Creation, Fall, Flood...

What a great time of teaching we've had this past week. We've bleesed to have Pastor Gary and his team from Bermuda on board all week teaching us every monring during devotion. Pastor Gary was leading us through a very intensive, yet fun-filled and fact based "walk -thouough the bible"
We've been walking through the Old Testament. We've learned 77 key words that help to put the old testament in chronological order and highlights the main events and players of the books. I've really enjoyed it and am a bit sad to see it coming to an end.

Surprise!

I surprised family and friends by showing up at a wedding in San Diego two weekends ago! I had a wonderful time of relaxation and shopping before I headed back to the ship. I was only able to stay in town for a week, and Thanksgiving with the family was an important time for us all.
I'm sorry that I didn't have more time to spend with all my friends and supporters. I look forward to September 09 when I can really sit down with everyone who has been an encouragement to me this past year and share what's been happening in my life.

Mom and Dad at Thanksgiving

Josh and Stephanie's wedding

Tis the season

It's that time of year again.... winter! I still haven't become a fan of winter, it's cold, you can't wear shorts, and it's usually wet outside. Oh how I miss palm trees, santa anas, and firestorms!
But winter brings the appoach of Christmas! I'm been put in charge of thise year's Christmas committee and New Year plans! I love planning parties and organization is a gift. Pray that this Christmas season will be a special one for all those on board who are celebrating Christmas away from home for the first time.

Th ship will be in Koege for the holidays so here is a local address for any presents you want to send my way!
Jessica Edwards
MV LOGOS HOPE
c/o Baltic Kaj 1
4600 Køge
DENMARK

And here is a link to our new video that shows my ship and how much we've gotten finished. Enjoy
http://www.omships.org/links/click.php?id=25

Fire Spinning

My roommate Mel, from Australia has a hidden talent.. she knows how to spin POI, also known as fire spinning. She's been teaching a group of us every Monday. I really enjoy it and it's something that not to many can do, but easy to learn. When enough of us get good, we hope to use it as a ministry tool, to open conferences and start conversations. I have video of me spinning the fire on my FACEBOOK account. But here's some pictures of me and the practice poi.

New Things

I've got a new job. It's exciting to finally have a position on board the ship that I can call my own. I'm working in the Community Ministries department and my main responsibilities will be planning and organizing the Christmas & New Year festivities on board. I also get to help a US team coming in October to set up our Crew Library.
It's been a time of change on board. Not only did I get a new job, but I got a new cabin, new cabin mates and a whole new PST arrived! 60 new joiners were welcomed on board two weeks ago. They are thrilled to be here and we, as the community, are thrilled to welcome them on board.
I had to move cabins, again. I'm back down on deck two... turns out my perfect cabin on deck 5 was allocated as a guy cabin, so we all had to move. I'm still rooming with my favourite roommate, Mel (Australia). And we have two new girls, Rebekka (Germany) and Julia (UK). I'm looking forward to getting to know them all better.

Women's Conference

What a blessed time we had this past weekend. A local international church invited all the ladies on board to come to a three day woman's conference. It was a special time. I am especially thankful for the teaching that really renewed my passion for being here and for loving others with all the gifts God has given me.

Legoland, Denmark

Me and Wing (Hong Kong) at Legoland, Denmark

A childhood dream was realized this month, when the entire ship's company was treated to a day of fun at Legoland. OM UK has known how hard we've been working and thought everyone deserved a break. They graciously donated the money for a ship company outing. And since we are in Denmark, the home of Lego, what an obbvious choice for our outing.
The break from routine was greatly appriciated by everyone. The weather was rainy, but that didn't stop us from being kids for the day.

Getting soaked on the water ride.... not because it was super wet, but becasue we couldn't escape the rain!

