Port:Harmac East

Crew: 21 Vietnamese

Names of Ship Missionaries: Trevor Rowell, Frank Sciarpelletti, Aiden & Phoebe Armstrong

Result: 8 heard the gospel

Items taken on & given out: 8 seafarer gifts 

We checked through security and the crew were expecting us. They took us up to the main eating lounge where we met some of the crew who were very hospitable, and the captain was very kind. They gave us water bottles and the 8 crew members whom we were going to meet with came in. We asked questions about their travel across the Pacific and some about their families.

Phoebe and Aiden were with us so that Phoebe could translate and communicate with them according to the Vietnamese culture. Phoebe was talking to the captain for a while and then Frank and I (Trevor) shared the story of God’s reconciliation with man, and the gospel, in English. At the same time Phoebe was reading the same message in Vietnamese. Phoebe had added some culturally relevant details that would help relate to the crew as well.

I noticed the crew to be intently listening and there was some dialogue between Phoebe and the crew in Vietnamese for clarification. We let the crew know to call out to God in their future journeys, and we emphasized God’s care and love for each of them. We told them that God hears our prayers and we prayed for the Holy Spirit to do the work of regeneration in their lives. 

We prayed for them to accept the free gift and Ephesians 2:8-9. 

I brought along my hand-carved model of the Santa Serena that I made for my son, and told how the previous captain had allowed me to bring my children on board the next day for a great ship tour! I shared how we often pray for the crew and ship (for salvation and safety). This was a nice bridge to conversation and connection.

Please pray for the Lord to work in their lives and reveal their desperate need for salvation. May the kindness we showed mirror in some way Christ’s great love for them. 

Report submitted by: Trevor