SS-15 Salt Water Crocodile

Ranchers in Texas along the Gulf of Mexico are in an uproar. They are losing valuable livestock, mostly calves and colts, in the gulf. No, the animals are not falling into the water and drowning. These young and small animals are being killed by creature in the water. The ranchers suspect an alligator is to blame, but alligators live in fresh water not salty. The ranchers go to the local game warden, but this fellow is either too tired or too lazy to get to the bottom of the problem. And this fellow won't let the ranchers hunt down this livestock killer. The ranchers are ready to revolt. They plan to find and kill the killer with or without the game warden's permission.
How does Sam figure into the ranchers' problem? He and the Porpoise crew are out on the ocean, and the crew doesn't even know where they are headed or if they are headed anywhere in particular.

The Rosetta Stone and the "Temple of Isis"

Sailor Sam is not the only person who has been involved in adventures over the mysteries of Egypt. None other than Napoleon Bonaparte himself wanted to capture Egypt and uncover all of its mysteries.

Napoleon assembled a huge fleet and army in 1798 to take everything Egypt contained for himself. Napoleon attacked Egypt and brought a huge group of scientists and engineers from France, the Savants. The Savants mapped Egypt and collected as many of its treasures as they could find, including its ancient wealth. It the process the Rosetta Stone was discovered in the wall of a fort just west of the Nile delta in the town of Rosetta. Napoleon may have accomplished his goal of taking Egypt's wealth if England hadn't interfered. England defeated Napoleon and took the Savants' finds, which included the Rosetta Stone.

The Rosetta Stone was the key to decoding Egyptian hieroglyphics. The stone was basically a sign announcing that, for certain favors that King Ptolemy V gave the Egyptian priests, the Egyptian priesthood made Ptolemy V a god and allowed him his own cult. The announcement was printed in Greek, Coptic, and hieroglyphics. The stone ended up in the British Museum in about 1800. Linguists were able to translate the Greek in about a year and the Coptic, which is much like a shorthand of hieroglyphics, a couple years later. But it took more than 25 years to decode the glyphs.

There were two reasons it took so long. First, hieroglyphics were a lost language. The glyphs had not been used since about 100 BC or so when Coptic took over. Then in those first centuries after Christ, Christianity grew throughout the Mediterranean. Christians saw hieroglyphics as part of the Egyptian cults and got rid of most of the books and scrolls using hieroglyphics. The language was totally lost before long.

Then about 500 A.D. a man studying the glyphs decided that they were much like Chinese and were all symbols of words and ideas. But hieroglyphics are much more complex than that. They contain some signs for letters and syllables as well as for words and ideas. It took a young Frenchman by the name of Champollion to decode the hieroglyphics. His work was aided by other stones and scrolls written in hieroglyphics found after the Rosetta Stone as well as research done by several other men from other countries.

SS-20 Down on the Farm

Yes, Sam and the crew have had enough of the sea for a while and are in Wisconsin helping Sam's uncle with his farm. Unc is having health troubles and Pansy can't run the farm all by herself, so Unc asked Sam to come until they can work something else out. This adventure is called Down on the Farm.

SS-28 Columbus

"Columbus" (13 episodes) Sam and the crew are asked to participate in and head up an historical reenactment of the voyage of Columbus when he discovered the Americas. An old sea dog predicts the voyage will be haunted by the ghost of Columbus and end in disaster. A Stowaway, breakdowns, strange illness and a mad man all work together to provide some brain tingling excitement and cause Sam and the crew learn to trust the Lord in some very dangerous situations.

SS-13 Polar Adventure

On Monday, Sam and the crew will be heading North for their next adventure - way up North! Moses Henderson, a wealthy sportsman and big game hunter and his hunting partner, Snowshoe Charlie, have disappeared in the cold wilderness of Alaska. Home base in Skagway has not heard from them in over a week and they fear that they are lost or dead. A lost mine, an old Indian chief, Notomok, and a huge polar bear are at the heart of this bone chilling adventure. Notomok's secret leads Moses Henderson not only to be found but to find the secret of peace with God and the forgiveness of sins.