The port city of Copenhagen, made out of Legos

Me with a Lego film crew

Honesty

Someone recently asked me...."How's the mission ship life" after thinking about it for a moment, here's my reply:

I'm doing Ok in this "mission ship life". We are STILL in project mode, so it's been very (and that word "very" doesn't really give it justice, it so much more then just "very"), but i've been very frustrated and bored. In september we get a group of new recruits which will bring a new energy on board. Plus it means that most of us will get a job change as well. When we change ports is another question. Can you believe I've been on board for almost a year! We've spent 9 months in Kiel, Germany, 1 month in Sweden, and now we are in Denmark, and looks like we will be here till Dec or so. That's a bummer, not getting to "see the world" or do the whole traveling thing.
Please pray that God can continue to change my attitude and to lean more on Him. As it's always been a problem I struggle with, when things don't go my way, I tend to take control instead of just trusting. I had a real low point about a month ago, but since praying though it and seeking good council, I'm doing better. Just yesterday God spoke through someone to remind me that His timing is prefect and I just need to wait because what's in store for me isn't ready yet, (or maybe I'm not ready yet).

work time

These past few weeks have been a chance for me to try something new.... work! I mean, real gritty, dirty work. I've been woring in the project team helping to ready the book hold. We have a lot of space that we have to sort out and clean. And by clean, I mean, remove dirt, dust and rust, prime and paint. I've also been given power tools!!!
Here's a list of tools, that I use daily: hammer, metal file, wire brush, power wire brush, grinder (for the floor), grinder (for cutting metal bars), spanner, screwdriver, air hose (that one is just fun!), jack, and needle gun!
After looking through my pohots I found some of me and dirt, but I haven't any photos of what the book hold looked like before and during. Maybe I'll have some after photos. Enjoy.

Me, Mateus (Brazil) and Angie (USA) are all part of the event team, but now work in the book hold until the end of July.

Mateus (Brazil) and I working hard.

Using a file, practicing for my escape from prison one day.

Welcome to Køge, Denmark

We left Sweden, most of us by bus, on June 22 and headed for Denmark. We are in a nice berth close to the city. In front of the ship are cute little restaurants. We are the biggest ship in the harbor, well, we are about as big as the harbor! While in Denmark, we want to focus on getting some of the major construction projects done, which means we won't be open for the public. In August we will open the ship for tours on the weekends.


On Friday I was helping the deckies relocate the bikes from deck 6 to the quayside. A couple was walking by and asked loads of questions about who we are and where the ship comes from and why we are here. I was able to share with them serving nations and sharing the good news of Jesus. They were really exited to see such a big ship in their little village. It seems all the people from Køge want to know more about us!

As of now, it looks like we will be in Køge until the end of Sept. Can you find Køge on the map? It's south of Copenhagen.. good luck!

Be sure to read Mo the Monkey's latest observations at http://mo-iamthemonkey.blogspot.com/

Project Time

While the ship was in Sweden she was able to go into dry dock, get a new coat of paint, a new generator and all ship's company working 6 days a week to get her ready for ministry and her passenger certificate. It's amaxing to see how much has already been finished since I boarded her in November. We have a completed dining room, most nooks and kranies have had rust removed and fresh paint, the engine room is clean, all of deck 4 has flooring, we have two stages now and much more coming soon!
There is a rush to get things finished for two reasons:
1. We are hoping to get our Passenger Sailing Certifiacte in August. This would make us an official passenger ship and we would be able to sail with full ship's company and guest. All the practical living spaces of the ship much be completed, we need carpet on the stairs, and an overall look and feel that doesn't say, "we live in a construction zone".
2. To start ministry. The whole purpose of OM Ships is to bring Knowledge, Help, and Hope to the nations of the world. No matter where we go or who we meet, we always have an opportunity for ministry. But to use this vessel to her fullest potental we want to have a working Experience Deck, where guest will come aboard to ship for books, learn about Jesus, chit chat with crew members and walk away with that, "there's something different about these people and I want it" feeling.
Please pray that the work can continue at a steady speed. That we can pass our certificates. That ministry will still happen, even if it's not organized on board the ship.

Praises for what's already been completed, no major work-related injuries, and for the large donations to help with the completion of deck 4 and the engine room.
We still need skilled people for the rest of summer... if you know any carpenters, welders or carpet layers,and plumbers who would like to spend a couple months in Denmark, let them know about the Logos Hope Project!
Check out www.logoshope.org for more information about the ship, her purpose, her schedule, and prayer and praise reports.

Ring, Ring... Hello?

Technology is great. All at the same time, I can chat with a friend in Canada, video chat with my mom in San Diego, talk to my dad who is calling mom from a fishing boat somewhere in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. And did I mention I'm in Sweden? Wow!
This is me... chatting on the computer :)

To find me on Skype: jessicaatsea
To find me on MSN: jjhanger@hotmail.com
To find me on AOL: princessjj526
To find me on Yahoo: princessjj526@yahoo.com

Keep in touch... can't wait to chat with you!

