MERSEY TIDINGS

Dear Friends,

Both Irene and I send to your our sincere Christian greetings, thanking you for standing with us in your prayers and support of the ministry once again.

One of those Old Testament Books which is often bi-passed is Lamentations as it sounds not very exciting to read yet for all that there are some very precious gems hidden within those five chapters.  In the third chapter we read:-

“Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lam. 3: 22 & 23) 

We sing that well known hymn “Great is Thy faithfulness” and for many people the tune and the words sound wonderful; but do we ever put them into practice in our daily walk with God and prove Him for ourselves?

As I pondered these two verses my thought go back through the years and many times we have witnessed the hand of God upon us and many times we proved that we had only Him to rely upon to provide for our daily needs.  Early in our walk with the Lord we had read the life account of George Muller and the way God provided by prayer all his needs.  This was a challenge to us and we simply took God at His Word and committed our needs to Him in faith believing that He would provide in that situation, and He never once has He let us down.  Yes God is a Faithful God and a Loving Heavenly Father and He does care for His children.

“Thank you very much” to all those ladies who continue to knit for the seamen as well as those who have contributed to the Christmas Parcels which we have been able to pass out to ships crews at that period.  Pray that many a seaman’s heart will be moved to seek the Lord through the literature which has been handed out in a number of languages.  Men from lands which we shall never be able to stand upon ourselves but we trust that men shall find there is redemption ground that they can stand upon and find forgiveness with the LORD.

Much has happened since our last issue of Mersey Tidings.  We continue to write to those at sea; as well as those who no longer sail the seas due to their retirement or the shipping companies are no longer employing men on their ships and are seeking cheaper labour if they can do so.  As well as this; world trade in a number of cases has been cut back due to the economic situation across the world.

A number of folk have asked us if I have retired from the work now due in relationship to my health condition.  The answer is a definitive No.  This is not something we have taken lightly but after a great deal of prayer in which we have sought the Lord about what He would have us do.  Is it time and should we call it a day; however the Lord has assured us in many ways we are to continue in the work and are confident that we must still to continue in the ministry which God has called us until He makes it clear to do so..  Now my work is from behind the desk; doing the office work and keeping in contact with many seamen in a number of ways through correspondence and other means.  Recently we have been looking at a new course to chart within the work so as to take it forward into the future.  I love to have a challenge to take on, many of you know this and now we have some ideas for the future of the ministry that we are called by the Lord to do.  We do ask each of you to pray with us and for us in this step of faith

Dave Robertson still continues going to the docks each week spreading the gospel and the team join him on a Sunday afternoon.  Even here they are also being restricted in access to some degree in certain areas which once was easy to get near to the ships, so it is a case of parking the car and start walking.  This is fine provided that they have taken the right literature with them or they have to retrace their steps back to the car to collect what is required in literature to hand to the crew of the ship.  That is alright if the ships stay a longer period of time, but often the ship will be ready to sail in a few hours and that limits them in their visits

For my part I still run the office work from here at home which does keep me busy.  Also by using Skype, the phone and emails plus the postal service manage to keep seamen informed and endeavouring to minister to those at sea beside those who have retired now.  So this does keep me busy for which I am most grateful to the Lord that I can still be used in this way.

POLAND

Our dear Polish friend Captain Dariusz Stefaniak called me on Skype from a ship he was on in Antwerp and he is so grateful that I keep in contact with him. He is going to fly out to China to the shipyard there for a month and a half the week before Easter.  At the moment as far as I can tell he has not yet put his trust in Christ for salvation but we continue to remember him each week in prayer.

While I was using Skype one afternoon I noticed that our Polish friend Captain Dariusz happened to be also linked in and so I called him and he was in his hotel in China where he is overseeing a repair job on one of their vessels in the shipyard for a few months.  It was wonderful that we were able to talk and see each other.  He was thrilled for the opportunity as we shared a few things together before signing off.  I just thank God for putting this technology at our finger-tips so that we can use it for good purposes.  

John The Bike 

Over the years; we have had a number of men join us in the ship visiting team and who are no longer serving in this way.  One dear brother was John Morrison who joined us in 1961.  John came to me one evening to show me some photographs which he had taken just a week or two before hand.  Then he asked if he could come and join me in the work and I asked if he had prayed about this first.  He told me that he had done this and said that the Lord had laid it on his heart.  I gladly welcomed him into the team.  Allow me to share a little of John’s testimony and service for the Lord.

