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The Anchor
Alaska Christian Ministry to Seafarers
(ACMS)
Seward Seaman's Mission
May 2004 Newsletter
This summer has caused a radical change of circumstances in our work. About half of the cruise ships will be disembarking their passengers in Whittier instead of Seward. Whittier is about 90 miles to the north of Seward so there are considerable logistical challenges. Fortunately, there will not be ships in both ports on the same day. We have rented a tiny ground floor apartment in Whittier, which will serve well for many of the services we provide in Seward. It has required a good deal of repair and decoration, but we have been tremendously blessed to find it as the rental market there is very tight. The leaders of the only church in town have kindly offered the use of their premises to us which are also in the same building on the ground floor. When making plans for this dual-port ministry, the foremost thing in my mind, and in my heart, was my responsibility to provide our volunteers with continued opportunities to use their very special talents. This plan would not have been possible in previous years, but God has blessed us mightily again. We have a stronger team of volunteers this year than ever before. They are from as far away as Holland and Japan. Heightened security measures have made things more difficult for us. Even so, at this point we have been granted access to most of the ships. The weekend of May 15-17 we saw the first ships in both ports. We can tell you with overflowing hearts that God has answered our prayers about travel safety, security passes, and access in both ports. Many crew visited the Missions, one man already came to know Christ, many church services were provided, and crew from all over the world were encouraged and strengthened. Thank you for all your prayers that you lift up on our behalf. To God be the glory, great things He has done!!
Really Blessed by David Hawkins
Joe and Jeannette Seale and I were so blessed to be able to attend a week-long conference in Hong Kong in March. This was organized by Harbor International Ministries, which is a Christ focused outreach to seafarers around the world. ACMS has been closely associated with this developing fellowship since its inception 14 years ago. These conferences are arranged every few years, and are held at different ports each time. The benefits of these gatherings include the exchange of information, networking, and, most of all, good fellowship. The importance of this last aspect is difficult to describe, but I'll try. A city's docks are cut off from the rest of the community. They are austere and often dangerous places that few locals frequent. Many port ministers can feel isolated and alone when visiting ships in these hostile environments, and that includes us at times. These conferences help to relieve the situation by bringing together brothers and sisters from around the globe who share the same vision to reach seafarers for Christ. Just rubbing shoulders together and sharing our experiences reminds us that we are not alone. As with previous conferences, this one proved to be a wonderfully restoring time for the spirit. I think that I can speak for all of the delegates when I say that we have all returned to our ports refreshed and better equipped to serve others.
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life. Jude 1:20,21
What is the Name of the God You Pray To? by Jeannette Seale
A young Filipino engineer told me he was a nominal Catholic. We sat and talked awhile and he asked about the term "born again". We read John 3:3 and then other verses so that he understood what that term meant and what his decision would mean if he were to accept Christ. Suddenly, without warning, what I call the Plexiglas screen went up between us, and he did not want to talk any longer about spiritual topics. I was amazed that he could be so interested one minute, and the next he could so easily decide to change the topic. I don't think he realized he had just told Jesus "no". Even when I went back to the ship at other times, he would not open up the subject again. Since none of the crew or officers had visas, I spent hours helping them to call home on the cell phones. Because of this chore, I had some time to talk with the Japanese captain. They had just skirted a huge storm in the N. Pacific so the storm was a current topic. I asked him about the religion of Japan, Shintoism, and he told me it was just an ornament these days. Did he pray when his ship encountered storms; his answer was in the affirmative. I asked if he prayed to the Shinto god? He looked at me and laughed and pointed up and said he prayed to that god! Encouraged I asked him the name of the god he prayed to. With much seriousness he sat down and said he didn't know! I was able to share with him the story of Jesus telling the wind and waves to be still. I told him I believed that the God he prayed to is Jesus Christ and asked him to read the Japanese NT I had given him the day before. Because this conversation took place just before the ship sailed and it is unlikely his ship will return, I probably won't know the outcome of our conversation. Please pray for both of these men, one who supposedly should know the truth already but rejected it, and one who comes from an unchristian background who displayed so much interest.Are Gifts or Fruit More Important in Our Work Here? by Betsy Arehart
1 Cor 12:7, 11; 27,28 The Spirit gives and energizes abilities for the good of the church.
I was talking with a volunteer recently about how people fit into this ministry and how they seem to find a niche or area of service that uses their abilities. I asked the person what they thought their gifts or abilities were. They didn't really know what gifts they had and then said "well, I believe that the fruit of the ministry is really what counts in the ministry." As has happened to me so many times before, I was humbled by this comment. We have discussed many times, and marveled, at how God uses the abilities of the volunteers and how he makes them all fit together to compose the ministry to the seafarers. Every person who volunteers has abilities and talents that God brings out and uses in very individual ways.Our discussion caused me to realize that it is really the fruit resulting from this ministry, not the exercise of gifts, that brings most glory to God. The fruit is the demonstration of love, joy, peace, etc. that the Spirit manifests through us (in spite of ourselves) to those who visit this place. And it is this fruit, feasted on by the seafarers, which draws them to Christ or builds them up in Christ making them fruit bearers.What is the relationship of gifts to fruit at the Seaman's Mission? Maybe it can be likened to a fruit farm where different activities are employed--for the purpose of producing fruit. Watering skills, plowing skills, chemistry, weather, physical labor, farm oversight, etc., all are utilized and work together for the goal of fruit production. It is the fruit, not the farm or the tasks of the farm, which are important. The farm is the means to the end of fruit production.In the same way, it is the fruit resulting from the work of this mission "farm" that is the goal of our efforts. Praise God that he is weaving our abilities together to enable this mission to be a place of fruit production!
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.Colossians 1:10
Quotes
We miss you. My heart is broken. Philippines
Other people come visit the ship for other reasons, but we only wait for you. If you don't come, we are devestated. India
Please support us in prayer. We need it. We need it. Indonesia
Our onboard fellowship is going very well. Thirty people are attending. It's all come from the Mission. You have been our Anchor. UK
There's love and care in this place. Indonesia
You remind me of my mother. She was religious like you, but she died 3 years ago. Romania
Thank you! I am so happy to hear the word of God today. Philippines
Thank you for your advice. it's not easy to taking Godly advice but you must if you want to walk the path He has chosen for us. the worst thing ever in this life is to live out of the will of God. what a dark and terrifying place. South Africa
I've never seen a place in all the world like this! Philippines
My boyfriend is a performer on a cruise ship and said wonders about his experience with you. Thank you for helping those who travel constantly and providing a great place for them to fellowship and stay connected. Thank you for being a blessing and a light in this world and may the Lord continue to bless you all. USA
It is so peaceful here. Could you please explain to me what brings this peace? India
When I saw you in the ship I did not look your religion. I see your character, how you talk nice to the people. Indonesia
Here we are at the Mission. Thanks God we are here again! Mexico
All I want to be is a child of God. Philippines
You're a good friend. You and your Mission mean more to me than you will ever know. Thank you for doing what you do and being who you are, a Messenger of His. Canada
| Joe and Jeannette
Seale |
|
| PO Box 2742 |
PO Box 143316 |
| Seward, AK 99664 |
Anchorage, AK 99514 |
| (907) 224-8482 |
(907) 338-1425 |
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