FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• LETTER FROM SEAFARERS: In a message dated 10/22/2006 from VERRAZANO BRIDGE (in response to e-mail from Tom Harris of 10/16/06 – see below): Good day to you all, Received your mail and am too sorry giving my response only on this day. Hope you’ll understand how busy we are during the past days. Anyway, soon as I received...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• LETTER FROM SEAFARERS: In a message dated 11/13/2006 to Tom Harris: Hi! How are you my dearest friends there in Tacoma. I want to apologize for not replying right away to your email. It’s just that, time here is very very short and fast running, with the snap of fingers a day is gone already, ‘cuz of many trainings that we have. How is...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• HOME DELIVERY: The crew of the M/V EDELWEISS did not have shore passes so were unable to go ashore to make any purchases. We received a call at the Center asking us, “could we bring them some Centrum, work socks, boxes of candy, underwear, etc.” We took several shopping baskets to the ship and in a very short time, all items were...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE: On the previous voyage, I gave a Gospel of Luke (the live account of Jesus) to the lady officer. This time, she and another officer came to the Seafarers’ Center to use the computer. After finishing with the computer at 9 pm, she said, “I read all the book you gave me last time.” Then she commented, “It seems too good to be true.” I inquired, “What is too good to be true?” She said, “No man can be that perfect. No one can be that...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• SAIL AWAY: The Ever Garden crew has become close friends with us at the Seafarers’ Center. So, in order to do something special for them, we took pictures of them as they sailed away. I told the crew that I would be on the right side and...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 92
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 89
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 653
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• PRAYER REQUEST: As all of you loyal supporters may be aware, it takes money to provide a full time Paid Port Chaplain, as well as to provide the services and God's Word to the seafarers that we serve. We are committed to expanding God's Kingdom here on earth. The article that you will read in this issue from a seafarer expressing his gratitude for our service to the seafarer, shows just how committed we are. I, therefore, ask that you will pray to our Heavenly Father for the blessing of the necessary finances to continue our work at the level that we are and...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• LETTER FROM A SEAFARER: To Seafarers’ Center, I am 22 years of age and this is my second contract as a seafarer on a foreign container vessel. It’s my 9th month on this ship. Though I had just started this career, I had already experience a lot on seafaring. I learned to keep my pain on the ship and on the ship alone to prevent people whom I care about back home from worrying about my welfare. I learned that being a seafarer doesn’t just require...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• CHRISTMAS BOXES: They are in, come and get yours. This is the time of the year that is exciting … when we give out these gifts to seafarers who have, in many cases, never received a Christmas gift before. Of course, this also gives us a unique opportunity to share the Gospel message about the Christ that some seafarers have not met before. Praise be to God the Father for His Wondrous Love !...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• THE “BUNGE” JUMP: Fellow Volunteer Fred Orton and I had the honor to take Charles Ang and Alex Caritativo to the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup on Saturday, September 9th. Both were crew members from the VERRAZANO BRIDGE and scheduled for vacation in the Philippines on the arrival of the ship in Hong Kong. Charles and Alex were very curious of what the fair was all about and enjoyed the sights, smell and fun of the state fair. They ended up at the “Bunge” jump and after some hesitation decided to take the skyward ascent. Of course, they wanted the two of us to take the ride, but we told them politely “No Thanks”. Chicken you could call us and chicken it is! Fred and I enjoyed the relaxing “Kiddie Canoe” ride that was close by. From the ground I was able to record the jump on Charles’ camcorder and...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• EVER GARDEN: Ever Garden is a new ship calling in the port of Tacoma. The first ever garden was planted with two people in it who were to live forever in God’s presence. The Chinese pictograph for “garden” combines the words for dust, mouth, 2 people, inside a boundary. The Bible says, that God made two people from the dust of the earth and they lived within the Garden of Eden. We explained this story to the Taiwan and Filipino crew of the ship. Surprisingly the non-religious Taiwanese knew the names of...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• COINCIDENCE OR DIVINE APPOINTMENT? It has never happened here before. The Ever Garden had some extra money and the Captain decided to treat all the crew to a meal outside the ship. Half the crew came off the ship for lunch at TGIF. There we met my neighbor who is from Taiwan and he got to visit with the Captain and Chief Engineer (C/E) who were also from Taiwan. Is that a coincidence or a Divine Appointment? After lunch seafarers were happily shopping at...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 70