Return to Sweden

I was overjoyed when I learned I would be returning to Sweden for another Challenge Team! This time I headed for Malmö, which is located in the southwest corner of the country right next to Denmark. I have fallen in love with Sweden, the people, the culture, nature and the language. It's not very often I find a country that I could say I would like to live in. In fact the last country I wanted to live in was Germany. God answered that request and taught me that I didn't like Germany as much as I thought I was going to.
But now I am in Sweden. I'm with a very different team and we are doing different ministries then the ones I participated with in Stockholm.

Street Church
On Friday nights groups of local Christians from various churches set up tables in the busiest pedestrian areas of the city. Passing out free coffee, cookies and bibles to people on the way to or from the restaurants and clubs. The amazing thing is, that people in Sweden actually stop. They accept the free coffee, free cookies, and even the free bibles with no hesitation. Some people ask "Why?" and the response is always honest. "We want to bless you and tell you about Jesus".
If we were in the states, that's when the people would scoff, walk away, start an argument, or ignore us. But we aren't in the states. We are in Sweden where the people who have had a rich history with Christan influence, have come to be tolerant, accepting, self-reliant and at the same time lost. The Swedish instead answer with, "OK, tell me about Jesus."
It's that simple. We open the bible, we share what Jesus did for us on the cross, no trying to cover up our faith or beliefs, just straight "this is who we are and this is why we believe it". Everyone is polite, thanking us for the coffee, the conversation and the free bibles.
A man accepted Christ last week. He walked by the table a couple times, and returning for a third time shared his hurt and struggles. After walking past the table 2 times, he felt compelled to return and talk to someone. He could no longer resist the Spirit. This isn't a once in while thing, every week seeds are being planted and Swedish people are being saved.

Rosengård
Rosengård, the poorest district in all of Scandinavia, it's where 92% of the residents are unemployed, and 60% of the residents were born in another country. Those aren't exactly the statistics you want to hear when you decide to move to a new part of town. But that's exactly what the members of Thomas Church knew when they chose to move into the heart of Rosengård.
Of the 22,000 people that call Rosengård home, most are immigrants from the Middle East, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia and Lebanon to name a few, making Muslims the number one people group here. Church members are their neighbors, praying for them, holding outreaches for the women and children, teaching them Swedish, and handing out free coffee. The people here are open to discuss religion daily because it's part of their culture.
While helping with Thomas Church, our team has been able to pass out "fika" (coffee and cookies... in case you haven't figured it out yet, Swedish people LOVE coffee breaks). We also cleaned a neighborhood park and played sports and games with the kids. It's all about relationships and letting your life be a witness to God's grace. It's exciting to be a part of what God is doing in Rosengård.

Prayer Request:
That God can continue to unify our team, as we have one week still together.
For the seeds that have been planted. That people will be moved by the Spirit to find meaning and purpose for life in Christ Jesus.
That, through all our words and actions, Christ will be glorified and hearts transformed.

Another Year Older

Nothing big was planned for my birthday. The events team I work with threw me a little party complete with funny videos and a cake. They wanted to put my face IN the cake, but they know me too well, so settled for putting my face ON the cake.
That evening I had dinner with some special friends. It was a Monday night, which meant "Monday Night Worship". I had expected to go out with a few friends after dinner, but they surprised me with a game.
I had to put on a blindfold, a silly hat and follow a string around the whole ship! What fun.... for everyone else. My friends were not very good leaders, as they let me bump into walls and strangers, who, along with their giggles, were wishing me Happy Birthday. The string lead me back to my own cabin and inside was confetti and friends waiting to surprise me.
It meant so much to celebrate with friends and have a good time. I told them their surprise party was great... but not quite as great as the one I had the previous year :)

Leaving Kiel!

We are leaving Kiel!!! The ship is heading for dry dock in Sweden, and the ship's company will soon be following. Because the ship doesn't have her Passenger Certificate only 75 crew members can sail with her. So tonight, 100 of us will be having a "slumber party" as a local church then bussing to Sweden in the morning. It's exciting to be leaving a port we have called home for the past 9 months. Most of us joined the ships to bring the word of God to people around the world, it's neat to finally be leaving for another country.

