June 6, 2013

Once again, it's been a long time since an entry was recorded.  However, Chim, Samson and Ron have all been busy working for the seafarers' ministry.  At the moment, Chim is once again out of state but Ron Nelson, Samson Chauhan and Terri Wall represented LMM at the Synod Conference late last month.  They were able to man a table for visitors that came by to visit during breaks.

We continue to visit ships, take wifi to the crews, provide rides for shopping, doctors, family visits and touring when possible.  The following is a photo taken a San Juan Capistrano with seafarers.  It's only 1 hour away and gives the men and their families a different look at Southern California.

Memorial Service on board the Stuttgart Express

     Yesterday Chim and Samson were able to lead a memorial ceremony on board a vessel that had passed thru the Panama Canal earlier on its voyage to Long Beach.   On board the ship there was an Ordinary Seaman (seafarer’ classification) named Robert who complained of a severe headache and high fever. Six days ago, while still at sea, he went to bed with a fever and never woke up again.  Robert was a 43-year-old man from the Philippines and he was both a husband and the father of 2 children.  The authorities took the body off the vessel in Tacoma, WA, prior to the ship arriving here. The Captain requested Chim to perform the service and also to pray in the room where Robert died.  Chim and Samson were glad to do this together as it gave them a great opportunity to offer spiritual comfort to the members of the ship’s staff.  At the service Chim invited the crew to speak of their experiences with Robert. That seemingly small gesture gave opportunity for emotional relief to the men on board and brought some closure to many.  It was later reveled that Robert had died of Yellow Fever!  

     As you may know, Yellow Fever is a serious and potentially deadly disease that is spread by infected mosquitoes and not person-to-person.  The disease usually is demonstrated by flu-like symptoms.  The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that as many as 20 to 50 percent of serious cases result in death.  The disease is mostly found around Africa and South America.  (Chim and Fay received the vaccine for Yellow Fever when they travelled to Africa early this year.)  The disease is preventable but, unfortunately, not curable.  Treatment is for relief of symptoms only.  The signs come on quickly—usually between 3 to 6 days after an infected mosquito bite.  It often starts with headache, muscle and joint pains and fever such as Robert experienced.  The "acute" stage lasts only about 3-4 days and then the symptoms go away.  The person frequently feels better then (and many people fully recover at this point), however, the disease may really just be in "remission" and get much worse within 24 hours, like  Robert.  The final stage of this "toxic" phase can turn deadly very quickly.   Heart rhythm problems, liver failure, kidney failure, delirium, and seizures are what often prove fatal, as in Robert's case.  

     Chim and Samson were able to offer consolation that touched the crew deeply.  The solace presented in II Corinthians 1:3-4, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (KJV) was received by many.  Please join us in praying for Robert’s family and friends as they grieve his passing.

December 2012

     We greet you with the hope that the peace and joy of worshiping our Savior is with you and your loved ones during this wonderful season as we celebrate our Lord's birth.  Chaplain Chim is hard at work once again in the ports of Long Beach/Los Angeles.  He labors along with Samson Chauhan by visiting many vessels each week offering prayers, Christian services and social services as needed.

     Last Saturday we had 6 crew members from two separate ship at our home for a home cooked Indian meal.  Our visitors enjoyed the food and were surprised by our "American" hospitality.  Later in the week we had the pleasure of celebrating the birthday of Angie Nelson, LMM board president's Ron Nelson's wife, with a Mexican meal followed by a wonderful game or two of Mexican Train Dominos. It was a very nice time for us but Chim had to leave early to collect some seafarers' from their shopping trip in Lakewood.
     We would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who support LMM by sharing your interest in this organization and with your prayers and financial funding.  Our next LMM board meeting is scheduled for January 4, 2012, at 10:00am and you are cordially invited to attend.  It will be held in our home, Lord willing, at 3901 Maine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806.  We offer light refreshments at all our meetings and we'd love to see you.

Hallelujah!  We invited a friend (who helped us set up this blog years ago) to come again and help us set things in motion on our blog again and he came today and fixed the problems we were having!  He was able to re-establish the connection with our blog and now we can post again!  We are so sorry it took so long and look forward to making entries more often now!  Thank you for your continued interest in LMM during this time!

Chaplain Chim recently had to go into hospital for an angiogram and electrophysiology study due to experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath. The results of all the tests was basically "negative" without a diagnosis being made other than Cardiac Artery Disease. The doctors inserted a "loop- recorder" into his chest wall to monitor for future events, and unfortunately, he is not allowed to drive until he proves he's been healed (6 months without an episode) or having another one and catching it on the loop-recorder so it can be fixed! (They are fearful that he might black-out while driving.) That means a lot more doctors' appointments!

