Hectic Wednesday late afternoon of Aug 9th, I visited CGM, G. Washington, Swordfish and President Eisenhower. Arrival time of Fenix terminal was 6:30 PM. Container moving trucks were circulating frantically in the port yard to transport containers fast. All three ships were unloading containers and sailor onboard were very busy doing their tasks.

CGM G. Washington

I climbed the gangway ladder and arrived the front deck of the ship, one security guard from the port was sitting in the check point. I told him that I am a port Chaplain and I am here to see seamen inside. He implied that I can go inside the ship by pointing his fingers to the inside of the ship

I went inside the ship. I could not see anyone onboard. I headed down one stair and I saw a door with a sign that said Mass Room. As soon as I opened that door, I saw a group of guys eating their meals on the table. At first, they looked at me curiously. I told them that I am a seaman center port chaplain and I am here to make sure that you guys are doing okay. I also asked them how their wives, children and families were doing? Their face started to change and began to open their heart. I asked them where they were from. They told that they were from Sri Lanka. I appreciated them for their hard work and dedication to transport goods from China and Europe to all the places of the world by giving them some sports drinks. I could not lead blessing and encouraging time for them because of their next day early departure time, however; I told them that Jesus Christ died for them for their salvation because he loves them. They also appreciated my words of encouragement and blessing. I felt that people of Sri Lanka in the part of God’s godly plan.

CGM. Swordfish.

Trucks were circulating in the port fiercefully and I had to run really fast to not to be in their way.

I met a Philippine seaman on the front deck. I asked him if I can meet the chief office of the ship.

He used his walkie talkie to communicate with the ship control room. Several minutes later, the Romanian chief officer came down. I asked him if I can have a 30 mins of gathering time with crew member on board. He said that it is now bad time to have a meeting because all the crew members are focusing on their duty to download all the containers before their departure early tomorrow morning.

I briefly expressed my gratitude and words of blessing to the chief officer and left them some sports drink, then walked down the gangway ladder.