Lightship # 116-538 CHESAPEAKE

I was overseas aboard the Coast Guard Cutters Mellon and Munro (WHEC 717-724) in the early 80's. I only went to Church service once, the sermon was on crossing the Jordan River into the promise land. This promise land for me was getting a job as a marine engineer in Curtis Bay, across from the Coast Guard Yard, aboard Army Watercraft. I would work assisting the USCG in aids to navigation (winter replacement) of bouies loaded aboard our barges, and towed by our Harbor Tugs.

I worked from 1983-1989 for Capt. Cooper (USNPS) - Baltimore Maritime Museum aboard the Chesapeake, USCGC Taney, & USS Torsk. while studding in "street ministry" and had read a devotional stating we are to be "Vessels of Light for Christ" the day before being hired.

I became a Marine Machinery Technician for the Army; located directly across from the U.S. Coast Guard Yard. On my twenty years of service, in Water Survival Training; I suffered a massive heart attack having the Lord beside me shoulder to shoulder; later I looked down upon my own ambulance...

This all happened two days after my independent ordination into ministry.

Today I am a certified Chaplain and Reverend only because of God's call on my life.

 As I read in a devotional the day before getting hired aboard the Lightship - 

Christians are to be "Vessels of Light for Christ" with our lives; as nothing happens by accident, and the physical is only a reflection of God's working in our lives.

Respectfully,

Rev. Roland T. Dell,

Chaplain Lightship Ministries