Since leaving Mumbai (Bombay) on Saturday we've been to a city, Pune, about 1 1/2 hours drive from Harjeet's place. Captain Jimmy Shroff and his wife, Zendin, picked us up from Harjeet's and took us to their beautiful place in a development called Clover Highlands. We stayed with them over the weekend and then they went back to work in Bombay leaving us the keys and full use of their home! WOW! What an unexpected blessing that was. Very relaxing and calming.
The second day in Pune we went to visit the famous India Union Biblical Seminary (UBS) where many of our friends studied and received their higher education. The students were busy in classes and the Principle was occupied with other duties but he took time to greet us and sent us with a student, Marine, from Mizoran. She gave us a tour and ask us to pray for God's leading in her life as she is a fourth year student due to graduate soon. It was an honor to see the school.
The following day we took a rickshaw to see another seafarer's wife and children and deliver the goods from him to his family. The rickshaw driver told us it was about a 45 minute drive but 3 hours later we finally pulled up to their home! Turned out we went the long way around! Josephine and her sister, Jerry, insisted we have lunch (second one for us) and bless their home with prayer. Then we headed back because Captain Jimmy was coming back to Pune to take us to the rail station the next day. We had the opportunity to discuss spiritual things with Jimmy that evening. Long story short, we took an over-night train to Goa after Jimmy dropped us. C
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
First Day in Mumbai (Bombay) India
Well, we made it! Even though the flights were long and tiresome, it actually wasn't too difficult to make the journey. It took us from Sunday evening 11:10 pm (LA time) until Tuesday (India time) about 8pm. As we waited in LA for the first leg of our trip, I told Chim that it looked like there were a lot of seafarers with us as fellow travelers. We flew on China Air so most of the passengers were Asian but there were a lot of men from the Phillipines there too. A man named Raymond was seating next to Chim on the flight to Taipei. He is a supervisor from a cruise liner in Florida. Of course Chim told him about our ministry and shared the Gospel message with him. Raymond opened his heart to the Lord and prayed to accept Him as Savior. Praise the Lord! Always on duty, even on vacation!
Our good friend Harjeet met us at the airport with flowers and drove over an hour out of his way to help us deliver a suitcase to the brother of a missionary friend. (The brother will deliver it to his sister later. ) Harjeet's family had a lovely dinner waiting for us and it was a pleasure to meet them. They are a Sikh family and very religious. (Most Sikhs are Punjabi.) This family is vegetarian as well! In fact, because Harjeet doesn't eat meat, he found our home in Long Beach a place where there was always a meal that he could enjoy. Thus our long friendship was born!
Our good friend Harjeet met us at the airport with flowers and drove over an hour out of his way to help us deliver a suitcase to the brother of a missionary friend. (The brother will deliver it to his sister later. ) Harjeet's family had a lovely dinner waiting for us and it was a pleasure to meet them. They are a Sikh family and very religious. (Most Sikhs are Punjabi.) This family is vegetarian as well! In fact, because Harjeet doesn't eat meat, he found our home in Long Beach a place where there was always a meal that he could enjoy. Thus our long friendship was born!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Final Days Before Departure for India on Nov. 9th
The Lord has blessed our family greatly this month. We have a new grandchild born Friday the 24! Her name is Nina Savita and she weighted in at 7lbs 14 oz and 19 inches. Our family is blessed with her arrival and her mother's save delivery. Matteos is a proud big 3 1/2 years old brother. Dad and grandpa can hardly get those smiles off their faces!
Total of 10 ships for month of October were visited by both Chim and Hearen. We had a service and communion on the APL Spain at the Captain's request. There were about 16 crew members there. We had the opportunity to share Jesus with these men and Chim spoke about how Jesus meets the needs of people and impacts them. He used the example of the Samaritan woman at the well and shared how He gives living water from the inside out.
