my new email address is:
jessica.edwards@logoshope.org
can'twait to start getting email from everybody! (hint, hint)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
HOPE Floats
The day had arrived; the Hope would be sailing into the Ostseekai port. The Logos 2 community had all joined on the quayside to watch the HOPE come along side her new berth and greet missed friends with a dance. 
There were lots of cheers, laughs and dancing. The day was cold, but the joy and anticipation kept everyone warm. She was beautiful and eased into her berth with little effort. After waiting for the port authority to clear the vessel we were allowed onboard and met with long lost friends.
My first impression of the HOPE was “Stairs”! There is only one elevator and it’s a freight elevator. There are 40 steps down to my room.
I live on deck 2. If I want to go to meals or the computer room it’s 55 steps up. If I want to go play darts that another 15 steps up. Going up and down the gangway is another 40. But whose counting?!
Honestly when I first saw the inside of the ship I was greatly disappointed. There is still so much that needs to be finished. There are two decks that are completely empty. Everyone in OM had made such a big deal about how much was finished and completed that I wasn’t ready for cabins without sinks, meetings rooms without carpet, a reception area without a desk. I could go on and on about how much we don’t have, but God reminds me of everything we do have!
We have a ship to impact the world for Christ. We have a place to sleep, a wonderful chef, and Internet connection. More importantly we have the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us, and we have a community of believers to encourage and come beside us when we are felling overwhelmed or discouraged. Because I never saw the HOPE before she arrived in Germany, I can’t really appreciate all the changes that have taken place. I’m sure that if you ask me in a few months time, I’ll have a completely different view and I’ll be very appreciative of all the changes that I’ve seen and been a part of. But God is faithful and he had been comforting me and I’m feeling better about my new home.
I’m so grateful that I can be here involved with OM at this point in history. I hope that you all realize the adventure you have joined with me. Together we can look forward to lives that will be changed, the hope that will be given and the bibles that will be read because of this ship, her crew and God’s grace.
The Logos 2 from the bow of the Logos HOPE.
There were lots of cheers, laughs and dancing. The day was cold, but the joy and anticipation kept everyone warm. She was beautiful and eased into her berth with little effort. After waiting for the port authority to clear the vessel we were allowed onboard and met with long lost friends. My first impression of the HOPE was “Stairs”! There is only one elevator and it’s a freight elevator. There are 40 steps down to my room.
I live on deck 2. If I want to go to meals or the computer room it’s 55 steps up. If I want to go play darts that another 15 steps up. Going up and down the gangway is another 40. But whose counting?!Honestly when I first saw the inside of the ship I was greatly disappointed. There is still so much that needs to be finished. There are two decks that are completely empty. Everyone in OM had made such a big deal about how much was finished and completed that I wasn’t ready for cabins without sinks, meetings rooms without carpet, a reception area without a desk. I could go on and on about how much we don’t have, but God reminds me of everything we do have!
We have a ship to impact the world for Christ. We have a place to sleep, a wonderful chef, and Internet connection. More importantly we have the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us, and we have a community of believers to encourage and come beside us when we are felling overwhelmed or discouraged. Because I never saw the HOPE before she arrived in Germany, I can’t really appreciate all the changes that have taken place. I’m sure that if you ask me in a few months time, I’ll have a completely different view and I’ll be very appreciative of all the changes that I’ve seen and been a part of. But God is faithful and he had been comforting me and I’m feeling better about my new home.
I’m so grateful that I can be here involved with OM at this point in history. I hope that you all realize the adventure you have joined with me. Together we can look forward to lives that will be changed, the hope that will be given and the bibles that will be read because of this ship, her crew and God’s grace.
The Logos 2 from the bow of the Logos HOPE.
American Thanksgiving
Family, turkey, football and a nap, all things associated with Thanksgiving. Living in an international community national holidays can often be forgotten. I didn’t even realize thanksgiving was upon us until I got the invitation to the American dinner being served in the I-Café. There were 22 of us, all Americans and a couple people from other countries that had been living in the states. 
