Jae recalls some of the highs and lows the seafarers are experiencing as Christmas approaches...

"It was very stormy today and the port was closed at 3 pm. Thankfully I was able to visit a container ship where a weekly Bible study is held before it was closed. Its captain and his crew from Ukraine, Russia, Poland and the Philippines were happy to see me and wanted to talk to me about the bad weather and life at sea, especially Christmas celebration without their families. They thanked me as they felt cared for."

"This week I had an opportunity to spend time with the captain from another ship who will retire in January next year. As he wanted to shop in the city centre for his family, we spent two hours walking around and having a cup of coffee in a coffee shop. He said that he really had a good relaxing time with me. During the conversation, he said he started his seafarer's life when he was 15 years old and always missed a normal life."

"Not only on board the ship but also on shore we helped them practically. John and I taxied two different groups to the city centre. When we took the two Filipino crew to the city, we spent around two hours, having more fellowship at a coffee shop and encouraged them to continue to grow in Jesus. Please pray for them as they have a desire to worship the Lord."

"It is always good to work with other Christians in the port. Gregory, Kevin and Niall from Monaghan visited three ships with me. We met the seafarers from Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania, India and the Philippines as we gave out the Christmas presents and led a carol service on board their ships. They shared God's Word and the Gospel with them and prayed for them as well as becoming a friend to them by listening to their life stories at sea and at home. On a container ship, its German captain spent more than one hour with us after a carol service. It seemed that he hadn't met any other human beings other than the crew for a long time. He wanted to spend more time with us.

Charles, SCFS trustee, and Colin, port missionary, from SCFS Cork came to Dublin port to encourage me and have fellowship. First, we had a wonderful dinner at a Korean restaurant and then visited a container ship to give out the Christmas presents to its crew."

"On a container ship, the crew from Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia welcomed me when I visited them. The Ukrainian officer encouraged other crew members to join the carol service. It was their first Christmas celebration on board and they were happy to sing carols and listen to God's Word and pray together for their families at home."