Listen online! 5PM (AST) Weekdays http://www.harbourlightradio.org/

Have a great week!
Randy

Real-Lfe Volcanoes

It doesn't take much searching to find real-life eruptions as dangerous as Sam's last adventure Volcano. There are many active volcanoes at this very moment and many more from the past that have destroyed cities or blown whole islands off the map.

You are probably familiar with volcanoes like Mt. Vesuvius that destroyed the Roman city of Pompeii. Then there is Mt. St. Helens in the US that erupted in 1980 and killed 58 people. And then there is Mt. Pinatubo that erupted in 1991 in the Philippines.

On August 26-27, 1883, the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa erupted in the Sunda Straight between Java and Sumatra, totally destroying itself and most of the island of Krakatoa. 3 explosions occured during the eruption. One of those explosions was the loudest ever heard. It could be heard 3,000 miles away!!! As many as 40,000 people may have been killed by the 50' waves produced by the associated earthquake. Those waves traveled up to 8,000 miles.

In April of 1815, Indonesia saw an even greater eruption, Tambora, on the island of Sumbawa.

The largest volcano in recorded history may have been Thera about 1630 BC on the island of Santorini, between Greece, Crete, and Turkey. Santorini was the home of the Minoan civilization. Thera was 4 or 5 times larger than Krakatoa and left Santorini as a thin crescent island. The Minoans were also destroyed, never to reappear.

Nancy and the Whale

A whale makes friends with little Nancy and won't leave. The situation nearly turns disastrous. What will Sam and the crew of the Porpoise do to discourage Nancy's new "pet."

SS-03 Volcano!

Sam and the crew have embarked on one of their most exciting adventures. Their mission: tame a volcano! The title of this adventure is simply "Volcano!" They are now on a Pacific island where many years ago, a volcano - dubbed "Appolyon" destroyed an entire village. Now Appolyon has come out of its deep sleep and is threatening the village again - and there seems to be no way to stop it! This adventure will chill your blood and stand your hair straight up! Find out how Appolyon swallows Sam, Hazel and Nancy whole and how the Lord miraculously brings them out alive! Listen and learn how the lava flows of Appolyon are turned harmlessly into the sea and how the "lava" of hatred is turned by a "soft answer."

Have a great week...

Spreading the WORD,
Randy
Phil. 1:9-11

Blessed Labor Day!!!

A Christ-filled Labor Day to all you Sailor Sam friends from Sam Stone, Olie Olson, Buddy, Nancy, and Aunt Hazel! The crew of the Porpoise hopes you all have had an enjoyable and refreshing summer vacation. And they pray that you will have a good and productive fall.

Temple of Isis Background

This week's story, "The Temple of Isis" is based on historical facts. The story begins with Hazel buying and old vase. The vase turns out to be a valuable antique with a ring stuck inside the neck of the vase. The ring is an even more valuable sealing ring that belonged to a Byzantine general Belisarius who was one of the most brilliant military leaders of all time. Belisarius served under Emperor Justinian I during the middle of the 6th century.

Isis was a major goddess in Egypt. The worship of Isis began as a cult about 2500 AD, which was typical of the worship of most of the gods of Egypt. She became sort of a mother goddess for anyone and everyone - children, women, sailors, and many more. Isis may have been the most popular of Egypt's gods. Temples to her have been uncovered all across North Africa and even as far away a Pompeii. Worshipers of Isis did steal Christian and Jewish relics, even taking articles from the temple in Jerusalem.

As seems to be their habit lately, Harbour Light's timing is just right. Justinian sent Belisarius to North Africa to destroy the Vandals who were led by General Gelimer. Belisarius defeated Gelimer at Carthage on Sept. 13, 533. Belisarius is said to have returned a large quantity of relics from the temple in Jerusalem to Constantinople. Later that year, Belisarius captured Gelimer and totally defeated the Vandals.

Sailor Sam Diamond Anniversary

I do not have exact beginning and ending dates for SAILOR SAM. From What I do have though, I believe that Sailor Sam first aired just a few months before RANGER BILL began production. It appears that SAILOR SAM was first broadcast in January of 1950. The Ranger Bill Fan Club is beginning to celebrate Ranger Bill's 60th anniversary. So it seems proper that we should also celebrate the diamond anniversary of Sailor Sam's first broadcast. Let's celebrate the 60th Anniversary for SAILOR SAM!!!