While the ship is in dry dock there will be 10 land teams to 5 different countries sent out to work with churches and other Christian organizations. I'll be going back to Sweden, but this time to a city named Malmo. It has the one of largest immigrant populations in all of Europe. Please pray for team unity and opportunities for us to share Jesus with local youth.

All the teams will be rejoining the ship on June 17 in Koge, Denmark. While away I won't be able to check my gbaships.org address, but you can still email to it, or find me on Facebook.



I can't wait to tell you all what the future holds after dry dock. I still don't know the details, but hope to learn some plans when everyone rejoins the ship! In the meantime, I had a birthday and will share that with you in my next blog, along with photos.

HopeFest

Our time in Kiel is coming to an end. We have been in this city for 9 months and have been blessed by the churches and people we have grown to love. For a special Thank You to all the members of our new community we opened Deck 4 up to the public for a special two day program we called "HopeFest". I was in charge of orchestrating the open ship and everything that was to happen on Deck 4.

















For those who don't know, Deck 4 will be our EXPERIENCE DECK. The entire deck will be used for the public. It will include the book fair, an international cafe, along with gospel presentations and an area about life onboard. Right now, it's just an empty deck with really nice flooring.


















The weekend was a great success and over 1,000 people came to experience HopeFest. There were clowns, cultural tables, a magic show, dramas, and lots of people. It was so overwhelming to see how much effort the crew members put into making this day all about God and letting his Spirit shine through them to befriend the public, (along with showing off their cultures). God is good and filled an empty deck with his goodness.

New email

My new and final email is:

jessica.edwards@gbaships.org

Besides getting email, I also like to get snail mail and packages. The address for those is:

Jessica Edwards
LOGOS HOPE
Alte Neckarelzer Str. 2
D-4821 Mosbach, Germany

Sweden Pictures

Our Sweden Team, leaving, Emma (USA), SoHee (S. Korea), Me, Mateus (Brazil)


Some of the youth we hung out with at a local church.

















There was a main stage and 6 other stages set up around the city for Jesus Manifestation. All the venues marched together and joined in the main square, "King's Garden".


Marching with 15,000 at Jesus Manifestation, in Stockholm. "Jesus says: 'I am the way, the truth and the life'"





Views of Sweden

Sweden Summary

We prayed with a young pastor named David. He is starting a home fellowship in a suburb near the church we were staying. He is excited to have a small group of believers praying weekly, in hopes that more of their friends and co-workers will come to know the Lord. It was exciting to share this time of prayer with them and see the enthusiasm that Christ has given them for this church plant.

Jesus Manifestation
Being in the midst of 15,000 people was overwhelming, but when you realize that all those people were in downtown Stockholm to come together, praise Jesus and shout his name publicly, it's thrilling. Words can not express the emotions felt as we were able to participate in a city-wide march, that stopped traffic and had people asking questions. The march ended in the main park, King's Garden where there were speakers, music and booths from various Christian organizations. All the Churches of Sweden had come together, putting aside denominations or ethnic backgrounds, but in togetherness manifested Jesus'name!

Team Work
The trip was blessed to start off with a calmness and carried that theme all the way through. The programs we lead challenged youth to step out and be missionaries to their friends. We also filled many days with practical help. Helping to spread the word for the Elvacaffe. This cafe was started by the church, whose whole purpose is to connect with individuals and share Jesus through love, friendship and "fika". Good conversations were had, Jesus was at work. Each one of us in the team had different strengths and weaknesses, but with God's help and amazing grace, we worked together and He recieved the glory. The people of Sweden will remain in our hearts, as we now have a better understanding of how to pray for them.

Prayer Requests
*Much fruit for the numerous friendship ministries that many of the churches have begun.
*More and more people will accept Jesus and live lives glorifying him.
*Pray for the seeking and the lonely, many in Sweden live comfortable lives with no purpose.
*The Christian brothers and sisters, who took a stand for Jesus, will let their light shine everyday, not just when they march together.

Hur mår du?

Ikea, Volvo, Pippi Longstocking, Meatballs, SAAB, and Erickson.... what do they all have in common??? They all come from Sweden,of course!
I'm leaving for Sweden today! It's 9 day Challenge team working with a local Cafe and being involved with a big Youth Conference in Stockholm next Saturday. Our team is SoHee (S. Korea), Me, Emma (USA) and Matues (Brazil).

