We received again beautiful things to put in the Christmasparcels. We also received a surprise box with beautiful items without a name. If anyone recognizes the photo on the right: thank you very much! On behalf of the seafarers, many thanks to all donors and supporters! You can always invite us to tell about the work. Do you have nice jackets, sweaters, and good clothes left over? Sailors like to receive them. You can also be a blessing to sailors by knitting hats. We will gladly send you the knitting pattern. It often happens that seamen do not (any longer) have travel bags. Should you no longer use a travel bag or cabin bag? Seafarers are very grateful for this.
Delfzijl and Eemshaven -a great opportunity to speak about our Saviour Resistance is there to overcome. Unfortunately my health forces me to stop visiting the ships! Fortunately, Harm van Zwol wants to take over my task, although we are still looking for someone who wants to join him. The stock of bibles and books are now with Harm, he has also received a harbour pass with which a number of quays can be visited. On October 16, we tested the pass together and Harm visited several ships. That turned out to be a very fruitful afternoon with nice conversations on several ships. I stayed behind in the car to guide Harm from a distance with prayer. But I myself experience it as difficult to miss the contacts. The captain of the Olympic Orion invited Harm to dinner the next day. That was of course a great opportunity to speak to several people about our Saviour. Harm's second visit did not go entirely smoothly. Upon arrival, the gangway appeared to have been heaved up. But contact was made through personnel from the neighbouring Sebastiano Caboto and the gangway was lowered. It's nice to see that Harm isn't easily put off. There is opposition in the Eemshaven, but it is nice that there are victories nevertheless. The gospel is too important. Jan Peter Kapteijn.
Dordrecht and Rotterdam - no obstacles to read the Word of the Lord in their mother tongue On one occasion with Wout, most of the crew was from the Philippines. As soon as we arrived on the ship, one of them took a camera and asked us permission to film us and asked us some questions about our work. I also spoke with a Filipino who was a Baptist Christian. They asked us if the Bibles and gifts were for free and we said yes. I had the opportunity to hand out the Interactive Sailor Bible and explain how they can read the Bible in their own language. 1. I also handed out Christian literature for them to read, and then they happily agreed to have their picture taken with us. On another ship we were also allowed onboard and I was able to leave several Interactive Sailor Bibles on the table, as well as Christian literature. A lot of them were also Filipinos and they were very nice to us. They were also thankful for the gifts, but it wasn't long after that we left. The gospel message was left behind to be read. On yet another ship, most of them came from India. Also the captain of the ship was very friendly and happy with our presence. I also left there several Bibles in English, Christian Literature, and explained to them how to read the Bible in their own language through City Bible's free application, as there are no barriers to reading the Word of the Lord in their native language, it becomes easier. They have thanked us and may the Lord be with them. During these visits, many of them were curious about seamen's centres and we gave them the contacts via Facebook or email. Fabio Jefferson.
Region IJmuiden – “Yes I know Jesus, my mother is also Christian!” A Tuesday morning in November ’22. Anneke and I are planning to go to the harbour in IJmuiden. Before we leave, we pray together and ask the Lord to take us to the people He already has in mind. The drive to the port is not fast due to the traffic on the road. A large Chinese bulk carrier with 180,000 tons of coal is located at TATA Steelworks. It soon becomes apparent, however, that two mobile cranes are blocking the quay. There is no chance for further driving. So Anneke stays in the car and I walk to the gangway of the ship, a walk of about a kilometer. On board I speak to the friendly Chinese 1st Mate, a Buddhist, I tell him about “Yesu” and give him a Mandarin Bible, which he accepts. He has only been on board for two days and does not yet really know the crew and, when asked, does not know whether there are Christians among his crew. He will distribute the Sailor Bibles and text cards to the crew. I ask for a deckhand (sailor) to walk with me to Anneke in the car to receive clothes and packages. The 1st Mate looks around on deck and specifically assigns a cadet to accompany me. During the walk, Zhao tells that he is 20 years old and will go to the Maritime Academy next year. At the car, Anneke gives him the packages and clothes. She also gives him a bible and says: “Yesu Aini”. Zhao responds: “Yes I know Jesus, my mother is also Christian!” We take a photo, which Zhao will email to his mother. How happy she will be when she hears about this! Thank You Lord for using a Buddhist to connect this Zhao with us! Please pray for Anneke 's health . Jan and Anneke Best.
