"Make Disciples of All Nations" JESUS" Mt.28:19

Wow, what a wonderful and unique experience… Over the years serving with OM Ships we have heard many people who have visited the Faroe Islands before share about how special it was and now we finally got to experience it for ourselves… AND they were right !!!

We had an incredible time meeting many wonderful people, enjoying the breathtaking scenery and making friends. God has obviously blessed this small nation and is using it to be a blessing and a shining light to the world.

Islas Faroes: Una experiencia única y maravillosa! En los años que tenemos sirviendo con OM hemos escuchado mucho acerca de esta tierra de ensueño y GAD tuvimos la oportunidad de poder visitarla!

Fue un tiempo muy especial, conociendo gente comprometida a servir y ministrar! Es una nación muy pequeña, pero comprometida a impactar el resto de los países europeos y el mundo.

Edinburgh Castle and the park in the picture behind us was the venue for a live easter play that thousands of people attended. It was very touching to see so many people gripped by the live scenes that unfolded in front of their eyes… It was quiet emotional to witness especially the crucifixion and resurrection scenes.

We had a wonderful time in the Netherlands and even though these were our first “real” ministry ports we PRAISE GOD for the incredible opportunities we had to share God’s love and encourage local believers. Many lives were impacted and it again proved that God can use us even when we feel weak and inexperienced.

It was quiet an emotional experience for us when we set sail from Denmark – we have been waiting for almost 2 and a half years for this first voyage. We stand in awe when we think of all the prayers, work, effort, joys and struggles over many years of many thousands of people working together to make it possible…
GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL and we give Him all the glory !!!

 A few weeks ago we had our first snow of the Christmas season… Many of the crew went outside (even though dark & cold) and soon we had a big snowball fight… For many of the crew this was the 1st time in their lives they had ever seen snow…

Special Christmas Dinner onboard the Logos Hope.

We both were involved in serving the crew as waiters for a special Christmas dinner on the evening of the 24th.

Logos Hope… 

Our journey in missions has taken us back to OM Ships, but this time on board Logos Hope, which is OM’s new ship, currently in Trogir, Croatia where major works are being completed before she sails to an outfit port.  It was not easy to leave South Africa after the amazing time we spent there with Brian’s family and working with the AIDS Hope team, but we knew God was calling us back to the Ships Ministry. Brian was asked to lead one of the divisions on board called “Partner Ministries”; its main focus is on serving our partners who make this minsitry possible through their prayers, their service and financial support… Our vision is to see the Ministry of OM Ships prayed for, fully staffed and fully resourced. Miriam is also part of this division, specifically involved in the Guest Relations/ Hospitality team… Please pray for Brian in his leadership role (he will also be part of the Logos Hope Leadership team which consists of 6 directors) and for Miriam as she also leads her team.

Sink or Swim…

Miriam and I recently had to renew our BST (Basic Safety Training) certification. We had to do a First Aid course, Basic Fire fighting and safety at sea which also meant having a practical day at a pool where we do some exercises such as jumping of a diving board with a lifejacket on (Miriam’s picture), life raft training etc. 

A Real Celebration…

We PRAISE GOD for all the work been done onboard and that we are able to see so much progress – especially to our dining room (see picture below). We recently celebrated the “grand opening” of our newly refurbished dining room. This was a special occasion for the crew onboard who has been used to eating off temporary made press wood tables. It is also wonderful to see the progress made on deck 4 flooring which is almost complete.

Logos Hope Arrival in Kiel, Germany.

It seemed almost unreal for us to see the Logos Hope sail into Kiel after waiting for almost 14 months for her arrival. It was quiet an emotional experience and yet a GREAT celebration at the same time. God has been so good to us and we were once again humbled by His faithfulness.