FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• PRAY FOR JUMMEL MONTECILLO’S CHURCH: In a recent card from Jummel Montecillo, Cebu City, Philippines he asked that we fervently pray for his Christian Church. Jummel was a crew member on the Verrazano Bridge, that is now scheduled from the Far East to various ports on the East Coast of the United States. The Verrazano Bridge should be very familiar with all of us at the Center, after the wonderful lunch and fellowship given to us by Captain Aquino and crew members. That event happened on October 14, 2006 and was featured in the December 2006 Mooring Lines. Jummel in his card wrote they have built a new church, but it is not fully finished as yet and...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• MANY SOULS ARE ABOARD THOSE SHIPS: My husband used to look up at the huge freighters that come to the Port of Tacoma and say, "there are many souls aboard those ships, but do they know the Lord? There is much work to be done right here in the Port of Tacoma. What a Mission Field right here at our door step!" Last week several seafarers from Germany were at our Center. They were part of the crew of a Yang Ming ship. One very young cadet in training was seated alone at a table looking through some magazines. I went over to meet him and...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• IT WAS A JOYOUS REUNION: On a Monday afternoon several weeks ago, a visitor of Ukrainian descent entered the front door of our Center with a laptop computer and a small bag. After greeting him, we found he had flown here from New York where he now lives and has established a business for himself. He came to meet a dear friend of his from the Ukraine. They had gone through all of their schooling together in their homeland and had not seen each other for many years. He learned that his friend was now a seafarer on one of the Yang Ming ships and...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• NEEDED CLOTHING FOR SEAFARERS: Men’s used clothing in good condition. Especially needed are casual jackets, jeans, wash slacks, tee shirts, and sweatshirts....
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• TURKEY and THANKSGIVING: What does Thanksgiving and Turkey have in Common? That’s right we had a ship (M/V Albanda) with crew from Turkey here on Thanksgiving Day. One man said he was from Izmir and gave me the old name (Bible name) of Smyrna. In our Turkish New Testament, I looked up Rev.2:8-11 for him to read about Izmir. This is what he read in Turkish, “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again....Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” The day after Thanksgiving Tom and Roy took Christmas gifts to...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING: Thanksgiving has already come and gone but to all of our supporters…thank you for everything. Sometimes people say, “Thanks for everything.”, as a polite way to say, “Bye and thanks.” But, a couple weeks ago there was something special about the way two different seafarers on two different occasions said, “Thank you for everything” which caught my attention. The first, a Filipino, was leaving the Center to walk back to his ship. He turned and...
  ( MORE in our December Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 77
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 75
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 644
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS 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. PLEASE HELP: pickup & fill one or more Christmas boxes. Praise be to God the Father for His Wondrous Love!...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• WHAT IS YOUR PERCEPTION OF NORTH VIETNAMESE? Perhaps thirty years ago it was not a very good perception of North Vietnamese. We had the privilege to have a ship, the Century Star, in port with a crew from Vietnam for four days. The men were all from the north, near Hanoi in Haiphong. On the first day in port, we visited them and found out that none of them could get off the ship to go shopping. They had no visa. So they asked if we could do some shopping for them. Well, we bought some items and took them to the ship. They would reimburse for the cost and...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• TRAGEDY FAR AWAY AT HOME: On a Wednesday evening, a lone seaman came into the Center. He had never been to the Center before. Someone had told him about us and had given him a ride to us. He asked for the phone, so I showed him the phone room. He was there for about an hour, then he came out and paced the floor. He began to tell me the story of his frustration, agitation, and anxiety. His son, in the Philippines, had been in a motorcycle accident three days earlier. In Tacoma, thousands of miles away from his family, the overseas phone communications were proving inadequate for his desire to be able to do something. His son, Jason, not quite 21 and...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• FILIPINO FIST FIGHT: “I do not fight like a man beating the air.” 1 Cor 9:16. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.” 2 Cor 10:4 “Fight the good fight of the faith.” 1 Tim.6:12 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim. 4:7 The Bible is full of fighting. The Seafarer Center had a fight last month. The Center was full of faithful followers of the famous Super Featherweight Filipino Manny Pacquiao. Seventeen seafarers from 3 ships surrounded the TV set, with snacks, on a Saturday night to watch their much loved son fight his way to victory. It was ...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• GREAT BALLS OF FIRE: On a Saturday afternoon around 1:45 pm, I drove by this quiet street with seafarers on the way to shopping. Then I went back to the Center to pick up more seafarers for shopping. But, I was especially exhausted that day and just sat in the van and took a nap for an hour before going into the Center. Then I headed toward the shopping center again around 3 pm. We saw a big black cloud of smoke in the air. It was from the fire in the photo. A propane fuel truck blew up. The axles actually flew up onto the overpass seen in the photo. This is the street we drive on and...