Share a Sam CD with your church or your city library. Give a Sam CD as a gift to a child. Contribute to Moody to support Moody Audio and Sailor Sam.

Moody Audio (http://www.moodyaudio.com/) sells Sailor Sam individual mp3s as well as mp3 CDs of all the Sailor Sam stories. Radiotime lists a handful of stations that still broadcast Sam. Harbour Light is the only station that I know of that broadcasts on the Internet.

If you do a search for "Sailor Sam" you will get several pages of hits. But most of those hits will direct you to sites selling two different books for children and are not connected in any way to Moody's Sailor Sam, Olie, and the Porpoise. One book is The Adventures of Sailor Sam, about a cat named Sailor Sam who lives on a ship. The other Book is Captain Dan and Sailor Sam. Again this is a book for children and not connected to our Sam.

The Bible's Troublesome Twins

Sailor Sam isn't the only one who has had to deal with children that needed to be tamed. Almost from page one of the Bible, we can find difficult, even terrible children (and possibly even worse parents).
Genesis beginning with chapter 25 deals with the Bible's most famous (or is that infamous) twins Jacob and Esau. These two fought with one another even before they were born! Jacob bought (try "stole") his older brother's birthright with a bowl of soup! Then Esau hated Jacob and Jacob had to run for his life. The two later reconciled, but Esau ignored God and became the father of all the unbelieving nations of the Middle East.
I skipped over Cain and Abel. Cain was jealous that God preferred Abel's offering over his. Cain killed Abel in his jealousy.
And going back to Jacob, who didn't learn to raise his sons better. Jacob spoiled his son Joseph with the lavish coat of many colors. Joseph's ten older brothers became jealous and wanted to kill him. Instead they sold him into slavery. Yet God used Joseph as a slave to save Jacob's whole family from starvation during a long worldwide famine.

SS-04 Taming the Twins

Sam and the crew have been asked to transport two American boys - "The Twins" - back to the USA. Their parents were both killed in an elephant attack in India. These boys lack a lot in the way of good behavior and Sam has been asked to try to make Christian gentlemen out of them in the process of taking them to the USA. They pull one stunt after another until they come face to face with something they never saw before... themselves for who they really are. But is it too late to show Sam and the crew they mean business? Tune in to see how the love of Christ bears fruit in the hearts of two boys as the crew try to share the gospel with them.

Following "The Twins," Sam and the crew set out to find the ancient "Temple of Isis!"

Have a great week!
Randy

Riverboat Disaster Worst in History

The worst maritime disaster in US history occurred on the wooden-hulled steamboat Sultana. Just days after the assassination of President Lincoln the Sultana was headed north up the Mississippi, severely overloaded with Union soldiers. The soldiers had just been released from Confederate prison camps. In the early morning hours of April 27, 1865, at least one of the four steam boilers powering the paddle wheel exploded ripping the ship apart and setting it on fire. 1,400 of the 2,400 passengers on board that night died in the explosion, in the many fires, or by drowning. The Sultana's legal passenger limit was only 400.
Greed and negligence appear to be the main reasons for the Sultana disaster. One of the boilers had been leaking. The ship was not docked long enough for a safe repair. One of the ship's owners was a Union soldier who was fighting a court martial for stealing money from the army.

Steamboat Notes

Did you know that Mark Twain [Samuel L. Clemens (1835-1910)], who wrote about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, was a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi in his younger days? Yes, Mr. Twain in his early 20's was a "cub" (an apprentice) riverboat pilot in and around Hannibal, Missouri, in the years just prior to the Civil War. By the time he wrote the book Life on the Mississippi in 1883 the days of the steam boat were coming to an end. The railroads had taken over both passenger and freight traffic in the US. Life on the Mississippi is a great look into life on the Mississippi prior to the Civil War.
During that time prior to the Civil War, there were roughly 11,000 steamboats in service. Many of those were paddle wheelers like the River Shark. There are still stern-wheel paddle boats in service today. Most are along the west coast of the US and near the Mississippi delta. Two boats are the Belle of Louisville owned by the City of Louisville, KY, and the Delta Queen moored at Chattanooga,TN. The Delta Queen is a mostly wooden ship and is not allowed by law to carry passengers for fire safety reasons. These two ships often race one another just prior to the Kentucky Derby each year.
The worst maritime disaster in the US occurred just after the Civil War when the paddle wheel steamship the Sultana exploded while carrying Union soldiers home from prison camps in the South. Most of the 2400 passengers and crew on board were killed on April 27, 1865.