HOPE Future

It looks like the ship has a confirmed date to leave Kiel, Germany: May 29, 2008. This is exciting news for most of us here because that means we will finally be leaving this port after 9 months! The ship will move on to dry dock in Sweden for two weeks, then onto Denmark. While in Denmark we will be working hard to get the ship ready so we can try and get our Passenger Certificate, (that allows us to sail as a passenger vessel).
As for me, Next weekend I'll be going to Sweden for a 10 day Presentation Team. Our team of 4 will be working with a local church just outside Stockholm, sharing about the ship's ministry and how the church can get involved.
As far as Line-Up goes, and when I'll be leaving to ready a future port for the ship's visit, I don't know anything yet. There are lots of ports in our future and lots of deciding factors that play a role into deciding which port my manager sends me to. I can't wait for the day that I can share with you where exactly I'm going!
I'm enjoying the Events Department. I get to plan on board conferences and tours. I've been able to assist in OPEN SHIP. This is a program for the locals to come on board and learn about OM and the ship, and what are plans are for the future.

We want to have the ship ready for Full time Ministry in the fall. We need two things to happen to make this work. First we need about 1,000,000 Euros to finish the renovations needed to get the Passenger Certificate. But we also need people. We need 100 people to join as Global Actions (Like what I do, commit for 2 years). Right now there are only 19 people preparing to join us in Sept. We also need volunteers to join the STEP program. This is a 3-6 month commitment.
Because of the bigger vessel, we need lots more people to make the day-to-day functions possible. People to work in the galley and cleaning teams, but also need people who can work in the Book exhibit. Please pray with us, that the Lord will touch lives and people will listen to God's call to serve Him here on the ships. Pray also for the 19 people who have already committed to joining us, that they will trust in God more and more and be flexible to the plans he has for them.
It's been thrilling to look back and see how much has seemed impossible, but God has made it possible. Trusting in Him is rewarding everyday.
If you feel God is calling you to serve Him by giving Him your time or finances. Please let me know so I can pray with you. I would love to answer any specific questions you may have about what we as the ships ministry are planning, or what I'm doing, or what you can be doing. Email me at jessica.edwards@logoshope.org

What's Happened in the Last Six Months

You may not know this, but today, the 15th of March, marks the 6 month anniversary of me joining the LOGOS 2 with the rest of PST CUXHAVEN! It's kinda big deal and on Tuesday we will be having a fancy evening of fellowship, worship and reflection. I'm looking forward to it.
I thought I would look back over those past months and share some of what I've done:

I finished two weeks of training in De Bron, Netherlands,
I finished two weeks of training in Cuxhaven, Germany.
I joined the LOGOS 2 on Sept. 15th
I sailied through the Kiel Cannel.
I worked as Laundry Queen onboard the L2
I supervised a two week day camp for the 22 kids in our community.
I moved on board the LOGOS HOPE in December.
I taught KS2 on board the LH from December to March.
I joined the Line-Up dept in March 08
I worked as Laundry Queen temeraroly, as I wait for my Line-Up assignment.

I've passed out tracts
Been on 7 Chruch teams
Given my mission testomony in churches
Been involved with Children's Minisries on shore
Done Dramas
Visited Local schools
Shared my mission testomony in public schools
Given tours
Developed lasting friendships with both locals and fellow crew members

Also, while the ship has been in Kiel, God has become real in the hearts of many. Not only is God challanging the people of Kiel and surronding cities to get to know him on a personnal level, but he is challnaging them to get invovled. To be involved in thier churches, thier communities and the Logos Hope Project.
We hope to get the required PSSC, a permission that allows to sail, by the end of Summer. Until then, we will continue to work on the ship. We plan to be in Kiel until the start of May, then take two weeks to dry dock, so crews can put in another generator. After dry dock, we will eventually make our way to Denmark, and then the UK for the rest of the year.
Now that I am in the Line Up Department, I will be leaving the LOGOS HOPE soon to prepare a city for her visit. I don't know what city, or with who, or even when I'll be leaving. But I'm confendent that God knows, and he only has the best in store for me.

So much has been done in 6 months, I look forward to the next 18! Time flies, I miss you all.
Thank you for your prayers. It's a encouragemnt to know that I have people behind me who care about me and what God is doing in the lives of people around the world.
Thank you for your monatary support. With it God's word can reach so many lost and hurting people. God provides so much, and it's through your partnership that He works.
Thank you for the packages and letters I've recieved. Anytime someone gets post or parcels it's like christmas with the atticipation of what will be in the box.

