One verse that was on the calendars given out to the seafarers over Christmas is found in 1 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 5. It reads, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
This was the theme of many of my conversations with crew members. On one ship, I was with the Captain, the Chief Officer and the Chief Engineer for over three hours. On another occasion while I only saw the Chief Officer, I was with him for over 2 hours. These have been wonderful opportunities to talk about the true meaning of being a Christian. On another ship the cook, from Romania, had me engrossed in conversation with him for over one and a half hours.
I must point out that these are the exception and very welcome, yet they place a lot of pressure on the missionary to think of appropriate responses and not to leave them with pat answers.
One Comment
For many years Walter Burrell of Cork has been visiting our Church with his slide shows of the work of the SCFS in Cobh. Walter’s enthusiasm for God’s work among the ships’ crews which arrive in Cobh and his profound delight in and love for God is truly encouraging and humbling. Sadly because Mary, his wife, is no longer able to be at home because of ill-health, and also because Walter himself has retired from the work, Walter was not able to come this year, but I still have some of his literature before me and it is as if I can still hear Walter speak and see the ships he visited. So I surfed the web to see if I could find any more info on the SCFS and thank you for further insights into this work and cause for praise and thankfulness to God for his great love and power in saving sinners and comforting lonely seamen.