A Devotion

Sailor Sam reads his Bible daily and spends time each day in study, meditation, and prayer. He thought you might enjoy something he found in his devotional time.
The Bible's New Testament was probably written in the later half of the first century A.D. The Holy Spirit moved men, such as Paul and some of Jesus' disciples, to write the New Testament in the common language of the day, Koine Greek.
Because of that there are differences in the way words are used. A good example of this today is the difference between the English and Eskimo languages. When the weather gets cold around here, we say the white stuff coming down as precipitation is snow. An Eskimo would have to say that a bit differently because, I believe, there are 7 words for snow in Eskimo. Some of those Eskimo words for snow mean things like new-fallen snow, wet snow, icy snow, and more.
In Greek there are three words that we translate as "love". They are philos, eros, and agape. Philos is brotherly love. Philadelphia means the city of brotherly love. Eros means romantic love. And agape means unconditional love, and that is the word the New Testament uses for God's love. That's why God wants us to call Him father, because His love for us is unconditional, total, complete, never-ending, like the love of a father for his child.
Think about God's agape love today and thank Him for it, especially that He would give His only son Jesus do die so that we can live with Him forever.

Happy Birthday to the Clermont

Harbour Light couldn't have picked a better time to air Sailor Sam's current adventure 'The River Shark." This week is the birthday of the Clermont, the first steam ship. The Clermont was the creation of Robert Fulton. It was launched on August 7, 1807, which will make this the 202nd anniversary of it's maiden voyage. The Clermont traveled at a whopping 5 miles per hour.
Fulton's next steam ship the "New Orleans" was launched in 1811 and did 8 mph. By the way, Fulton also successfully sailed a submarine he named "Nautilus" in 1801.
There are some very interesting sites on the 'Net devoted to the history of steam ships. Also read Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi for some great reading on this subject.

SS-06 The River Shark

SS-06 "The River Shark" (13 episodes)
Sam and the gang began a new adventure today. They are all on their way to Chicago by train when they hear about the River Shark.
The River Shark is an old river boat. Legend says that it was the fastest stern wheel paddle boat on water. But the entire ship disappeared many years ago without a trace, and it contained valuable and historical documents. No one knows if the ship sank, blew up, or was stolen. Collectors would pay a handsome price to obtain those documents. The US Government calls on Sam to to find it. However there are pirates looking for the old vessel. The old treasure is right under their noses but can Sam find figure out the mystery before the pirates do and save the priceless historical treasure from being lost? Tune in for some "cat and mouse" adventure!

SS-01 Killer Whale

Sam and the crew are out to sea on an assignment to catch the largest killer whale they can find for scientific research. To do the job, Sam needs the best harpooner he can find. Harpoon Johnny is just the man... but Harpoon Johnny is a rough old seadog not accustomed to being on a "civilized" schooner. Be sure to be on the quarterdeck for this action packed adventure in the middle of the ocean hunting "The Killer Whale!"

New Ghost of Hook

Sailor Sam and the crew are on a trip up the Amazon. Since Hazel could not come along this trip, Nancy was left with the job. That turned out to be too much for her so the Lord sent an old friend of Olie's - Andrefo'. Andrefo' knew Olie before he was saved - along with a seedy fellow by the name of "Hook." Andrefo' heard that Olie and the Hook received Christ as their Saviour but he does not believe it and it takes a ghost to finally convince him. Join Sam and the crew for the adventure of your life - "The Ghost of Hook!"

Listen to the Harbour Light Online at www.harbourlightradio.org Sailor Sam is heard at 5PM Monday - Friday. Listen 24/7 for Christ honoring Christian programming!