We continue to have men visit our home. However, it seems that we are concentrating more on visiting ships for service because of lack of drivers to bring the guys to our home. This month 7 guys came one afternoon and helps us with a family problem...they moved the new baby's furniture upstairs. We served them dessert and gave our thanks to each one.
Hearen and Chim spend some time with different crews taking them to Best Buys, Staples, Cosco and sightseeing. Usually about all they see in Long Beach is Walmart! Building relationship is still very important. Hearen is continuing to learn his way around the port. He has a heart for giving the Gospel to the mariners and never misses an opportunity to be used of the Lord.
For more than a year, checks that arrived for LMM have been taken to Sadie Marsu, a member of our board. She has stepped up to the plate and has been delivering things to and from the bank. Last week she fell and broke a couple of ribs and fingers on her right hand. Please pray for her quick recovery. Despite her injuries she continues to run around helping others! Thank you, Sadie, we don't know how you do all that you do for LMM and others!
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ms. Mary Steward, Mission Board chair at First Lutheran Church in Torrance. She has volunteered to join our board and brings many years of rich experience to the task. We are looking forward to working with her for many years.
Ron Nelson, president of LMM, has agreed to help Hearen any way he can while we are away. Already busy with his position of Stewardship Specialist with the Synod, Ron has many responsibilities that take his time and energy. Please pray for continued strength and health for him. We could still use more volunteers for this ministry. Oh, and just to keep you informed, the Long Beach International Seafarers' Center is facing deep financial difficulties. They have had to lay off people and reduce their hours of operation. As of December, they will no longer be open on Saturdays for the seafarers. However, they are still open for Christmas shoe boxes and plan to distrube to the seafarers during the holidays.
Total of 10 ships for month of October were visited by both Chim and Hearen. We had a service and communion on the APL Spain at the Captain's request. There were about 16 crew members there. We had the opportunity to share Jesus with these men and Chim spoke about how Jesus meets the needs of people and impacts them. He used the example of the Samaritan woman at the well and shared how He gives living water from the inside out.
We continue to have men visit our home. However, it seems that we are concentrating more on visiting ships for service because of lack of drivers to bring the guys to our home. This month 7 guys came one afternoon and helps us with a family problem...they moved the new baby's furniture upstairs. We served them dessert and gave our thanks to each one.
Hearen and Chim spend some time with different crews taking them to Best Buys, Staples, Cosco and sightseeing. Usually about all they see in Long Beach is Walmart! Building relationship is still very important. Hearen is continuing to learn his way around the port. He has a heart for giving the Gospel to the mariners and never misses an opportunity to be used of the Lord.
For more than a year, checks that arrived for LMM have been taken to Sadie Marsu, a member of our board. She has stepped up to the plate and has been delivering things to and from the bank. Last week she fell and broke a couple of ribs and fingers on her right hand. Please pray for her quick recovery. Despite her injuries she continues to run around helping others! Thank you, Sadie, we don't know how you do all that you do for LMM and others!
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ms. Mary Steward, Mission Board chair at First Lutheran Church in Torrance. She has volunteered to join our board and brings many years of rich experience to the task. We are looking forward to working with her for many years.
Ron Nelson, president of LMM, has agreed to help Hearen any way he can while we are away. Already busy with his position of Stewardship Specialist with the Synod, Ron has many responsibilities that take his time and energy. Please pray for continued strength and health for him. We could still use more volunteers for this ministry. Oh, and just to keep you informed, the Long Beach International Seafarers' Center is facing deep financial difficulties. They have had to lay off people and reduce their hours of operation. As of December, they will no longer be open on Saturdays for the seafarers. However, they are still open for Christmas shoe boxes and plan to distrube to the seafarers during the holidays.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Chaplain's report
Chim has been busy making the introductions with Hearen to the following ships: Hyundi Discovery, Long Beach Bridge, YM March, MOL Profiency, MOL Prosperity, Rotterdam Bridge, ALP Spain. They had a communion service on board the Spain at the Captain's request. Hearen learnt the necessary steps to clear security at each gate at the different berths and also how to log on to each ship at the gangway. He has also been driving to the different terminals learning his way around, studying roadway maps and learning how to check on when the ships arrive at each terminal.
