I continue to speak to groups about my newest book, Pedro’s Delivery, (Pink Umbrella Books, 2026). Increasingly folks will ask me about the plight of commercial ship seafarers, so many of them Filipino, in the Strait of Hormuz. My heart is heavy as I think about the wartime conditions on the waters near Iran.

First, I am struck by the number of folks I encounter who haven’t even heard of the Strait of Hormuz. Not everyone follows the news. And I understand how busy folks are these days. But never heard of it?

I now subscribe to the “Strait of Hormuz Updates” compiled weekly by the International Christian Maritime Association. (subscribe here) It comes with a note from Jason Zuidema, who oversees the North American Maritime Ministry Association, the group I made remarks to about my book Aug. 4 during their convention in Philadelphia.

I like the updates so much because the compilation relies on multiple sources.

Jason noted Sept. 10 that the Gulf conflict was intensifying at his writing. Iran launched missiles at U.S. warships and forces in Jordan. The U.S. responded by destroying eight Iranian oil tankers. Commercial traffic through the strait has not stopped but is limited. In short, the war is not over and appears to have no end in sight.

I won’t cite all the sources here, but a paragraph from UN News cited in Jason’s update especially caught my attention:

Ships and seafarers increasingly caught in the crossfire of unrelated wars

“Four regions – the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the waters off Somalia and the Black Sea – are now simultaneously active theatres of danger, on a scale the shipping industry has not seen before. Vessels and seafarers are being trapped and attacked in conflicts that have nothing to do with the ships themselves.”

At least 70 cargo ships have been attacked since the war with Iran began, and 19 seafarers have been killed. Recent statistics suggested that even though limited traffic is accessing the Strait an estimated 400 cargo ships and as many as 6,000 seafarers are in limbo nearby. Getting them on and off ships as contracts begin or expire and getting seafarers provisions when they are not in port is much more costly than usual. Shipping is getting harder to insure.

These realities should deeply concern us. I’m asking you, dear readers, to pray for the safety of innocent seafarers. They do so much for us. In addition, their plight is becoming our predicament too. Because it is getting harder for seafarers to “deliver the goods” to us, including much needed fertilizer for farmers, our costs are bound to increase dramatically in the uncertain months ahead.

You can read the original reflection Hormuz Heartache here.

On Tuesday afternoon, August 4, I had the distinct privilege of addressing 115 shipboard visitors and chaplains from all across North America. I was a keynoter at the annual conference of NAMMA, the North American Maritime Ministry Association held at the Marriott Hotel in Old City Philadelphia. I described how my 10 years of experience visiting hundreds of ships and their crews in the Port of Philadelphia had changed my life and inspired the writing of Pedro’s Delivery (Pink Umbrella Books, 2026.)

We are so grateful that Jason Zuidema, who directs NAMMA, invited Lynn and me to be part of this special conference, giving me the chance to talk about the journey leading to Pedro. I made all those visits as a volunteer for the venerable Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey (SCI).

Jeff Wheeler, who has been involved in the cocoa industry in the Port for 46 years, was so taken with Pedro’s Story that he donated copies of the book to all the conference attendees. Jeff began his career as a stevedore loading bags of cocoa beans on railroad cars. He now oversees the importing and distribution of beans in the Port as CEO of Dependable Distribution Services, Inc. in Pennsauken, NJ.

Because of Jeff’s generosity, conference attendees, having heard my remarks, sent me and my spouse, Lynn, a consistent message as they spoke to us. “This book does a great job educating children about what goes on behind the scenes to bring products to their store shelves.” Some said reading the story to and with their children and grandchildren will help give early readers an understanding of the importance of their ministry to seafarers.

Several said they hope to purchase multiple copies of Pedro’s story to give to those they relate to in the workplace and to family members.

Lynn and I were greatly blessed and moved to meet so many dedicated and compassionate caregiving professionals and hear their stories. It made my having written the story of Pedro so worthwhile!

Here’s the video of his talk:

Here are some photos with Mark (and Lynn) at the event:

Images and video courtesy NAMMA