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 69
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 800
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• FLEET CHEF: Ms. Cheryl Bond is the Fleet Chef on the S/R Kodiak, an oil tanker that off-loads its product at the U.S. Oil facility in the Port of Tacoma. The ship travels between Alaska ports and Tacoma every two weeks, with intermediate stops between. On a Thursday afternoon, I responded to a call to pick up a sailor at the U.S. Oil gate. After I got there, I started to look for a typical sailor. I stopped at the gate and was about to ask the security guard in the booth to my left where the sailor was, when a tapping came on the passenger side of the van. I looked to my right and saw a young lady. I rolled down the window and she said...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• GO ON MISSION: Christians who have gone on a mission trip to another country know what a blessing it is to present Jesus to people who may not know Him personally. At the same time, these Missionaries have a unique opportunity to experience a different culture first hand. This can be a heart changing time in the life of a believer. While not everyone is able to travel overseas on a mission trip, there is a great opportunity to go "on Mission" right here in...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• A SPARK THAT GOT A FIRE GOING: Over a month ago as I was visiting with a Filipino Seafarer, I asked him if he would like a pocket-size New Testament. When he said yes, I picked it up to show him that it also included the Psalms and Proverbs in the back, which helps guide us in our daily walk with the Lord. Also tucked inside was a printed card which clearly points the way to heaven to someone who doesn’t know who Jesus is. He graciously took it, thanked me, and...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• I MISSED MY SHIP: The Hyundai National calls at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. While in Seattle, the ship sailed away without one crew. The crew member called to his agent in his home country. That agent notified the agent in Seattle and then U.S. Immigration was notified of where to pick him up. Since Richie was not a national citizen of the USA, he was taken to the NW Immigration Detention Center. He has been in there for 5 weeks and his ship has returned. We don’t know why immigration is taking so long to process him, but Richie wants to go home. He had left all his...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• DOES FOCUSED PRAYER MATTER?: We experimented to see if praying specifically by name for seafarers for one month would create any difference in the atmosphere on the ship and in the receptivity level of the hearts of the seafarers towards Jesus and our opportunities to meet and serve the seafarers. After 5 weeks, the Ever Garden returned. What could we expect to see? Would there be any evidence that God was at work on board that ship? Here is a summary of what happened. *** Three (3) specifically related stories from this ship will be published in the November newsletter...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• HE UNDERSTANDS THE GREAT COMMISSION: Several months ago, I was able to give a pocket-size New Testament to a young and vivacious Chinese Seafarer. As he was about to get into the van to return to his ship, he turned around and said to me, “I know just exactly how I will use this new bible. Many seafarers gather routinely in the airport in Hong Kong before flying out to where they will board their respective ships. I will circulate around the group, open my bible and...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 84
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 78
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 705
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• HATS OFF: ...go to the Steve Maxted Family of MGL/Multilingual for the beautiful clean job done in the flower beds and hedges at our main building on Alexander Avenue. They also did edging cleanup as well. It was a big job and done very well, to the Glory of God...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• GOOD BYE & THANK YOU: ...to Rev. Lloyd Bovee, Port Chaplain. Lloyd has done tremendous work with the seafarers while serving at the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center. His contributions to the ministry will be long lasting. He has decided, in his words, that it is time to be “Movin’ On”. We wish him well and an abundance of God’s blessings....