So, once again, as we get back to life in a new "normal" way, we would appreciate your prayers and are thankful for your love towards us. A few people have stepped up to help Chim in assisting the seafarers so he is still able to go on board ships and maintain relationships he has cultivated so carefully. President of the Board of Directors, Ron Nelson, has been extremely helpful. He has devoted his time unselfishly to helping Chim carry on the ministry.  Also, Bob Guthmiller from Torrance First Lutheran, unselfishly given of his time to help drive seafarers during this time and words can not express our gratitude to he and Ron.

In September, the International Seafarers' Center held their annual fundraiser. For the third year LMM purchased 2 tables and were happy to have many guests from various Lutheran churches that enjoyed the evening. There were tug boat races, a parade of various ships and fireships displays, followed by Chim opening the dinner presentation with prayer. A good time was had by all our guests and we trust significant funds were raised for the good of the seafarers.

Open House at ISC & service on ship

Sunday, August 21, found the LMM board members and several guests at the International Seafarers' Center for our annual Open House. ISC manager Pat Petite was interviewed and those guests that were interested went on a van tour of the port. Thank you for your faithful support.

Attached is a photo of a service on board the Bangkok Bridge which Chaplain Chim did with the Korean Pastor Lee. These two men of God enjoy joining together to conduct services and find strength to encourage one another in prayer and fellowship.

Service on ship

Capt. Clifford, crew & Ron Nelson

Captain Ramesh and family

Better late than never?

So sorry for the long delay in updating our blog! We were in New Mexico again for family business from November until early March. Ron Nelson, president of LMM, graciously filled in for Chaplain Chim during our absence. Once we return to Long Beach, Chim jumped back full time into serving seafarers.

There are lists of ships that Chim has visited since our return and we have taken lots of photos of different mariners that have enjoyed the hospitality of our home. On average, Chim brings guys two or three times a week...usually for a meal following their visit to Disneyland or some other attraction. Of course, there are snacks and refreshment when they come to use our computer. Actually, this doesn't happen as frequently as it use to because most seafarers have their own computers on board ship now. However, Chim does provide a device that enables them to use it more readily when in port.

Last week Chim and Ron Nelson attended the NAMMA conference for chaplains in Oakland. This year their attendance was sponsored by NAMMA who provided funds for the trip and hotel room. They both had a good time and enjoyed networking with others that serve seafarers and their families. The theme was "Caring for the caregivers" and was a very welcome one for all the chaplains as they all tend to work too hard and neglect themselves in the process! I believe they benefited from the whole experience and came home refreshed but tired.

Once again LMM will be having an Open House at the International Seafarers' (ISC) on Sunday, August 21st, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm. All are welcome and there will be light refreshments provided following a short presentation and interview. Please come and join us and bring your friends. It is so encouraging to us to meet people who support this ministry. We often feel alone and forgotten in serving so many with so few resources! Your encouragement helps so much.

The eleventh annual "Great Tug Boat Race" this year honoring the port of Long Beach on its 100th anniversary, and benefitting the ISC, takes place on September 8th. Chim will be purchasing tables that hold 10 guests so if you'd like to join us we'd like to invite you to come for a fun evening that supports a very good cause. Please send us an email or call our phone number listed on this blog.

November 2010

Christmas is just around the corner! Chaplain Chim has already collected many Christmas shoe boxes for the seafarers from faithful supporters' like Mrs. Nita Blocker from the Lutheran Church of the Master in La Mirada. She and her church ladies put together nearly 200 boxes this year. Most of these ladies are doing this work year by year and they are amazing to behold! Many of them are in their 80s! Thank you, Ladies, for demostrating faithfulness in this task for the Lord. The seafarers' so look forward to receiving your gifts. And for all that make the watch caps...a special thank you to you especially on those cold, wind nights when our mariners are at sea.

2010 Summer Flew By!

Fall is officially here and where did the summer go? Following a successful Open House at the International Seafarers' Center, Chaplain Chim has been busy with mariners nearly everyday he's been in Long Beach. He has a rather regular set of ships he visits but he's open to others as the need arises. His availability to seafarers' has spread by word of mouth and more and more ships crews are emailing to let us know in advance when they are arriving and to invite Chim on board along with other visitors. Ron Nelson, President of the LMM, has been able to accompany him and serve on vessels over the summer too. Imagine climbing those gangway stairs several times a day! On July 25th, Chim and his wife, Fay, once again spoke at both services in the lovely renewed and refreshed Lutheran Church of Our Savior in San Bernardino. It was a pleasure to see our friends at this faithful church again. This year they surprised LMM with a wonderfully generous donation. As is their tradition they also gave more than 70 wrapped gift boxes to be used later during the Christmas season.