The Bishop's dinner was a success. We enjoyed very much having the opportunity to meet supports and interested people. Hearen brought his family too and Ron Nelson had the chance to introduce them at the gathering. LMM gave away copies of the newsletter (from on line) and we meet someone interested in joining the board of directors, Mary Steward, from Torrance Lutheran. Welcome, Mary!
The Bishop's dinner was a success. We enjoyed very much having the opportunity to meet supports and interested people. Hearen brought his family too and Ron Nelson had the chance to introduce them at the gathering. LMM gave away copies of the newsletter (from on line) and we meet someone interested in joining the board of directors, Mary Steward, from Torrance Lutheran. Welcome, Mary!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Christmas boxes being made ready
Today two different Lutheran Churches called to ask about the Christmas shoe box gifts. Someone ask about a time limit for donating gifts. Because we will be in India in December this year the gifts will be given out with the help of the International Seafarers' Center. The distribution usually starts about the second week of December and goes until even after Christmas-if we have gift to give to ships that were at sea during the holiday. The International Center is located at 120 Pico Avenue, Long Beach, 90812. Telephone number is 562-432-7560. They are open Monday through Saturday from 3:00pm until 10:00. A list of items that may be included might be:
knitted sea watch caps
package of razors, can of shaving cream
other shaving items-colone, aftershave, etc.
deodorant
combs, brushes
Note pads, pens, envelopes
hard candy, gum
white socks
microwave popcorn bags
toothpaste, brushes
pack of gaming cards
fingernail clippers, nail files
or anything else small enough to fit into shoe box!
We are requesting that bars of soap not be include because even if they are wrapped, the soap gives off an odor that everything else absorbs.
Today Chim and Hearen brought home 2 seafarers and an officer's wife. They were all Indians from different states in India. I gave them creamy toasted eggplant curry, white northern bean spicy soup, chicken curry (keema) along with cabbage and carrot sambar ( cooked salad), rice, yogurt and nan. Oh, I also had made some potato & peas somosa (like Mexican espanos). I think they enjoyed the meal...I know Hearen and Chim did because they had seconds! Well, as I write this entry, Chim and Hearen are out working with the seafarers. Oh, Chim just walked in with a ship's captain. I have to make tea for them and lay out some cookies. More later.
Sunday we will be at the Bishop's dinner in Torrance and hope to see some of you there too! Please stop and say "Hi" if you spot us!
knitted sea watch caps
package of razors, can of shaving cream
other shaving items-colone, aftershave, etc.
deodorant
combs, brushes
Note pads, pens, envelopes
hard candy, gum
white socks
microwave popcorn bags
toothpaste, brushes
pack of gaming cards
fingernail clippers, nail files
or anything else small enough to fit into shoe box!
We are requesting that bars of soap not be include because even if they are wrapped, the soap gives off an odor that everything else absorbs.
Today Chim and Hearen brought home 2 seafarers and an officer's wife. They were all Indians from different states in India. I gave them creamy toasted eggplant curry, white northern bean spicy soup, chicken curry (keema) along with cabbage and carrot sambar ( cooked salad), rice, yogurt and nan. Oh, I also had made some potato & peas somosa (like Mexican espanos). I think they enjoyed the meal...I know Hearen and Chim did because they had seconds! Well, as I write this entry, Chim and Hearen are out working with the seafarers. Oh, Chim just walked in with a ship's captain. I have to make tea for them and lay out some cookies. More later.
Sunday we will be at the Bishop's dinner in Torrance and hope to see some of you there too! Please stop and say "Hi" if you spot us!
