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.