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He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to Him be glory!!! Eph. 3:20

It's with considerable joy and a great deal of thankfulness that I can report that all went very well this summer. God answered the prayers of all those who petitioned on behalf of the work in Seward and Whittier. The many miles traveled between the two ports were blessed with safety, our access to the ships was unrestricted, and more seafarers made decisions for Christ than ever before. We had a much stronger team this year too. When most of us were occupied with a ship in Whittier, there were enough volunteers to remain in Seward to take care of things there. As they had promised, the folks at the Whittier Community Church proved to be a big help. It has been a joy to see the two ministries work together in such harmony. We are all looking forward to continuing this fruitful work next summer. From the hymn "God Moves in a Mysterious Way":

I'm Not Ashamed of the Gospel, But by Jeannette Seale

The first day the passenger ship arrived I was supposed to be issued an ID pass to board the ship, but at the gangway no one knew anything about my pass. As I stood there surrounded by burly looking Indian security guards, I just remarked that somehow God would work out the problem. It wasn't long until that proved true. Later at lunchtime, as I sat in the mess with crewmen, a large security guard came over and loudly demanded, “Were you talking about God on the gangway?" All the crew surrounding me shifted uneasily in their chairs and I wondered what would happen next. I admitted with some trepidation that it was me. He roughly responded that he must speak with me. With that announcement all the crew sitting at my table quietly left and I was sitting all by myself when the guard returned with his lunch tray. I was sending up arrow prayers that I would not be asked to leave the ship for something I had done. His next statement shocked me. He announced, "I need to be baptized!" From there the conversation progressed quite nicely and I breathed such a sigh of relief. I realized he did not have a clear understanding of salvation. Because of his work schedule, he did not have the time to talk, so I suggested he go visit the mission in his free time to talk with another volunteer. He came back to the ship radiating Christ and telling me he was born again and now he was ready indeed to be baptized! We all rejoiced when that actually did happen in the glacier stream that empties at the very bow of the ship!!

Whittier Baptisms by David Hawkins

Whittier Community Church was surprised when they learned that we intended to baptize the seafarers in the creek of glacier fed water that runs through their town. "Its too cold", they said. Even so .... Our first baptism was carried out under an unusually dark mid-afternoon sky. The cruise ship lights from a few hundred yards away gave a special glow to the proceedings. Loud claps of thunder, along with bolts of lightning and torrential rain, helped make the memory of the blessed event even more vivid. On another occasion the gentleman that was to be submerged under the icy flow was larger than usual. Even though we had explained baptism to him more than once, he was appalled to learn that sprinkling was not our practice, although he did not realize this until we were by the water's edge. "I'm not going in there", he exclaimed with startled urgency. After some less than gentle prompting, he sought another way out. "These are the only clothes I have with me." No one paid any attention. Eventually, while the ladies looked the other way, he undressed and donned one of the towels. What a picture he made. Twice he entered the water only to smartly retreat again. Finally he ventured in. However, there was still some resistance in him. Halfway backwards towards the surface, he began to struggle, but gravity prevailed. Down and under he went. Reemerging, the look of utter shock on his face was quickly replaced by one of great joy. How we all laughed and praised God!

The Other Side of the Coin by Patricia Jordan

I am a crew member and I want to tell you about my contact with the Seward Mission. Anyone who has ever worked on ships will know how ship life differs from natural life; it's unnatural, it's very controlled, very long hours and very long contracts. The Seaman's Mission is our lifeline to some level of normalcy. It's our home away from home for a day or a few hours. I have been able to use the mission for 4 years and I wanted to give something back of all that I have received and also have some respite before going home on leave. I prayed God would enable me to be there and permission was granted. I rested a few days, then I was allowed to help. I had not realized the forward planning that goes into the Mission all year round so winter is equally as busy as the summer. Each person helping had a job and mine was to wash up, man the phones, and sell the phone cards. Others did ship visits, counseling, transport, singing, and cooking. My thanks to all at the Mission who made it possible to share His love here, first as a crew member and then as a volunteer.

At the Proper Time, God Brought Him Back by Jeannette Seale

The gospel is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith. Rom 1:16

Several years ago I wrote an article about a mainland Chinese officer who asked how to become a Christian. It was such a memorable experience because of the cherry picker ride that accompanied that visit and the perfect demonstration of faith it provided. This spring God allowed that very same officer to make another visit to the port of Anchorage and we recognized each other right away. We had time enough for him to tell me he knew that Christ was the way, but he feared rejection from his family if he gave up the Chinese traditional religions. The ship sailed away again without a commitment from him. I was forlorn. But wouldn't you know it? After the summer frenzy of cruise ships had passed,the same bulk carrier came to Anchorage again, and he was ready to considerthe claims of Christ again. The night he made his decision to follow Christ,we kept talking about trust. He had such a hard time trying to understandthat he could not do anything to merit salvation, he just had to trust. But trust he did! In the week remaining of his ship's stay, I could seea definite change in this man. He even started meeting with the Koreanchief engineer on Sunday mornings to worship together. It's amazing for me to realize that God works in this way to bring a tramper back just for one man to make his commitment to follow Christ.

Traveling by David Hawkins

The gospel is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith. Rom 1:16

While the commute between Seward and Whittier may seem a long way to travel, (180 miles round trip), some of you may not realize just how far our missionaries come just to get to Alaska. This year they came from Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, England, Holland and Japan. Mention should also be made of George Reichman who frequently makes the seven hour drive from Glennallen to serve alongside his wife Cheryl for a few days.

Thank you very much for the verses you read for me and for the prayer over the telephone. It helps a lot. Please, in your prayer, help me with my struggle. Please acknowledge that until now, my heart is still with you all there. Indonesia

Being able to stay at the Mission for 5 weeks last winter was the biggest single factor in helping me achieve long-term sobriety. The housing relief kept my family together over Christmas and beyond. USA

Your work there at the calling station makes a difference. i want to encourage you to continue what you all are doing. your treasures are being stored in Heaven! South Africa

I feel so glad and i give thanks to the God and Jesus Christ becouse He's my savior. Angola

As you remember I had an alcohol problem, but thanks God, it's been almoust 10 years I stoped drinking that! I have opportunity to do what should do-play music with good musicians. I've recorded around 40 CD's. One of bands is called ASAF. It is a Christian band playing music dedicated to Jesus Christ! Poland

I am desperately searching for God. Canada

i think you don't remember me. i was trying to abort my baby but you convinced me not to and i'm happy to tell you that she has grown to be a blessing in my life. thank you for being there when i was confused and i hope you will help more people and touch their lives too. by the way, i named her jaira which means God teaches. Philippines

I just feel peace now. The Bible is my backbone. China

It's like I"m running away from the Lord, but I can't run forever. He'll catch me anyhow. Philippines

You are a lite in this world, a house of God for us (the Christians onboard.) Romania

I don't know what I would have done without you. US

You guys are heaven sent for us. Thank you again for all the kind effort that you have extend to us. Philippines

David and Ina Hawkins	Joe and Jeannette Seale
PO Box 2742	PO Box 143316
Seward, AK  99664	Anchorage, AK  99514
(907) 224-8482	(907) 338-1425