 

John had been going to the docks with me for three evenings a week beside each Sunday afternoon.  Those days we only had our bicycles and carried the cases with the literature on a carrier over the rear wheel and balanced on the cross bar another case.  No matter what the weather; through sunshine, rain snow and sheet ice (we used to have much of this in those days) John would be there as faithful as ever.  It was not easy for him as he had been advised by doctors to have his leg amputated after an accident when some steel plate crushed his legs years before while working on the docks.  John said to the doctors to leave it as it was.  John had a remarkable testimony however.  He was brought up as a Roman Catholic and he later became a member of the Catholic Social Club.  One Roman Catholic priest said to him that he was trouble and more like a communist and should go and join them.  John took him at his word and joined the Liverpool Communist Party, becoming a prominent speaker.  It was one Sunday evening as he headed to the city to speak that the bus stopped outside our church.  He noticed that a number of folk were going into the church and thought that they would have been best enjoying the summer evening rather than sitting in a church.  Then he noticed the text on the church which read; “All we like sheep have gone astray…”  The bus continued into the city and John wondered who had written those words.  He thought that it was for Browning or Tennyson or some great writer.  Getting off the bus he was making his way to his meeting place and as he passed by a man speaking to a crowd he heard those words again  “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way and the Lord has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.”  John was rooted to the spot and very soon someone spoke with him and led him to put his trust in Christ alone for salvation. 

One evening we had boarded a ship belonging to the Strick Line, The crew consisted of English Officers and either Indian or Pakistani deck and engine crew.  It was a long climb up a steep gangway as the ship had unloaded so she was high out of the water.  An Indian watchman was stood at the head of the gangway and said all the crew were on board.  Making our way inside we had gone only a couple of cabins before we had an invitation to come into a cabin and speak with two men.  They kindly listened as we shared with them about the Lord Jesus Christ.  Showing him a copy of “The Way of Salvation” a Scripture Gift Mission we used greatly we were engrossed in this witness.  We had been there about half an hour when I looked up through the porthole and saw what appeared to be the shed on the quayside slowly moving.  At that point the watchman came in and told us we were sailing.  As john and I came onto the deck, one of the officers said to us “What are you doing, did you not see the “Sailing Board”? Well the man at the head of the gangway had stood in front of this and we did not see the time of departure.  The gangway which we had climbed was now up and made fast.  The Officer said “Go up to the Bosun and get him to throw the Jacob’s ladder over and get off the ship quickly”.  John had been working on Tug boats before his accident and so was used to this.  He went over the side first and managed to get upon the quayside.  I followed and found that the bow of the ship was some several feet away from the quay and the ladder was hanging in mid air.  It was a case of pushing hard with your feet on the side of the ship and swinging back and John was able to grab my coat as I had a long mackintosh on and pulled me to the quayside rather shaken; at first I thought we would not make it.  A Policeman said to us as he stood there, “I had thoughts that I may well have had to jump into the water to save you, you fellows as you leave it late, don’t you”.

That was the first time but there were other scary events that followed over the years as we worked together.  I could fill many a chapter about John and me as we witnessed together on the ships.  Later on the gangways became longer and John’s leg was starting to give him some problems and he had sadly to pull out of the team.  That was not the end of John, for he also found another way to serve the Lord, he was still riding his bike and he was now visiting many old people who were shut in not only in this area but far and wide.  His call sign was “John The Bike” Recently John was called Home for his reward, we not only miss John but many folk hold precious memories of his visits to them, however there is a Day coming when we shall be re-united with him and many who have gone before us to their eternal home.  What a great Day that shall be. John was also a very faithful prayer warrior and each time he saw me he would “Stan I pray for you everyday”. 

One thing that you could say about John was this; he was faithful and had a great deal of commitment and stamina, something that is missing these days in a number of folk, John kept going as long as he was able to do so.

PERU

It is always thrilling to hear from the seamen, many now have had to retire either through age, or shipping companies have closed their operations. 

It is always a great joy to hear from Julio Ballambrosio who lives near to Lima and from time to time he gives us a call when he is not working in the Port of Lima, which is every other week.  I am certain that life for them is far from easy as they have no help from their government.  He continues to make good progress in the Lord, always ready to witness for Christ along with his wife Margarita and they keep busy at their church.  They still have their daughter Annabella to care for who is now 26 years old and cannot walk or speak.  He will put the phone to her ear and I can say a few words to her and she tries to say something but just makes a noise joyfully.  We know a little of this problem as our eldest son David has remarried and Jackie and she has an eleven year old child son from a previous marriage who is in the same condition.