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• MESSAGE FROM CAPTAIN LEE, GREENWICH BRIDGE: Dear Mr. Tom Harris, This is Captain Y.C. Lee who used to drop by your Seafarers' Center while my ship, MV Greenwich Bridge, stayed at the Port of Tacoma, Pier 4. I appreciate your kindness you showed me every time ship calls at Tacoma. My ship will arrive Tacoma again on 23rd August at 2230 hours. Also, I have plan to ...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• MESSAGE FROM ELMER, FORMER COOK, VALENCIA BRIDGE: Hi! Tom. I am already with my family and very happy. As of now we are having fun going out shopping and spending time playing together. Sorry, because only today I saw my e-mail. I was very busy on playing with my son. I was so happy from the time I arrive here. I hope all of you at the TSC are doing fine, hope to see you again if...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• LOST IN TACOMA: Recently (7/3/06), my husband and I spent the afternoon in Tacoma - we often park at Freight House Square, ride the Link to the end and come back to the Museum. Wandering around downtown Tacoma and Ruston Way on a Sunday afternoon is a special treat and adventure. We were in our car headed for home on Pacific Avenue and noticed a fellow looking up and down the street, starting in one direction he would turn around and...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: We are hearing in the News so much these days about the radical Muslims, that we are often left with the question as to whether we can witness effectively to them about Jesus. Can a Muslim come to believe in Jesus? The article on the next page, ‘An Exciting Story from Turkey,’ is from a friend who works in Turkey with the Muslims. The story will show...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• AN EXCITING STORY FROM TURKEY: Two and one half years ago, a Turkish university student was home on winter break. He loved to climb mountains and he frequently climbed Mt. Olympus in Turkey, near Antalya. He had been seeking to find out about Jesus and when he was on top of the mountain, Jesus appeared to him and said that He was God. This university student shared the experience with his Muslim mother. She was puzzled, but not angry. Two days later, he went back to the university and soon after was hit by a train and was killed. The details of the accident are not known, because he was alone. After this tragedy, the mother wanted to...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• THEY LOVE TO COME TO TACOMA: Last week, a Ukrainian Seafarer wanted to go someplace where he could go on a long hike. Ed then drove him to the Point Defiance/Ruston area and he expressed he would like to walk all the way back to the Center. I was there when he returned later with his...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• NEVER TAKE OUR DEMOCRACY FOR GRANTED: While working at the Center one Monday, I had some special time visiting with a young Burmese. As his fellow crew members were very busy phoning home to their family members, he had tried many times to call his home in Burma, but was repeatedly cut off, so he was unable to...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 77
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 77
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 497
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• CHOCOLATE SURPRISE: “Has something happened to the chocolate? It has lost its brown color and turned all white!” This was the question and exclamation from my dear 91- year old aunt when I presented her with a gift box of white chocolate candy during my semi-annual visit with her in northeastern North Carolina last month. Although she had a stroke about seven years ago that impaired her right side, today she is cheerful, optimistic and enthusiastic about life and...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• HATS OFF: A big ‘HATS OFF’ and thank you to all of the volunteers who have put so much time and effort into the beautifying of our Tacoma Seafarers’ Satellite Center. Thank you Ed Egan, Roy Blakeslee, Donna Eckhoff , Paul Peterson, Sue McCarty and Zachery Lawrence. If I have missed any names, I wish to apologize for my failure. The building was pressure washed by the Clovis New Mexico Baptist church group, who visited us, as well as...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• WELCOME BACK: Welcome back to Terry Nelson. Terry first came to work with us last year while recuperating from hand surgery. He was a welcome addition to our staff of wonderful volunteers. Everyone came to like Terry a great deal. He really liked working with the seafarers and they, in turn, appreciated his devotion to serving their needs. Ahh!, but his job took him back away from us. This July, Terry retired from his job and....