  ( MORE in our November Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 82
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 79
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 554
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• SHARING THE WORD IN CHINESE: Tuesday evening, August 7th, had been quiet, until the volunteers, Herb and Paul brought men to the Center from their trips to the Mall. The sailors wanted to use the Internet and telephones to communicate with friends and family back home. They were there only a short time but, because we are blessed with literature in their native languages, we were able to give them God’s Word to take with them. Ten of the men were from the People’s Republic of China. We offered them...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• THANK YOU TO ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH, GIG HARBOR: I'm sure the volunteers at the Center on Port of Tacoma Road have noticed the recent supply of clothes that we have on the racks for the benefit of the crew members. This is all due to the exceptional "rummage sale" at St. Nicholas Church, Gig Harbor. This is an annual three-day event put on by the Knights of Columbus...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• STILL IN TOUCH: One seafarer just e-mailed and told of her struggles within herself. She had to give up sailing the ocean blue and find employment on land. She found a good job with the same company who restricted her to shore duty. She is the same one who almost two years ago at Christmas time read the Gospel of John we gave her and watched the story of Jesus on DVD. She writes “Thank you for always concerned about me. I will take good care of...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• THANK YOU: I cannot say thank you to all of the volunteers for everything you do, as much as I would like to. Many do things without seeking recognition. Everything that is done is vital to our overall success. I would like to say special thanks for a couple of big jobs that were done this summer. To...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• HOW’S THIS FOR VARIETY?: The M/V Svendborg Maersk was in port and we were able to serve them. The Seafarers’ Center likes to know what nationalities make up a ship's crew, so I ask. Usually, it is made up of one, two, or sometimes three nationalities. Often the different countries are from the same continent. When I asked about this ship, I was told crew members were from Ukraine, Romania, Denmark, India, Philippines and Poland. How would you like to be at sea, day after day, with seventeen others from such diverse cultures and languages? That challenge in addition to the usual ones seafarers face! Well, probably I would spend a lot of time seeking...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• SAD SEAFARER SAGA: Captain Liu W. J. came to Tacoma every 35 days on the Ever Gentle. He did not believe in Jesus personally, nor God necessarily. However, little by little on each visit to Tacoma, we continued to be friendly and give reading material in Chinese so that he could learn more and more about Jesus. More importantly, one of the crew on the ship did believe in Jesus, though silently. We supplied her with books in Chinese to help her grow in her faith and be bold. We also gave her personal encouragement and prayers for her to share her faith. On the bridge of the ship, while sailing across the ocean, she began to have discussions with...
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• FROM THE DIRECTOR: Dear Fellow Christians, Summer has come and gone and now is the time that we start preparing for the upcoming Christmas season, which is not to far away. The major concern for us from a preparation standpoint is seeking partners in preparing Christmas boxes for the seafarers. Last year was the first year we have had to struggle to come up with enough boxes for all the visiting seafarers. Our Tacoma Seafarers’ Center staff and volunteers dug deep to make up for the short fall. Would you all please start thinking about getting family, friends and congregational members together in preparation for this year? We have boxes and letters for these boxes as well as instructions at our satellite center at 1118 Port of Tacoma Road. You may call with questions to 253-272-0716. The seafarers look forward to these gifts, as they are so far away from home. Some of them are here for the first time and the Christmas box may be their first time hearing about the birth of Jesus, our Savior and theirs. We have a very unique opportunity to witness to the world, as the world comes to us through the Port of Tacoma. We are truly a global mission!