I hope you have a wonderful March and EASTER!

I want to leave you with something I heard the other week. We saw a wonderful slideshow of a SM Lockridge speech called, "That's My King". I loved it. I memorized it. I want to share it with you. I hope you like it as well:

"That's My King"

The Bible says,
My King is the King of the Jews
He’s the King of ISREAL
He’s the King of RIGHTEOUSNESS
He’s the King of the AGES
He’s the King of HEAVEN
He’s the King of GLORY
He’s the King of KINGS
and He’s the Lord of LORDS!
That’s my KING!
I wonder DO YOU KNOW HIM?

My King is a Sovereign KING
No means of measure can define His limitless LOVE
He’s Enduringly STRONG
He’s Entirely SINCERE
He’s Eternally STEADFAST
He’s Immortally GRACEFUL
He’s Imperially POWERFUL
He’s Impartially MERCIFUL
DO YOU KNOW HIM?

He’s the greatest Phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He’s God’s son
He’s a sinner’s savior
He’s the centerpiece of civilization
He’s Unparalleled
He’s Unprecedented
He’s the loftiest idea in literature
He’s the highest personality in philosophy
He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology
He’s the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient savior.
I wonder IF YOU KNOW HIM today?

He supplies strength to the weak
He’s available for the tempted and the tired
He sympathized and He saves
He strengthens and sustains
He guards and He guides
He heals the sick
He cleansed the lepers
He forgives sinners
He discharges debtors
He delivers the captive
He defends the feeble
He blesses the young
He serves the unfortunate
He regards the aged
He rewards the diligent
And He beautifies the meager
I wonder IF YOU KNOW HIM?

He is the Key of KNOWLEDGE
He’s the Wellspring of WISDOM
He’s the Doorway of DELIVERANCE
He’s the Pathway of PEACE
He’s the Roadway of RIGHTEOUSNESS
He’s the Highway of HOLINESS
He’s the Gateway of GLORY
DO YOU KNOW HIM?

Well,
His life is matchless
His goodness is limitless
His mercy is everlasting
His love never changes
His word is enough
His grace is sufficent
His reign in righteous
And His yoke is easy
And His Burden is light

I wish I could describe Him to ya
Yes, He’s INDESCRIBABLE
He’s INCOMPREHENSIBLE
He’s INVICIBLE
He’s IRRESISTABLE

You can’t get him out of your mind
You can’t get him off of you hand
You can’t out live HIM
And you can’t live without HIM.


Well,
The Pharisees couldn’t stand HIM
But, they found out they couldn’t stop HIM
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in HIM
Herod couldn’t kill HIM
Death couldn’t handle HIM
And the grave couldn’t hold HIM
YES!
THAT’S MY KING!
THAT’S MY KING!
AMEN

Teaching English

On Thursday I was able to visit a local Jr. College with 6 of my fellow crewmembers. As native English speakers, we had been invited to the school to speak English in the English classes. We spent the entire day speaking to 4 classes. Each class was about 20-40 students and we were given 90 minutes to talk and answer questions. After sharing a bit about the countries we came from, what the ship is all about and what our jobs are on board, we were able to share about Christ and why we all trust in Him.
Coming from a culture that does not tolerate "God" or "Jesus" or even "Christian" to be mentioned in public schools, it was surprising to see how much freedom we have in here in Germany. In one of the classes the teacher asked each of us to share why we had chosen to give up the comforts of home to live on a ship for two years. Each of us was able to share our missions testimony, and how God called us to the ship's ministry.
By the end of the presentations all the students were invited to visit the ship, which is about 30 miles from school. I was encouraged this Monday morning when I found out that two of the students had come for a visit the ship over the weekend, and more of the students want to get involved with the project of finishing the Logos HOPE.
A big praise to God that he could use us in an English class to share is grace to others, and a prayer that more students will be challenged to find out what we and God are all about. Pray also for more opportunities for us to visit schools and share so freely.

School's Out!... what now?

Friday, last week was my last day as a teacher. I am truly blessed to have had such a wonderful class. And I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the ship's community by spending time teaching the kids. I will miss my short workdays and the youthful energy that greeted me each morning, but there is still more ahead for me. What is my new job? I don't know yet.
After this week of transition where I hand over my class to the new (real) teacher, I will be training for another department. I've been asked to join the Line Up team. This will be a HUGE change and a big commitment. Please pray for me next week as I attended an orientation class and pray that I can see God's path clearly.

