We have experienced a very busy summer with the retreats we have hosted, the fishing tournaments from which we have gleaned, and the special guests who have ministered in our services.
We sincerely appreciate the organizers of the Poco Bueno, Lone Star Shootout, and Shark Tooth fishing tournaments who allowed us to glean the fish which were taken in the contests. Most of you are aware that we only got five blue marlin this year, as compared to eleven last year, but the other catches were generously shared with us. The walk-in freezer made our work much easier because we did not have to ferry fish from here to Houston in the middle of the night, but had a place we could hold it here on site.
One of the most asked questions is, “What do you do with all that fish?” First, those who work cleaning, bagging, and putting the fish “on ice” are treated to a fish fry. Those who work the weigh-in station have a batch of fried fish delivered to them. We work closely with a church in the Pasadena area who provide workers for us and have a huge feeding program. They have several campuses and each had a monthly “health fair,” where medical teams screen for many ailments and children can receive their shots for school. They also, at those “health fairs” give away food, some of which is our fish. They also have several rehabilitation programs which require they provide three meals daily to the residents. These programs are thirteen month in-house treatment centers and house over 100 needy people. Some of the fish help there. AND, the Chapel has a food pantry where we pass out food items to needy families all year long. We truly average about a family each week coming with a need. We are honored that they would allow us to help them and they get some of the fish – also some of the deer and hogs that are provided to us as well. It is easy to send fish out and we are honored to be a part of this process.
We hosted Captain Robert and the Sea Academy and they had a very successful class as usual. Please allow me to remind you that we only have three more classes scheduled for here in Port O’Connor. Those dates are November 11 thru 18, 2016; February 24 thru March 3, 2017; and the last class is scheduled for May 19 thru May 26, 2017. We have enjoyed having all the students here at the Chapel and we meet them around town frequently. We have been having these classes at the Chapel since 2000 and have many stories of great success in helping people find their way in a career. It has been a great time and sincerely we will miss Captain Robert being here to teach these classes.
We have a group from El Campo coming before the end of August and a group from Spring in the middle of September. We are appreciative to our Lord Who has helped us provide such a great place for people to come and relax and renew their walk with the Lord!
Be sure to pray for our children who will be returning to school on August 29. With our involvement with students, Pastor Joane and I are acutely aware of the need for Godly people to cover our kids with prayer. The enemy of all of us is truly targeting our children and we must be diligent to provide a protective covering through prayer so they can escape the “fiery darts!” Bad influences are readily available to our students, so let’s pray that Godly influences will prevail!
Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is to attempt to help people along their journey here on earth as they travel toward eternity. One will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel, and you are invited to, “Come, grow with us!”