PHILIPPINES

In April we heard from our dear friend and brother Ireneo Pavia as he was just starting his leave with the family.  We were able to speak via Skype and sadly he never comes this way on his voyages as he is mainly in South America now.  He is still going on with the Lord and that is most encouraging news; It has been some years since he was able to visit and see us here; but  at least we can keep in touch with each other in prayer and by correspondence.

Sitting in church just before the morning service started one of our door stewards came to me with a Filipino seafarer who had come along to the service; and Irene and I were so pleased to see him.  Dante Pelaez is on a small Coastal vessel and is the Chief Engineer.  After the service I asked him if he had enjoyed it and he said that he had very much.  Our pastor was speaking on “What a great God we have”.  That is very true indeed but so often we forget just how great our God really is.  Dante sails between Liverpool and Dublin/Belfast and has been to church with me a few times now.  I was able to get my former colleague Billy Jones to visit him when his ship arrived in the Irish port which was a real help. One Saturday evening he called me by phone to say that he could not come the next day for the Sunday morning meeting as they were due to sail before noon.  He asked me to remember his family in prayer as he had received news that his brother at home in the Philippines had just died from a heart attack Please do pray for his widow as she has not accepted Christ as her Saviour so I have been told.  Dante has to stay with the ship for another month or so before being able to get back to the Philippines.  Over the years I have seen this happen time and again in the lives of seamen and one can only uphold them in much prayer.

 

INDIA

One day I was just about to find an address on the email, a message lit up to say that Santhosh the son of Mathew Cherian was calling me on Skype, he lives and works in Mumbai (Bombay).  I answered this quickly and found Santhosh was visiting his parents in Chengannur, Kerala State India and he told me that he was in an Internet Café and he wanted his father to come and speak with me.  I had only called Mathew at his home earlier that morning, but as he does not have a computer at home we talk by telephone.  What a great thrill to see him in person after some forty years and he saw both Irene and me which was a great delight all around.  Mathew is not keeping too well as he has heart trouble also and has to take things easy.  The Lord is so good and we trust that he shall touch Mathew as he and Mariamma his wife continue to walk with Jesus each day.  Santhosh now he is regularly making calls to us by Skype and so we are able to encourage him.  

 

 

Santhosh with his wife Suja and children Helsa and Reba.

 

PHILIPPINES

I was thrilled for an answer to my prayers concerning a dear Brother we have known for a number of years and continue to uphold in our prayers.  Reynaldo Reyes who had sent an email to say that he had arrived was home on leave for a few weeks and gave his phone number so I was able to talk with him for a short time.  Once again he is at sea and we ask for your prayers that God shall use him on his ship and also protect his family at home in the Philippines.

Still with news of those at sea from the Philippines I received an email from Gilbert Amagjuin who is currently sailing on a Container ship around the Far East and was in Haiphong, Vietnam and Singapore.  He hopes to divert to Taiwan and Hong Kong for one trip before resuming the Vietnam and Singapore route.  He is still Chief Officer and he shall sit his Master’s ticket in March or September next year. Do remember to pray for Gilbert as he is a fine Christian and it is some years since we last had him at home here but he has kept in contact still.

Noel Tacda was in touch by email and he was going to spend some time at home with the family.  We have known Noel for many years now from when he first visited us as he sailed into the port here.  The last few years I believe that he was sailing on Car transporters ships so had very little time to keep in contact but his wife was able to write from time to time. 

MALAYSIA

Captain Benny Wong still keeps us informed; once again we first met Benny when he was a Cadet on the ships that called here.  It was a few years later we had news from him and that he had become a Captain and was also running a small business at home besides doing some sailing for a company as well.  Benny is a very keen Christian Believer and witnesses to his crew besides some work at the church he attends.  He is also helping some Christians in the hinterland whose church was broken down by the Muslim Government but they kept their faith and now their has grown out of that some eight churches, he says God is awesome.  Please do pray for our brother Benny and his witness there.

CHINA

 Jerry & Lucy Wong Some years ago now I first met Jerry while he was a Cadet on board his ship and he requested a Bible which I was able to give him in his language.  Sailing for home he was pleased to give up the sea and find a job ashore.  We are always thrilled to hear from them via email and that little Irene is growing up quickly and like the majority of little children is very inquisitive and wants to look into cupboards.  During the Olympics in China they live where the sailing and rowing events took place and asked me to come and stay with them in their home and go with them to see the competition.  It was a lovely offer but one I was not able to accept, it would have been nice to just be with them and encourage them in the Lord.

