FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• WHAT THEY WANTED: (Follow-up to the Three-Step Process article in the November, 2004 Mooring Lines.)
  After we cleared the third step in the security process aboard the Castle Island, the crewmember on watch gave us visitors’ badges and told us to come with him. He escorted us up one deck level to the ship’s office. There the first officer greeted us and Lisa began speaking with him in Chinese. She explained that we were from Tacoma Seafarers’ Center and that we were...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
  
• NOVEMBER 2004 UPDATES: Jesus Christ for some is not what he was when he walked on the earth feeding thousands, raising the dead, and healing the sick, but I want you to know that he is the same. Jesus Christ never changes! “He is the same yesterday, today, and forever”, according to Hebrews 13:8. The following is the story about what the Lord has done for Lou, one of the many who help out down at the Center. Twenty plus years ago, one of her sons was...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
  
• THANKSGIVING DINNER AT THE CENTER: On Thanksgiving Day, we did not have anyone to come to our Center for dinner, so we planned our dinner for the day after Thanksgiving, on 11/26/04, when we had more ships in Port. Pastor Paul Peterson and some members of his church helped prepare the festivities for...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
  
• A BIG THANK YOU and GOD’S BLESSINGS!!: The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Kitsap Chapter 30173 Board had a meeting and voted to use some of their operating funds to support local charities. They decided to give $600.00 to the Tacoma Seafarers' Center as one of receiving charities. We wish to let our readers know that several Thrivent Chapters have, from time to time, donated to our ministry. We are eternally grateful for the support, as we reach out to the seafarer with the truth of God's Word. I pray you all had a Blessed Thanksgiving. We have been truly Blessed at the Center.
  ### Gene Lawrence
  Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
  
  • SHIPS IN PORT: 78
  • NO. OF VISITS: 77
  • SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 610
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• THREE-STEP PROCESS: We turned into the parking lot of Schnitzer Steel, a scrap metal company. Then, we ascended the stairs to the second floor of the security and operations office. There we showed our ID’s, received our Visitor’s Passes and were given a sign to place in the window of our vehicle indicating that we were authorized to drive through the...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
  
  
• OCTOBER 2004 UPDATES: We now have new super duper phone cards that are almost 100 percent useful for all countries (maybe we can sell cards to you). The cards sell for five or ten dollars and they vary from country to country on the amount of time on each card. Also the amount of time will vary from cell phone use to land line such as the card for the Philippines, it gives you more minutes for land use versus cell use. The card for five dollars for the USA gives you 250 minutes, Chinese card is 166 minutes land or cell, Greece 126 minutes, and South Korea is 100 minutes land or cell. It’s a great way to keep in contact with family and friends...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
  
  
• 45 STEPS TO THE TOP: Marichristina, a Greek registered bulk grain carrier, arrived that morning and I visited it in the early afternoon. Approaching the Temco dock, I saw the ship with its massive cargo hold doors gaping wide open waiting to be filled with soybeans bound for China. The visit was one of what we at the Seafarers’ Center refer to as a “cold call” or “cold visit”. This means that a volunteer visits...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
  
  
• MARINA: The mariners on board the Marina received several helpful visits from Tacoma Seafarers’ Center and volunteers. One visit was on a Saturday evening when several Christian Filipinos came on board and had a time of singing in Tagalog and sharing of the Word of God. The Greek Captain even came to...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
  
  
• THANK YOU !! Thanks goes to Bart Anderson of Our Savior Lutheran Church for sponsoring a golf tournament, with the proceeds going to our Center. Bart is a Realtor who annually invites his clients to participate in a golf tournament, with the proceeds going to local charities, etc. He had a lot of support from business associates. You all know who you are. God’s Blessings to you for your generosity ...Gene Lawrence
  
  
• CHRISTMAS BOXES ARE IN: Yes, it is that time of year again! Come and get yours before they are all gone...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
  
