| Maritime Christian Ministries |
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PRAYER MEETING 8TH May 2008
Dear Friends I must appologise for the lack of news for prayer of late, but we do thank those who have taken time to phone us in the meanwhile to see how things are going. Presently I am still doing the office work and writing to seamen to encourage them and as it has been throughout our ministry, it has often been a “One way Traffic” from us to them with none or very few letters coming back. I would ask that you make this a matter for much prayer so we can encourage them and help to build them up in the Lord. How good it is to hear from a number of contacts which I have been able to follow up not just by letter but through SKYPE a telephone service on satalite and speand a few minutes talking with them. Many of the men are serving the Lord from within their local churches, this is most encouageing to me to witness their desire to serve the Lord; John in his Epistle says “I have no greater joy than to see me children walking in truth” this of course is a delight to us in this work, as often many of them never come back to port here. Just a week ago I received an email from India from the son of Mathew Cherian who lives in Kerala telling us that Mathew had had a stroke and has two blood clots. They asked for prayer as he ws in hospital and starting to respond to the treatment but neds lots of rest. It was my great joy to point Mathew to Christ back in 1961 while he was on his ship here in Liverpool. At the time he was a great help while in port, coming with us ship visiting as he spoke seven languages and God used him to share the message of the gospel to those Indian crews on other vessels. I received a message from his son on Tuesday to say that Mathew was going back home on the 6th. Later thatday I telephoned to see how he was and wa so delighted to hear him at the other end of the line to thank all who had been upholding him in much prayer. There is still a long way to go yet so pleasse do pray for him and the family. Benny Wong in Indonesia continues to send me emails and of his love to share Christ with so many folk there. Please do pray for Benny that God shall grant him wisdom and keep him safe as he witnesses. Stan Smith in South Africa is now learning to walk once again with crutches but as he said it is hard going learning to keep your balance. Stan had a leg removed a few months back due to DV on a flight back home from New Zealand. For many years Stan witnessed on the ships in Durban and we have known each other for a long time. Mario Albay (Philippines) is now back at home and in an email he said he had come back to be at his daughters graduation in nursing. He now awaits another ship and has requested prayer that God shall use him on board when he joins another vessel. Bill Maxey (USA) is still very busy in Savannah GA as shipping has increased and he needs our prayers for guidance and safety on the ships. Pray also for Dave here and those who go down to the docks with him in Liverpool. Pray that God shall give them words to point men to Christ and have a harvest of souls. Willy & Milou Deseke in Antwerp, Belgium: also need a lot of prayer. Willy finds it hard to hear anyone on the phone. He does get out shopping gets very tired of a day. Milou continues with her Dialysis at the hospital and she is still cheerful regardless. Willy, like myself, misses out speaking to the seamen on board the ships Please do pray for those who are involved with us both in the team and the Committee, praying for wisdom in all the affairs of the work. Please pray that we can still get ladies who will be willing to knit for the seamen the hats and chest warmers. Sadly these days many younger women do not knit but these little gifts do quite often open up conversations. We do thank you all for your prayers as you uphold the ministry and ourselves before the Throne of Grace. |