  H. Gene Lawrence Executive Director
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• YOUR PRAYERS and FINANCIAL SUPPORT: This summer was unusually expensive. We had several major repair bills on our vans. As I previously mentioned, we had a major water leak that was expensive to repair. Our Chapel got a much needed facelift. Our main building needs a paint job next spring/summer. The main building is much larger, which will be quite expensive to repair. Our finances show that our financial support is not meeting our needs. Keep us in your prayers as we do God’s work. I have faith that He will be faithful. God’s richest blessings to all.
  H. Gene Lawrence Executive Director
  ( MORE in our October Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 82
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 79
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 638
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• KAPAMILYA is the Tagalog word for family. Family can be fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters; but, also includes cousins, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces. We have been privileged with joy to witness Kapamilya connections between seafarers and their relatives in the Port of Tacoma. Here are some recent connections. On a Friday night, a Filipino seafarer contacted his aunt and...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• Not Even a Train Could Stop Him: have a few hours with their Kapamilya. However, they got stuck with their GPS guided SUV. We called them since they were late and found out they were within a _ mile of our Center, stopped by a train. I gave them directions on how to get around the train by making a U-turn and...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• Just a Phone Call Away: A Korean seafarers’ sister stays in Federal Way. He met her once before but this time she was not answering her cell phone. We tried too and could not connect, so the Chief Officer, knowing her church name had me find the phone number of the church. We called but no one was there, so he left a message for her to...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• Wow! That’s My Mom!: A Filipino was watching a favorite game show because he knew his mother would be in the audience. His friends were gathered all around watching too. Then all of a sudden he shouted, “That’s my mom!” “That’s my mom!” The host of the show was...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• North or South: Kapamilya can also include old friends. A seafarer from India had an old friend from college days who lived in Bellevue. He called him from our Center and asked if they could get some time together. He was packing that very moment for a trip up to Vancouver. It was becoming late, but the magnetic pull of friendship pointed this man’s compass south. He postponed his packing and...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• The Costco Connection: Kapamilya can also include new friends or never before met friends and are counted family. A Romanian came to our Center at 9:30 am on a Saturday and asked to go to Costco. He had two strikes against him. Officially we open at noon. Secondly, we normally don’t just take one person shopping (in order to be good stewards of our resources). On the way to Costco he asked, “Is there a Romanian church in Tacoma?” I told him, “Maybe, but what about...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• The Cross and Kapamilya: As you can see, in each of these stories people were committed to get in touch with their Kapamilya. Here at Tacoma Seafarers’ Center we help them do that. TSC is especially committed to getting the seafarers in touch with Christ so we can all be Kapamilya in Him...
