A short Lent meditation

Lent is a period of fasting and reflection on the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this short devotional I like to reflect on our Lord's incredible struggle in the garden of Gethsemane, " being so much in anguish that his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." ( Luke 22 : 44 ) and " Abba, Father," he said, " everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." ( Mark 14 : 32 - 42 )  One thing that happened before Jesus and his disciples went to the garden is mentioned in Mark 14 : 26 and, to be honest, I've never given it any thought. What is the last thing Jesus did with His disciples before they went to the garden of Gethsemane? They sang a hymn! This reminds me of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail. Paul and Silas were whipped and beaten, their feet were in stocks.....and they sang! I've heard of Dutch resistance fighters who were singing psalms and hymns in prison prior to their execution. Jesus is about to leave for the garden, the betrayal, the hour, the cup, the suffering and death of the cross; yet, He was singing.

Shouldn't we be doing the same when we see the cross? ( Lent ) And, shouldn't we do the same when the " storms of life are raging " in our lives? 

                " Hallelujah, what a Saviour "

The low cost of transporting goods by sea

Have you ever wondered how much it cost to transport your newly purchased Japanese flat screen television in a container to Vancouver? Let's say you purchased a T.V. at Best-Buy for $700. The shipping cost is only $10!

Here are some more statistics about the low cost of maritime transportation;
" The typical cost to a consumer in the United States of transporting crude oil from the Middle East, in terms of the purchase price of gasoline at the pump, is about half a US cent per litre.

" The typical cost of transporting a tonne of coal from Roberts Bank to Europe by sea is about US $12."

 " The typical cost of transporting a 20 foot container from Asia to Europe ( a voyage of approximately 14 days ) carrying over 20 tonnes of cargo is about the same as the economy airfare for a single passenger on the same journey. "    ( information from Marisec/Shippingfacts )

The new gantries at TSI Delta Port

While visiting the OOCL Japan at TSI Delta Port I had a chance to see the three new gantries/container cranes in operation. These cranes can pick up two containers at the same time. The new generation container ships carry more than 10.000 TEU ( 20 foot containers ) on board. These are huge numbers, which means that the ports around the world need to have the capability of loading and unloading these ships.

Time is money! One officer told me that he has seen gantries in China that can pick up three containers at the same time! Faster and faster - when will it end!

A message to the world's seafarers

The United Nations has decided to dedicate the year 2010 as "The Year of the Seafarer ". It's intention is to pay tribute to the world's 1.5 million seafarers - men and woman from all over the globe - for the unique, and all too often over - looked, contribution to the well being off billions of people world wide.

The following words are quoted from  the secretary general of the International Maritime Organization Mr. E.E. Mitropoulos;

" We will do so with deep appreciation, in recognition of the extraordinary service you render every day of your professional life, frequently under dangerous circumstances, in delivering, to the more than 6.5 billion people of the world, the wheat that makes our daily bread, the gas and oil that warms our homes or moves our vehicles and the gifts we will share and enjoy with our families and friends over the Festive Seasons.

One and a half million seafarers serving the daily needs of more than six and a half billion citizens of the world! It is a fact that goes unnoticed or is taken for granted by most, but one that should be trumpeted loud and clear. For seafarers the world over deserve our respect, recognition and gratitude, and during 2010 we ensure you that the world does takes notice of your exceptional role and contribution and of the special debt that all of us owe to you. We thank you for that! "

With best wishes for the year of the seafarer - and a safe return home!

Mission to Seafarers

One of the crew members on board the CMA CCM Marlin was wearing a "Mission to Seafarers" shirt. He had purchased it in Mombasa, the largest port city in Kenya, Africa. 

It reminded me again how vast this world is, with its endless oceans and many ports. Seafarers often tell me how much they appreciate the Mission to Seafarer's centers in ports around the world. In 2009, 640,000 seafarers visited Mission to Seafarer centers, and more than 76,000 ships were visited by Ministry to Seafarer chaplains the same year!

Thank God for a  "Home away from Home". 

Church on the Ocean

These men are members of  "Church on the Ocean", literally! 

They are crew members on board the MV CMA CMM Marlin where  every Sunday evening, they gather for Bible study and prayer. The second person on the left is Matthew who leads the Bible studies. He is a man who truly loves the Lord Jesus and is very much committed to the work of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

What's so exciting about meeting Matthew and crew is that they are part of a growing movement that have Bible studies on board their ships. Contributing to this exciting development is the Seamen's Christian Friend Society which is based in Manila - Philippines. They offer a four day training course for Philippino seafarers when they are at home on leave. Listen to the testimony of a sailor who took the course, "I was very much blessed by attending the course CHURCH ON THE OCEAN.  I experienced a lot of joy and was refreshed by the Lord. My desire to lead others to Christ in fulfillment of 'The Great Commission' increased. It is very important for every Christian on board to learn continually, to get more equipped, to grow spiritually and to strengthen the personal relationship with Jesus. This training course was a big help to me."

We did not have much time to talk because right after lunch they all had to go back to work. We did however, pray together and thanked God for his incredible goodness in Christ Jesus.......

The "Gates of Hell" cannot prevail against Christ's Church, even the "Church on the Ocean."

New Years Eve at the Roberts Bank Mission

My wife, our daughter Miriam and friend Tineke Bosch from Abbotsford and I spent New Years Eve at     Delta Port Mission.  That evening the ladies made oliebollen for the seafarers. The oliebol is a Dutch cousin of the doughnut. It's closest relative I would say is an apple fritter!

Eating Oliebollen on New Years Eve is an old Dutch tradition. Of course that evening there wasn't a Dutch seafarer in sight, only seafarers from India and The Phillippines. However the oliebol was a great success....... we couldn't make/fry them fast enough! I think it will be a good tradition to do again next year.

CHRISTMAS AT SEA 2009

It is rather late to write a blog about Christmas at Sea but you probably know why.

Christmas was different this year.

Father John Eason of the Apostleship of the Sea (RCC) spent the month of December in The Philippines and I in The Netherlands was for 12 days due to the passing of my brother. However the staff and volunteers did a fantastic job wrapping, sorting and distributing the presents to the ships.

The total number of presents this year was more than 3,000!

As difficult as it was for me during this time the highlight of the Christmas at Sea campaign was on Christmas Eve Day. A water taxi company made a generous donation to take chaplains and presents to the ships that were at anchor in English Bay.

The response was overwhelming. The seafarers did not know what to expect when a boat loaded with christmas presents came along side their ship.

A captain from Germay wrote us a very nice thank you letter. He had never experienced this in his life as a seafarer. The weather that day was absolutely perfect. I had to climb a rope ladder in order to board a car carrier. I found this a scary experience and was reminded that pilots have to do this kind of thing many times when they board a ship, often in bad weather conditions. I hope you will enjoy the pictures.