It was a great day and an opportunity to meet Sister Jessica and Brother Jappe from our SCFS Family in Manila. The SCFS centre is located at the heart of Manila and is accessible to our seafarers. It is a good place to come and connect. The centre functions as a hub for the seafarers as well as a place of worship on a Sunday.

Despite some challenges in accessing ships to visit, the team meets the seafarers in Luneta Park, where they hand out Gospel tracts and share the Good News. This place is near the shipping agencies and embassy where the seafarers gather whilst waiting for the approval of their documents and work applications.

I had the privilege of joining the team. I remembered when Jesus saw the crowd, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9: 36) and this is the sight I witnessed when I went to Luneta with our SCFS team. People were there for one purpose to get a job: some are waiting for their papers to be approved, others were applying and some were on the last stage of application.

I met cadets who were there doing their apprenticeship programme and I was told that once they completed it they will be able to apply. I was able to share the gospel and pray for these guys.

Another guy who is in his late 40's, has been waiting 5 months for his application willingly received prayer too.
I was blessed that day to be able to meet and connect with those who are in need and to share the Good News.

Regardless of the physical location of our seafarers, it was good to see that our SCFS team in Manila is moved with compassion to meet the needs of our seafarers through their regular visit in that place. What a fruitful visit!

Hermie Santos