  ( MORE in our September Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 86
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 83
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 702
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• CHRISTMAS BOXES NEEDED!! URGENT Need for more Christmas boxes this year - delivery before Thanksgiving. Please pick up your Christmas boxes from the Center in August. Information about items to be placed in these special boxes will be made available at that time. Appreciation from seafarers is shared in the letter that follows...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! To: The Seafarers’ Center - It’s been quite a while since the last time I wrote to the Seafarers’ Center to thank them for all their efforts and sacrifices that they had done all these years. I joined back the Hyundai vessel at Hong Kong last December 17, 2006 after two short months of vacation at home. I spend my Christmas and New Year at the sea with 25 other crew members. It was my first time to celebrate such a very awaited season onboard the ship away from those who I love most. Last Christmas at the ship while we were celebrating, I notice that some seafarer laughing aloud, some are singing Christmas carols, while others are just simply sharing stories of how they...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• BIBLE IN ENGLISH: In April, a missionary to Mongolia was visiting her mother in the area. She was clearing out items and found a big “family” Bible in English with very beautiful pictures portraying scenes from the Scriptures. She asked God what to do with it and brought it to us. A few weeks later, a Filipino man from the Hyundai Dominion ship came to the Center and saw it. He asked if he could have it, explaining that his grandfather had been a pastor at a church in the Philippines and...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• MULTI-MEDIA MIXTURE: Seafarers have been blessed by receiving the Scriptures on printed page. Bibles in their own languages have given them a new excitement to read God’s Word. We have added a new dimension in the resources we offer seafarers. A multi-media mixture, including DVD videos of the life of Jesus and other Bible related stories, have helped with the growth of seafarers in their understanding of Jesus and the Bible. Here are a couple letters from the men...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• "I LIVE BENEATH THAT MOUNTAIN": The New Testaments for the various Filipino languages come with a unique cover design unique to each region of the Philippines. A Filipino seafarer burst into a big smile as he picked up a Bible in his own language. He brought it over to me and said, “This photo is of the Mayon Volcano in my home town. I live in this village beneath the mountain.” He was delighted to be able to take the Bible, in Bicolano, back to his ship with him. It has been so wonderful to have a good supply of Bibles in many languages. Many thanks again to...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• THE STREET SCRAMBLE: As volunteers at the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center, we need to keep physically fit in order to climb ship gangplanks, ladders, steep stairs, and general access to various levels of the ships arriving at the Port of Tacoma. With this in mind, fellow volunteer Fred Orton and I participated in the Gig Harbor “Street Scramble” on a recent afternoon. What is a Street Scramble? This event is presented by the YMCA of Tacoma-Pierce County and sponsored by various health departments, fire and medic facilities and local civic organizations. Participants are given a map and certain checkpoint locations are circled on this map. Each checkpoint is valued by points from the starting area. The further the checkpoints are away from the starting area, the more point value. Once reaching the description on the map, you are required to...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• "WILL HIS SIX YEAR OLD CHILD LEAD HIM?": Several Ukrainians from the ship YM Colombo were browsing the Christian literature one early July evening and as I joined them, I spoke of finding a Bible in their language. One seafarer said, “Oh, we have Ukrainian Bibles aboard ship.” I smiled and asked, “Do you find time to read it every day?” He answered, “Oh, no.” I mentioned to him, “The book of John would be a good book to start with. ”Then I shared several passages from it. I was saddened when he calmly responded with, “I don’t believe in God and when this life is over, that’s it for all of us.” Since he doesn’t believe in the Bible, I responded, “Only God could create this wonderful world and all that’s in it.” He answered, “That’s an easy explanation and if there does happen to be a God, then that would be good for both you and I.” He then spoke about how in former generations when the Ukraine was a part of Russia, that it was not to one’s advantage to be a Christian. A person was considered a second class citizen and...
  ( MORE in our August Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 91
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 86
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 569
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• THANK YOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS! It was four years ago when George and Lisa Stokes came to volunteer at the Tacoma Seafarers' Center. They impressed me from the very beginning. The very first day that I met them, they started to work in the one acre surrounding our building. And so it was! George and Lisa were always ready to do what had to be done. George made many friends among the seafarers, as well as the other volunteers. His personal contacts blessed us with many things: among which are the very important computers that the seafarers use. Lisa was born in Mainland China and was always eager to translate for her former countrymen. They were so appreciative to be...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• LETTER FROM A SEAFARERS: April 16, 2007 1200 HRS Hi there! I’ am sorry if I cannot be able to say thank you in person I guess I cant go on shore this month there in Tacoma because right now I’ve got some work to do on board our ship. I have to finish this one because tomorrow morning we are going to sail for Seattle. On our second time here on Friday, we have bunkering you know filling up fuel for our ship and I’ am one of the watchman. I want to say thank you for your generosity to you and...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• A SEAMAN’S LETTER: April 28, 2007 Two years ago when I had just started this career, an old seaman that I meet on a coffee shop at Callao, Peru told me that a seafarer’s life isn’t a normal life. This is my third year as a seafarer. I’ve been to a lot of places around the globe, places I used to look up only on the books, post cards, TV, etc. I’ve seen a lot of cultures and meet a lot of different people. In most of those ports that our ship docks I try to take my time to walk around the city to change the scenery that I’ am used to see at the ship. Then I search out for a nice place to...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• SURPRISE, SURPRISE: On Saturday evening two Koreans showed some spiritual interest. I asked them, “Do you want to go to church tomorrow, Sunday.” They said, “We will call you tomorrow at 8 am, because we might be sailing tomorrow.” On Sunday, 8 o’clock came around and no call. Sometimes people make commitments just to make people happy. I was surprised when at 8:30 I got a call and the two Koreans said they wanted to go to church. On the way to the Korean church, I asked them if they were Christian. The Captain said, “No.” The Chief Engineer said, “All my family is Christian, but I am not.” I was surprised that they both wanted to go to church even though they both were not Christian. The church experience was good for them because they met one church member who is a former Captain and...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• SONGS, SWEETS, SHARING ON SHIPS: A trio of ships were treated by visitors from Virginia. This team of twelve brought blessings to Chinese, Filipinos and multi-national seafarers. First, Christian songs (“Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart” and “Jesus Loves Me This I Know”) were interpreted by motions. Secondly sweets were served to seafarers along with the “Happy Birthday” song for any seafarers...
