Giving Thanks
for Seafarers
| Who needs
seafarers? The simple answer is that we all do. Without them
our shops and supermarkets would be virtually empty. They bring us food, electrical goods, toys and oil. They carry our manufactured products to other countries and bring in raw materials for our industry. The fact that over nine-tenths of world trade is carried by sea underlines the importance of seafarers to all our lives. But to meet our needs, seafarers pay a high price. They sepnd long periods away from their homes and families and face isolation and danger. At sea they're cut off from much that we take for granted such as telephones, shops, medical care and the ability to escape from the pressures of work at the end of the day. Vital contribution In the brief time that they can get off their ships in port - often only a few hours - they're strangers who frequently face unfamiliar languages and cultures. Seafarers are out of sight and are easily forgotten. This is why the Church has Sea Sunday to help us to remember and give thanks for their vital contribution to our lives and to pray for them, the families left behind and the Christian outreach to them through the Mission to Seafarers. The missionary society, which until last year was called the Missions to Seamen, has been caring for seafarers for over 140 years, showing God's love to people of all nations and creeds. Today it's at work in some 300 ports, visiting ships to make the crews welcome and offering hospitality, spiritual support and help in times of need. Your prayers and support for this work show seafarers that they aren't forgotten. They enable their needs to be met while they're meeting ours. So please remember them and the work of the Mission to Seafarers on Sea Sunday. 19 Years The Bahrain International Seafarers' Society is in its 19th year of operation caring for seafarers. The seafarers welfare centre is situated at Mina Sulman, 10-15 minutes walking distance and within easy reach of all shipping berths. The centre is open from 9 am to 1 pm daily except Friday and again 7-9 in the evening every day including Friday. Approximately 2,500 seafarers visit the centre annually and make use of its facilities. Seafarers of all nationalities are welcomed to the centre where they find a place to relax and talk to friendly volunteers. Father Victor is the ship's welfare representative and chaplain to the Mission to Seaferers and visits ships in Bahrain's ports. He visits them, too, when mariners are left behind in hospitals. He'd "like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all who've supported in any way this ministry". If you'd like to be a volunteer to assist at the seafarers' centre contact Father Victor (728266, Mobile 924 7413). To know more about the work of the Mission to Seafarers in Bahrain visit its website: www.biss.com.bh |
