I get seasick faster than you can say “All Aboard” when I get on a cruise ship. I know it’s not all in my head, since I got sick on our honeymoon cruise to Bermuda sixteen years ago. Last week, without leaving dry land, we took another cruise of sorts when Charles and I spent six days with seafarers from all over the world.
We, along with three others seniors from our church, drove to New Orleans (N’awlins) to work with the staff of Global Maritime Ministries. “Global Maritime Ministries exists to provide holistic Christian ministry by meeting the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of seafarers and maritime workers.”1 Our main purpose in going was to support the hospitality efforts of the small, dedicated staff that works at the ministry center. We served fruit, cookies, and brownies to cargo ship seafarers and provided lunch for the cruise ship staff from at least fifteen different countries. Workers from India, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine, Philippines, Romania, Bali, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Taiwan, South Korea, Peru, Nicaragua, South Africa, and Indonesia came through the doors. All the world’s major religions and languages were represented by those men and women.
The maritime center serves as a “port in the storm” since it provides a safe, wholesome environment away from the ship for the few hours the ships are in port. A ministry shuttle bus picks up the seafarers at the ships and ferries them to Wal-Mart or the Center. Most visitors immediately run to the computers, plug in their earphones, power up their smart phones, and log onto Skype so that they can contact their families back home and catch up with world events on the internet. It will be many months before they will get to see their loved ones on their home turf. After an hour or so, they drift over to enjoy the free goodies and engage in conversation with us. Occasionally one will ask, “How much is the cost.” Everyone smiles when we explain, “It’s free, just like God’s love for you.”
Many opportunities for service are available to seniors. A mission trip, while tiring, does not have to mean going overseas. It could just be in your neighborhood, or a neighboring state. It’s just a matter of finding the place that God wants you to serve.
Great post! I know you had a wonderful time. Isn't it amazing that we get blessed so much when we are following Father's plan for our lives. I like the idea of Global=Maritime Ministries. What a marvelous way of sharing God's love to those who would never see it in action in their home countries.
ReplyDeleteYou make me want to head right down to Tchoupitoulous Street to the GMM Center! So thankful for you, Charles, and the other three from Towne View Baptist Church who went on mission to the seafarers from around the world. Anxious to hear all about the experience.
ReplyDeleteLorraine
Hello Frieda, this is exciting and draining all at the same time. I know you and Charles were able to make some new friends and encourage the work team with GMM. Just wondering if you have some good literature in these languages to leave with the seafarers?
ReplyDeleteLove from Carleen and Ken
What a blessing it must have been to minister to seafarers from around the world. I'm sure all your hard work blessed these people who are so far from home and family for extended periods. Thank you for showing God's love to all these people.
ReplyDeleteFrieda, Your across-the-globe Tour came to you! I know it was sunshine to the seafarers, and I'll look forward to hearing about the days there.
ReplyDeleteMy comments are not always successfully posted, but I'll try once more. Thanks for sharing about the Seafarer's Ministry... it is a very long ways for you and Charles and Lu... but we are so thankful you were willing to do that for the Lord. Do you have good literature in the languages you mentioned?
ReplyDeleteLove from Ken and Carleen