The center has a chapel where religious services sometimes attract non-Christians. Pastor David Wells remembers some Buddhists from Thailand.

“They came into the worship and they partook in communion, and they were Buddhists. But they did that because they felt connected with the people that were here and that is what they want. They want to feel a connection with other people.”

The pastors also bring donated gifts to ships. Hassan, the second officer of a Turkish ship with a Muslim crew, was grateful for the gifts.

“Maybe I will bring something from Istanbul to give to you.”

“Next time we want you to have a visa so you can get off and have some freedom.”

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, international seafarers need a visa to go on shore leave in the United States. David Wells and other pastors from cities with seaports want Congress to make it easier to go on shore for brief periods of time.

The holiday season is a traditional time for giving. Members of a small nonprofit group in northern Virginia are giving their time to military veterans and their families. The volunteers put up Christmas decorations and do other outdoor work to make the homes of veterans look their nicest for the holidays. On a recent day they were at the Spraul family’s home.

Angela Spraul says her young daughters love Christmas.

“It’s really nice to be able to do something fun for them and have the help. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to do this.”