  ( MORE in our July Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 87
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 80
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 732
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• HATS OFF: A big Thank You to Steve Maxted and his family for the "Spring Cleaning" of our main building at 1225 Alexander Ave. A big Well Done to my brother, Roger Lawrence and my grandson, Zachery Lawrence for the great job done in mowing our extensive lawn. God Loves you, and so do I.
  Gene Lawrence, Executive Director
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS: At the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center are unselfish, hard working, dedicated people. All are willing to give of their time and resources in order to minister to the sailors that call on the Port of Tacoma. However, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the man who works at my side every Friday. Even while recovering from shoulder surgery he stood his watch. Tom Harris has been my mentor and partner for as long as I have been a volunteer at the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center. He has been a joy to work with. I can always depend on him to go the extra mile, and...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• IN THE NAME OF JESUS: The Greek Captain was explaining the meaning of different Greek words like thank you, and grace. I asked, “How do you pronounce the name Jesus?” Other nationalities were in the same van at the same time, so I asked, “How do you say Jesus in Romanian, …in Ukrainian, … Tagalog.” In whatever language, Jesus is still our Saviour. Since we knew there were Romanians on board, the next time we saw them, we offered them the New Testament in their language, which they...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• TURKISH DELIGHT: Turkish Delight, lokum, is a confection made from starch and sugar. But, let’s talk Turkey. A terrible past history between Christians and Muslims in Turkey has made the people resistant to any good news about the Christ of Christianity. Strict enforcement exists in the country against Christians worship and witness. To our surprise and delight, a ship with Turks aboard came to Tacoma and they all had shore passes; so it was possible to take them shopping. On the first of five days here they were delighted with our service. I asked one officer, “Do you have a VHS player on board.” He said, “Yes.” Then I showed him our only Turkish language Jesus video. “Would you like this? It’s in Turkish.” With excitement he answered, “Yes.” Then I showed him...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• GOD’S SPIRIT SPEAKS TO THEIR HEARTS: It was a busy Thursday evening. My husband, Herb, was out driving seafarers to stores as was the other driver for the evening. A ship's crew members, from the People's Republic of China, were at the Center with me and didn't speak much, if any English and I speak no Chinese. I was planning to give them each the gospel of John in Simplified Chinese when they left. One man standing alone was looking through a catalogue from one of the Bible societies. As I approached him, he pointed out the picture of a Chinese Bible. The Center had just recently received a shipment of beautiful...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• BRIGHTENED BY A BIBLE: We recently received a partial order of our specialty language Bibles. We immediately put them out on our free literature table. Here is what Donna and Paul witnessed with one seafarer. Recently a Filipino walked over to our Seafarers Center with other crewmen on one of our rare, bright sunny afternoons. After a phone call to his home, he was browsing the Christian literature table. As I (Donna) joined him, his eyes were drawn to a new and very colorful whole Bible in his own Filipino dialect (Cebuano). He picked it up, smiling and asked...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• TRIBUTE TO TACOMA SEAFARERS’ CENTER: (Message dated 5/20/07) Dear Mr. Harris, It's been long time since I saw you last at Tacoma on December. I am Y.C. Lee, last Captain of MV Greenwich Bridge currently calling Tacoma every 35days....