  
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
  
  • SHIPS IN PORT: 78
  • NO. OF VISITS: 74
  • SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 448
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK: The Lord has blessed me in so many wonderful ways, since I became involved in maritime ministry. He called me to serve, and in so doing has exposed me to some deep emotions that I really did not know I possessed. Having met the merchant seafarer has humbled me. I have come to know how truly blessed I am. The seafarer has one of the most...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• AMONG THE STRADS: On a recent afternoon, the weather around the Port of Tacoma was typical: chilly, drizzling and a little windy. I visited Terminal 4 where the Evergreen ships, as well as ships from other related lines, usually berth. My destination was the container ship Zeus II. Security and safety procedures require...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• DAISHIN MARU: The Daishin Maru has all Filipinos on board. They eagerly extended hospitality to the volunteer ship visitors. While on the first visit, they were asked if they wanted to meet some local Filipinos, to which they replied, "Yes, of course." The next evening...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• SEPTEMBER UPDATES: A piece of wisdom that is just too good not to share with others is “things that keep us on the straight and narrow, is what we take for granted and don’t question”. My case in point is when Mom tells you she’s going to tell Dad when he gets home. At Dock # 7B the M/V Fortune Epoch had an all Filipinos crew who were very pressed for time. They all had...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• CHRISTMAS BOXES ARE IN: Yes, it is that time of year again! Come and get yours before they are all gone...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
  
  • SHIPS IN PORT: 66
  • NO. OF VISITS: 65
  • SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 530
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• THAT EXTRA MILE: As a volunteer at the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center, we often become friends with the crewmembers on the various ships that visit the PORT OF TACOMA. Usually, the vessels arrive every 35 days and normally we see the crew at that time. So it was with a recent visit by
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• GOLF WITH THE CAPTAIN: Recently Captain Sung Ching Wang invited me to lunch aboard the Hatsu Elite. We had decided previously to play a round of golf. On Thursday, June 3rd, at noon I picked up Captain Wang at ship-side and we continued to the Allenmore Golf Course
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• PLEASE HELP: Readers of Mooring Lines are requested to respond to the following:
  One: If anyone has or knows someone who has a riding lawn mower
  Two: If anyone has or knows someone who has a collection of magazines
  Three: The Center collects aluminum cans from two or three sources
  Four: In an earlier issue we mentioned that we had distributed over 17,000 tee shirts that had been donated by a generous company
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
  
  • SHIPS IN PORT: 77
  • NO. OF VISITS: 76
  • SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 418
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• WELCOME BACK: We welcome back to the ministry: Patrick Hess and David Lyons. Patrick and David used to work on Sundays at the Center, evangelizing and serving the seafarers in port. They have returned to pick up where
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• A SAFE PLACE: “I like to visit the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center because it is a safe place. It is better than going to the bars and other such places. It has a good spiritual environment that makes me feel at home.” These are the words of Ron Gallego, a 24-year-old deck hand on the Artic Enterprise, a fish processing ship of the Trident Seafood Company. A native of the Philippines, Ron is
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• LIBRARY NEWS: As in my last report, our Librarian Alice E. Stephenson has been very busy at the Center with books for seafarers. They are going to be in six categories such as Action/ Adventure, Mystery, Science/Fiction, Western, Cook Books and Salt. The Salt books are about the great doings in the past and present from both the East and the West. It will include
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• USE GEOGRAPHY – IT COMES IN HANDY: George Stokes’ excellent article in the April, 2004 Mooring Lines (“47 Degrees N, 122 Degrees W”) has inspired me to write on a subject that is of interest to me and should be to our fellow volunteers at the Seafarers’ Center. That subject would be the Geography of this world of ours and how this affects our relationship in contacts with Seafarer’s from around the World. While at the Seafarers’ Center, I carry my trusty NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAPS, and
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• WHAT’S IN A NAME?: On any given day during the week, there might be as few as 4-5 ships docked in the Port of Tacoma or there could be as many as 12-15. These ships may be owned by a single company, or owned by one company and leased to another, or they could be independent. They sail mostly across the Pacific Ocean; some travel only between Tacoma and Alaskan ports. Some ships may be owned by
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
  