Dinner was delicious; we had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. We had stuffing that had to be made from scratch, first the bread was made, then the stuffing. We even had one can of cranberries to share. The baker on board is American and her mom sent her a can of pumpkin mix for a traditional pumpkin pie, and she also made apple pie, pecan pie, and a banana cream pie. Dinner wouldn’t be complete without everyone sharing what they were Thankful for this year. It was a special time for all of us.
A friend from Finland later asked, “Why do Americans have just one day of thanksgiving, shouldn’t you be thankful every day?” Of course we should be thankful everyday. And we are. We are privileged to live in a country where we still have religious freedom and are allowed to believe in Christ and also share that belief openly with others. Take advantage of these opportunities and thank the Lord for all his blessings.
Dinner was delicious; we had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. We had stuffing that had to be made from scratch, first the bread was made, then the stuffing. We even had one can of cranberries to share. The baker on board is American and her mom sent her a can of pumpkin mix for a traditional pumpkin pie, and she also made apple pie, pecan pie, and a banana cream pie. Dinner wouldn’t be complete without everyone sharing what they were Thankful for this year. It was a special time for all of us. A friend from Finland later asked, “Why do Americans have just one day of thanksgiving, shouldn’t you be thankful every day?” Of course we should be thankful everyday. And we are. We are privileged to live in a country where we still have religious freedom and are allowed to believe in Christ and also share that belief openly with others. Take advantage of these opportunities and thank the Lord for all his blessings.
Friday, November 30, 2007
A Quick Update
Hello everyone and greetings from on board the LOGOS HOPE!! She sailed in to Kiel on Monday morning and since then we have quickly been merging the two communities. We are now a crew of almost 400 and are excited to be part of the history being made. We are expected to remain in Kiel for another 4 months while we continue to prepare the ship and get her ready for world wide ministry.
There are quite a few things that are uncertain at this time, for example when internet will be fully up and working. But these challenges only encourage us to trust in the Lord more! Besides the refitting of the ship there are several ministry opportunities for us here in Germany. So we are remaining very busy!! Very long days.
I hope to write more later and post pictures as well. Thanks for your prayers!
Also, please remember that my email address changed to:
jessica.edwards@logoshope.org
There are quite a few things that are uncertain at this time, for example when internet will be fully up and working. But these challenges only encourage us to trust in the Lord more! Besides the refitting of the ship there are several ministry opportunities for us here in Germany. So we are remaining very busy!! Very long days.
I hope to write more later and post pictures as well. Thanks for your prayers!
Also, please remember that my email address changed to:
jessica.edwards@logoshope.org
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Season of Change
"It's snowing" was the announcement in the dining room this afternoon. It wasn't real snow, but large drops of water that lingered on the ships rails and deckies coats before melting away. Before today I had been encouraged by the locals, who were insistent with the fact that it never snows in Kiel. It's snowing. Should I be excited? I like the snow, or rather, I like driving to the snow. When you drive to the snow, then you can drive away from the snow. It looks like it will be a cold winter; I've been able to find some thicker jackets, gloves, scarves and beanies. I don't know about my shoes, do you think sneakers will keep my feet warm?
But the weather isn't the only change around here. I've started a new job. Now that the HOPE is really coming to Kiel, I have been given the assignment of Camp Leader. What does this mean? Once the HOPE arrives, the teachers on board are taking two weeks to prepare and set up their new classrooms. That means there will be 22 school age kids with nothing to do, so I will be running a day camp. I'm really excited and looking forward to doing what I know how to do, play with kids. I get two weeks of prep time and then two weeks of actually camp, Monday -Friday 9-3! I also get a month vacation from the Laundry. After my time away, it's still up in the air as to what job I will have then. I may be the last official LAUNDRY QUEEN of the LOGOS 2.