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• DETERMINED FOR DINNER: The Captain of the Chinese crew invited us for dinner on board their ship. I was delighted at the invitation, since I like Chinese food a whole lot. It ended up that I was the only one who went; and maybe that was a good thing. When I arrived at ship side, the ship had finished cargo loading and the gangway was already gone. The ship was sitting at the same level of the dock; but one big problem, there was a big...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• TEARS FOR A TESTAMENT: On Tuesday, we took the telephone to TEMCO for the Chinese crew to talk to their relatives. On Wednesday, I went to pick it up. Along the way, I gave out gospel tracts in Chinese. The 2/0 received the bilingual Chinese/English New Testament. I watched him as he just stood there and looked down at the Testament and held it. After half a minute he looked up. He said, “Thank you.” He had...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• WINTER JACKETS IN THE 90’s: We had a strange request for winter jackets, while outside the temperature was 90 degrees. Pictured are 2 who will receive winter jackets. Through the generosity of our volunteers, we got two jackets. One was too small for the officer so he passed it on to a crew member. Whenever you think of winter (which is probably not now in the 90’s), think of jackets for the seafarers. It is cold sailing along the Aleutian Islands. Drop your jackets by at the satellite Center at 1118 Port of Tacoma Road...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 90
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 86
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 684
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• CORRESPONDENCE FROM SEAFARERS: From: Vsl Don Carlos Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 10:44 AM To: Dong, Bill Subject: FW: Tacoma Seafarer’s Center Hello Bill. Will pls forward this to the seamans club. Best Regards Master M/V Don Carlos Sven-Ake Andersson Wallenius Marine AB Dear Tacoma Seafarer’s Center, Thank you very much for the service and gifts you provided for the crew of Don Carlos during her stay in Tacoma. It was much appreciated. We are looking forward to...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• EXPERIENCES OF THE ‘NEW KID’: Being the ‘new kid’ (volunteer driver), I have learned so much in a very short time, having boarded 10 different ships in less than three weeks – a few experiences along the way. The Captain of the Bum Eran shared that he had been a Christian all his life, his wife was a professor and their two sons had graduated from Boston University with “high tech” jobs in New York. The Captain has been so impressed with the Seafarers’ Center that when he retires they are moving to...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• FAMILY BRIDGE AND MINISTRY BRIDGE: The Valencia Bridge chief cook’s parents live in Angeles City, Philippines. The cook knew I was going to the Philippines so he gave me the cell phone number of his father and mother. On the first day that I arrived, they came and met me at the church where I was. We visited and I gave them a couple pictures of their son while he was visiting our Seafarers’ Center. Now the next time his ship comes in we will give him...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• BEING A BLESSING BEYOND OUR BUILDING: Tacoma Seafarers’ Center endeavors to demonstrate our Christ like care and love for the seafarers in Tacoma. Sometimes we are able to pursue the seafarers with caring love beyond our building and port. Over the past year, 12 cadets (male and female) came to Tacoma on Evergreen ships. They began signing off their ships in the Spring. They went back to Keelung, Taiwan to finish their studies at National Taiwan Ocean University. Their graduation date was...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY: On Tuesday, the day after returning from Taiwan to Tacoma, we learned that a mainland Chinese crew member from a Taiwan ship was taken to the hospital. After shopping, I took 4 crew to the hospital to visit their chief cook. The shipping agent was their interpreter for the nurses. The cook was in ICU and had all kinds of IV fluids flowing into his body. Before leaving, I prayed for him. That evening he was moved down to...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 99
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 95
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 753
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• HARMONY IN THE HEART: The YM Harmony is in port. I spent the afternoon with three (3) crew from China. First to Best Buy, then to the Mall, then to Circuit City, then to Costco and then to Safeway. I stayed with them all along the way. On the way back to the ship we visited. I told them in Chinese, “I am a Christian. I believe in Jesus.” The 3/E (engineer) said...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• A GRATEFUL SAILOR: Standing in front of the Port of Tacoma Medical Clinic, Raj was waiting for the pick-up. He had just undergone minor skin surgery on his neck and he appeared very groggy. After getting into the van, he told me in a weak voice that a local anesthetic had been administered in the procedure of the surgery and he still had not come out it. He was a sailor from the Star of Emirates bulk grain ship anchored at Temco. After exchanging ...