FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK: This is a wonderful time of year as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Of course, our readers know that we at the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center are trying to bring Christ and His love to the seafarers who are away from home at this time of the year. But, I would like everyone to remember also, the many men and women of our Armed Forces who are stationed so far from home and families. They need your prayer support as they fulfill their duties to our Country as directed by their superiors. We also need to pray for our Country and our leaders. It does not make a difference what your political persuasion as you lift up prayer for our Country’s leaders. We need to ask God to bless our leaders to make good, sensible and moral decisions. We ask God that He will direct His Spirit to lead us back to Him and that our Country will once again become ‘One Nation under God’.
  May God Bless America ~ H. Gene Lawrence, Executive Director...
        ( MORE in our December Issue )
• CHRISTMAS BOXES: By the time you read this issue of the Mooring Lines, we will have already celebrated Thanksgiving and will have started to hand out Christmas boxes to seafarers. For those of you that have so generously given of your time and resources to fill boxes and deliver them to the seafarers for us, I would like to say, ‘May God richly bless you for all that you have done.’ If you have not had the time to get the boxes done and to us, there is still time before Christmas to put the boxes together and...
        ( MORE in our December Issue )
• WHAT DO STORMS REMIND YOU OF? When the rain and winds hit Washington State, what do you think of? Please remember the seafarers on ships on the rough seas. When it is windy and rainy on land, the ships at sea nearing our coast are being beaten and battered and are tossing and turning. The seafarers are in peril like Paul in Acts 27. They cannot eat or sleep when their ship is rolling back and forth and tilting at over 30 degrees from side to side and pitching up and down. Please pray for the safety of the seafarers this winter whenever you experience heavy rains on land. Last month one ship lost over 25 containers in the same storm that hit us on land. On the same ship...
        ( MORE in our December Issue )
• TREASURE: One Thursday evening, my husband, Herb, and I were at the Seafarers' Center. Several Filipino men from M/V Hyundai Dominion were using phones and the Internet. One Russian man spent a few hours there on the Internet, contacting his family, doing research, etc. After some time, another Russian crew member came in. He spoke awhile with the first man in Russian and then wandered around the Center a bit, drinking coffee, buying some store items and finally went to the literature tables. I saw him pick up an (English) Amplified Bible and thumb through it. I knew we had some Scripture in Russian in our resource room but didn't want to imply that this man couldn't read and understand English, so hesitated to offer the Russian literature to him. Finally, I asked God's help and...
        ( MORE in our December Issue )
• THE REASONS JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUS: Seafarers see how we celebrate Christmas in America. They can easily get the wrong idea about the true reason for the season. Pray for us as we give seafarers these better reasons to believe in Jesus, rather than in Santa Claus.
      Santa lives at the North Pole.
      JESUS is everywhere.
      Santa rides in a sleigh.
      JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water...
         ( MORE in our December Issue )
  
• SHIPS IN PORT: 56
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 56
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 346
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• FROM THE DIRECTOR: It is that time of year again when we begin preparations to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior; so with that in mind, I would like to remind all who participate in putting together Christmas boxes, that we would like to start handing them out the day after Thanksgiving. If you have not gotten your boxes, may I suggest that you call our Center at 253-272-0716 to see if there are any boxes left before coming down to get them. When you put together a box, remember to insert a note to the seafarer who may receive the box. They enjoy a short note letting them know that they are not forgotten during the Holidays while they are so far from home. Who knows, you may end up with a Pen Pal or friend for life. Speaking of friends; a bit of an update about Capt. Lu King Kong that Donna wrote about two issues ago. Capt. Lu and I have become very close and...
        ( MORE in our November Issue )
• A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION & PEACE: Dear Lord, Protect our sailors while at sea Watch over them where ‘ere they be. Protect our soldiers while at war We pray for...
        ( MORE in our November Issue )
• THE SACRIFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF SEAFARERS: The image some have of seafarers and the life they live far from home is wine, women and song. The life of a mariner may seem marvelous, but on the back of a Filipino’s T-shirt was this statement...
        ( MORE in our November Issue )
• TYPHOONS, TEMPESTS AND TURMOILS: The Philippines has been hit this season by two major typhoons. Typhoon Ondoy dropped over 17 inches of rain in a 2- hour period. The Philippines seems so far away, but like so many overseas tragedies, they are brought close to home when we meet seafarers from these countries. More than one seafarer has said that his home was...
