A SHIP-WRECKED CREW BECOMES FISHERS OF MEN

In 2006, 18 fishermen from China came ashore on the east coast of Malaysia in the State of Sabah.

They were arrested by the Malaysian police and taken before the judge.  They pleaded that they had been fishing in the South China Sea and were caught in a storm and ship-wrecked.

The judge did not believe their story.  He sentenced the crew to 12 months in prison and sentenced the captain to 18 months.

During the time the fishermen were in prison, the Gideons came there and distributed New Testaments.  As the Gideons witnessed to the fishermen, 14 of them, including the captain, invited the Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts.

When the fishermen were released from prison, they made contact with the Gideons as they had lost all of their possessions in the ship-wreck and had no money to get back to China.

The local Gideons raised the funds for all of the men to travel home.

In 2008 the Gideons received a letter saying the fishermen had established a home church.

Today, the church has more than 100 believers, including the 14 fishermen, worshipping the Lord and spreading the message of the Gospel in their country, albeit under difficult circumstances.