Have a good day - from the Mediterranean! I press “save” every 10 seconds because my laptop is in the palliative phase… But that should not spoil the newsletter fun. This laptop was literally adored five years ago by a Muslim neighbour in Guinea-Bissau because he couldn't take his eyes off the Jesus film in his Pulaar language. The Mediterranean ports are now strict and the ship visits are not always easy. But on the luxury yacht next to us, a brother from Montenegro was nicely encouraged in his faith. And so did some students from the 2. nautical schools in Montenegro, whom we showed around and told them what motivates us to work as a volunteer for two years. One day a team was engaged in writing postcards for the students and seamen. We have already seen how a Romanian was moved by this. And the children have held a sponsor campaign and are making 15 Christmas packages for our sailing neighbours! In the meantime, a large part of our team has changed. Now when ship visits are somewhat scarcer, our internal training program has started with nine evenings of interactive education about seafaring world missions, the challenge with different churches and ship visits and Church planting on the Oceans . About 30 people from 18 countries participate in this! The whole ship-to-ship ministry is now carried on and led by others, leaving my hands free to praise God for it. I'm going back to the Netherlands very soon, my work here is finished - so everything is in God's hand. In fact, the heavy work in the engine room finally gave me a bite and forced me to quit after two years, and not continue for another year. Maybe we will meet soon in the Netherlands! Michiel Kramers. Amsterdam and Scheveningen - The people who walk in darkness will see a great light - Sometimes you don't have to go to the ships at all to meet sailors. In the middle of the street I talk to 3 seamen from Myanmar. They have just arrived and have to wait for their passport control at the Marechaussee building. I give them a souvenir, a flyer with photos and facts about Amsterdam (Mokum) but also an explanation about what real freedom is and the Gospel. The eldest of the bunch has something stately, he turns out to be a captain, a real gentleman. Solemnly he says; 'this is an important message; I will share this on board with my crew.' And their taxi driver who is standing there says; 'do me such a leaflet too.' These are surprising encounters. A young Ukrainian helmsman is working diligently, very dedicated, meanwhile he talks to me endlessly. Going home is not an option for him, his city is under siege at that moment. The meaning of his name is; "one who increases glory." This mate would like a Bible in his own language. Let's pray that he may increase God's glory. For years I have had good contact with a Christian sailor from India. He even came to my church once. Over the years I have come to know him as a faithful follower of Jesus. He is currently sailing on a tanker in the Mediterranean. Last month he fell out of bed due to an unexpected wave, luckily nothing broken but his laptop did break. Contact with home is therefore less possible and that is a pity because he has just become a father for the 2nd time. Let's pray for him! Also for boldness and perseverance to live and work on board as a believer. Meanwhile, Christmas time has arrived and we are handing out plenty of Christmas packages to the sailors. This means a lot to the sailors, they are not forgotten! On a ship with Syrian sailors we are welcomed with open arms. Some men have been on board for years because of the situation in their country. We have to stay for dinner after which I can address the entire crew. A number of these men come from the island of Arvad, the Arvadites are already mentioned by name in Genesis 10. That fact i.e. the story of Abraham going to sacrifice his own son provided enough basis to explain the true meaning of Christmas to them as well; Jesus came among us, God provided the Sacrifice! This was a really great opportunity to share the Gospel. The men listen, they nod, they understand. But what are they really thinking? They are now on their way to Scotland. 3. Let's give thanks for opportunities like this and pray that these men may make the right choice in their hearts! Thank you so much for the many contributions I received for the Christmasparcels, and all the sympathy and prayer! Sincerely, Marien Gijsbertsen.
Delfzijl and Eemshaven 2 - what a special leading by the Lord God - At one time we were allowed to visit these 2 ships. During those visits, a brother who has worked as a missionary in Bangladesh for 18 years accompanied me. It was the first time in his life that he had done this. And what happened when we got there? When we boarded the first ship (so for this brother who came along, the very first ship), to our surprise it turned out that the captain was from Bangladesh! What a special leading by the Lord God! What a miracle! We had good conversations and were able to make people happy with literature, hats, etc. We were warmly received on board both ships and we left happy people behind on our departure. Sincerely, Harm van Zwol.