But wait, there are still more changes.... With so many families and HOPE people joining us in Kiel as we all wait for the HOPE, I had to move cabins. My previous cabin was in a family section, so it was nice to leave it. I was able to move into a much quieter cabin in an all girl section, D2. Jin Suk decided to move in with another girl named Sarah, which means I get a cabin all to my self!! It won't last long, but I am taking advantage all of the extra space and blankets!
And can you believe there are still more changes.....? With the number of families increasing daily, it was only a matter of time that their memberships would increase too. In the past 2 weeks, three babies have been born to our community! A boy, and two little girls join us. Our very small ship is getting smaller everyday and we all look forward to the space and comfort that the HOPE is bringing with her.
I'm putting on my layers and heading out to the cold! If it ever snows strong enough to stay on the ground, I’ll take pictures.
But the weather isn't the only change around here. I've started a new job. Now that the HOPE is really coming to Kiel, I have been given the assignment of Camp Leader. What does this mean? Once the HOPE arrives, the teachers on board are taking two weeks to prepare and set up their new classrooms. That means there will be 22 school age kids with nothing to do, so I will be running a day camp. I'm really excited and looking forward to doing what I know how to do, play with kids. I get two weeks of prep time and then two weeks of actually camp, Monday -Friday 9-3! I also get a month vacation from the Laundry. After my time away, it's still up in the air as to what job I will have then. I may be the last official LAUNDRY QUEEN of the LOGOS 2.
But wait, there are still more changes.... With so many families and HOPE people joining us in Kiel as we all wait for the HOPE, I had to move cabins. My previous cabin was in a family section, so it was nice to leave it. I was able to move into a much quieter cabin in an all girl section, D2. Jin Suk decided to move in with another girl named Sarah, which means I get a cabin all to my self!! It won't last long, but I am taking advantage all of the extra space and blankets!
And can you believe there are still more changes.....? With the number of families increasing daily, it was only a matter of time that their memberships would increase too. In the past 2 weeks, three babies have been born to our community! A boy, and two little girls join us. Our very small ship is getting smaller everyday and we all look forward to the space and comfort that the HOPE is bringing with her.
I'm putting on my layers and heading out to the cold! If it ever snows strong enough to stay on the ground, I’ll take pictures.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Hope Floats
At Noon on Thursday the LOGOS HOPE sailed away from her berth in Croatia. This is a major step forward in the ministry, but more importantly, a huge example of God's goodness and faithfulness. The entire crew, here on board the LOGOS 2, gathered in the dining room and sang praise songs as we watched the HOPE leave the dock on her web camera. Throughout her entire time in port, her ship's company has been able to be a witness to the people of Trogir.
They leave many new believers behind in the hands of the Lord and a local pastor who has started small group Bible studies for them.
The HOPE is expected to join us in Kiel in 16 days. Please keep her in your prayers, as she travels and preforms sea trials to make sure everything is working correctly. Please pray for the new believers in Trogir and the pastor who is shepherding them. And lastly, please pray for us on the LOGOS 2 as we enter a time of major change. You can check out the sailing progress of the HOPE by visiting www.logoshope.org
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! ~ Psalm 27:14
They leave many new believers behind in the hands of the Lord and a local pastor who has started small group Bible studies for them. The HOPE is expected to join us in Kiel in 16 days. Please keep her in your prayers, as she travels and preforms sea trials to make sure everything is working correctly. Please pray for the new believers in Trogir and the pastor who is shepherding them. And lastly, please pray for us on the LOGOS 2 as we enter a time of major change. You can check out the sailing progress of the HOPE by visiting www.logoshope.org
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! ~ Psalm 27:14
Sunday, November 4, 2007
My Calling
Every Friday night the program department host some-sort of staff event. Over the past few weeks we've had a game night, improv night and movie nights. I've joined in with the planning and get to help with the decorations. Last Friday was BINGO night. Most of the crew on board was hesitant about attending, expressing that Bingo was a game for old ladies. After offering free prizes and cappuccinos most of those scoffing at the game turned up to play. I was made the MC and had a great time calling numbers all night. B7, B7, where do bees go when they die? B7! I know, you are holding back laughter now, as you read.
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