        ( MORE in our November Issue )
• THE WOODPECKER MIGHT HAVE TO GO: Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s Ark.
  One: Don’t miss the boat.
  Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
  Three: Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
  Four: Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
  Five: Don’t listen to...
        ( MORE in our November Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 64
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 64
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 447
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• PEARL GINTHER CELEBRATES 100 YEARS: 9/13/1909 – 9/13/2009 One of God's earthly angels celebrated her 100th birthday on September 13th. She was born in 1909 in South Dakota on a beautiful fall day. She moved to the Tacoma area in 1942. Pearl raised eight children. Her father Alfred and mother Bergit raised nine children on a farm near Canton, SD. Pearl's motto "That His Light Shine Through--To God Be His Glory" resonates through out her life. Her family attended a large...
        ( MORE in our October Issue )
• IS IT UNWISE TO BRIBE YOUR CHILD TO ATTEND CHURCH? --- MAYBE NOT: Late on a Saturday afternoon I had the privilege of meeting Capt. King Kong, a Taiwanese from the ship HATSU ENVOY. Paul had just brought the Captain and his crew back from the Tacoma Mall. His presence was that of a shining sun with all its brightness and warmth as he greeted me. Before he had spoken but a few words, I knew he was a Christian. He told me that he had a special relationship with his crew and...
        ( MORE in our October Issue )
• WOWOWEE: Wowowee the number one game show in the Philippines came to Tacoma Dome on September 13th. The famous host and hostesses and special guests came and presented a five-hour program for local Filipinos. In the Philippines, this show brings so much happiness, laughter and even tears to the contestants and the people who watch it. Filipino seafarers are always looking for this program. We get requests for this program from ships still sailing across the ocean on their way to the...
        ( MORE in our October Issue )
• EIGHT SEAFARERS AND ELEVEN COMPUTERS FILLED THE ROOM! It was the Great Morning that brought this crew to Tacoma on a Saturday afternoon. What a great sight it was when eight men came through the back door of our Center, all at one time with a hearty "Good Morning". All carried backpacks and announced they were from the ship, Great Morning – a cheerful sound! I asked if they would like to go shopping later on, but they said they just wanted to stay at the Center. Instantly, I saw why. All backpacks were opened simultaneously and...
        ( MORE in our October Issue )
• CHRISTMAS BOXES ARE IN... They’re here... Please come and get yours so that we may begin giving them out the day after Thanksgiving. What a wonderful way to share the joy of Christ’s birthday, by giving to others and to let those who do not yet know the story of Jesus, that He is everyone’s Savior.
  Yours in Christ, H Gene Lawrence, Executive Director...
        ( MORE in our October Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 59
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 58
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 425
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• WE THINK WE HAVE PROBLEMS: We've been experiencing various effects of the economy for quite some time. At the Port, however, it took awhile to show up. We have just recently begun to see a great reduction in the number of ships coming into the Port, and therefore the number of seafarers we serve. Since we are here to serve whoever needs it, the main negative effect could seem to be that we miss seeing our friends, having interaction with them. But something much more important needs our prayers: the reduced number of ships means that seafarers are losing their jobs. We've always been aware of the sacrifice seafarers make to work for...
        ( MORE in our September Issue )
• REWARDING EXPERIENCES: (Submitted by Maynard Border) I’ve been volunteering at the Seafarers’ Center for 4-1/2 years and what a great opportunity we have at the Center, in testifying of our Christian faith and providing seaman with the Christian Bibles in English as well as their native language. Tom Harris was my mentor for several days prior to giving me the responsibility of driving the 14 passenger vans and conducting activities such as boarding ocean going freighters and working in our Center. We transport seamen to various places in Tacoma, such as Tacoma Mall, Costco, Best Buy, Asiatic markets and the Seafarers’ Center. Service at the Center includes free access to the internet, use of the telephones for calling home, computer usage, free bibles and...
        ( MORE in our September Issue )
• TALL SHIPS: When one hears “Tall Ships”, sailboats with tall masts come into mind. But the ships today are very, very tall. Standing on the ground looking up, the perspective is unique. The containers are stacked so tall reaching into the heavens. When in port, the perspective of business is to look at the money contained in the containers, or the cost of shipping. A ship can contain over 5,000 containers and cost a million dollars every month to fill it with fuel. BUT, the Lord’s perspective is not to see the tall ship itself, but the seafarers who sail on the ship. The ship will not last for...
        ( MORE in our September Issue )
• CHRISTMAS BOXES: Due to an unforeseen circumstance, the Christmas boxes will not be available as originally stated; our supplier went out of business. I have had to find another supplier and will not be able to receive the boxes until approximately the last week in September 2009. Please accept my apologies for this. We still have plenty of time, however, to get the boxes to you in time for us to receive them back from you by Thanksgiving. You may call and check with us anytime after the 15th of September 2009 to see if we have the boxes for dispersal.
  Yours in Christ, H Gene Lawrence, Executive Director...
        ( MORE in our September Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 68
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 62
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 455
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK: Our volunteer Caroline Rimbach's brother recently was called home to be with His Lord and Savior. Caroline graciously donated some of her brother's furniture and a computer to our Center. The furnishings have been a welcome gift to our seafaring friends. They appreciate the warmth and comfort that the furniture offers. Thank you Caroline and...
        ( MORE in our August Issue )
• GO AND TELL: “Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” Mark 5:19, 20 - Jesus brought healing to a man. The man was so blessed by Jesus that he wanted to follow Jesus. Pray that many seafarers will be blessed by knowing Jesus. So blessed that they want to follow Jesus everyday while sailing on the seas and while staying at home. Jesus gave the instruction to this man to go and...
        ( MORE in our August Issue )
• HATS OFF: One of our volunteers, Tom Harris, called and asked me if he could paint our Satellite Center with some paint he had left over. It just so happens to be closely matched to our original building color. Of course I eagerly and appreciatively said “yes, yes of course.” The first thing that had to be done was to prep the building, so I loaned my pressure washer to help make that part easier. Tom then went about cleaning and getting help to accomplish the task. I hope that I do not leave off any names of those who so generously gave of their time and...
        ( MORE in our August Issue )
• SUMMERTIME FINANCIAL CHALLENGES: Summertime brings some interesting challenges to us at the Tacoma Seafarers' Center. Of course the state of our National economy doesn't help. Traditionally during the summertime we experience a reduction in our donations. However, this year, that coupled with the state of the economy has presented us with a challenge with meeting our expenses. Fuel prices rise, so our fuel costs increase. We use more fans to keep cool so our electric bill increases. Many of our other expenses increase as our vendors are forced to raise their prices. This topic is one I never enjoy talking about because I know all have been affected as well. However, I was recently reminded that if I do not inform you then no one will know our increased needs. We only have...
        ( MORE in our August Issue )
• A CONTINUING STORY OF JIA (JERRY), LU & WANG: Last fall and early winter my wife Barbara and I wrote a number of articles on befriending several crew members from the Y/M ASIA, namely Jia, Lu & Wang. The three had a very inquisitive nature, very outgoing and we looked forward to their visits to Tacoma. Two of them had attended a Chinese Church here in Tacoma. Their visits ended abruptly with the vessel scheduled for maintenance in a shipyard during the early part of the year. Eventually all three decided to leave the ship with the intent to obtain employment in their respective home towns in China. Since returning to China...
        ( MORE in our August Issue )
• CHRISTMAS IS COMING !! No, I have not lost my mind! It is that time of year when we start preparing to put together the Christmas boxes for our visiting seafarers. I will have boxes for you to pick up by the end of August. Please think about starting a little early this year. In eager anticipation of Christ’s birthday, Gene...
        ( MORE in our August Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 75
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 71
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 450
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• A SEARCH FOR FREEDOM: As we approach another Celebration of our Independence from tyranny, we often take our FREEDOM FOR GRANTED and never realize what other people in various countries are going through at the moment. Case in point on a recent visit to a ship loading corn at the TEMCO dock. All the crew was from the country of Burma (now Myanmar) and only one had a Visa in order to depart the ship. I had an interesting conversation with the Commanding Officer who was surprisingly young and very expressive. He introduced me to his Captain who immediately asked that I bring four Bibles in the Burmese language to...
        ( MORE in our July Issue )
• NEW VAN: Some have asked questions about the new van purchase so I thought that I would give an explanation of the process. For the most part, our vans have been purchased as a result of grant monies from ITF. ITF is the International Transport and Dockworkers Federation, which is the seafarers' union that they pay dues to. Therefore, the vans are basically purchased with seafarers monies. I submitted a grant request to ITF in January of 2008. Somehow the grant request was lost somewhere in route to ITF in the United Kingdom. When I found out, about six months after submission, that the grant was...
        ( MORE in our July Issue )
• CAFETERIA OR INTERNET CAFÉ: Our Seafarers’ Center supplies several services for the seafarers. One service we provide for seafarers is to provide a wireless internet on board the ships while they are in port. This is especially helpful for seafarers with no visa and they cannot go ashore to get connected with their families. Now seafarers can see their special loved ones through their chat connections on their computer. They can talk with them and...
        ( MORE in our July Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 75
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 74
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 651
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• CHAPLAIN’S CORNER: Jesus is the Savior for Seafarers in Storms - “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” (Mark 4:39, 40) Seafarers pass through storms on the seas just like the disciples on the Sea of Galilee. The seafarers we meet even fear for their lives like the disciples of Jesus’ time. They need our prayers for physical and...
        ( MORE in our June Issue )
• SMILES AND TEARS: One of the services God enables the Seafarers' Center to provide is communication with loved ones, most often on the other side of the world. Much of their time with us is spent on the phone, e-mailing or talking with them while seeing them via the computer. One thing I have noticed is that MOST of the seafarers have smiles on their faces when they are communicating with...
        ( MORE in our June Issue )
• “A HOLIDAY FOR THE EYE”: This past week the “Mol Discovery” was in Port at the Washington United Terminal. One of its staff, Vitas Marinko, from Split, Croatia visited the Center on Wednesday. He is an OBM Fitter on the ship. More importantly, he is a master oil painter in his country when he’s home. Recently, I have been taking classes at Pierce College: they include pencil drawing, figure drawing, and for the last two semesters-oil painting. I volunteer at the Center on Wednesday, and in the evening I take an oil painting class. On this particular Wednesday, Vitas came into the Center and asked...
        ( MORE in our June Issue )
• THE LADIES OF TAIWAN: In the Port of Tacoma we have had the privilege to meet female seafarers from Taiwan. Some of the ladies have been cadets and then upon graduation at their Maritime University, they found jobs on land. However, some ladies have continued on with the life of the sea as...
        ( MORE in our June Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 80
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 74
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 731
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK: I would like to thank all of our donors for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers during the many years, and especially during these economic trying times. The continued financial support you have committed to this awesome ministry of our Lord is spiritually uplifting to me. I know times are pretty tough for many, yet you, our loyal supporters have not forgotten just how vital your financial giving is to keep us going forward in spreading the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to the many seafarers who visit our ports. The ability to keep our ministry viable and...
        ( MORE in our May Issue )
• SOME GOOD NEWS!!? The Port of Tacoma officials have recently told me that at this time, the plans for having us tear down our main building has been put on hold for awhile. I have been told that we will not have to move for at least a year or two. Apparently, the economy has impacted some of the projects here in the Port of Tacoma. When I told them that if we are going to have to move eventually, I would prefer that we do it sooner rather than later so that we could make the move at a time when the weather would be nicer. The response was that the monies that were going to be used to help us move were...
        ( MORE in our May Issue )
• WHO WE SERVE: It is right and helpful in whatever we do, to do it as unto the Lord, "even to the least of these." Last night, my husband, Herb, and I were reminded that, many times, God also shows us the nobility of those we serve at the Seafarers' Center. The Chatham Island was in Port. We were able to talk with Romeo from the Philippines. He has been a seafarer for eighteen years. His ship had been delayed yesterday morning from leaving for the 17-day trip to China because of fog and he said he was hoping they could leave this morning. I imagined some parts of the trip to be pleasant enough to...
        ( MORE in our May Issue )
• PAUL’S ASIA TRIP: I had the privilege to meet with not one but two discipleship ministries in the Philippines; one in Manila and one in Olongapo. In Manila, the staff holds a nightly Bible Study with singing from 6 pm to 7 pm. Then on Sundays they have a worship service. When I was there on Tuesday night, about 25 came for worship, fellowship and afterwards food. They also train seafarers on how to hold Bible Study Fellowships on board ships. They have training four times per year. In Olongapo, the Sailors’ Lifeline has an established network of churches throughout...
        ( MORE in our May Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 78
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 77
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 674
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• WE WERE ALL SEEING DOUBLE ON A MONDAY NIGHT: It was early evening on a recent Monday. A group of approximately eight Seafarers from one of the Hyndai ships had walked over to the Center carrying backpacks which held their laptop computers. As they opened the front door, they greeted us with a smile, hung up their coats and began to line up their computers on both sides of the long table. We love to glance over occasionally to appreciate the contentment on their faces as they communicate with their wives and children. Sometimes they invite us to come over to see the pictures on the screen of their families. This group was made up of some Filipinos and two Ukrainians. After some time had passed, Paul had picked up some crew from another ship and brought them...
        ( MORE in our April Issue )
• TIC TAC TOE THREE IN A ROW: A Chinese Captain claimed to be a Christian. He has been to the Gulf Coast and met Christian Chaplains who helped encourage him. On this ship no crew had visas to come ashore; not even the Captain. But, the Captain was hungry for fellowship. The Captain kept asking if there were any local Chinese speaking Christians who could come aboard and visit. Three days in a row the Captain was blessed by believers who could speak his language. The first day, a Chinese speaking Korean who used to live in China came to visit the Captain and...
        ( MORE in our April Issue )
• ALL THIS AFTER CLOSING TIME, BUT VERY IMPORTANT: Last Saturday we were quite busy at the Center as there were Seafarers from three different ships in at one time. Some went shopping, some phoned home, and some were on computers. Those from the Akisha Bridge ship had been there quite a while and just as they were preparing to leave, I received a phone call from Lila Smith. Lila has a position with ITF to look after the welfare of the Seafarers in the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle and was on this same Akisha Bridge ship at the time of her call. She asked if we could send 2 cell phones over to this ship for the men to call home who were not able to leave the ship that day. Knowing that the ship was leaving Port at 3:00 AM the next morning, I explained to her that we would have no way to get the phones back to the Center. The Seafarers who were just leaving the Center told me that there would be no time to make phone calls between then and 3:00AM. But Lila insisted she must find a way to help them. Soon she called back and...
        ( MORE in our April Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 67
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 64
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 562
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• BUHAY NG MARINO: The life of the Filipino seafarer is filled with much peril; peril in facing pirates, peril in facing the perfect storm, peril from ship board accidents. On top of all this, the seafarer has to fight the hardship of a heavy heart filled with loneliness. Over 350,000 certified Filipino seafarers leave home and loved ones to sail the seven seas on ships. They are not in search for...
        ( MORE in our March Issue )
• STRANDED SEAFARERS: It has been brought to our attention that many seafarers are facing unexpected terminations in many ports around the world and in the US as well. It seems that some companies are walking away from their ships and crews in some ports, leaving the local officials to deal with abandoned ships and abandoned ships crews. The crew members in most cases are left with no money or no way to get back to their respective homelands. We have been fortunate to not have experienced this yet in the Port of Tacoma, but we are told it is inevitable to occur here. We are establishing a Stranded Seafarers' Welfare Fund at Sound Credit Union to help us deal with repatriating seafarers with their families. More information on this will be forthcoming...
        ( MORE in our March Issue )
• RELOCATION UPDATE: As I mentioned in an earlier article, we are facing a move due to Port of Tacoma expansion plans. We are faced with having our beautiful building of 30 years, being torn down. Our satellite center located at 1118 Port of Tacoma Rd. has approximately 1/2 acre adjacent on the north of our building there. We have been told by Port officials that we may build on this piece of property. However, as we have experienced at our 1225 E. Alexander site, the Port may have to, at some later date, have us relocate once again as need arises. With this in mind it has been decided that using modular buildings would be most practical because of the ease of relocating such structures. The Port has told me that we will not have any definitive plans available for approximately 60 to 90 days from now. They have seen the plans we have drawn up for...
        ( MORE in our March Issue )
• Resource Supply: Three years ago out of your generosity we were able to get a large supply of Bibles in Filipino dialects. Our supply is so low now that we may run out of Scriptures to give seafarers. We would like to make another order which would cost around $400 for several different dialects. If you can help, we and...
        ( MORE in our March Issue )
• Ministry Van: We received a large donation toward a 15-passenger van with which we can serve the seafarers. However, we are $7,000 short. The service to take seafarers shopping is very much appreciated by them. And, it is useful in our making friends with the seafarers to share with them. Thank you very much for any help toward this project...
        ( MORE in our March Issue )
• Prayer for Paul Peterson: Paul will be going to the Philippines and Taiwan in March. He hopes to meet several seafarers and their families and visit seafarer ministry personnel in those countries. Please pray for the trip and a safe return...
        ( MORE in our March Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 74
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 74
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 511
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• THANK YOU: I would like to thank all of our supporters, individuals, churches and organizations that supplied the many Christmas boxes for the seafarers. They truly loved them and were so very grateful. We gave out nearly 1500 Christmas boxes this past year. The love you showed in your generosity truly made a huge impact on...
        ( MORE in our February Issue )
• LORD, LAY SOME SOUL UPON MY HEART: That Soul last Saturday afternoon was that of a Seafarer from Greece. He was a gentleman perhaps in his mid fifties. He sat alone at the table after Paul took his shipmates shopping. His countenance was most likely the evidence of a heavy heart. I walked over and sat across the table from him and asked where he was from and about his family. He then told me he had recently...
        ( MORE in our February Issue )
• WAS PLEASED: When I observed a Seafarer from the Ukraine carefully using the camera on his cell phone to take a picture of our own picture hanging above the resource desk showing Jesus protecting the young man steering the ship in the wild ocean waves. He loved that picture. I then handed out a small picture of the same to him and his friends who were...
        ( MORE in our February Issue )
• TROUBLE TAKES TWO TO CHINESE CHURCH: Each Saturday seafarers are invited to go to a local church on Sunday. However, due to sailing schedules and work schedules there has been a long dry spell in being able to take anyone. One recent Saturday while waiting for eight (8) Chinese to finish shopping, two (2) local Chinese Christians walked by the van. They came over and...
        ( MORE in our February Issue )
• A KIND GIFT FOR VIVIAN: Our Lord blest my wife Barbara and I with a healthy Granddaughter, born to our daughter-in-law Amy and son Ryan on New Year=s Eve 2008. This is not the first and we now have two Granddaughter=s and one Grandson. Being a proud Grandfather, I had pictures of Vivian Elizabeth with me during my volunteer hours on...
        ( MORE in our February Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 79
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 75
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 733
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:

• WE’RE SORRY, YOU’RE TOO EARLY: Early in November, it was my day to work at the Center. I was driving on the Port of Tacoma Road, when I noticed a large man caring a duffle bag and a knap sack. A bit unusual! If I had the Center’s vehicle I would have stopped and asked if he needed a ride or assistance. At the Center, I had two early pick-ups. When I arrived at the Tacoma Mall with the first pickup, my cell phone rang, it was Paul asking me to stop on my way back and pick up a man to be driven to the Fish Dock. When I arrived, to my astonishment it was the man I had seen 45 minutes earlier. He had walked the length of Port of Tacoma plus the distance from the Tacoma bus depot to Fife. He was carrying a total of over...
        ( MORE in our January Issue )
• A TIME TO REMEMBER: In the January 2008 issue of the Mooring Lines, we published a letter from the Master and Crew of the M/V Eurasian Chariot extending their Yuletide greetings to us and thanking the Center for the Christmas boxes provided to them. On December 12, 2008, the M/V Eurasian Chariot was back in Tacoma and I had the privilege of visiting the ship and taking Christmas boxes to members of the crew. The Master was the former Captain of the M/V Valencia Bridge and it was a pleasure to see him back in Tacoma. The crew had decorated their Christmas tree and...
        ( MORE in our January Issue )
• TEAM TRAVELS THREE THOUSAND MILES: To visit three ships, to bring three treasures: love, joy and compassion to lonely seafarers in need of love, joy and compassion. The “Dove” team from Virginia sang songs with motions and the seafarers joined in the praise. The team came to be a blessing to the seafarers and they were a blessing with their listening ears and hearts. Also, they came to the ships with Christmas gifts wrapped locally and...
        ( MORE in our January Issue )
• SHIPS IN PORT: 79
  
• NO. OF VISITS: 75
  
• SEAFARERS RECEIVING MINISTRY: 784
• Bible and "Jesus" Video Distribution Update
• Waterfront Statistics
• Meeting Schedules