Have a great week!
Randy
Phil 1:9-11

SS-31 The Ghost of Hook

Sam and the crew meet one of Olie's old buddies from before he was saved when the Lord sends the old friend just at the right time. This rough old seadog does not take to Hazel very quickly and she must learn a lesson in Christian love. Olie has a burden for his soul but in the process has to dig out a skeleton in the closet which turns out to be "The Ghost of Hook!" Here how God can save to the uttermost all them who call upon Him!

SS-019 The White Gorilla

On Thursday, Sam and the crew began a much needed holiday at a cabin in Florida. Although an amusement park is not far away, the amusement they find right there at the cabin leads to joy in Heaven! Don't miss this side-splitting adventure called "The White Gorilla!"

Hear Sailor Sam on the Harbour Light weekdays at 5PM AST. Tune in anytime for Christian programming that truly pleases the Lord. http://www.harbourlightradio.org/

Have a great week!
Randy
Phil. 1:9-11

SS-08 The Golden Galleon

Sam and the crew begin a new adventure on Monday called "The Golden Galleon." Sam has agreed to search for the sunken treasure of a Spanish Galleon. They encounter a number of obstacles as they prepare and set out on this adventure so Sam calls a halt for prayer as they seek for God's will and guidance. Assured of God's leading, they proceed with the project but the treasure they find is not what they expect and the greatest treasure is found - not on the bottom of the ocean but much closer to home. Don't miss this exciting adventure of learning to follow God's leading which leads to great spiritual treasure.

Listen to Sailor Sam and other fine Christian programs on the Harbour Light 24/7 http://www.harbourlightradio.org/
Sailor Sam is heard weekdays at 5PM AST.

Sam returns to Ecuador

Sam has returned to the northwest coast of South America to Ecuador. Sam has traveled miles inland to Ecuador's capital Quito and from there southeast to the jungles in the heart of the country. Sam is here to visit the Indian village that inspired this week's Sailor Sam adventure, They Fly For God!
In January of 1956, five young men - Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Jim Elliot - were killed by a fierce warrior tribe that had driven off every missionary who had come to share Jesus with them. These missionaries were working through Mission Aviation Fellowship to reach the Auca Indians, today known as the Waodani Tribe. Today there is a church in the Waodani village.
I heartily recommend you read Elizabeth Elliot's book, Through Gates of Splendor, and also Steve Saint's book, End of the Spear. Elizabeth is Jim Elliot's widow. Steve is Nate Saint's son. End of the Spear has been made into a motion picture as well. These two books share the gripping story both in 1956 and now of the work of these men and their families and how that work has and is bringing the Waodani to Christ!

SS-029 They Fly For God!

Sailor Sam and the crew are currently in the jungles of South America helping twin missionary brothers, Clem and Clieve, set up radio communications for all the missionaries and open up a new mission station by clearing an air strip. Clem is a missionary pilot servicing a number of mission stations in the jungle. This story is a tribute to the five missionaries who gave their lives many years ago in the jungles of Equator so that the Gospel of Christ could be planted in the hearts of savage Indians and provides a great glimpse into missionary life in geographically difficult areas. Don't miss this exciting and spiritually moving story "They Fly For God!"

Hear Sailor Sam (5PM AST weekdays) and many other great Christian programs on the Harbour Light of the Windwards. http://www.harbourlightradio.org/

Sam Sees Somali Pirates

Last week, Sailor Sam and the crew of the Porpoise were delivering Bibles and supplies to missionaries in India. The Porpoise had passed from the Mediterranean Sea, down the Gulf of Suez, heading for the Indian Ocean. Sam and Olie generally sail the major shipping lanes which pass near Saudi Arabia and then Somalia on the way to India. As the Porpoise entered the Indian Ocean, Olie spotted what looked like pirates boarding a large freighter. Fortunately for Sam, the Porpoise was far enough away from the pirates that the pirates didn't see them. Sam knew American forces were not far because the Porpoise had passed American ships near Saudi Arabia. Olie reported the pirates to an American battleship using a special directional radio antenna so the pirates would not hear them. Soon US fighter planes followed by warships arrived at Sam's position. In just minutes Navy Seals had chased off the pirates. The Seals did capture some of the pirates. Sam suspects that the Navy planes and ships soon captured the pirate group because the ships quickly sailed in the direction of the pirates.