On August 29th, Chim and Fay had the opportunity to speak after service at Christ Lutheran on Sterns in Long Beach and present a PowerPoint presentation of the work of LMM and responsibilities that Chaplain Chim has taken on. Members of the congregation gave supplies for making shoe box gifts including handmade "watch caps" which are always deeply appreciated by the seafarers in the winter months. A sweet surprise was a brief visit to Southern California by former Chaplian Virginia Sharma. We had a great time visiting and remembering old times together. She came to renew friendships and attend the fundraiser on the Queen Mary for the International Seafarers' Center held on September 16th. We had 2 tables available for our guests at this event and if you are interested in attending next year, please let us know. We had supporters from Gloria Dia, Christ Lutheran, Downey Lutheran Church and First Lutheran in Torrance this year. Other guests at our tables included Father Henry from the Catholic Church and a couple, Brian and Maura, from Fountain of Life Church in Long Beach. While on board the Queen Mary we enjoyed a fireboat water display, a race between the Habor patrol and the Police department and a tug boat race.

We continue to seek people interested in volunteering for service at LMM either on the Board of Directors or in any other capacity that the Lord lays on your heart. Nancy Kahakauwila from Gloria Dia has shown an interest in LMM and has attended a borad meeting with pleasure.

There have been many deep and meaningful conversations between Chim and some of the seafarers. Please see photos attached and remember us in prayers as we continue to seek to serve Him.

Sunday, June 27, 2010 BBQ

This coming Sunday (June 27th) LMM is hosting a BBQ/Open House at the International Seafarers' Center at 120 Pico Avenue, Long Beach. Food will be served from noon until about 1:30pm and then a short program is planned with Pastor Jared Carson from First Trinity Lutheran Church as the chief speaker scheduled. Following that there will be guided tours of the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Hope you can plan to attend. Call if any help is needed. Our phone is 562-424-8798. Looking forward to seeing you!

Visit with Sister Virginia Sharma

In June 2009, Chim and Fay were able to visit with Sister Virginia Sharma in her Texas home after attending the NAMMAC conference in Houston. This year the conference is in Vancouver, Washington on August 9-12, 2010. It is undecided whether Chim will go this year. The conference theme is 2010 - The Year of the Seafarer. In the meantime, Fay has spent a beautiful week with Virginia attending a Tres Dias weekend and enjoying Virginia's family.
Chim has once again had to attend to family business issues in New Mexico but Fay has tried to meet the seafarers' needs as they became known. In April Fay had the pleasure of visiting the MOL Proficiency and our long time friend, Captain Nishant. He visited our home and Fay and our son, Denish, had a lovely time with him sharing the Gospel when appropriate in the conversation. We continue to answer e-mails and phone calls even though we are not at the port at this time. In fact, the APL Tennessee is coming in on Wednesday just as Fay arrives and will be there for them. On the May 15th the APL Colorado comes into port with Captain Ramesh Rai and his family and Chim plans to be there for them. Because the children are on school holiday they will be able to see Disneyland, Universal Studios and other "touristy" things. I am sure the Captain and some of the crew will visit our home for dinner during they stay as well!

Once again this year, the Internation Seafarers' Center is holding a fundraiser on the Queen Mary in September. Anyone interested in attending please let us know at cmandalia@msn.com

February happenings

This has been a very busy month for Chim and the ministry. From the APL England, we reconnected with the chief cook, Ramchandra (a Hindu convert) and the mess man, Melvin. They came to our home for dinner, fellowship and prayer. We shared the Goospel with mel. He shed many tears of repentance and he prayed the sinner's prayer. (The same day he met with Jac-who also works with seafarers-and he prayed with him as well.) Mel committe his life to the Lord at that time. He's from Goa and has a Catholic background. Both men will be back soon on their return voyage. Ramchandra has requested prayer for his family. They have been experiencing a lot of difficulty from the rest of the family because of their conversion. In fact, his brother actually tried to set Ram's house on fire while he and his family were sleeping inside!
Captain De Mallow and his wife from MOL Paradise returned and we spend 3 days taking them shopping and around the area at their request. They were comfortagle enought with us that they shared some of their family problems and we prayed for them. They also mentioned a crew member who had been suffering chest pains while at sea and upon their arrival in port he was admitted to Long Beach Memorial hospital.
Jugdesh Rawat was on the verge of having a heart attach but a stent was successfully implanted the same day President Clint had his 2 stents done! Chim phoned Jugdesh's wife in India letting her know of his condition and gave her reassurance that he was recovering well. The ship left Jugdesh behind so Chim continued to visit him daily until his release. We invited him to come to our house during his recovery but the ship's agent required him to stay at a local hotel. Chim picked him up each morning and we had him at our home for lunch and dinner daily until he flew home to India. He later called Chim to let him know he arrived safely.