USA

Speaking to Bill Maxey Savannah USA one afternoon via Skype I wanted to know how things were going there with his ministry (as it was through my visit there in the States that the work started).  Bill has asked for prayer for safety on the ships and that God shall open many doors to share Christ with the crews on the vessels which call there.  He told me that has had a number of good contacts and now is doing follow up ministry with a number of those seafarers. 

Family News

With Irene also not being in best of health over the past years we help each other with many things that require to be done both in the home and the work.

Visitors come from time to time and still Irene as always can make them feel very welcome and I am so very grateful to the Lord for His strength He supplies for her.  Irene is not a speaker but had a great gift of hospitality to everyone.  A number of the seafarers who had visited us over the years always remember Irene and her kindness to them often say; “I remember those cups of tea that she served.”  It was a few years ago now that Robert Emmanuel came to see us after thirty years and yet Irene remembered just how he had his tea and how much sugar he took.  Just amazing!

In June Irene and I drove up to Scotland for a much needed holiday at a

Caravan Park we have used over previous years.  On our way up we met up with Jim & Jennie McCallum in the little town of Moffat for a coffee.  Jim is on our MCM Committee and they were heading up to the Isle of Skye for their holiday.

It was also good to see some dear friends we have made on these visits.  During our first week both Irene and I had a week of complete rest and quietness and having those precious times with the Lord in His Word.  Then on the following Thursday our eldest daughter Ann joined us for the rest of the time travelling up by train from Sheffield.  It was good that she was able to do so after very heavy rain fell in Sheffield as she left the University for home. The following day her train had been cancelled due to flooding so she had to dash for a train to York and change again.  In all she was just an hour later than had been planned.  The weather was as usual fairly good although we did have a few showers but not a lot over three weeks there.

There is always lots of fun when Ann is about and she shared a little of the driving as well.  One day we did a long drive to Fort William as a surprise for her as she had never been that far north before. We made a circular tour coming back via Glen Coe which is always a beautiful drive and over Rannock Moor The weather that day was hot and sunny and it really made the day.  Ann was busy with her camera going many times on the journey.  Also we spent an afternoon at a Nature Reserve watching the birds and the bonus was of course viewing the Ospreys and the two chicks which we had been watching on the internet.  This was again most relaxing and rewarding.  I have no problem driving whatsoever and we just took our time to enjoy and relax at God’s wonderful creation; in fact we put over 1000+ miles on the clock on our Scottish visit in June and enjoyed every minute of it greatly.

We also had a couple of dear friends pop in to see us.  One arrived just after breakfast, our dear brother Howard Drysdale (Port Chaplain in Aberdeen) as he was on his way to Glasgow.  Later Jim McCallum phoned to invite us for lunch in Perth as they were heading back home after visiting the Isle of Skye.  Whilst there, they were able to call and see Rev Alistair Ferguson a retired minister and his wife who are very dear friends of ours who live there now after Alistair had to retire with ill heath.  We certainly miss seeing them both but we do keep in touch by phone.

Our children now all married and have families of the own are well.  Ann works at the University of Sheffield, she phones us every day to keep a check on how we are doing. She is a great help when I get into a spot of trouble with my computer, often she can solve this quickly and then I can get back to doing what I was trying to do.  Elaine our second daughter and her family as well as our second son Mark and his family live not too far away from us in Litherland.  David our first son is now living in Peterborough and keeping well with his new family and with a new post as a Health and Safety Officer with his old company.

I really want to say a big thank you to my dear Brother and fellow labourer in the Lord.  I refer to Stan Williams who has really been a dear servant of God as he will not let me go to the hospital on my own and he keeps a close eye on anything that I might want to do which involves manual work.  Stan is always there and is first to get involved.  We both can laugh together and we are able to share the work load together.  He is easy to get along with and we both appear to think alike without saying a word to each other.  So both Irene and I are most grateful for his friendship and help. 

Once again we really do value your prayer support as we continue to press ahead in this ministry.

To help keep our address list up to date, if your details have changed or you no longer wish to receive this mailing please email me at stanmcm@aol.com or telephone 0151 922 5543, or drop me a line.  We do appreciate your help very much in this matter.

Yours in Christ service

Stan & Irene Sherrington