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"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

Upon initial contact with a new crew, it can be a challenge for me to convince them that I am there to serve in whatever way possible. A balding white guy does not always fit their image of a willing servant. When I visited a cargo ship recently, the men aboard were not altogether surprised to see a port chaplain. The idea that I was truly their servant took a while to sink in, especially for the younger ones and those of lower rank. During the five days that it took to load their ship, this novel idea of why I was there began to take hold. As a consequence, they started to make their needs known. Here are some of the opportunities they gave me to be of service: an unexpected request to locate a baby’s back-pack so that one of the officers could carry his son down the rope ladder to the dock 40' below. Many of the men asked for blankets and warm coats, which we were able to provide. We made a local excursion for the captain and I made a number of trips to the local stores to purchase socks, magazines, medications, lighter fuel, and even 100 dozen eggs, all of which I delivered. Joe Seale spent a considerable amount of time and energy in Anchorage purchasing a lap top, two digital cameras and other electronic gizmos. These he had to take downtown and put on the bus to Seward. The crew used our telephones and computers at the Mission. I left our cell phone aboard throughout their stay. Also I brought freshly baked cookies, phone cards, movies, maps, calendars, as well as "Jesus" DVD's, Bibles and teaching materials in the appropriate languages for those who wanted them.

Through service the servant is afforded the attention of the one being served (Nehemiah 2:1-4). This was made crystal clear for me when I was talking with three young Indian men on one of the ship’s stairways. Rashid had commented earlier that he had not met anyone like me before. He couldn’t make me out. Now, during our talk with his two shipmates, he said that he was sorry for giving me so much to do. My response was that servants were meant to be bothered. His expression spoke clearly of how alien this idea was to him; his religion supported no such concept. “Jesus washed the feet of His disciples; what better way to teach others how to serve than to serve?” I asked. Then I read to him the passage from Philippians 2:5-8. His eyes filled with tears. It was very evident how powerfully the words of God had struck home. The crew gave me other opportunities to speak of Christ, most of which were made possible while I was occupied with the above mentioned tasks.

It should be noted that, potentially, the most dangerous draw back in this work is to put too much emphasis upon what we are doing as servants without proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. To do so would be to betray the privilege of serving in His Name.

A Seaman’s Prayer Will Be Answered This Summer? by Roeli Elbers

During this winter, together with the Amsterdam port chaplain, who has visited cargo ships for 30 years already, but not cruise ships, we started to look for opportunities for a mission in Amsterdam. The Lord is blessing our efforts, and things are developing quickly. Harbourlight Ministries has rented a church community center only 2.5 miles from the passenger terminal. It has a room similar to the main room in Seward, together with a kitchen. Internet facilities and phones are being provided as well as big racks for the Bibles and literature in the various languages. Bible courses and invitations still have to be printed. A used van still has to be purchased, but there is no shortage of drivers. We already have a small team ready to start this Mission on May 26. This summer the mission can be open only a few days a week, but we are praying for a facility to be available full time next summer, Lord willing. Praise God for His wonderful provision and encouragement to the seafarers and to us. His thoughts and ways are HIGHER than ours (Isaiah 55:9). In His time He comes to His goal, also in Amsterdam.

"Lucky" Was Indeed Lucky!! by Jeannette Seale

"The Lord is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Pet. 3:9

Many of you saw pictures on CNN last fall of the car carrier, Cougar Ace, that was listing in the North Pacific. Amazingly it floated for weeks with such an extreme list and was finally righted and towed to Portland, Oregon for damage assessment. Even more amazing was the fact that none of the crew died as the ship suddenly listed crazily to port at about a 60 degree angle. Only one crew member was hurt. I was privileged to meet him while he spent time in a local hospital. Lucky is from Burma, (Myanmar) and has been a steward at sea more than 10 years. Just after he had finished his job in the mess, he went to take a shower. As he exited the shower room, wrapped only in a towel, the ship suddenly listed to port. He fell down the passageway toward the outside hatch. It was not latched tightly. It flew open and he fell about 30 feet to the portside railing that surrounded the life boat. He found himself slammed against the railing just feet above the waves and at this point he had lost his towel. Both his legs were broken and one had the bones protruding and he was bleeding heavily. He was several yards from the life ring so he pulled himself along the railing and worked the ring free. Then he dragged himself, back to where he had originally hit the railing. He realized that if anyone were on the starboard side looking for him, they would only be able to see him if he were in a direct line with the hatch that had flown open. After some time lying on the cold deck, praying, bleeding and clutching the life ring, he heard a shout from one of the Filipino sailors that was standing on the bulkhead on the starboard side. The sailor had crawled along the angle where the deck and bulkhead joined and was peering down through the width of the living quarters and could see Lucky about 60 feet below him clutching the life ring. Somehow the sailors lowered a line through the living quarters of the ship and got the end of it down to Lucky. The decks were at such a crazy angle, no one could walk anywhere except on the starboard exterior wall. Lucky somehow had enough strength to wrap the rope around the life ring and then the crew pulled him up the angled deck, through the living quarters and out to the starboard side. He had lost lots of blood and was in extreme pain and all they could do was carefully put a survival suit on his battered and bleeding body. Due to their location, weather, and crazy angle of the ship, they waited about 24 hours to be rescued by the USCG.

WAs I listened to Lucky tell me this story, he would flash a tremendous smile now and then and laugh about his nickname. He had told me when I had arrived that he was a Christian. When I got the chance, I asked him how long he had been a Christian. He flashed that smile and asked "you mean a real one?" I laughed and said, "Yeah a real one!" Again the smile flashed and he said, "Before the accident, I was playing games with God. All my family are Christians but I knew I wasn't. When I was falling through the air toward the ocean, I remembered what my little daughter had told me about Jesus just before I left for this contract. I asked Jesus to forgive me as I was flying." Then he flashed that amazing smile again.

Your presence here is very important for us. Thank you to all of you. Italy

In behalf of my family I would like to thank you for all the help you have extended to me. During my accident on board. May the Lord bless you. May you continue to be a blessing to others. Philippines

When I went to the mission, everyone was so helpful and kind to me for no reason. I am so used to being the one who serves and not the one served. When I was treated so kindly, I was overwhelmed and somewhat afraid. Hungary

Hopefully we will meet again in Alaska. We all love you because you love us. Poland

I am always delighted to hear about someone who loves seafarers, these (we) are the people whose life in so many ways are always in spiritual danger and in need love/affection and spiritual support. Indonesia

I'm ex crew, the one that you sended books of kids before. me and in behalf of the kids are giving you thanks for the Books that you sended us. We just pray the Lord will continue to bless you for your ministry. Philippines

The Mission's work is highly thought of up and down the coast. ship's pilot US

To the very end I would like to express my deep thankfulness helping me to find the way to go to the God and to pray to accept me and to receive the Holy Spirit. MD Macedonia

How blessed we are to have you as our family. When we miss our homeland you are there. When we are troubled you pray for us. US

Thank you for the Bible. Over the past two weeks God has been strongly telling me that I must begin to live my faith. Philippines

Thank you for reminding me that indeed my primary job is not my job (on the ship) but my being Christian onboard, please pray for me (for us Christians onboard) so that we never forget to do this task, and I also share about this message with my friends during our last Sunday fellowship. Indonesia