Unfortunately, many sailors in the navy do other things than look for a church when they hit port. Bars get busier, brothels cash in and restaurants serve lots of food to those tired of ship board fare.
I must have had duty because I stayed on the ship that first day in port. The first wave of sailors went over and came back with wild tales of debauchery--couples being intimate in broad daylight in the parks, homosexuals trying to pick up a date with bold invitations, live stage shows with unmentionable acts. It was obvious that Copenhagen had it's share of evil.
But where evil abounds so much more does grace abound. I knew if evil had a strong presence in Copenhagen then my Father had a strong presence there too. One of my shipmates handed me a flyer in Danish that mentioned something about Jesus...I could at least make that out.
As I left the bridge with the flyer in hand I asked the Father to show me to his people in this city. I remember going down several ladders to get to my berthing compartment. Along the way, another of my shipmates caught me and said "Hey Murf, I know where some of your people are!" He proceeded to give me directions to a group doing street evangelism with drama.
I made my way across the city with growing excitement looking forward to fellowship with other believers. I found the street group, YWAMer's (Youth With A Mission), who also had a coffee house in town in the building where they lived. I went back there with them, spent time among a group from all over the world there to make witness to Christ.
One evening we sat in the coffeehouse chatting with an avowed Communist. Another fellow was also at the table with me. We shared our belief in a God who was there and enjoyed a challenging conversation. When finished I discovered the fellow was from TX, had read Schaeffer and was tracking with me as we shared our faith with the young man.
As we left one evening walking back across the city me and a couple of guys who were with me sensed that someone was following us. As we pondered it we agreed that it was the presence of the Holy Spirit that was escorting us.
We ended up our visit in Copenhagen sharing communion with the YWAMer's there and departed to find our next adventure in Christ...courtesy of the US navy.
By the way, Brother Andrew also worked out of that building. Our ship had been rumored to possibly be making a trip into Leningrad--a first since WWII. I took the occasion to pick up 10 Russian New Testaments to be delivered to someone when and if I ever arrived there.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Divine Appointment-Greece
I hadn't thought of it until this morning as I pondered writing this post that God is able to orchestrate things even using the US navy.
On our trip to the Mediterranean we were scheduled to go to Barcelona. Instead, some type of crisis in the middle east diverted us to Greece (but God used it as you will see!). We were to go into port there later in the cruise but this time we were diverted to Piraeus, a smaller port alongside Athens where a berth was available for us.
My captain was better suited to steer a desk but had to do some sea time to keep on his upward path. Put someone like that in a small port like Piraeus and something is going to get broken. In our case it was the main prop that got nicked on the anchor chain of another boat. An expensive driving lesson.
Once we got tied up liberty was called and we flooded into town. One of the first places a sailor goes is to the USO to get oriented. They were braced for our arrival because when we came into town we brought with us about 5,000 friends...all a part of our group.
I walked up to the information desk to inquire about an English speaking church for services the next day, Sunday. The desk clerk excitedly told me that she had been praying that she would be able to direct some of the arriving sailors to her church...God preparing the way.
It was at this church service the next day that I met the kids backpacking around Europe who introduced me to Francis Schaeffer and his books, particularly The God Who Is There.
Can you see how the Father who knows the hairs on our head and feeds every bird prepared the way for me to find someone to help me witness to my shipmates? My ship was heading to Barcelona and we got diverted to Athens. The USO desk person just "happened" to be someone who wanted to lead others to her church. The backpackers just "happened" to have found that church that morning and pointed me to a source of theological understanding that deepened my faith and sharpened my witness.
Today I know that as I sit here at my computer some 39 years later that God the Father knows where I am. He knows how he has gifted me. And he has a place for me to be at this time in my life. May you know today how much he loves you and is aware of every breath you take.
On our trip to the Mediterranean we were scheduled to go to Barcelona. Instead, some type of crisis in the middle east diverted us to Greece (but God used it as you will see!). We were to go into port there later in the cruise but this time we were diverted to Piraeus, a smaller port alongside Athens where a berth was available for us.
My captain was better suited to steer a desk but had to do some sea time to keep on his upward path. Put someone like that in a small port like Piraeus and something is going to get broken. In our case it was the main prop that got nicked on the anchor chain of another boat. An expensive driving lesson.
Once we got tied up liberty was called and we flooded into town. One of the first places a sailor goes is to the USO to get oriented. They were braced for our arrival because when we came into town we brought with us about 5,000 friends...all a part of our group.
I walked up to the information desk to inquire about an English speaking church for services the next day, Sunday. The desk clerk excitedly told me that she had been praying that she would be able to direct some of the arriving sailors to her church...God preparing the way.
It was at this church service the next day that I met the kids backpacking around Europe who introduced me to Francis Schaeffer and his books, particularly The God Who Is There.
Can you see how the Father who knows the hairs on our head and feeds every bird prepared the way for me to find someone to help me witness to my shipmates? My ship was heading to Barcelona and we got diverted to Athens. The USO desk person just "happened" to be someone who wanted to lead others to her church. The backpackers just "happened" to have found that church that morning and pointed me to a source of theological understanding that deepened my faith and sharpened my witness.
Today I know that as I sit here at my computer some 39 years later that God the Father knows where I am. He knows how he has gifted me. And he has a place for me to be at this time in my life. May you know today how much he loves you and is aware of every breath you take.
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