John Barnard Writes…
The large vessel was waiting to discharge its cargo. All the crew were Filipino. I laid out Bibles, tracts and hats on a table. I was told by many of the crew as they came in that they have Bible study and prayer meetings on Sundays, led by a seaman named Robin. I could not wait to meet Robin. He must have been the last one to arrive; it was good to meet him. Robin could only stay for a few minutes because of his work. He said he would return later.
While I waited, I started to share with the rest of the crew, giving some the Jesus DVD. One man put it on to play in their language, on the TV in the mess room. I don't think I have seen a reaction like this before! As the crew came in for their lunch, they just sat and watched; there was no talking. No one seemed to want to leave, even when their food was finished.
Robin came back smiling and said, "We had our meeting last Sunday. I made an appeal and many accepted Jesus as their Saviour".
Now I understood the reaction.
When it was time for me to leave, Robin stopped me, asking, "Please will you pray for me?" He told me that in the six months of his contract he had no Christian fellowship from the outside world. It is so sad that there are still so many ports in the world that do not have a Christian missionary or chaplain. We prayed and cried; we were both so blessed.
The next day was the SCFS day of prayer. I joined my son Nathan at his church, which is situated looking out to sea, where the ships at anchor can be seen waiting to come into the port of Immingham. It was an ideal place to pray. It was a blessed time bringing everything to God in prayer – our family, the SCFS and all the seamen. Looking at my son I knew the best way to finish this time of prayer – we decided we would go and visit a ship and a "pastor" called Robin. What a wonderful day of prayer we had, Robin was encouraged to carry on the work God had given him, and Nathan and I were doubly encouraged.