Happy New Year 2010!

Well, it's good to be back and blogging again about our seafarers! Chim is back from 3 months in New Mexico. We drove back together after my one month stay. We were engaged in family business and will need to return again, if possible, in February for a short time. However, we kept in touch by receiving calls and emails from seafarers. We were unable to recruit anyone to relieve us during our time away from home. We returned on January 8th in the evening and the next day we received a missionary couple from Guyana four days. At the same time, Chim was entertaining the staff and crew from the Long Beach Bridge and MOL Proficiency. We also had Rajvi Patik (our old partner now in San Francisco with his Russian wife Anna and their 2 little girls). He brought a new friend, Sanjay, who's also in volunteering with LMM.

This last Friday, Chim took the responsibility for conducting a memorial service for Eric Hands, a 66 years old seaman, at the International Seafarers Center. Eric stayed with us for 2 weeks a few years ago when he had his orginal surgery for his cancer. He put up a brave fight but lost the battle on Monday last. His son and brother traveled cross country to attend the service. Ron Nelson assisted Chim during the service and was a blessing to us and Alex Carpenter from our church played guitar and lead the singing. Father Henry, the Catholic priest also took part.

October Activies

It proably doesn't surprise you to learn that Chim considers evangelism of seafarers a personal thing. It is how he tries to simply and understandably communicate the Gospel to each person he comes in contact with. He tries to rely on the Holy Spirit to use his words and actions to witness to others. He listens and expresses his love and concern by showing genuine interest in the seafarers while trusting the Holy Spirit to lead him into truth while guiding his footsteps, actions and words to minister to the needs of others. As chaplain he tries to demonstrate the Cross by loving others as Christ loves us and gave Himself for us. As I John 3:16 says "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." Seafarers are often lonely people and respond to the love Chim shows in tangible ways. He provides transportation, companionship, time and energy that seems in endless supply. He has been available to help seafarers in any way he can. When strict security keeps many on board without shore passes, Chim visits them and tries to care for their needs. He prays for them, has services for them, gives them the cell phones to use and provides phone cards to call their families at home. He hands out Gospel literature, Bibles, DVDs and CDs. On October 20th Chim left for an extended time in New Mexico and the job of taking care of family business. He has postponed this trip many times because of seafarers needs. His fervent prayer involves asking the Lord to sent someone to help him care for the needs of this ministry. Please join us in this prayer and also that the work in New Mexico would be accomplished quickly so he can come back to the ministry he loves.
The Lutheran Church of the Cross in Arcadia provided an opportunity for LMM to receive 29 copies of Chinese New Testaments and Psalms from the Chinese Book Inc. This was an answer to prayer as the opportunity to speak to Chinese seafarers continues to increase. Thank you for the blessing this represents and Pastor Charlie Wang for being the connect the Lord used. On October 25th Chim was invited to speak at Lutheran Redeemer Church Leisure World in Seal Beach but since he was in New Mexico on business I took his place. I shared the mission and short vision of LMM in the Mission Moment portion of the service. It was a beautiful day and we had a wonderful time at their delicious Bratwurst Octoberfest Luncheon following the service. Another speaking opportunity is scheduled for November 8th at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Granada Hills during their Education Hour at 10:30 am. More about that next month.

Last Sunday, August 30th, we were invited on board the APL Illinois. (APL stands for American President Lines. ) Chim was ask to preach. He's done this before on this vessel. Strangely, this time, in the middle of his talk someone started asking questions about why we were trying to convince them that "God was angry and sin was bad"! He wanted to know "What is sin, anyway?" Chim gave a good calm explanation and the meeting came to an end. Turns out the man who ask the questions is into witchcraft! There were 19 men at the meeting and I was proud of how Chim demonstrated Christ's love to this man. He spent the day running around taking the crew to different locations, BestBuy, Cosco, etc. I helped out by taking the crew from another ship to do their errands.

Chim has been busy daily with seafarers. He drove one to a doctor's appointment to see a specialist in Tustin. That was a great opportunity to talk to him about spiritual things on the drive.

We've had 4-5 men from the crew of another ship here the last two nights for dinner and games. One of the seafarers gave Chim a tee shirt and me some Christmas decorations. How thoughtful! We gave them the Mexican Train Dominoes game set we'd been playing for the past 2 evenings!