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• TREATS FOR OUR SEAFARER VISITORS: We at the Center want to treat the seafarers as though they are Jesus (Matthew 25:40). One of the many opportunities we have is making coffee, tea and snacks available to them. The Center buys the coffee and tea from our funds but the snacks (homemade or store-bought cookies and crackers mainly) are supplied by donations, from churches, individuals and the ladies' Auxiliary. The seafarers enjoy them greatly! We almost always need supplies of these things. A few months ago, it became a matter of prayer and we saw God bring in special supplies, over 50 dozen cookies from Trinity Lutheran Church alone! Praise to them and Covenant Church members who have also helped out. We thank...
  ( MORE in our June Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 83
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 80
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 789
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• EMPTY EASTER: Twelve from Taiwan and the Philippines crowded into the van to go shopping on Easter. The Mall was closed and the parking lot empty. We drove to Target. Target was closed and the parking lot empty. On the way back to the ship I asked them, “Do you know why the parking lots were empty today?” I said, “It’s because of Jesus. Jesus rose from the dead. His tomb is empty.” Then they each received the bi-lingual gospel of John. In it they will find the story about the empty tomb and that Jesus is risen. I talked to my daughter on the phone on Easter (she is away at college). She asked...
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• SADDENED SEAMAN: It was Thursday night, April 5, 2007. My wife Sue and I were on duty at the Seafarers' Center and we had some of the crew from the M/V Glen Canyon Bridge visiting. Some were talking to loved ones by phone, while others were sending e-mail to family and friends. I started talking with Ruben, one Filipino seaman who was in the main room by himself. Our conversation turned to his family. He shared with me that he had just called home and learned that his 80-year old mother had died two days earlier. He was having difficulty fighting back the tears. I told Sue about this man's sad news. She asked him if we could pray with him and...
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• “SADDENED SEAMAN”: (A Follow-up) My mother, in California, is 81 years old. I tried to imagine phoning home, expecting to talk with her, hearing she had died. It is hard to fathom. In addition, Ruben probably couldn't go home for his mother's funeral and it will probably be several months more before he can be with any family. The men on his ship may or may no...
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• WE ARE THEIR CHURCH AND THEIR FAMILY WHILE AT SEA: We are daily reminded of God’s purpose for us as volunteers at the Seafarers’ Center. To me this is a huge responsibility. It reminds me of the old-time Gospel song, “Do Others See Jesus in Me?” These men rarely see their families and rarely have opportunity to worship, even if they are Christians. One evening, I went over some Christian tracts with a young Filipino and as I realized he already knew Jesus as his Savior, I showed him a tract that would be helpful to him to lead his non-believing crewmen to the Lord. As I was speaking, he looked at me and said...
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• WORLD’S BIGGEST CONTAINER SHIP: MAERSK EMA Captain B. Majumdal from India shared several interesting facts with me one Saturday at the Center. This one that is amazing! Length of ship...
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: One ship stayed for 8 days and we had something for everyone on the ship. On Friday it was shopping; on Saturday, sightseeing in Seattle; on Sunday it was Chinese (Lunar) New Year with firecrackers, dragons and drums; on Monday it was badminton and the YMCA; and, of course, everyday refreshments and relaxation at the Seafarers’ Center. A few wanted to see Seattle, so we took them to the Tacoma Dome station and...
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• FROM THE DIRECTOR: I would like to welcome our newest volunteers, Penney Pershey, Betty Erichsen, Lemuel Sim and Roy Henderson. They are filling a vital need for our work with the seafarers. Thank you Dear Jesus, for blessing us with these new volunteers. I was going to mention by name a few “atta boys” but then I realized that I would have to take up the entire newsletter with...
