David & Isobel Thomson [david.thomson@scfs.org]
Looking back over the 38 years since I knelt alone in my bedroom and prayed simply thanking the Lord Jesus Christ for dying for me on the cross and asking him to come in and take over my life, I can now see that he did that in a remarkable way. Soon after, I met Isobel who has been my wife for 35 years. Each chapter in our lives was preparing us for the work we are now doing.
Even before we were married, we joined a group of Christians who like us were in their twenties and had been given a deep concern particularly for teenagers growing up in Glasgow, Scotland. We met them in small cafes all over the city, to listen to their plight and share with them the good news, that there is hope, because the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead and is alive. It was very exciting for us to see them listen to that, possibly for the first time and seriously consider what God in his love had done for them. At that time I was working as an electrical draughtsman in a shipyard, drawing plans to help build the famous passenger ship "Queen Elizabeth 2".
After living for a short time in Southampton, on the south coast of England, we moved again to take over shops in the north east of Scotland, in Banff and Insch. I had always wanted to have my own business, but God seemed to challenge me when I read Matthew 6:33 "Seek first his kingdom .." I realised I was building our kingdom and not God's. I had achieved my ambition to have my business, but Isobel and I badly missed the excitement we had known when we believe God worked through us when we spoke to those teenagers in Glasgow.
Although our daughter Elaine was then four years old, Isobel and I both went to Bible College full time. One day while waiting to go for a lecture, I casually read in a Christian paper there was work in Southampton, something to do with ships! Although Isobel and I thought it unlikely that we would return to Southampton and become involved with ships again, we prayed about it.
In 1976 we joined the SCFS and started work Port Missionary in Southampton, where of course I often visited the Queen Elizabeth 2. I even met regularly with a Christian sailor who was the maintenance electrician for cabins I had worked on as a draughtsman. Over the next 28 years I visited ships, bringing many sailors from several countries to our home to enjoy Isobel's hospitality, which God used to break down barriers and open their hearts to the Lord as we studied the Bible together. As ships spent less time in port, Bible correspondence courses became a vital tool, to continue teaching sailors after the ship had sailed. Over the years I accumulated lots of notes on my computer, I had written to explain the answers more fully than is possible in the short time a ship is in port.
When I became responsible for communicating with all the sailors on our database, I offered them and their wives Bible Study correspondence courses. I was so glad God had led me to store all those notes, as the follow up side of the ministry increased. When it became clear that it was not possible for me to continue visiting ships and cope with the correspondence from sailors, it was decided that we should move away from the port, so that I could devote all my time to following up all the best contacts made by my colleagues in busy ports in Europe.
In 2004 we moved back up to Scotland, near to where we were born and where we both still have elderly parents who now appreciate the care we can give them. We now live on the edge of the town of Paisley, which is west of Glasgow the largest city in Scotland. A twenty minute drive further west through Renfrewshire farmland and small towns and villages brings us to the coast. Driving north, a bridge over the River Clyde leads very quickly to the famous Loch Lomond and Trossachs, which was always a favourite area of mine when I lived near here forty years ago.
In my new role as Pastor of the SCFS Christian Fellowship a few months, I get a thrill when without even leaving the house letters and e-mails from sailors and colleagues give me the opportunities I always longed for, to teach people, often from countries where there is no freedom to teach the Bible, but who are hungry for the Word of God. I no longer need to worry about the ship sailing later the same day. Marking Bible correspondence courses and letters with Christian counselling not only to men at sea, but also to their wives at home, is simply the work God has given by his grace and I believe prepared Isobel and me to do. Isobel helps me write to sailors wives and with office administration.
Recently a Christian sailor from India I have known for several years sent an e-mail direct from the ship, with news of his family, requesting prayer for them and himself as the only known believer on board. Faithful prayer partners eager to receive such prayer requests in our newsletter and by e-mail were informed. At Christmas the captain of the ship had my friend read to everyone on board, the Christmas message I had sent to the ship by e-mail and also my Pastor's Letter. This is a circular letter I mail three times per year to hundreds of sailors at sea and their wives, containing lots of Bible teaching and encouragement for Christian seafarers. Some individuals find it easier initially to respond in letter to me. Sometimes by email I assist the leader of a Bible study group on board ship. Please get in touch for more information.
David & Isobel Thomson.