SS-07 Atomic Material

Our adventure, called "Atomic Material" (13 episodes), began on Thursday. Sam has agreed to transport some atomic material for a friendly nation. This adventure is filled with sailing, spying, submarines and secret agents!

Don't miss out on all the fantastic Christian drama heard on the Harbour Light! Here is a list of the dramas being broadcast in addition to Sailor Sam.
Stories of Great Christians - Adoniram Judson (10AM & 6:30PM AST M - F)
Stories of Great Christians - Fanny Crosby (4AM AST M - F)
Adventures Bookshelf - Fat Alffie and the Feather Caper (3:45PM AST M - F)
Listening Post - Mystery of the Cougar's Yellow Eye (following Sailor Sam at 5:15PM AST M - F)
Ranger Bill - *New adventure each week* (Saturdays at 8AM and 8PM AST)
Fables of Faith - *Continuing adventure in the forest* (Fridays at 7:15AM AST)
Captain's Kids - Fun stories, Bible stories and songs for young children (weekdays at 5:30PM AST following Listening Post)

Listen online 24/7 to Christian radio http://www.harbourlightradio.org/

SS-14 Adrift

Sailor Sam and the crew begin a new 13 chapter adventure on Monday April 6 simply called "Adrift." Sam is transporting some Bibles to some missionaries and has taken aboard two passengers as well. A professor who does not believe in God and a "drifter" who knows the Lord as his Saviour. These two men start off clashing right away. Things go down hill when the weather worsens and the schooner goes through the worst hurricane they have ever been in. The Porpoise looses her masts and other rigging and is in danger of sinking so they decide to abandon ship - in the height of the storm! Tune in to see true Christianity in action and experience the drama and trauma of being "Adrift" in the middle of the Pacific ocean. You won't want to miss a single chapter!

Sailor Sam is heard on the Harbour Light at 5PM AST weekdays. Tune in to hear other great Christian drama, Bible teaching, preaching and Christ-honoring music. http://www.harbourlightradio.org/

Have a great week!
Randy

SS-33 Explosive Situation

Sailor Sam and the crew are off to an "Explosive Situation" in this week's adventure - and I mean this week's adventure because it is only 5 chapters long. The Porpoise is stolen while waiting for its regular haul out to clean the hull of the ship. To make matters worse, Buddy was alone on the Porpoise when it was stolen and the pirates did not realize he was aboard until it was too late. Now they are taking Buddy along with them on their mission to transport explosives and other ammunition to a rebel group in Latin America. Tune in to hear how Buddy learns to trust the Lord and be a witness even in an "Explosive Situation!

More on "The Black Pearl"

Sam and the crew are in a small fishing/oyster village in Japan at the request of a missionary friend. This village has suffered hard times but a mysterious message on the dying lips of an old pearl diver brings hope. The old man says that the secret to better times for the village is to find "The Black Pearl." Sam's assignment? Help find the black pearl! But someone else is interested in finding the "Black Pearl" for himself. In fact, he has already been looking as evidenced by the disturbed oyster beds. Tune in to learn how greed nearly becomes fatal and how a testimony of forgiveness brings life.

SS-27 The Black Pearl

"Stone Manor" will conclude this week. Sailor Sam learned that he is the heir to a castle in England! Sam and the crew decide to go to England to see "Stone Manor." Jealousy, bitterness and a downright ghostly turn of events make this adventure a one-of-a-kind. Tune in to hear how God makes all things work together for good for Sam and the crew - as well as for the servants employed at the Castle.

Following their adventure at "Stone Manor" Sam and the crew sail to Japan at the request of a missionary friend. A Japanese village has suffered hard times. An old pearl diver confides in his grandson just before he dies. The old man says that the secret to better times for the village is to find "The Black Pearl." Sam's assignment? Help find the black pearl! Tune in to learn how greed nearly becomes fatal and how a testimony of forgiveness brings life.