  ( MORE in our May Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 88
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 82
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 576
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• FACE OF OUR NATION: We are the face of our nation. We are one of the first impressions seafarers are going to have of our nation. We, at the Seafarers’ Center, are some of the first citizens the seafarers will meet. What will be their opinion of our nation by the time they leave the USA? Will their attitude toward Americans change for the better having met us through our ministry for them? The seafarers see us and form their opinions of what our country is like. One Chinaman on the way back from shopping told me, “I told my friend (new crew member) that Americans are the nicest people in the world.” I asked him, “Why did you tell...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• FRESH FRAGRANCE: The Fragrant Island once was all Burmese, but now all Chinese. No matter the nationality, our goal is to spread the fragrance of Christ. We were able to do that by taking the Chinese crew to East Asia Market to buy vegetables and rice and more rice and...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• A COMMUNITY EFFORT: Friday, March 2nd, the Center received a call from the M/V Ocean Pride moored at TEMCO. They requested we pick up the cell phone and charger we had taken aboard a few days earlier. The all-Chinese crew on this ship did not have shore passes. They were scheduled to depart within twelve hours. Our new volunteer Limuel Sim (by the way - a native of the Philippines and fluent in the Tagalog language) and...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• A BIBLE IN CHINA: After Fred and I delivered the vegetables to the M/V Ocean Pride (see article “A Community Effort”), we had an opportunity to talk, in some length to the First Officer, Tian Lili. He was a very knowledgeable young officer and spoke good English. He was impressed with the “friendliness” of the American people and mentioned meeting warm-hearted people in Portland, OR, Houston, TX, Tacoma, WA and...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• BIBLES FOR THE WORLD: The Chinese have two kinds of script: traditional used by those from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and simplified used by those in China. One Chinese asked, “Can I have a Bible?” We looked in our resource room. I told him, “I’m sorry; we only have the traditional script, we don’t have anymore in simplified script.” He said, “It’s OK, I can read it.” He was so hungry for the Bible that he was willing to take anything close. Yes, he can read it and figure it out, but it is not the same as...
  ( MORE in our April Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 80
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 79
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 593
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED: A powerful storm engulfed the Ever Unific, for a terrifying 3 hours in the Pacific Ocean. The ship lost 20 containers and when it arrived in Tacoma, the back containers were leaning 45 degrees (see picture). All crew were safe now in our harbor. Life throws at us the unexpected. We must be prepared not only for this life but for...
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• SAIL AWAY: It’s sad when ships sail away and you have had a seasonal friendship develop with seafarers. It’s even sadder when you know they will sail away and never return again. But, we are glad to know we have been a blessing as one seafarer wrote us. “This is our ship’s last time visit Tacoma. ‘Cuz this ship will go to...
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• SAINTS ON SHIPS: In one day we met 3 different seafarers from 3 different ships who are dedicated to follow their Savior. One was the only Filipino on a ship with a Greek and Chinese crew. He took some gospels of John in Chinese and a New Testament in Greek to give to his fellow crew members who needed to know more about Jesus. The 2nd Filipino’s ship was sailing to...
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• A SWAN VISITATION – UNDER THE NARROWS BRIDGE: One of the perks that volunteers at the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center sometimes enjoy is an invitation to visit a ship. Usually, that means boarding a ship tied to a pier in the Port of Tacoma. Recently, however, some of us were able to visit a ship moored in a very unusual place. We were invited aboard the Swan which was moored directly under the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Swan first arrived in Commencement Bay in...
