Dear prayer partners,
I was going to make the previous update the last one before returning to the UK, but these past few days have been blessed with some special opportunities for personal witness and prayer. We have had well over 100 crew visiting the mission daily on a number of recent occasions, and a total of 6000 during the cruise ship season to date since March- April.
Here then are some contacts made during the past week, all of which we praise the Lord for His guiding and discernment, as a result of your prayers.
21 July
Jose Velascofrom the Philippines asked for a New Testament orBible in his language Tagalog. Spoke very little English so it wasdifficult to witness but inscribed some verses for him to read.
Danielfrom Mauritius is a singer on the Horizon cruise ship. Hespeaks French and accepted some literature and a CD message.
Met againPastor José Martinezfrom Honduras who leads theBible study and prayer meetings on the cruise ship Horizon.He also keeps in contact with the other cruise ship study groupsvia Facebook such as the Monarch who have 70 believers meeting for prayer and Bible study.The Christian seafarers in his group wear tee shirts that say in Spanish: "Group of Christian seafarers, sailing the Oceans witnessing for Christ."
James da Cunhathe Indian believer who lost his father recentlywas again visiting the Mission and we had an opportunity to sharesome time of fellowship together. We continue to pray for himand his family and that he will be given the help he needs at thissad time.
25 July
Had a great witness with a young man from the Philippines calledMarvin Candia,he came from a ship, Viking Star that offers freeInternet to the crew, but does not have any Christian literatureso we were able to offer him a Tagalog New Testament and aDaily Reading, also prayed with him and shared some Scripture. On leaving he said; God must have led me here today.Pray for Marvin.
26 July
Prayed and shared a time of study withElwin Matafrom Honduras, he had completed a Bible Study course which we offered him on an earlier visit and wanted it checked. He asked how he could be sure of his salvation and it was a joy to share some scriptures and pray with him for assurance of his acceptance of God's forgiveness. We exchanged email addresses and will keep in contact.Pray for Elwin. Cruise ship Albatros.
27 July
Another really busy day with 3 ships in port, over 170 crew visitingthe Mission from 18 different nationalities. Had some good witnessopportunities and fellowship with believers and others.
A young man from the Philippines was given a New Testament inscribed with verses from John's Gospel, and encouraged to read the whole Gospel.
Arausfrom Indonesia accepted a "Letter for You" booklet, also 3other crew from that country, including a young girl,Megrattiwho took a booklet called "Heaven or Hell" and we shared a fewwords about it.
Two young believers want to start a Bible study and prayer groupon board the Mein Schiff 5 cruise ship. Roeli and I prayed with Arienneand her friendSharonfrom the Philippines and offeredthem some study materials for the start of their new venture.
Some of the 70 believers from the Monarch cruise ship mentioned pastor Martinezfrom their sister ship Horizon which had visited the Mission on the 21st July when we shared fellowship with him.
So you see brothers and sisters, God has used this precious time for His glory, and we pray that the work of His Holy Spirit will continue work in the lives of all those who were challenged by what they heard, and continue to read in the literature offered to them.
Looking forward to meeting up with some of you over the coming weekend.
Until then,
Every blessing,
In His love,
Paul.