CAPTAIN SAVIOR MEETS THE ALMIGHTY SAVIOR
Bro. Miguel de Leon Salvador from Batangas City
30 August 2007

For 17 years, as a Master of the vessel, I have experienced a lot of things like typhoon, rough seas, rescue operation and some other things related to our job. Last year, when I celebrated my birthday, it was May 8, 2006; we rescued couple, a British national & his wife who is an African national. Their yacht was hit by thunderstorm which caused fire in their yacht. They could not control the fire so they abandoned their yacht. They have been in the water for 12 hours when we passed through them and rescued them. They were very happy for helping them, telling us that they have just been given a new lease of life. Hundreds of vessels were passing that area but it turned out, we are the lucky vessel to save them. Two months after than incident, we rescued again 3 Indonesian fishermen in Malacca Strait of Malaysia. Their fishing boat sunk for unknown reasons. Our company was, again, very happy for this achievement. We were featured in the world news for that matter. Our company gave me a name as “CAPTAIN SAVIOUR” after those victorious incidents.

But this year, everything has changed. The Lord led and saved me from a terrible tragedy. Last May 15, 2007, at 1340 LT, we met a collision accident with a Vietnamese vessel while sailing smoothly in Saigon River towards Batangas Philippines. Our vessel was spared from damage, only a small dent in our bow. But the other vessel sank and 8 people died. I was thinking at that moment, ‘Oh no. This is the end of my career.’ “WHY DID THIS UNFORTUNATE THING HAPPEN TO ME?”

After 1 ½ month of interrogation by the Police and Port Authorities, our vessel was permitted to sail in Ho Chi Minh. I & my 2nd Officer stayed in Vietnam for further investigation. That time, I was very angry at my company because if they just arranged my reliever in time, I will not have this nightmare! There were a lot of important occasions that I missed because of this incident — our High School Grand Reunion, my promise to my family to celebrate my birthday in Hong Kong, our barrio fiesta (I am supposed to receive the image of SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR as I will be the Hermano Mayor of our barrio next year), and other special occasions that I missed having been detained here in Vietnam until the case is resolved. Worse, I missed a very good job offer from another shipping company.

During our stay here in Vietnam, me & my 2nd officer, visited places like disco clubs, karaoke bars and attend prayer meetings. During Sundays, we attended the mass in Saigon Cathedral, looking for some answers to my question.

One time, I met Bro. Don Dawa through a Filipino live band here. He promised that he will help us. Two weeks after, we met again in a shopping mall and that’s the time he invited me to attend a seminar of the DIVINE MERCY, their prayer meetings and weekly Divine Mercy on the Block (DMOB) in An Bin.

A day before the seminar, Bro. Don invited us to attend the mass in An Bin, and was able to meet there Bros. Rene, Allan, Lit and he told us that this three men will be our guest speakers in our seminar.

On the day of seminar, I & my 2nd officer were the first to arrive among the participants. I felt strangely that all my questions will be answered that day. I sat willingly on the first row when I was requested so. I listened to the three speakers and actively participated in whatever they asked us to do. After the seminar, everything has been changed. All my negative thinking and emotional burden were gone. I could not express myself. I felt like I am a new born baby. Everything had been erased in my mind. Later, I came to realize that God allowed that incident to happen to me so that I can serve & know Him better. I remember whenever I am on vacation from a long trip, I don’t have much time for our LORD JESUS. I was preoccupied with attending upgrading seminars being the captain of the ship. After the seminars, I would be busy with other things like cock fighting & drinking session of our friends. God did something for me to realize that it is high time I must know that God is very important in our life. I did not feel like a loser. Instead, I know God will give me more blessings in the near future.

We are told that our stay here in Vietnam will be until January 2008 because of the pending case about the accident. However, a few days after the seminar, we received advice from our Philippine Consulate that our international lawyer and local lawyer want to meet us in the Consulate office. During the meeting, they advised us that none of the Police or Port Authorities will file charges against us, and that they are trying to push the Vietnam government to send us home as soon as possible, and that they have no right to delay us here in Vietnam in the absence of formal charges.

It is a miracle & a very good blessing that we received from the DIVINE MERCY of JESUS! PRAISE THE LORD, HALLELUJAH! Now we are waiting for the release of our papers so that we can go home to our families in the Philippines. I believe that will be as soon as possible as God has promised that the gates of heaven will open and blessing will pour out for whoever asked for His Mercy.

While waiting for our release papers, we are frequently attending the DMOB in Phu My Hung.