  ( MORE in our March Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 82
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 80
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 701
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• NEWEST MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: At the December Board meeting, the Board of Directors nominated and selected to the Board, Ed Egan. Ed has been an active member at the Center for the past four years as a driver, trainer, community spokesmen, and solicitor of funds and clothing for the Center. He is married forty one years to Barbara, has four adult children: Mike, Brian, Chris, Jenny, grandchildren Maddie and Austin. He as been an Edgewood resident for the past 30 years and is a member of Mt. View Lutheran Church. He participates in the...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• THE “SEARCH” FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS FOR THE CREW – M/V PACIFIC PARADISE: It was a scary climb up the steps of the gangway that was suspended about 40 feet above the water near the stern of the ship. It was raining, cold and windy. The ship was bobbing up and down and the steps were swaying. One could only hold on to the greasy ropes that served as handrails. The All-Chinese crew of the M/V Pacific Paradise docked at Temco had no shore passes. They were provided...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• SPECIAL ‘THANK YOU’ FROM M/V MAERSK KINGSTON: St Patrick’s Church, p/a Tacoma Seafarer’s Center, 1225 East Alexander Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98421 - At sea, December 28 2006 Dear Madame/Sir, On the 27th of December we celebrated our Christmas at sea. Unfortunaly due to the 24 hour economy we live in these days it was impossible for us to do this on the 25th as we had a fully booked coastal schedule. So after departure on the 26th from Yantian in China we could sit back a little and had our celibration on the...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• CENTER SAYS GOODBYE TO MS SWAN: The MS Swan, loaded with 16 bridge deck sections is finishing its role in building the new mile long deck section of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. This is the second trip for the MS Swan, Captain Yegor Khourdursky and his crew of 24 men. In a gesture of appreciation, the Tacoma Propeller Club and it’s staff arranged for a...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• TAIWAN TIES: Our Evergreen ships have some special friends on board and they have special family and friends back home who are always thinking about them. One lady 3/0 has a best friend who committed to fly all the way over to the USA to meet up on board the ship, just for a day. It happened just before New Year’s Day! The two ladies were united and there were...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• WARM WEATHERED FILIPINO FRIENDS: Our seafaring friends from the Philippines have never seen snow. The weather cooperated and in early January they got to play in the snow, take pictures in the snow, touch the snow and yes, we let them shovel the snow. Hopefully next voyage they can just drive to the snow and...
  ( MORE in our February Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 75
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 68
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 696
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• FROM THE DIRECTOR: As of this writing, we have distributed 1225 Christmas boxes aboard ships that have visited the Port of Tacoma since Thanksgiving. Some seafarers have never received a Christmas present before. I wish to thank all who have given selflessly to put together these boxes for the seafarers; this includes our Church supporters and some Bible groups and several individuals. These boxes in some instances are the first time some seafarers have come to know the Christmas story and its meaning. As the year ends, I reflect back to all of our volunteers, both new and seasoned, and want to thank each and everyone for the tireless effort they have given on behalf of the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
• KNITTED WATCH CAPS: A number of months ago, Donna and I were organizing the clothes in the phone room. A large bag of yarn was found in the corner. I suggested that we have the yarn knitted into watch hats for the seafarers this coming winter. I also knew of a place where this could be accomplished at no charge. At the Correction Center for Women at Purdy. There is a group of women at the Correction Center called “Sisters of Charity”. They craft items for a variety of...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
• GOD PROVIDED THE TIME: (Normally, on a daily basis there are Seafarers in and out of the Center from early afternoon through closing time at night, therefore making the following opportunities for privacy rare.) As I opened the door to the Seafarers’ Center one Monday last September, all was quiet and I thought I was there alone when soon this soft voice from the computer room called out, “hello”. Paul had dropped off this very young lady officer from one of the nearby ships to use the internet while her shipmates went shopping. After greeting her, I went out into the waiting area. Very shortly, she left the computer room and joined me. We sat down at the table and I...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
• MESSAGE FROM MV GREENWICH BRIDGE: (In a message dated 12/14/2006 10:51:20 PM Pacific Standard Time) Thank you for your email caring of me, our crewmembers and my ship. As powerful low pressure was moving to northwest at near Tacoma on around my ship's sailing time, probably, there was a strong wind through the day in your areas. However, luckily, not so much strong wind and high waves here were encountered. As I was coming out the strait of Juan De Fucca on the date of December 12, the seas and winds subsided. Currently, we are proceeding Pacific Ocean with cheerful onboard mood and...
  ( MORE in our January Issue )
  
• SHIPS IN PORT: 76
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 76
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 542
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules