DAY 1!

We piled into a van in the sweltering heat; no seat belts, windows open, dust blowing in, bouncing around down the dirt roads to the build site.  Expectant.  Hopeful.

We built the foundation.  It was my first time to lay blocks and try to mimic how the professional bricklayers I intriguingly watched when I was a child used their trowel so effortlessly.  I learned the difference between cement and concrete - would have thought I would have known that before!  Learned in the best way possible for a kinesthetic learner; mixing it by hand!  The sun was pretty scorching, but I did my best not to get burned (i.e. I took a LOT of teasing for my long sleeves!).

The contractor as well as the Habitat for Humanity overseer are Christians, but the other workers are not.

All in all it was a good day, though a bit tiring from the sun, but of course I still had enough energy to swing dance tonight! :)

There will be pictures soon!  

Don't build your house on the sand... (even if you are in the Caribbean!)

Dear friends,

Would you please pray for me the next three days?  We are going out to build a house!  As 10 deckies, we are really excited about this opportunity to use our love of working with our hands to bless the people of Guyana in such a practical way!  We're not quite sure what to expect, but we do know one thing - without prayer, nothing will happen (except the enemy will win)! 

Today is our preparation day for this "Challenge Team" and we just finished watching several inspiring episodes of Tim Scott and Will Decker "Travel the Road" - with a purpose to share the gospel!  http://www.traveltheroad.com  Watching them go into the slums of India and the warzones of Africa taking only the clothes on their back, a camera to document their journey, and a love for Jesus really motivated me.  They did what they could to help the people and preached wherever they went.  We're ON FIRE FOR JESUS! and boy, am I excited about this Help team!  "Jesus that is in me is greater than the devil that is in the world!"

You can pray for us by name -
Ryan (USA) - team leader
Daniel (Australia)
Adam (Australia)
Gabriel (Brazil)
Lydie (Switzerland)
Samy (Germany)
Ruben (Mexico)
Tim (N. Ireland)
Justin (USA)
and myself

Pray-
->for teamwork, that we would be a great example of different cultures unified in Christ
->for safety and health (NO malaria or bad sunburn or food poisoning!)
->that we could really connect and share with the locals and have great opportunities to give out the gospels of John

On fire for Him!,
Naomi

Logos Hope Adventure Nov. 24, 2009

GUYANA. 

MALARIA PILLS.  EXTRA SECURITY.  AIDS.  ...welcome to Guyana!

We're told lots of things sailing to this new and unknown and we're not quite sure what to expect in this first (and only at this time) port in South America.  Guyana has a population of 922,942. 43% of the population says they are Christian, 33% are Hindu and 8.7% Muslim.  The exciting thing in this port is that for the first time we are really bringing out the "Help" part of "Knowledge, Help, and Hope."  Almost half of ship's company has the opportunity to go on a Challenge Team or Help Team during our three weeks there, bringing practical aid to the people.  I will be part of a team that will be working with Habitat for Humanity to build houses!  I volunteered with Habitat for several days in the States last year, and now I get to do it in another country! :)

So, here we go, rocking and rolling a bit because the port (left side) stabilizer is not working, and taking our malaria tablets.  Gearing up for... [enter scary music] ...GUYANA!  We should arrive tomorrow in the capitol, Georgetown.

PRAISE...
-God for a great Sabbath week where ship's company was able to rest and refocus on God and have good teaching sessions by pastor Gary Simons.  For me was a time to slow down and not think about my job, but focus on my life.  It was a good reminder that our LIVES are supposed to be worship. (Rom. 12:1)  Please pray that every aspect of my life would be pleasing to Jesus.  It's all to easy to compromise or think He doesn't care about [a certain aspect], but actually He has called us to live pure lives and we can always live to a higher standard.
-That I do not get seasick!  This is a BIG praise - I am so blessed!  Today is my off day and as soon as I finish this I'm running off to go take care of a bunch of the toddlers who's moms aren't feeling so hot.

PLEASE PRAY...
-For the many who are seasick onboard.  There is also some kind of flu/virus going around, as well as side effects from the Malaria tablets we're all taking to keep us from dying (haha!), so put together, about 80% of us are sick.
-That the Challenge/Help teams would be able a blessing to the people of Guyana and a great way to share God's love.
-That I would stay safe and healthy while in Guyana.
-That no one would catch Malaria!
-That we could really reach out to the Hindu and Muslim population and that God would give us the right words to say so we wouldn't offend them

Off to take a Malaria pill and play with the kiddos!

The privilege to walk alone and Thoughts on ministry

I walked alone off the ship for the first time today in more than four months.  It was a glorious (and a bit scary!?) 10 minutes of freedom.  Normally it is unsafe - for girls especially - to go anywhere by yourself here in the Caribbean; we have to go in pairs or large groups.  But in this port we are allowed to go out alone on the main road during daylight.  =D

Here is a thought-provoking quote I read today:

"Ministry isn't about telling people what you think their problem is, or putting them in what you think is their place.  Ministry is making room in  your life -- and in your heart -- for people.

