet the Chinese crew, they had been in port for about 9 hours and were almost finished unloading their cargo. They were frustrated with me because I had not been there to provide them with the phone cards they needed to contact their families. It was a scramble to arrange for as many men as possible to make their calls in such a short period of time. Some were using my cell phone and some I took ashore to make their calls. A short time later, I was informed that their departure time had been moved up. All crew needed to return to the vessel, thus requiring me to go and round up the men who were ashore. In the midst of this difficult situation, I pondered the question of how all of this was furthering God's kingdom on earth. At one point during the comings and goings, I had placed some Chinese language tracts, Bible correspondence courses and music CDs on the mess room table. A seafarer was showing an interest in these materials and I was trying, without much success, to explain to him that the items were free. Just then the Chief Officer, who spoke good English, joined us. "What is your message?" he asked after listening to us for a little while. Paul's statement from I Corinthians 2:1-2 immediately came to mind. Standing in that grubby little room, with an audience of five straining to understand the language and the concept, I was able to share the words of life. To be before kings and presidents in Westminster Abbey would be no greater privilege.

Reichman Update   by George and Cheryl Reichman

We were able to return home in February and I, George, am now working full time again at KCAM radio. I help Cheryl with her physical therapy daily. Neither of us thinks much about the accident because it’s too painful to think about, but we don’t have nightmares about it and it hasn’t traumatized us, so we are very grateful to God for that! Sleeping has improved! Praise the Lord and thank you for praying!

Cheryl's headaches have almost totally disappeared! Thank you again for praying!

Cheryl’s physical therapy is going very well. Thanks to your prayers, God’s help and a lot of hard work, Cheryl is only a few inches from having full range-of-motion back. What a praise that is. Thank you, thank you, thank you for praying! Please continue.

We are planning on being involved in the Seaman’s Mission again this summer unless the Lord makes it clear that He doesn’t want us to or that we’re not ready health wise. It appears that we are both healing quickly enough that we should be able to be involved like last year, which is what we would like.

"Glen was Afraid to Travel"    by Jeannette Seale

Sometimes God allows something to happen that we can't understand, and it is at that time we must hang on to His hand even tighter. That is what we had to do when the Lord took our good friend Glen home to be with Him one wintery day. Several months later, when we went to visit his widow, she told me she just could not figure out what to do with Glen's clothes.

As we sat and talked, her grandkids came in from school. Janet suddenly went to the bedroom and started collecting Glen's clothes!! When she had a huge pile of clothes on the floor in the dining room, she called all her grandchildren together and explained what she had decided to do. She was going to give grandpa's clothes to the Mission so that they could be given to men who needed them. As we held hands in a circle around the mound of clothes, we dedicated the clothes to the Lord and for His service. Because of this precious gift, I knew it wouldn't be long until those clothes would be keeping men warm and comfortable in many different parts of the world.

Even though Glen was afraid to travel, his clothes would do the traveling!

God Provides Local Volunteers Too    by David Hawkins

Most of our volunteers are from out of town, but we are blessed also with support from the local brethren. Over the past year or so Bob Lechner, a local plant manager, has been visiting cargo ships whenever I was out of town. Watching him care for the seafarer's needs and sharing Christ with them could lead a person to believe that he had been serving in this ministry for years, rather than being a "novice". It is his love for Christ and his concern for the men that enables him to be so effective in his outreach. Meanwhile his mum, Mary Lechner, patiently runs off hundreds of copies of teaching material, a tedious chore that helps so much, and which she carries out with such grace. Jake Welch, a retired stevedore, has always been willing to use his carpentry skills to help us make improvements around the place. Lois Munson can be relied upon to help feed the troops during the busy season. Not an easy task when you consider that we do not have a budget for food and we never know how many we will have for dinner (whoever walks through the door is invited). Then there has been Kathy Ennis, a lady with a considerable knowledge and passion for gardening. Over the past few years she has cut, snipped, dug, sawn, mown and heaved in all weathers, and always with good humor. The Mission building is set in a prime location so the display ofour garden is a wonderful testimony to all who pass. Jordan Houghton began to help at the Mission as a twelve year old. During his irregular visits throughout the years, he helped to count pennies, construct a roof above our barbecue pit and do anything else that needed to be done. Jordan is now a college student. Last summer he served as my assistant for three months and was a joy to have around. Also last year the Church of the Nazarene youth team cleaned our two vans throughout the summer - an enormous help. Thank you to all of our local volunteers. A lot more help is needed again this summer. No matter where you live please consider joining us in serving the seafarers. The rewards are eternal.

We are very bless for all of the materials you've sent for the reasons that we need them badly. Philippines

I still have the faith that our God Jesus still love me like He still gives the warmth of the sun to all the people even to the sinners and that He has gave His forgiveness for my sins. Indonesia

I'm back in Afghan n workin...here we don't have a church or fellowship but i use to read my Bible the one u gave me....n i'll alaways remember u..coz.ur the one to show me the right track...that why i always praise n thanks to our Lord..! Nepal

Thank you for your beautiful service, it was areally a light and I did not have that light on the ship since then. The light of my faith is almost dead, there is still something there, I hope it can last until I go home and get back to a normal life again. I do feel like the prodigal son and I am scared to go home. Hungary

We have big proud your boarding. Everyday we pray your coming. Captain of a tanker, Korea

I always expecting your support, your advice to help me keep growing in faith to "Him." Indonesia

pls cosiderate our contribution and thanks to all of all kindness and good support of us. Philippines

Thanks a lot and God bless you bountifully and plentiful for helping me and all out here on board the ship spiritually as well as physically by supplying the material all that we need. India

I really thank God for being there (the Mission)...and being part of your family... the study Bible you gave me it help a lot. Indonesia

I am going to share with my family everything I have been learning. I am a compleet diferent person now thanks God. Portugal

God is doing so many great changes in the lives of our seaman's here...Thank you very much for your help...You let them see the right way to live on...on myself...God is tested...He is really able and not dead he very much alive...and worthy to be praised and honored. Philippines