http://ministrytoseafarers.org Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:20:00 +0000 http://snappages.com en http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2012/01/11/attention-our-god-at-work http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2012/01/11/attention-our-god-at-work Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:20:00 +0000 http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2012/01/11/attention-our-god-at-work Several days later Jason made an off-handed remark on another ship about the seafarer in the hospital. – And this is where it gets good. – It turns out the man that Jason “just happened” to be talking to “just happened” to be the cousin of the man in the hospital and back home they live a stone’s throw away from each other. How happy was the sick man, so far from home and family to see a family member walk into his hospital room. As our chaplain said, “You should have seen his face; at first shock and then absolute joy!” How good is our God!


]]> http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/12/22/the-warmest-of-thanks http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/12/22/the-warmest-of-thanks Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:07:00 +0000 http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/12/22/the-warmest-of-thanks
]]> http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/10/06/a-christmas-parcel-how-to http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/10/06/a-christmas-parcel-how-to Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:45:00 +0000 http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/10/06/a-christmas-parcel-how-to
Each year we give about 1500 parcels away to seafarers from all over the world. This is on way that we can show them the love of Christ while they are far from home and also have the opportunity to share with them the [...]]]>
Each year we give about 1500 parcels away to seafarers from all over the world. This is on way that we can show them the love of Christ while they are far from home and also have the opportunity to share with them the reason for the season and the Savior!

So roll up your sleeves and start packing!

MAKING PARCELS

To ensure that parcels are of similar value, we ask that you follow the following guidelines as closely as possible:

1. Fill a box (perhaps a small shoe box) completely. It is better to have a small full box than a half empty big box.
2. Enclose a Christmas card with a personal note and your name and address. Many of those who receive these gifts want to acknowledge them.
3. Parcel contents: Enclose one or more of the following: scarf, toque, gloves, socks. writing pad and envelopes, address book, letter opener, ballpoint pens, scissors, scotch tape, calendar. Other suggestions: packaged candy, aftershave lotion, handkerchief, face cloth, playing cards, soap, nail clipper, a small souvenir of Canada.
4. Wrap the individual parcels in Christmas wrapping paper.
5. Please note the approximate value of the gift on the top right-hand corner (postage stamp area) of each parcel as follows:
Value: Mark your gift:
$11-$15 B
$16-$20 C
We ask you to do this so that we can give the “richer” gifts to the less fortunate seafarers.
6. Pack the parcels into cartons. On the outside of each one be sure to: 1) print the name and address of your church so that we may acknowledge your gift; 2) indicate how many parcels are in the box: 3) please refer to a special enclosed sheet which gives shipping instructions.

SPECIAL NOTES

Please send your parcels as soon as possible. We would like to receive them any time after November 1 and before December 25.

Last year we did not have many women and so we have quite a few parcels for women left over therefore we ask PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY PARCELS FOR WOMEN this year.

We sometimes receive parcels that are poorly wrapped or that contain used items that should not be used as a gift. Please, give of your best, not of what you no longer want or need.

SENDING PARCELS

When sending the parcels by delivery service address shipping boxes to:

The Ministry to Seafarers
MONTREAL SEAMAN’S CLUB
Iberville Terminal
Shed No. 3, Second Level
OLD PORT, Montreal, QC H2Y 2C9

514-849-3234

When sending by Canada Post please address shipping boxes:

The Ministry to Seafarers
PO Box 128, Place D’Armes Postal Station
Montreal, QC H2Y 3E9

Sending by post or parcel delivery services such as UPS, Fed Ex, etc. are great but you can also send by truck or traveler to Montreal and we will meet up with them and get them to the Seafarers’ Center. Let us know either by phone, 514-844-1476 or email, min2seaf@colba.net.

Thanks for all of your support.

May God bless you in your giving.

]]> http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/09/13/the-inside-scoop http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/09/13/the-inside-scoop Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:47:00 +0000 Albertha Bosch http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/09/13/the-inside-scoop
• We had the joy of reuniting an uncle and his nephew from India who happened to learn that they were both in port at the same time. The nephew was especially thrilled to see family again. It was a bit tricky figuring out a way for [...]]]>
• We had the joy of reuniting an uncle and his nephew from India who happened to learn that they were both in port at the same time. The nephew was especially thrilled to see family again. It was a bit tricky figuring out a way for them to meet (their working hours were different and they could not legally visit each other on each other’s ship), but we made sure that they could meet at least two times.

• David and Jason were quite happy to have a seafarer join with them in their afternoon prayer.

• One ship that came into port had lost a seafarer on its way from Europe (probable suicide). David had a long chat with a seafarer who was on watch at the time. He was experiencing guilt about not having been able to help this man. Also, he was very troubled about his own life. David comforted him and shared some readings to help him in his time of questioning and then right there on the gangway they shared a time of prayer.

• A Filippino chief cook from a tanker ship spoke to Jason at length about Bible studies he used to do on the ship. The former chief engineer who had signed off a few months before used to gather as many of his shipmates as possible together on Sunday afternoon to read the Bible together and pray. However, since he left there was no one who could lead the study. This cook said that he did not feel strong enough to persuade others to pray with him or lead a group. In the same conversation, he mentioned that their ship was almost boarded by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Thankfully though the pirates tried to hook their ladder on the ship, they just missed as the ship turned out of their way. The seafarer was so very thankful to God that he was not a hostage at this time. It reminded him of his need to spend time with his Savior.

• Sometimes the chaplains can serve one or two on board, at other times, many more. The odd ship, however, asks for top-to-bottom service. Our chaplain Jason believes he managed to havea personal conversation and/or a chance to help every member of the crew of one oil tanker. The ship had a very mixed crew—Swedish, Russian, Ukranian, Croatian, Indian, Filippino, and even one French Canadian man! Jason met with an Indian officer onboard who had just come to faith while in England. Jason prayed with him and gave him a pile of good reading while on board. He is now in regular contact with this seafarer on email and Facebook.

]]> http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/09/08/heres-whats-cooking-at-m2s http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/09/08/heres-whats-cooking-at-m2s Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:49:00 +0000 Albertha Bosch http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/09/08/heres-whats-cooking-at-m2s
Now as much as we all like Christmas cookie cookbooks and no matter how good our intentions were when we picked up that "French Chef in a Day" cookbook these are not what we're hoping for. Our guys here are just looking for Mom's home cooking - easy straightforward every day cookbooks.

If you've got some of those type of cookbooks and you're willing to pass them on please send them our way addressed to: The Ministry to Seafarers PO Box 128 Place D'Armes Montreal QC H2Y 3E9.

Thanks to all of you our continuing supporters - Bon Appetit!

]]> http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/06/01/oh-baby http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/06/01/oh-baby Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:41:00 +0000 http://ministrytoseafarers.org/blog/2011/06/01/oh-baby
In June, Michelle will go on maternity leave. While she is gone, we are very pleased [...]]]>
In June, Michelle will go on maternity leave. While she is gone, we are very pleased to welcome a team member from several years back, Jason Zuidema. Jason worked as an intern for The Ministry to Seafarers in 2004, and did some shorter stints in the late 90s. We are very happy to have him back and are very thankful for God’s providence in providing such an experienced replacement. Please pray that Jason has a good and fruitful time while he is here with us.

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