Monday, October 13, 2008
New Opportunities in October
Yes, thanks to retirement and the Lord's leading, we are traveling to India soon. Because of this we have been praying for someone to come along side and work with us. We feel the Lord has answered our prayers. Hearen Christian is a lovely, dedicated man that loves the Lord. We have known him about 5 years. He has just had time to open up to be able to work with us. He lives in Whittier but has shown determination in joining Chim several times a week to learn the ropes about seafarers. Please pray with us that Hearen is the answer to our prayers. He has a driver's test on the 16th that he needs to pass in able to use a car instead of taking the bus from Whittier to Long Beach. (He's been driving for years but not in the USA. He is from Bombay, India).
Sunday, Oct. 5th, the Long Beach Bridge was in port with Burgess, and his wife Nazneem. As you may remember from last month's newsletter, he's the chief mate and there was a new Captain we had not met before on this vessel. They invited us on board for dinner and it was a pleasure to be with them. After dinner the Captain allowed Burgess time off and he and his wife came to our home. We gave Burgess time on the computer and then we played Mexican Train Dominoes with them. The next day I arranged for Nazneem to see a local doctor in Long Beach about a personal problem she didn't want the company doctor to know about. She was relieved to find her disorder was a simple one to resolve. Chim joined them on board ship the following day for lunch. The next I spend shopping with Nazneem to her heart's content until Burgess called after lunch and we drove down to the port and he joined us for the afternoon's shopping session!
At the same time that I spent with the LB Bridge, Chim was working on a separate ship. He picked up Raj (Chief Engineer) and they had a good discussion about the Lord. They also had time to play a game of golf together! This officer was from the Yang Ming March. He liked Chim and invited us to spend time with he and his family when we travel to India next month. He also accepted some Christian testimonies on DVDs from Chim that he promised to watch and discuss next visit.
Sunday, Oct. 5th, the Long Beach Bridge was in port with Burgess, and his wife Nazneem. As you may remember from last month's newsletter, he's the chief mate and there was a new Captain we had not met before on this vessel. They invited us on board for dinner and it was a pleasure to be with them. After dinner the Captain allowed Burgess time off and he and his wife came to our home. We gave Burgess time on the computer and then we played Mexican Train Dominoes with them. The next day I arranged for Nazneem to see a local doctor in Long Beach about a personal problem she didn't want the company doctor to know about. She was relieved to find her disorder was a simple one to resolve. Chim joined them on board ship the following day for lunch. The next I spend shopping with Nazneem to her heart's content until Burgess called after lunch and we drove down to the port and he joined us for the afternoon's shopping session!
At the same time that I spent with the LB Bridge, Chim was working on a separate ship. He picked up Raj (Chief Engineer) and they had a good discussion about the Lord. They also had time to play a game of golf together! This officer was from the Yang Ming March. He liked Chim and invited us to spend time with he and his family when we travel to India next month. He also accepted some Christian testimonies on DVDs from Chim that he promised to watch and discuss next visit.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Late September News-Planning for India
Ministry continues on the MOL Partner and the Yang Ming (YM) Great. Chim continues with the help of the Lord to serve the men's needs and provides as the opportunities come. Eight crew members attended a service Chim had on board the YM Great. The 3rd officers assisted in the service. The men feel very comfortable with him. Enough so that they particated with Chim in the Believer Confession of Faith and again heard the Gospel message.
The LMM board met this month and discussed the need for additional board members and some help for Chim. Chim and I are planning an extensive journey to India where we will be visiting various crew members that have sign up in our address book. Many of these guys have become like members of our family. Please pray with us that the Lord will provide help and a co-worker that could continue with the minstry while we are away.
The LMM board met this month and discussed the need for additional board members and some help for Chim. Chim and I are planning an extensive journey to India where we will be visiting various crew members that have sign up in our address book. Many of these guys have become like members of our family. Please pray with us that the Lord will provide help and a co-worker that could continue with the minstry while we are away.
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