  • SHIPS IN PORT: 74
  • NO. OF VISITS: 72
  • SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 558
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• MARCH REPORT: For all who missed our annual meeting at the Center, if you like pie you should have been there. We had at least seventeen kinds. Now, I didn’t try them all; but came close by trying little nibbles from the empty pie pans. There was one blackberry pie that was just incredible. It had thin crust with just the right amount of sugar and with whipped cream. OH MY! God forgive me, I had two pieces, and I didn’t tell Phyllis, my wife. We had our annual fundraiser this month at Scatter Creek Rest Stop, south of Olympia. If you have never done one, next year sign up. You get to see...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• THE PERFECT HOST: Wang Sung-Ching, the Captain of the Hatsu Elite (Evergreen) greeted his visitors at the top of the gangway and escorted them down a very clean and well-maintained passageway to an elevator that lifted the group to the upper deck. Dressed smartly in his uniform, he graciously served the superbly prepared Chinese food to his luncheon guests in the Officer’s dining room. One visitor remarked this is “five-star”. Captain Wang said “maybe four-star”. During a previous visit to Tacoma, the Captain had extended an invitation to...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• A SPECIAL NOTICE: We have been waiting to start a library for off-shore seafarers. Books are no problem. What we needed was a librarian. And, the God that we serve, if there is a need He Can fill it, and He did! We now have a new Librarian
  Alice E. Stephenson.
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• TOOLS FOR SALE (Spiritual Insight): It was advertised that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale. On the date of the sale, the tools were placed for public inspection; each tool being marked with its sale price. They were a treacherous lot of implements; Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Deceit, Lying, Pride, and so on. Laid apart from the rest was a harmless looking tool, well worn and priced very high. “What is the name of this tool?”...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU: I would like to thank all of the die hard volunteers, who year after year take time out of their schedules to help with the coffee stop. This year we did a week-long coffee stop at Scatter Creek, which is Northbound I-5 about a mile North of the Hwy 12 exit. **I believe that we have faired out better doing weekend events.** The total net gain was...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• A Special Thanks goes to ------ THRIVENT: Our Coffee Stop was a success this year because THRIVENT has agreed to provide matching funds. Thank you Shirley Muntz for obtaining the grant for us from THRIVENT. For those who do not know THRIVENT, it is the...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• 47 DEGREES N, 122 DEGREES W: Geographically speaking, this is the location of Tacoma on the globe. In maritime terms, a more specific version of this designation is used to chart a nautical course from the Pacific Ocean to the Puget Sound and on to the Port of Tacoma. Each day at least a half dozen ships of all kinds plot their course to the Port. These ships bring over one hundred officers and crew to the city. Many of them want and need various kinds of...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
  
  • SHIPS IN PORT: 70
  • NO. OF VISITS: 68
  • SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 545
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• THANK THE LORD FOR STORMS: "Last night an angel of the God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you. 'So keep up your courage men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.'" Acts 27: 23 – 25 Paul ministered to the seafarers going through the storm. Whether they...
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• FEBRUARY – INFORMATION UPDATE: This is the first time that I have had a Muslim tell me that he could not change his beliefs because of the people back home. This seafarers’ rate was that of a mess boy [the word boy has nothing to do with age]. His goal was to come to America and become a citizen. After a long conversation, I said “Let’s pray about it and ask God to...
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• A ‘THANK YOU’ FOR THE CHRISTMAS BOXES: Recently, I was transporting a Seafarer from Bulgaria to the Tacoma Mall. He expressed his gratitude to everyone involved with this seasonal remembrance to the Seafarers’. He wanted to let everyone know how thankful he and his fellow crewmembers were in having a very special Christmas 2003. After our delivery to the ship of the Christmas boxes, the Captain kept them out of sight until Christmas Eve. The Captain called...
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• A VISIT WITH A NEW SHIP AT TEMCO: On February 19, 2004, we received a call from Lila Smith, the ITF Inspector who was invited to look at the LOCH LONG (a brand new ship) moored at TEMCO. This ship happened to be on her maiden voyage from the shipyard in Japan to Tacoma, WA. Lila advised the Center the crew did not have any books for their library. We put together a box of donated books and I took them to the vessel on Friday. Along with the books, I had brought...
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• REMINDER Coffee Stop – Coming Soon!! Scatter Creek – Northbound I-5 (MP91) 3/8/04 thru 3/13/04. Please consider signing up for a shift. It can be a great time for fellowship....
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
  
  • SHIPS IN PORT: 82
  • NO. OF VISITS: 80
  • SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 505
• Meeting Schedules
• Coffee Stop – Coming Soon!!