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• EXTENDING THE HOSPITALITY OF THE CENTER: Some of you who read this newsletter might be surprised, as I was, to learn that we sometimes have the opportunity to meet and extend the hospitality of the Seafarers’ Center to family members of the sailors who visit Tacoma. This is possible because some shipping lines allow family members of certain officers to travel from Port to Port with their husband/father. Recently, I met the new Chief Engineer of the M/V...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• JUNE 2006 REPORT: Are there Miracles today? Yes, there are! What is a miracle? Mr. Webster explains them as “1) an event that appears unexplainable by the law of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God; 2) one that excites admiring awe; 3) a miracle play.” Phyllis and I spent holy week with our daughter at Sierra Vista, AZ and I was using her car when I had a battery problem. The car wouldn’t keep running. I have worked with lead acid car batteries for a long time and know how to...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• MY WISH FOR THE COMING WINTER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: Is that I have on hand stocking caps that we can give out when there is a need. On the average ship that would be 9 to 11 caps. Now the deal is, I go to many sales...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 87
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 87
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 624
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• HIS NAME: Arriving in front of Best Buy a few minutes before the scheduled time, I stopped the van and waited. Ten minutes after the time the seaman had requested to be picked up, he was still nowhere to be seen. I called the office to report that he was a no-show and that I would leave. The coordinator agreed. I started the engine and began to pull away. Just at that moment, I spotted a young man rushing out the front door carrying several bags of items he had purchased. He waved to me and I stopped suddenly. He climbed into the van and breathlessly explained that... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE ‘GREENWICH BRIDGE and THE HAT’!: On April 6th the M/V GREENWICH BRIDGE arrived at Husky Terminal on its maiden voyage from a shipyard in Korea. The GREENWICH BRIDGE is a “new class” of ship for K LINE, being both longer in length and wider and due to the width unable to traverse the Panama Canal. Fred and I met the Captain and most of the crew on Friday April 7th as they took full advantage of the facilities at the Center. Many of the crew members were wearing a fine looking cap commemorating the maiden voyage. I commented to the first two crew members I met... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• GOD CAN TRANSFORM THE DIFFICULT INTO SOMETHING GOOD: Lately, on my shift, the Center had been fairly quiet. The past few had only one ship requesting transportation and few seafarers coming in to the Center for purchase of phone cards, use of the phones, internet, etc. Each day, we ask God to guide who comes in with needs and that we would be His way to serve them. April 18th had been quiet, including my not even seeing a sailor! When I came to work on the 19th, the schedule had two ships being served by trips to stores, and...
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• MAY 2006 REPORT: There are many ways that our GOD blesses us, and one way is when crewmembers go shopping and get rebates. They are unable to mail the rebates and be sure that they will get them back. On the good ship M/V Stoikos, Electrician Rogelio Pelonia, bought a computer and he gave me the $50.00 rebate for the Center. I have been given a supply of blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry jams and jellies from Alice and Phyllis for the seafarers. I have been giving them out over the last few months. This time I had my camera and took a picture of the...
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 80
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 76
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 792
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• THE LOVE OF CHRIST: Gene Lawrence asked me to go with him to pick up three seafarers from the ship Virginia Bridge, so that I could get that experience and also be able to talk with them while Gene was driving in the late afternoon freeway traffic. Two of the men were from ... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• SHARED EXPERIENCES – FRED ORTON: Friday--February 24, 2006 What a mess! Due to a lack of experience and a naive desire to accommodate, I have scheduled three pick up's at 8:30 p.m. And, one of those will require two trips to get everyone back to their ship. In addition ... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• MARCH 2006 REPORT: Have you ever wondered how some people could just look at a book printed in Chinese and tell you that it is old Chinese or new. Well, this past Friday at our staff meeting, I found out how they are able to make a ... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• USNS BOB HOPE – A BICYCLE, A BABY: Date: Fall 1941 – World War II and America is fully involved. Our Merchant Marine Fleet is considered the best in the World. Each month thousands of troops leave the East coast on freighters bound for Europe on newly made ships. Many of these ships will not make it across the Northern Atlantic. The German "U" boats will destroy ... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• DONATION OF T-SHIRTS FOR SEAFARERS: This past month, a local business, Northwest Embroidery of Milton, called the Center to donate 600 new t-shirts for our Seafarers. One of their clients had been unable to utilize them, and donated them to our Center. It should be noted that this is not the first time Northwest Embroidery has reached out to our needs. In the past three years, they have provided us with t-shirts, coats, sweatshirts, shirts, and caps. This current supply will enable us to supply about