Many people have done a lot of talking at me, and a lot of them had some really good points.  Didn't matter.  I was only ever deeply changed by those who called me part of their family, despite the inconvenience, despite what anyone thought."  --http://www.boundless.org

Ministry is caring about people.  The lost in a third world country, supporters back home, your family, the homeless, a hurting friend... it makes no difference.  If you take time to invest in them and encourage them, that is ministry.  Life is about relationships.  In the end, that's all that will matter.  Don't let it pass you by.

Logos Hope Adventure (e-mail update) Nov. 15, 2009

AT ANCHOR

Hello from Logos Hope in Barbados!  Boy, am I glad to say "from Barbados" instead of from at anchor!  This port has definitely been a challenge.  We arrived in Barbados the end of October, but several days after arriving we had to move out to anchor because the swell (the sea was too rough) was making it unsafe for us to stay tied up alongside.  This was a disappointment for a lot of the crew, myself included, because we couldn't be open to the public doing ministry as we had hoped.  After the swell died down a grain ship came in to the berth to unload, so we stayed sitting at anchor for more than a week.  It's hard to see why God let this happen - us "losing" so many days that we weren't in port and no one could get books and having to cancel all the events that were planned for the people of Barbados.  However, we were able to lower several lifeboats during this time to shuttle people to land and God did some really great things through these teams that went out every day.

When we finally could come in from anchor, we had to shift berths several times to pick up our vans, load a container, get fresh water, and discharge used water.  (And moving the ship is not quite as simple as it sounds - we have to fire up our engines ahead of time, tie everything down ready to sail, and get everyone from on land back onboard, etc.).  For our whole time at anchor we had to conserve water; the last day we were so low the rule was "no laundry, no showers."  The latter not a very fun prospect after a hard day of work getting really dirty!  When our internet completely went out too, we felt like "real missionaries!"  After moving four times in two days, we are now in our proper berth again and open to the public for our last four days in this port!


GRANDMA AND GRANDPA'S VISIT!!!

One very exciting thing for me that happened while at anchor was Grandma and Grandpa Nelson coming to visit!  Despite some transportation complications - getting to a ship that's sitting in the middle of the sea - they made it and we had a fantastic time together!  Unfortunately they didn't get to see us actively in ministry because of being at anchor, but they did get to experience community life onboard.  It was a very special four days with them!!!


THE MUSLIM MAN WITH A CANE

In the last port, St. Lucia, we presented "The Mark Drama" - a very powerful 75 min. presentation of the life and ministry of Jesus taken straight from the gospel of Mark and acted out in a "theater-in-the-round."  The doors opened... and we waited.  A few people trickled in - late, typical for Caribbean culture.  I noticed one interesting man come in.  He was older, with a big white beard and a very intricately carved cane.  I helped seat him and his wife, wondering who he was and where he was in his walk with Christ... if he even knew Jesus.  We started, with only 45 people in the audience instead of the up to 250 we could have had.  Though a bit disappointed there were only so few, we prayed that the people here were ones who really needed to hear what we were about to present.  Now, several others had noticed this man (he WAS a bit of a unique character!) and after the drama, when everyone else had left, he and his wife kept sitting there.  So I went to speak to them.  I asked them if they liked the drama and with tears in her eyes his wife said, "Yes, yes, thank you so much.  I brought my husband tonight to see what it is that I believe and it was just what he needed to hear.  He's a Muslim and I'm a Christian."  If we did the whole drama only for the Muslim man with a cane, it was worth it.

THANK the Lord:
-that we are back from anchor and can be open for the people of Barbados
-that Grandma and Grandpa could come visit!!!

PLEASE PRAY:
-for the Muslim man with the cane, that he would come to know Jesus as the only way to be saved
-that many people would come visit these last few days in this port
-that the sea would stay calm so we could stay in port these last three days
-for the upcoming "Sabbath week" for ship's company; that we would rest and be refreshed and have good teaching times

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Americans!  I have LOTS to be thankful for, do you?

Swing Dance!

Please pray...
->that each day I would wake up passionate
        to serve God!
->that I would grow closer in my
        walk with Him
->that I would work hard in my job
->be disciplined to have personal
         quiet time every day
->that God would continually
        put people in my path who
                I can share Christ with

THANK YOU  for praying for me!

For the ministry...
->that we could help each person that comes onboard
take "ONE STEP CLOSER TO JESUS!"
->that  many people would come to the ship
->for energy and strength
->health for all the crew
->safety


THANK YOU for your
SUPPORT
SENDING me out and
STANDING behind me in prayer!

YOU are a part of OM
 Ship ministry!

These are the faces that break your heart...

Bel-Air Children's Home - "You are special!"

Spent all day with the 35 kids who range in age from 1-19; some handicapped.  Originally we thought it was an orphanage, but no, none of the children are actually orphans; they are - which is worse, I think - abandoned or abused.  Rejected by those who should love them the most, these children are starved for touch and affection.  God bless their caretakers who put up with a LOT - trust me, I know.  Our theme?  "You are special!"