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• GOOD NEWS FOR THE MOORING LINES: God indeed works in mysterious and wonderful ways. Last Sunday morning when we had worship service at the GEMSTAR ship, 11 people prayed to receive the Lord in their hearts. Another one was, according to him, a "sleeping" Christian, so we...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• MINISTERING ON THE WATERFRONT: Almost a month has gone by and there are only 343 days till Christmas; but who's counting. All of them are new days and all are in God's hands, isn't that wonderful! 'Freedom is a precious commodity, both in the spiritual and physical realms. Meeting with God's people without fear of government interference or retributions is a liberty enjoyed by only a few. Thank God for the privilege of worshipping freely, and pray for believers elsewhere where...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• WHAT IS YOUR CLAIM?: What is your claim when you go on board the ships? Maybe the seafarers are from a country that does not accept Christmas trees, or the Christ. Are you going to go against popular opinion and let them know that God does raise the dead? Yesterday, I went on a Turkish ship. I had hear...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• TASTY TREATS FOR TURKS: TSC told the Turks to take the telephone until Saturday. When we went to get the cell, we took Christmas gifts as well. They were surprised and grateful and began to open the gifts speedily. They wanted to keep the cell until Sunday morning. The C/E wanted a box of Snickers, so he sent us shopping for some, since the shipmates had no shore passes. On Sunday at 6:30 am, there was...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• CHAIN SAWS: They wanted chain saws. Volunteer driver, George Stokes, did his usual ship pick-up on Thursday, January 8, 2004. Among the crew of the Hyundai National who usually want....
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• Tacoma Seafarers’ Center Annual Meeting
  Mark your Calendar –
  February 29, 2004 – 2:00 PM
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
  
  • SHIPS IN PORT: 70
  • NO. OF VISITS: 52
  • SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 444
  • CHRISTMAS BOXES DELIVERED: 1762
• Meeting Schedules
• Coffee Stop – Coming Soon!!
  Scatter Creek – Northbound I-5 (MP91)
  3/8/04 thru 3/13/04
  Please consider signing up for a shift. It can be a great time for fellowship.

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• THANKSGIVING: Thanksgiving, a very special day which Americans celebrate each year, were also experienced by some seafarers in a special way. Food with all the Thanksgiving trimmings (turkey, gravy, cranberries, sweet potatoes, etc) were enjoyed to the fullest by non- Americans who happened to be in the Port of Tacoma that day. The Seafarers’ staff, along with the Filipino Christian Fellowship volunteers, had their hands full as they served in many ways to enable these seafarers absolute enjoyment of Thanksgiving...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
• THE SHIP AS THE “CHURCH”: December 13, 2003, some Filipino volunteers visited the MV Violet docked at TEMCO. Most of the people were glued to the TV, watching the fight between a Filipino boxer and a Mexican boxer. The volunteers were engaged with the few who were not watching TV. They were asked about the voyage and they all agreed, it was a tough one most of the way. Then the conversation focused on the families back home and then to God’s intervention in their safe voyage...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
• YEAR END REPORT FOR 2003: If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won’t survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world. If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
• A FEW LASTING “WHY’S”:
  1. Why won’t immigration develop a system for seafarers that don’t have permanent shore passes? A one day pass after sailing for weeks to enjoy our Country is not going to harm nor hinder our Country.
  2. Why do our stores insist on collecting hundreds of dollars in state sales taxes from internationals when they have no such tax in their country or point of origin?...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
• A note from the Director regarding the above questions: The questions Ed has asked are very poignant and powerful. We still have a lot to do as a Nation. If we would truly be “One Nation Under God”, we would not have to ask such questions. We have a powerful challenge for 2004! With the Lord’s help, we will strive to witness to all and to show Love for one another as our precious Savior has commanded us. May God richly bless each and every one of us to His service?
  In Christ, H. Gene Lawrence...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
• IN MEMORIAM: Flo Lind, a long-time Ladies Auxiliary of the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center of over 20 years, was called to Glory at 93 years young. We will miss her dearly, but look forward to seeing each other again in the presence of the Lord. Praise God for His tender mercies.
  
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
  
  • SHIPS IN PORT: 74
  • NO. OF VISITS: 63
  • SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 484
  • NEW BIBLE CORRESPONDENT STUDENT: 1
  • CHRISTMAS BOXES Delivered as of 12/22/03: 1,237
• Meeting Schedules