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 71
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 70
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 579
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• DERRICK AND BOB HOPE: It was rainy, windy and cold when Derrick came into the Seafarers’ Center Annex late one afternoon. Although in his mid-twenties, he looked older. He appeared forlorn and bewildered. At first he asked where he could get a taxi to go shopping; but then asked where the shopping centers were. When asked what kind, he said stores like... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• HATS OFF: A hearty welcome goes to Sue McCarty as one of newest volunteers. Sue is originally from Southern California, where she was raised by Christian parents. Sue worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators for 18 years, working on Mexican Native American languages. She married Jim McCarty in 1997. They left Tucson, Arizona in 2001 and moved to... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• FIRST TIME IN ROMANIAN: When I came to work on Tuesday afternoon, 2/7/06, I heard that the Gleamstar had come into port. All but two of the crew was from the Philippines; those two were from Romania. Several Filipino and one Romanian crew member came to the satellite Center that evening. Port Chaplain Paul Peterson asked me to give two Romanian New Testaments to the Romanian man; one for him and one for his fellow countryman still aboard ship. The man I gave the New Testaments to seemed very pleased, saying it wasn’t very many years ago that they were not free... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• THE “VEGGIE” RUN: On a recent Friday, Roy received a call from the Security Guard at TEMCO requesting phone cards and our assistance to the just moored M/V OCEANIC EXPLORER. With phone cards, books and things in hand, I went aboard the ship soon after the call. Only four of the crew members from Myanmar (Burma) and The Republic of China had shore passes. The Chief Engineer immediately told me... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• MGL MULTILINGUAL – OPEN HOUSE ... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• FERUARY 2006 REPORT: There are several ships that come into PCT/Evergreen terminal and their turn around time is 28 days, which means they cross the Pacific in good or bad weather to China and other ports of call. The one thing that all the Captains have told me is how high the seas have been running this winter. When there is bad weather here it’s much worse out at sea, so please PRAY for our seafarers’ safety. We have been calling on the M/V Lausanne which docks at PCT. It’s scheduled Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (my days to work), to be in port. The ship changed... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 86
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 80
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 649
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• FIRST CHRISTMAS BOXES ABOARD THE ALICIA: The first Christmas Boxes given out for Christmas 2005 went aboard the Alicia moored at TEMCO. This was a first visit by the ship and crew members to Tacoma and the seafarers had no idea of the service provided by the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center. The nationalities were varied representing... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• RECORD RAINS BRING RICH REWARDS: Two ships were delayed by all the rain we have been having. One came up from LA and usually sails on Fridays or Saturdays; but, instead sailed on Sunday night. This gave us an opportunity to invite some Filipinos to go to a Filipino church in Federal Way. Three accepted the invitation and were able to eat some Filipino food after the service and fellowship. One Filipino said in the car on the way back to the ship, “So happy.” It was rewarding to know... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• CHRISTMAS CARDS: Pictures of a Christmas card that the crew from the Hatsu Elite made for the Tacoma Seafarers' Center. They obviously took a lot of time and gave a great deal of care to the... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• THE EGYPTIAN SHIP WADI ALARAB: In the August 2005, Mooring Lines Paul Peterson wrote about a ship that he and Peter, the local Ukranian Pastor, had visited in early July. The ship was the Wadi Alarab and TSC volunteer Maynard and I had also visited that ship. We did some extensive shopping for the crew, since none of them had shore passes. The Captain was a Christian and was very receptive to the... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• JANUARY 2006 REPORT: This is the first report of the New Year and what a year this is going to be. I believe this is the year of the harvest, and that is exciting news for the kingdom of the Lord. The last ship I was aboard on December 26, 2005 was the M/V Gleamstar and it was loading corn at TEMCO, between rain showers. The gross tonnage was 70,000 metric tons, a post Panamanian ship. Now what does that mean? Well to fill that ship with corn, it takes 769 railroad cars or another way of explaining it is 14,259 acres of grain yielding 200 Bu. Per acre@ 56 lbs. TW. That’s a lot of corn and in a normal week, with no rain, they load out... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• HELPING THE HELPLESS: I was grabbed around my neck and choked.” said a seafarer who was still suffering trauma from an incident with another seafarer on board his ship. Tacoma Seafarers’ Center (TSC) received a call from the shipping lines office and asked somebody to come over and help. The seafarer did not want to talk to the police, nor the Coast Guard, nor the ITF, nor the agent, he just wanted someone from the Seafarers’ Center to come over and help him... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• JANUARY 2006 REPORT: This is the first report of the New Year and what a year this is going to be. I believe this is the year of the harvest, and that is exciting news for the kingdom of the Lord. The last ship I was aboard on December 26, 2005 was the M/V Gleamstar and it was loading corn at TEMCO, between rain showers. The gross tonnage was 70,000 metric tons, a post Panamanian ship. Now what does that mean? Well to fill that ship with corn, it takes 769 railroad cars or another way of explaining it is 14,259 acres of grain yielding 200 Bu. Per acre@ 56 lbs. TW. That’s a lot of corn and in a normal week, with no rain, they load out... (MORE)
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 82
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 80
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 498
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• CHRISTMAS GIFT UPDATE: As of this writing (12/26/05), we have given out 1020 Christmas gift boxes to the seafarers. We would not have been able to do this without the unselfish giving of all you loyal supporters. It is this giving attitude that exemplifies the Love of our Gracious Heavenly Father, who gave us the greatest gift of all, His son for the atonement of our sins. Praise God. These gifts, with the letters inside, help to introduce Jesus to those who do not know Him. May God bless you and give you His peace. In service to Christ, Deacon H. Gene Lawrence Executive Director...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
  
• THANKSGIVING RECAP: I would like to thank Sue Ham for the wonderful food she prepared for the Thanksgiving Dinner that was held at the Center on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. All enjoyed the food and fellowship, as can be seen by the photos submitted by...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
  
• TURKEY and GREECE: Turkey and Greece are two countries close to one another. But, the turkey prepared the week before Thanksgiving is the kind you eat. Cooked turkey does have grease, but I am referring to a captain from Greece. This captain was so impressed with the serving hearts of the volunteers at the Seafarers’ Center’s annual Thanksgiving meal...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
  
• COME JOIN US AND LEARN: Classes begin January 11, 2006 at 10:00 AM at 1118 Port of Tacoma Road (our Annex). We will start off with learning about the different backgrounds, cultures, customs, of four faith systems – they will be Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. This will be reviewed one faith at a time, four weeks each, starting at 10:00 AM. At 11:00 AM we will begin the study of Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life.” This will be a forty week study one chapter a week. Both classes will be given on Wednesday and Friday of each week. For more information give me a call at 253-377-1674 anytime. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year H. Gene Lawrence, Executive Director...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
  
• TEAMING FOR A TOOTH AT THANKSGIVING FOR THE TRUTH: Teamwork is tantamount to true ministry at the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center (TSC). On the Friday before Thanksgiving, some local Filipinos had a Bible Study meeting at the Seafarers’ Center and found out that one Filipino seafarer had a terrible toothache. They were the initial contacts for...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
  
• HELPING THE HELPLESS: I was grabbed around my neck and choked.” said a seafarer who was still suffering trauma from an incident with another seafarer on board his ship. Tacoma Seafarers’ Center (TSC) received a call from the shipping lines office and asked somebody to come over and help. The seafarer did not want to talk to the police, nor the Coast Guard, nor the ITF, nor the agent, he just wanted someone from the Seafarers’ Center to come over and help him...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
  
• LAST REPORT FOR 2005: I delivered Christmas boxes and gave out stocking caps for all the A/B’s on the M/V Kirsten Maersk, a container ship at Dock 7. Joel is wearing his hat in this picture, and I had along a scarf that was just the right color for Marty Westcott, a boarding agent for APM Terminals. They were both very pleased with their gifts...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
  
  
  
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules