Bryon and Janah, from the Philippines, wrote to us in several emails.

Extracts from Bryon's emails:

‘I am a deck cadet from the Philippines and will soon be working on my first ship. My father gave me your book The Prison on the Sea to read. He’s a cook on board and you gave it to him a few months ago. I’m only on the third chapter and I was really captivated by the content right from the start.

I’ve already started reading the Bible in the past but didn’t really understand it. In your book, the Bible correspondence course The Bridge is offered. I would like to get it and study it.’

‘The Bible correspondence course has completely changed my perspective. I grew up in a traditional Christian family. We went to church every Sunday. But I felt like we were just following a weekly routine there. That was also the reason why I wanted to study the Bible myself. In my eyes, religion is not important. Sometimes it’s just repeating rituals instead of really worshipping God and experiencing Jesus.’

‘I was very afraid of dying because I probably wasn’t doing enough good to please God. However, after studying your course, my perspective has completely changed. I realised that we can’t do enough good. It’s not what we do that gets us to heaven, but what God has done for us. He sent his only son for our sins!

I used to be very afraid of hell, but now I feel a peace like never before. Now I have realised that I simply have to accept Jesus and believe in him, namely that he lived and died for us in order to redeem us. However, I still have much more to learn.

My girlfriend Janah, who also goes to sea as a deck cadet, agrees with me on everything. I have sent her your Bible course. I want to learn more from the Bible together with her. I’m convinced that nothing can ruin a relationship where God is at the centre.’

Extracts from Janah's emails:

‘Is it normal to cry while reading the Bible and praying? I am so happy. How do you know that you have really let Jesus into your life? Is there a sign for that? I read in the Bible course that things will change in your life. Do you realise that yourself and if so, how? Or should I just entrust myself to Jesus’s guidance and move on?’

‘I have a lot of questions. But what I do know is that only Jesus should change my life. I want to be saved. I want to experience the overflowing love of God and share it with those I love. While studying the Bible course, I realised that I should change my thinking. I should seek God first and trust Him, and He will work everything else out in His time. I believe in Jesus and know that I will live happily in his kingdom.’

‘Today I finished the Bible course and I am so thankful for it! Which course should I study next? I want to read more about God. I want to listen to Him better to know what to do as His child. I know that I am saved through HIM, only through HIM. As a result of salvation, I am now a child of God. I want to do what pleases Him. I want very much to be a blessing to other people, especially my family. I want to be an instrument in the hand of God. I imagine myself sharing the word of God with others on board. I still need to work on my ability to speak in front of others. If I ever make it to the position of captain, I want to meet my crew not only as a superior, but also as a sister. I want to be changed into that kind of person.’

‘I'm always a bit scared of the captain and feel a bit of inner tension, especially when I’m working up on the bridge. He often asks a lot of questions that I have to answer correctly. But then I read 2 Timothy 1:7:

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

I repeat this verse over and over again to be able to show the captain what I can do. I then also ask that God be my peace. And it actually works. Minutes later, I have courage and confidence and can explain to the captain how I respond professionally to all the shipping traffic in our area. Before I start my duty on the bridge, I always pray for God to guide me. Afterwards, I thank him for the wisdom he has given me.’