SCFS Montrose
The chaplains and ship visitors seek to meet the seafarers needs practically, emotionally and spiritually. Occasionally they are able to practically assist seafarers with study materials for their professional development. Mike recently met with a Dutch 3rd Officer coming on gangway duty...
"Our conversation led to my returning to my office to bring him some sample copies of the ‘Navigator’, the Nautical Institute quarterly magazine.
He was delighted to learn that with the free Navigator Nautical Institute app on his phone he could access all the back copies to 2016 at no cost and focus on his CPD (Continual Professional Development) by committing these to memory in preparation for his examinations as they are distillations of the subjects covered by an issue.
A master has since evidenced how this resource has helped him in his own career advancement and was pleased Port Chaplains offer such practical support in response to the concerns of crew."
Mike has also shared that Lucy, the editor for the Nautical Institute ‘Navigator’, was delighted that port chaplains were promoting these free study guides. He has also found that by showing an interest in the bridge crews and their individual careers in this way, it can open the way for deeper conversations.
Mike Burleigh, Port Chaplain
SCFS Dublin
It was a joy to hold a number of Easter services on board for the seafarers visiting Dublin. John, the voluntary ship visitor from Ballybay, joined for three services on different ships. Even though the seafarers were very busy, they willingly joined the service to listen to God's Word and have the rest and peace of Jesus. John was a great encouragement to them as he preached and prayed for them.
I was also encouraged to hear from Jeremiah who joined a weekly Bible study and now has hoildays in the Philippines. He messaged me about how to lead people to Jesus by using God's Word. He wanted to learn about how to do this. It was great to have an online meeting together to discuss different ways to do this. Please pray that the Lord will give him His wisdom, knowledge and skills to lead people around him to His salvation.
Jaeguen Bae, Port Chaplain
SCFS Portsmouth
Peter reflects on an encounter in the docks on Easter Saturday...
It is Finished!
Tony, Hermie & me were walking across the docks to the ships about midday today when we waited for a lorry which had stopped in the middle of a maneuver whilst the driver had got down from the cab and was making some adjustments. Tony greeted him and commented on how busy he was. "Yes, it's work work work. Yesterday, today, tomorrow never finished. All because of money!"His Name??! .... Emmanuel!
Emmanuel - God with us
Calvary - God for us
Pentecost - God in us.
He's nearer than you think!
Praise His wonderful Name.
SCFS Belfast
Ship visitation on the cruise ships in Belfast is well under way, with opportunities to make return visits and it is encouraging to be asked to come onboard new ships. After another trip on Ambition Sam commented, "It always amazes me to see the joy and smile on crew members faces when they receive the Bible in their own language. One Filipino asked for the Bible in Cebuan. After receiving his Bible, he thanked me for bringing him the Word of Life."
Sam was asked to conduct a Holy Communion Service for the crew on board the Renaissance Cruise ship.
"After a crew drill which went on longer than planned, I was taken to a small theatre where over 30 crew members, mostly Indian, Philippine and Mauritius had gathered for the service. It was already set up with individual cups of wine and individual pieces of bread. Two members helped me give it out. It was encouraging to be told by an Indian member that it was very refreshing to have the service as it was a long time since he last partook of such a service. A lady who attends the Universal Church in Mauritius told me that I was the first Pastor she has seen visiting the ship."
Sam later received the following message...
Good afternoon, Pastor Sam,
Thank you very much for your kind message. It was truly a pleasure having you on board, and I can assure you the crew greatly appreciated your presence, kindness, and the thoughtful service you conducted. The feedback has been very positive, and many were touched by the opportunity to attend the Holy Communion and engage with you personally.
HR Manager
Sam Cowan, Port Chaplain
Recently I had a wonderful surprise when I unexpectantly met Elizabeth and Mervyn from Ballymoney in N.Ireland. While I was at the Cobh Centre today I felt led to go to the walkway beside the area where the ships berth. Mervyn spotted me and shouted for his wife to come back. She had just been telling her daughter-in-law who is from Cork, and her grandchildren about the ministry in Cork. She, along with a ladies knitting group have been supplying us with woolly hats for many years! They now live in Scotland, and Elizabeth has begun knitting hats (including SCFS logo hats) for Iain in Aberdeen Port. Praise the Lord! This was a great surprise, and a good opportunity to show them where we have a space to minister to the crew in Cobh.
Connections!
Having the right connection can make all the difference! Often in our ship ministry we find ourselves in the position of a "go-between". We are a bridge between God and people, between the shore and the ship, between the church and the world missionfield, between the officers and the crew and between neighbouring ships. On one ship I was able to phone a Russian friend,Yury, to speak and pray for a Russian sailor. And then on the ship next door a Christian friend who can speak Turkish was able to talk to Turkish sailors. It's great when we can phone a friend!
Coming ashore can be daunting, especially when shopping in an unknown port. A Chief Engineer sent some seafarers into Cork to find parts for the engine room... thermometers and battery connectors! They had no idea where to go and really weren't too sure what they needed. They also only had dollars which I had to help them change, and then after quite a long search we found the battery things, but they only had enough money for 8, and they needed 10! The kind man in the battery shop threw in 2 extra for free! The thermometers were impossible to find!
On another ship I spent ages helping them with sim cards, and also got an opportunity to share the Gospel. One of them, King from Ghana, told me it was his first time hearing this message about Jesus.
We had 2 giant cruise ships in Cobh this week. One has over 4000 passengers and over 2000 crew! It was great to have new volunteers, Krishna (from Nepal) and Henry (from Ireland), to help me in our Crew Lounge in Cobh.
Colin Jenkins, Port Chaplain