Sam and crew at Mt. Sinai

Sam and crew left Israel and headed northwest around the Mediterranean Sea, past Istanbul, and into the Black Sea. Sam has taken the Porpoise to the northern coast of Turkey to the port city of Trabzon. This is an important and ancient port filled with much Byzantine architecture. Sam is taking the crew on a "field trip" with with a team of archaeologists. They are traveling about 300 miles to none other than Mt. Ararat to study some manuscripts found at a church there. Yes, this is THE Mt. Ararat, the very mountain where Noah's Ark landed after the flood. Turkey is most Muslim. Few foreigners are allowed to Ararat. Only this special science team is allowed to the mountain, only to do their research. But the team will be able go to the base of Ararat and the see region around it to do their work. Then they will have to leave and go back to Trabzon and sail to their next port.
Mt. Ararat was one of the stops on Marco Polo's journey east to China. What an exciting stop on his epic trip!

SS-11 Stone Manor

Here is the update on Sailor Sam and the crew.

"Stone Manor" is the title of the current Sailor Sam Adventure. (13 episodes)
Sailor Sam is in NY relaxing after his latest adventure when he is astonished by a visit from an English lawyer informing him that he is the heir to a castle in England! The old gentleman, Sir Samuel Stone, has died and Sam is the nearest of kin alive. Sam and the crew decide to go to England to see "Stone Manor." Jealousy, bitterness and a downright ghostly turn of events make this adventure a one-of-a-kind. Tune in to hear how God makes all things work together for good for Sam and the crew - as well as for the servants employed at the Castle.

Sailor Sam is heard on the Harbour Light weekdays at 5PM AST.

Other drama programs of interest include:
Adventures Bookshelf - heard weekdays at 3:45PM AST(The current Adventure is Pilgrim's Progress)
Stories of Great Christians - heard weekdays at 4AM, 10AM, and 6:30PM AST(The current biography is D. L. Moody at 4AM and James Chalmers at 10AM and 6:30PM)
Tune in online at http://www.harbourlightradio.org/

Have a great week!
Randy

SS-30 Lake Africa

Sailor Sam and the crew have just met Professor Digg, an archeologist, who has contracted Sam to take him on a digging expedition in Africa. Professor Digg has come aboard the Porpoise but not without fanfare. It appears that Professor Digg is going to make life difficult for the crew. Tune in to find out how the professor "digs" himself into a deep hole and and learn along with the crew how to display a Christ-like spirit toward those who are hard to get along with.

Following "Lake Africa," Sam and the crew sail to England where Sam is to take possession of his inheritance - "Stone Manor!"

Sailor Sam airs at each weekday at 5 PM (Atlantic Standard Time). Get in on all the adventures with Sailor Sam as well as many other fine Christian programs on the Harbour Light of the Windwards. www.harbourlightradio.org

Have a great weekend!
Randy

Porpoise off to Israel

Sailor Sam has sailed to Israel from Venice. The crew of the Porpoise are visiting the Israeli cities of Akko (formerly Acre, in northeastern Israel) as well as Jerusalem.
In roughly 1269, teenager Marco Polo followed his father and uncle on a return trip to China to see Kublai Khan grandson of Genghis Khan. Kublai Khan had a wife who was a Coptic Christian and had interested the leader in Christianity. Kublai asked the Polos to bring him 100 Christian scholars and some oil from the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem. Newly elected Pope Gregory X sent two friars with the Polos at Acre. Unfortunately, the friars feared the journey and left the Polos before they had gone very far. The Polos did obtain the oil in Jerusalem. But this did little to convince Kublai of the value of Christianity.

From New Orleans to Venice

Sam is giving Buddy and Nancy a real education with a field trip to Italy. The Porpoise has left New Orleans and is headed to Venice, Italy. If you remember from a previous blog, you got a hint about where Sam was planning to go. That hint was "Marco Polo." Sam is taking the whole crew to see the Venice home of Marco Polo which is in the northeastern corner of Italy. Before they get there they are stopping in Genoa, Italy to see where Marco spent roughly three years as a prisoner of war. There he and a fellow prisoner wrote the amazing tale of his real-life journey to China where he lived with the Great Kublai Khan, emperor of the Tartars.

