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Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2

When a new ship comes into port, we attempt to discover the spiritual temperature of the crew. Are there any aboard who are serious about their faith in Christ? Is there someone willing to consider leading a Christian fellowship? Are there any among them who have serious questions about Jesus? When a coal ship arrived recently, things were different. Lito, a young man, wanted to hold weekly Bible studies but had been denied permission to do so by a senior officer. He wanted to know if we could help. Yes, we could provide the Bibles and teaching materials, but we didn't want to seem to be interfering with the adopted policies aboard.

This was a brand new ship, and all aboard were still getting used to one another. After a few days I made a discreet approach to the Captain about the subject, emphasizing that I considered Lito to be a mature believer in Christ who would do a good job. He graciously said that the meetings could go ahead with his blessing. We also asked about holding a service aboard the night before their departure. This too was granted, along with permission for all of the volunteers to attend. To our surprise every member of the ship's company showed up, other than the two or three who were on duty. The Officer's Mess Room was packed. We had the wonderful privilege of being part of a memorable spirit- filled worship service. The men sang their hearts out with such a quality that the Lord was truly honored in sincerity and humility. Later we learned that most of the singers had never heard the songs in their lives before !! Here was a church waiting to happen with the willing servant ready to lead and a body of men with a spiritual thirst.

For Such a Time As This by Jeannette Seale

Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Est 4:14

I don't know why I am amazed when God puts us in the right place at the right time, but the results are always so thrilling. When Joe and I were in San Pedro, Calif. in the spring, visiting some cruise ships, we were unknowingly booked into the hotel where ship personnel from many companies were also housed. After a short conversation with two men from the Philippines, they told us a young man had just been given some bad news and he really needed to talk with someone.

We went to visit Ismail, a very small young Indonesian who answered our knock. When we told him why we were there, he joined Joe and me immediately. He told us later that at the very moment we had knocked, he had been crying out to God to please send someone to talk with him! He was an employee on a passenger ship, but in Mexico the ship's doctor had diagnosed a hernia and he was immediately sent ashore for an operation. The local doctor found a tumor instead. Ismail then had been sent to San Pedro, carrying the tumor in a bottle, to see another doctor, who agreed with the Mexican doctor's diagnosis of testicular cancer. With both of his parents dead, and his first time at sea, he felt so alone. Even though he was Muslim, and he knew we were Christians, he asked if we would pray with him everyday until we left. We were so thrilled to say "yes!" We shared as much as we could with him about Jesus in English that night. Very early next morning I discovered a local ship visitor who surprisingly had spent 11 years in Indonesia as a missionary! We left a message on his cell phone and minutes later, when we arrived in the lobby to get some breakfast, he was standing at the desk asking for us! Ismail just happened to come down in the elevator with us. When we introduced him to Jack, our new missionary friend, who answered in Indonesian, the joyous tears flowed!!

That night Ismail told us that Jack had explained salvation to him in his own language and he had accepted Christ! His demeanor was totally different than the night before. He was still concerned about his cancer, but his hope in Christ far overshadowed his worry. Even other injured crewmen in the hotel commented about his changed attitude.

Too soon we said a tearful goodbye. He was expecting to spend the next 6 months in San Pedro undergoing chemotherapy. Two days later I called to find out how his first treatment went. He could hardly blurt out the words because of his excitement! He had sat in disbelief when the doctor told him the cancer was gone and chemotherapy was not needed. He did not know if two doctors had been wrong or Jesus healed him, he just knew he was well in body and spirit!!

Prodigal Sons - Divine Appointments by Roeli Elbers

One day while the van driver had a coffee break, I took over driving. The morning had been rather quiet and hardly any crew had come off the ship. Waiting at the terminal, I decided to take a look inside to see what was going on. Just then, a Filipino security guard from the ship left the building, and I invited him to come to the Mission, which he did not know about. This turned out to have been a divine encounter! And it was the only time I drove the van that day... The man was given a tour of the Mission, but he was only interested in a talk. Within minutes and with shame he told about being backslidden, but earnestly wanted to become right with God again. After realizing how far he was away from God, like the Prodigal Son, he decided to go back to his Heavenly Father. Together we prayed; with tears he confessed his sin. Throughout the following weeks with prayer and supplication we volunteers pleaded that this man really would be able to stand firm, no matter what his colleagues would say, no matter how harsh Satan would try to let him fall again. And... this seafarer DID stand firm. With joy and happiness for the rest of the summer, he returned to the Mission, being a testimony to his countrymen and his new Christian lifestyle was accepted by his colleagues. When he went on vacation he wrote: "I can say you were God's instrument when I was struggling on board and the Lord used you to minister to me." Another Christian seafarer had a similar story, and another one too, and another one too... It's touching to see the effects of restoration, of being freed from guilt after confession. Counseling these so-called 'Prodigal Sons' have been one highlight of this summer's ministry. Praise to God!

Leadership Guidelines for Fellowships Aboard by David Hawkins

Psalm 143:10 "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."

Over the years we have sought to assist and guide the fellowship leaders aboard the cruise ships. We share with them a very unique ministry. How do we bring Christians together from multiple denominations who speak different languages, and have been raised in a diversity of cultures? Add to this the very real problems of fatigue, differing work schedules and the constant changing of crew due to vacation times, and you will get an idea of the challenges faced when trying to plant and nurture a Bible believing church aboard.

For me, one of the solutions to this puzzle, has been to write down those verses and experiences that I believe God has revealed to help me find a steady course in a minefield of alternatives. This record eventually became a list of guidelines that I have shared with the fellowship elders for a number of years now. They remain a work in progress but this summer I felt confident enough to have them put on our web site: www.seamission.org. They are, of course, incomplete and imperfect, but hopefully they will prove to be helpful to those seeking to bring the fragrance of Christ to the cruise ship industry. Some encouraging responses to the guidelines have already been received from others who are also serving seafarers.

Thank you for your encouraging lines. I hadn't prayed for such a long time and just a few days ago I started reading a book, The Purpose driven Life and it has helped me look in the spiritual mirror again and slowly, slowly, I am trying to go back to God. I hope that one day I can get over this but the scar will be there forever. I have learned the lesson, forever, I would like to think. Hungary

I remembering the time we been togheter in Alaska sharing about your witness of Jesus experience. That's make me feel happy and hopefull to became a Jesus son. Columbia

That is a very shocking idea that we can't get to heaven by being good. It goes against everything that I've heard and all that is engrained in me. UK

We need this....to know more about God. India

I wanted you to know that I have been sober for a year now. I am now living for the Lord Jesus and was baptized last week. Thank you for all of your help over the years. US

When you talk about Jesus the skin on my arms gets all bumpy. Romania

Thanks alot for the wonderful job all of you at the seaman's mission, Whittier, are doing for us seamen. Keep up the good job. India

It was great to see you are active in Whittier for the ship's crews, and I hope you realize how important you are to so many of them. Keep up the good work. Captain - UK.

We seamen need someone who cares for our spiritual needs like you. Indonesia

When you lose everything like I have and all you have left is Jesus, you discover he is all you need. MD S Africa

Our bible study went well every Sunday...We are growing in numbers at least now is less than 20...we started at 8:30pm and sometimes we last till 1:30am Praise God - Philippines.