Just their Bel-Air pledge shows their pain:

As a resident of Bel-Air

I want to prepare for a better future.

A place with room for you and me.

Where our minds can be safe and free.

With goals that you may try to achieve.

No matter what people may believe.

I have a life to live.

I can help because I am growing.

I am as bright as the sun that shines.

I am as strong as the wind and the rain.

As rich as the deep blue sea.

I can rise, I can try,  I can succeed.

I am going to reach to the top.

And I will, because I believe in me.

These are the faces that break my heart, and haunt my thoughts.  What will become of these children in a few years?

If we brought them smiles, even for a day, then we succeeded.

my little boy

running to greet me

Shondell & me

"SHONDELL"
she says he is a little more than a year
he looks at me
his eyes wide with untold fears
he's old enough but doesn't speak a word
it's too loud for him be heard
left alone in his crib all day
silent he sat
watching the others play

i pick him up
"he is too light" crosses my mind
only six teeth show
can he really be one year old?
do they feed him enough?
does he ever play?
who is there to care for him each day?

what can life have in store?
what future can he have?
doesn't the world care a little more?...
but he doesn't need the world
he just needs someONE.

his name, she says, is Shondell
he was my one-day baby boy.

RIGHT NOW!

This is right now, Sunday evening Aug. 9!  We might break a record!

All these people coming to visit the ship; each one hearing about Jesus. 

This is why we're here.

Kingstown, St. Vincent

Logos Hope - Bringing Knowledge, Help and Hope

our berth in St. Vincent

Special needs Children's Home

They may not have father or mother to care for them and love them, but they have a Father in heaven who sees and is watching over them.  

They have so little; by having three meals a day we have so much.  My heart hurts for these children - what can I do that will "make it better?"  But we give what we can - love, touch, time - to show them that Someone loves them.

They played their hearts out -- to try and raise money to build themselves a new home.

...they are precious in His sight.

The book she's holding is the story of Jesus that we give out to kids.  They are so happy to get a book!

Kid's Programs

Day Off

(l.-r. Nicky and Simon - USA, me, Rosanna - Australia, Tony - South Africa)

Off to spend the day at the white sand beaches on the Grenadine island of Bequia!

The lines of people coming to visit the ship.

My first Hope Team!

Mental Health Centre

their first books!

Telling about our ship and sharing the message of hope.

Annika (Germany) and Kency (far left, India) officially handing over the books to start their new library project! 

with one of the patients 

Registered as a 160 bed centre, they normally have 226+ patients.  Bare cement walls and floor, locked behind bars; about half were barefoot.  Hardly humane living conditions.  The nurses do the best they can with what they have.  But if there are only 160 beds... I don't want to think about where the rest of them sleep...

Pray:

• for all the people in these pictures; the orphans, special needs children, mental patients, and visitors that Logos Hope crew are getting a chance to reach out to
• that they would understand and accept the message of salvation - their only certain hope
• for Hope Teams, a part of the ministry that is just starting up in the Caribbean region.  Pray for creativity and unity in the teams, as we as a team are told where we are going and then must come up with the "program" we are going to do - dramas, music, testimonies, flag parade, ship presentation, etc. - and then present it.  It is a stretching experience, and can be stressful if it is rather spur of the moment.
• for energy for me, each day!
• that I would get many more opportunities to reach out to orphans and children, as this is really my heart
• against Satan's attacks.  At times we can really tell that we are fighting a spiritual battle - pray against dissension and sickness onboard
• THANK GOD for all my supporters who are making it possible for me to be here!  Did you know???!  I have had enough support come in each month to be fully supported for the past 7 months - 1/4 of my time! 

THANK YOU

for standing in the gap with me in prayer!

During our 14-day Atlantic crossing, this verse came mind:

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.  

Habakkuk 2:14

Do you have any idea of how much water there is in the sea???  Enough so that we can sail for days and days and never see land, and can't drop anchor because it's too deep.  That's how much we want people to know about God!

my week in the engine room!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024981&id=1223075100&l=bb5f52e7cb

So this is the Faroes!

Today is a special day for Logos Hope!  Today marks the 5 year anniversary of the ship Norrona (changed to Logos Hope) being bought by Operation Mobilization.

Now we are back in her "home" port of registry, Torshavn, Faroe Islands.  It's o.k., be honest; you know you don't know where that is!  I didn't know it even existed until I came to the ship.  Look NW a bit from Denmark, I think - I'm really not sure... and kind of near the Shetland Islands... maybe I should look on a map myself... :D  It's a group of Islands owned by Denmark (but shhhhh, don't tell them I said that!) with a population of only 48,000.  The unique thing about this place is, there are no trees.  And they eat whale and have lots of sheep.

sisters!  (and both in our work clothes :P)

i AM going to write an update... AND PICTURES!!!

...as soon as i can figure out how. :)

THANK YOU for your partnership with me!

Thursday we saw a miracle as we sailed to Sweden.

PST (Pre-Ship Training [group]) Birkedal's Welcome to Logos Hope