SS-17 Pirates

Pirates are raiding the villages on the little island of Mangu. Missionaries live on the island and have converted many of the natives there. The villagers don't have much but are content. The pirate raids are stealing and destroying what little the natives have. Many natives and a chief want war. Another chief wants peace and wisdom from God. The chief who wants war has agreed to wait one day while the other chief looks for an answer from God.
Out on the ocean, on board the Porpoise there is boredom. Nothing but ocean. The same routine every day. The kids are tired of the monotony. When will God bring something interesting into their lives?
A possible theme for this story is "Waiting on the Lord."

SS-25 Mountain Music

This week "Mountain Music" continues...
Sam and the crew are in the middle of an adventure in the Appalachian mountains! Buddy and Nancy went to spend the summer with their aunt and uncle who are missionaries high in the Kentucky mountains. The area they are working in is populated predominately by two feuding families - the Caldwells and the Beals. No one knows why the feud started, they just know they have been at odds for several generations and don't have a mind to quit. The situation deteriorates quickly after Buddy and Nancy arrive and make friends with some of the children. When their crops are burned and they became hostages on the mission station, Buddy risks a trip through the woods to send a message to Sam to come help. How can Sam stop the feuding which would allow Uncle Fred and Aunt Jane to share the Gospel? A shooting contest, a stolen donkey, a sick child and kidnappers make things pop! Tune in to see how God works every thing together for good!

Next week... "Pirates"
Sam and the crew sail in to a small island in the Pacific to help the missionaries and tribes people solve the mystery of the Pirates. More on that later...

Sam and Crew in New Orleans

Sam, Hazel and the kids met up with Olie at Galveston's Scholes International Airport. They purchased and loaded supplies on the "Porpoise." Then they set sail for New Orleans, Louisiana. Sam and Olie sailed the "Porpoise" the roughly 400 miles from Galveston to New Orleans in just three days. The crew was anxious to get to work helping rebuild homes and lives wrecked by Hurricane Katrina.

Sam and Hazel volunteered with Katrina Aid Today to work on rebuilding houses for the next two weeks. Olie and the kids will be helping as well - feeding the hundreds of hungry volunteers in the area where Sam and Hazel will be working. Actually, Hazel and Olie will take turns working on homes and feeding workers with the kids. But Olie let Hazel go first in the construction work.

The normally strong Sam was moved to tears by the terrible destruction in New Orleans. Most of New Orleans is still deserted after more than three years. Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005 destroying or damaging thousands of homes and businesses.

The KAT folks told Sam that the Christians around the United States have contributed their time, money, food, furniture and so much more to help rebuild lives in New Orleans. Groups like the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Catholic Charities, Lutheran World Relief and many, many more are in various places around town hard at work. More than 500,000 Christians of every denomination have come to New Orleans so far to help build homes and clean up the Katrina mess. Those volunteers have built or repaired over 53,000 homes so far. And the rebuilding work continues which is why the "Porpoise" crew is here.
Sam then learned that Katrina is not the only hurricane to hurt the Gulf Coast. From 2005 to 2007, Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan, and Wilma have all caused major damage around the Gulf.

Sam and the rest will be in New Orleans for about two weeks helping with the rebuilding.
Please take the time to see how the love of Christ is being shared daily in New Orleans by Christian Good Samaritans in 2009. Search the 'Net or go to your church's web site and search for "Katrina" there.

Happy New Year from Sailor Sam

Sailor Sam and the crew sailed to Galveston. They left "The Porpoise" docked there for a few weeks while they visit family and friends.
Sam, Aunt Hazel, and the kids have flown to Chicago to visit with friends at Moody. They will leave Chicago this week to visit family for two weeks. Then they will return to Galveston to set sail.
Olie flew to Sweden to spend the holidays with his family. He is planning to meet Sam and the others at Galveston.
Once together, the crew plans on spending some time helping with the continued clean-up in New Orleans.
If all goes well for Sam, "The Porpoise" and it's crew will head for Venice,Italy after leaving New Orleans. I can't tell you what Sam it up to, but I can give you a hint - Marco Polo. Can you guess what Sam has in mind?
Sam, Olie, Hazel, Buddy, and Nancy hope everyone has had a holy Christmastime. And they wish everyone a happy and joyous New Year!