Amsterdam - Our work for the Lord is not in vain - Yvonne and I were on board a large ship in IJmuiden at the special request of some Filipino crew members. Yvonne had packed surprise bags for a total of 24 crew members from the Philippines, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, England and Russia. Last month we picked up a lonely sailor from Indonesia at two o'clock in the afternoon from his ship and took him to look at some old Dutch windmills and then drove to our house, and then soon drank a pure Dutch cup of coffee. At our house he made a video call with his wife in Indonesia and of course we also had to talk to her. That was very nice! She only speaks Indonesian, but luckily Yvonne and I know a few words of Indonesian. Yvonne had cooked a delicious Dutch meal, which he enjoyed. After dinner we made a car ride on the dike. He kept repeating how happy he was with this day. Yvonne sang well-known Christian Indonesian songs with him in the car. He thought that was very special! Also prayed with him at our farewell. He does not have an easy life as the only Christian among his Indonesian colleagues. He works on the ship 12 hours a day and that is an awful lot of hours. 4. It was wonderful to be able to encourage him in his faith. On another occasion, after my last ship visit of that day, I wanted to go straight home, but at the crossroads towards the highway or to the port area, I heard the voice of God crystal clear: “Turn right and drive back to your former ship, because there you will meet someone who wants to hear the gospel”. I responded with, “Good. Lord, I'm going there." When I got there I saw no one and waited. Just when I started the car to go home, an Indonesian sailor (from inland shipping) arrived by bicycle. He turned out to be Muslim but was very open to the gospel. I told that Jesus had sent me to him. He was so very happy to see me and I read a piece of the Bible with him and prayed for him. He gladly received the Alkitab (Indonesian Bible) and various evangelical materials. He also received beautiful clothes that he needed and of course also a beautiful knitted hat. Let's call him Herman. Please pray for Herman and for his wife and two children in Indonesia. Thank you for your faithful prayers and other expressions of compassion. Yours faithfully, Theo and Yvonne van Zuilekom.
Rotterdam - because God loves people He gave the most beautiful thing He had His own Son The period of promoting Christmas is four weeks. How many happy faces of Russian, European and South-East Asian people do we see. So far two ships with Turkish crewmen including Onur and Mika, and a man who speaks the language of the Maldives - Dhiveni – They all received a booklet with the Gospel from us in their own language. Via an App we keep track of which ships have been visited with the Christmas gifts, so that no "duplication" occurs. The bags and packages are filled with useful items for them, especially for personal hygiene, but also sweets, a woollen hat and a letter, a booklet, and a USB stick that clearly explains the gospel. What a gift, but the greatest is: ( translated from a hymn) Because God loves people He gave the best thing He had His own Son No matter how I think no matter how I think I don't know a more beautiful gift" When you love someone very much You give the best thing you've got That's very simple Because God loves people He gave the best thing He had His own Son No matter how I think no matter how I think I don't know a more beautiful gift No matter how I think no matter how I think I don't know a more beautiful gift From a ship - "on a chain" - in one of the Rotterdam harbours - with people from India. I got to know C. James best. He often shares something about his family in India. Throughout the past year he has served as Chief of engine room along with 6 or 7 other Indian crewmembers whom are serving a shorter period of time on this ship. I wish you God's blessing. Wout de Vries.
Seafarers in this newsletter are actually called differently. For privacy reasons, their real names are not mentioned. The photos in this newsletter have been used with permission. Our thanks go to: City Bibles, WIN-NL Seafarers' Ministry, Nederlandse Zeevaarden Centrale, Seamen's Center Amsterdam, Gospel Recordings Nederland, Evangelisatie Anderstaligen Service, The Bible Association, Zakbijbelbond, Christian Aid Ministries, Operation Mobilisatie, Our Daily Bread Ministries and others not mentioned by name, who all contribute in their own specific way to do the job well.
PRAYER REQUEST We would like to ask you again to continue to pray for the health of the people of Het Havenlicht and their families, but especially for Jan Peter Kapteijn, Hanny de Vries, Anneke Best and Inez de Baat, to be able to continue and to persevere in the special work that God has given us to do. Please also pray for open doors and open hearts! We believe in a God of miracles! Thank you for all your faithful, valuable prayers and other expressions of wonderful compassion! This is how the Lord works through you, so that sailors can hear and accept His Word! We are very grateful to the Lord God for the many opportunities to be a blessing to sailors!
Amsterdam: Theo van Zuilekom wthvzuilekom@gmail.com Yvonne van Zuilekom yhvzuilekom@gmail.com Marien Gijsbertsen marchris@solcon.nl
Cruise Ships: Jan Best janbest. sr@gmail.com Anneke Best annekebest@gmail.com Jan Gooijer jan.gooijer@live.nl
Rotterdam: Felix Henrichs felix.henrichs@scfs.org Wout de Vries woutdevries4@gmail.com René Reifel rene. reifel@web.de
Beverwijk, IJmuiden: Jan en Anneke Best janbest.sr@gmail.com
Dordrecht: Fábio Jefferson fábiojefferson92@yahoo.com
Delfzijl, Eemshaven: Jan Peter en José Kapteijn j.p.kapteijn@hotmail.com Harm van Zwol henfvanz@hotmail.com
Harlingen: Jan Gooijer jan.gooijer@live.nl Amsterdam, Scheveningen: Marien Gijsbertsen marchris@solcon.nl
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