What is Line Up? The line up team is usually a group of 3 or 4 that go ahead of the ship and prepares a port for the ship's visit. This would include getting to know the local churches and pastors, doing PR, talking with government officials regarding customs and visas, we are responsible to find a berth and organize opportunities for ship company to minister on shore, as well as arrange on board conferences. As you can see this is a big job for just 3 people!! In March we have a team of 3 heading to England to start line up for one of the cities there; they plan to be there for 6 months.

I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do. I like the idea of Line Up and being involved in all the little details. But on the other hand, I would be leaving behind my friends here and having to work and live with the same 3 people for 6 months. The great thing is that God’s in control and he wouldn't give me anything I couldn't handle.... maybe a little uncomfortable at times, but nothing I couldn't do with out Him.
Thank you for your prayers and support, especially this next week as I enter the unknown.

New PST

On Tuesday, 5th of Feburary, we had 50 new people join our community on board the Logos HOPE. It's hard to believe that just 5 months ago we were in the same place as they are now. Just getting to know one another, just getting to know the already established community onboard, finding our jobs, and surviving "pool day"!
In this time of change, I've also got a new cabin, and 3 new roommates. I'm really excited about the cabin. It's on deck 5, about twice the size of my old cabin on deck 2 and it has it's own bathroom!! I think that's the part I'm most thrilled about! The night before my new roommates arrived I threw myself an "open house" and had some peeps over to celebrate. All, of course had fun, and at the height of the party we had 20 people inside the cabin!
Tuesday night we had a huge welcome party for the new recruits.Vanoosh (Australia) and myself were in charge of the party and it was a great success! The party included a Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-Lee), which is a Scottish barn dance. It was our third ceilidh this year!
My new roommates are Meg (Australia), Satu (Finland) and Uzma (Pakistan). I'm looking forward to getting to know each of them and the rest of their PST as they begin to settle in to life on board the Logos HOPE.

Overnight Church Team

For one Sunday in the month of January the churches in Germany come together, within their denominations, and have a huge Sunday service. Along with 3 others from the ship I was able to go on an overnight church team to the city of Lubeck, where we were responsible for a children’s service. Our team was well balanced and strong at children’s programs. Beside myself, it was Matthijs (Netherlands), Haelyn (Trinidad &Tobago), and Jana (Germany). We presented the ship and the idea of missions to the 100 kids in attendance that day. Through dramas, a slideshow and a video we challenged the kids to be missionaries in their own city or, someday in the future, around the world.
We were the first team sent to the city of Lubeck and it was exciting to see how God used the Children’s service to talk to the parents in the church. Since our visit we have had several families come to visit us and ask how they can help.
One family’s young son, Lucas, was so excited about the ship that he insisted that his parents drive him the 2 hour trip west to visit the ship the following weekend. Mom, Dad, Grandma, big brother and Lucas enjoyed dinner with us, followed with a tour of the ship. After the tour Grandma signed up to be a project worker, and for the past week has been working in our galley helping the team prepare meals for the 300 people currently on board.
While on the church team, God was teaching us to trust in him and that being a missionary can be as simple as a smile to a child.

Welcome 2008

New Years was started with fireworks and a ship, nothing unusual, seeing as this was my 7th New Year’s on a ship. However this new years was unlike any of the previous ones, no babysitting, no drunken passengers, no free champagne being passed around, no late night hallway parties, I could go on. But I didn’t miss any of it. I had the best time on board the HOPE in Kiel, Germany. We are docked in the heart of the city and fireworks are legal here. As the clock stuck midnight fireworks of red, green, yellow, blue, could be seen shooting off in every direction. It was like a special show just for us, 360 degrees of color to light up the dark sky. Despite freezing fingers and noses, we stayed on top of deck 9 for about 30 minutes before heading down stairs for a Scottish Ceilidh.

Here's PST CUXHAVEN celebrating New Years with some sparkling cider and good friends!

I’m excited to see what glorious and amazing things are in store for the New Year. I’m pretty sure God has some crazy stuff up his sleeve for us!
Matthijs (Netherlands, Me (USA) & Hannah (USA)