It’s a once in a year opportunity in Germany. By law, fireworks can only be set-off on the 31st December and it’s almost impossible to find them in the shops until the days after Christmas. By the turn of the year, it seems like a whole 12 months of pent-up waiting is unleashed into the skies. Although we live in a relatively small town, exploding fireworks fill the heavens for a full ninety minutes after midnight. Since we live on the top floor of our apartment block with impressive views of the town and valley, there’s certainly no need to pay to attend an organised display!
The three times we celebrated Christmas on board Doulos are cherished memories. As singles then, we appreciated the presence of others, especially a community of Christians keen to commemorate Jesus’ birth. Events began on the evening of the 24th with a formal meal together, followed by a worship service. Brunch on the 25th was a feast to behold, laid on by the hard-working catering team. Community guidelines were relaxed in the afternoon for male and female crew to visit each others’ cabins and the day finished with the annual ship’s company photo. The 2007 image is above.
It’s a Mosbach tradition. Each 26th December, the Lappin family invite any of their fellow ships office colleagues still in town to a carol sing-a-long at their house. People bring snacks and hot drinks are available – much needed refreshment in the December chill. Although the quality of the singing can’t be guaranteed, the friendly reception and fellowship comes highly recommended. The event also brings to a timely close to the seasonal activities and festivities. This was our third year to attend and the atmosphere this time was greatly enhanced by the snow falling outside.
December 24th is when Germany celebrates Christmas. Living in an international community means we have opportunity to be with people for whom the 25th is ‘the big day’ too. All we need now is some snow – no sign of that, but with temperatures as low as minus seven Celsius, there’s plenty of white frost around. Although our nearest family are at least a timezone away, we’re thankful for the number of folk here in Mosbach that have invited us to join in their Christmas celebrations. Plus, there is plenty happening at the church we attend here too – it’s good to belong to God’s family!
It was a dream Paul thought he would never realise… Although involved in many nativity plays during his younger days, the highest profile role Paul could ever land was ‘innkeeper’. Despite giving an inspired performance, it never lead to an offer to play ‘Joseph’, the position he truly aspired too. Finally, years (decades?) later, at the 2007 OM Ships office Christmas party, Paul was asked to take on the leading role! Rather than the decision being based on acting merit, it was more to do with the lack of willing young male children among the office team families. Still, it was all good fun!
The news is out - Logos II’s days are not yet over!!! With a stack of literature sitting in a warehouse, and an empty vessel secured to the Kiel quayside, the decision to send the ship out again was a seemingly straightforward one. However, many hands are still need to prepare Logos Hope, so extra volunteers to sail Logos II have to be found at very short notice. The many requests from the Caribbean asking when an OM ship will next visit make that area a logical destination. And so, from mid-January, Logos II will begin a six-month literature promotion project in the region’s larger islands.
The details of the Doulos schedule for 2008 have gone public! It’s unusual for so many ports to be confirmed so far ahead of time, but the support of port authorities and local OM offices have made this possible. Those who will be on board for the year can look forward to an incredible diversity of ministry locations - from remote Pacific wildernesses to Australia’s largest cities. The needs in those communities will differ greatly, adding to the mission exposure and training crew undergo. Pray for God’s guidance as the programmes in each port now start to take shape. See the full schedule here.
Unfortunately the scenes are all too familiar. As Doulos crew serve in the Philippines, they are confronted with the country’s poverty on a daily basis. Especially harrowing is the number of streetchildren that can be found sleeping rough in filthy conditions across Manila. Partnering with local Christian organisations already at work in the area, Doulos crew have been waking up at 5am to distribute bread and milk to these needy youngsters. Although the numbers who need assistance are far more than can be catered for, crew hope their actions brought some light into the children’s lives.
The numbers are in, and the news is very encouraging! To date, 129 people are confirmed to join the ships this January with still more making final arrangements to come. The figure is unusually high for the time of year and unlike recent intakes of new personnel, the group contains more males than females. Furthermore, several nationalities rarely represented on board will be joining, including Turkish, Croatian and Thai. All in all, the news is a significant answer to prayer, coming at a time when Doulos is having a very busy ministry in Asia and extra hands are needed to help prepare Logos Hope.
United in prayer! Once a month, personnel at the OM ships office join with our neighbours from OM Germany to hold a combined prayer meeting. Now being the month of December, the evening gathering was given an Advent theme. Complete wth candles, we interceded for different countries and asked God to move powerfully through the nations. There was even opportunity to sing carols in both German and English. As the prayer session came to an end, the fellowship continued with hot drinks and cookies – some welcome cheer to the cold winter air before we all headed home.
2007 has been a very memorable year of ministry for OM Ships; Logos II recieved an unprecedented invite to North Africa; Doulos welcomed over a million people on board; crew provided practical assistance to communities in Albania and the Philippines; Logos Hope sailed from the shipyard and arrived for final outfitting in Germany. Many reasons to praise God! At the same time, only having one ship in ministry and finding funds to finish Logos Hope are causing a huge financial squeeze across the ministry. The predicted shortfall for 2008 is already looking huge. Pray with us for God’s provision.
It nearly didn’t happen. With the possibility that the Doulos book fair could welcome a million people this year, crew have been monitoring the visitor numbers closely. Finally in mid-December the milestone was passed. Mother of two Fritzie Nabalitan stepped on board in Manila and was immediately greeted by the ship’s captain. Wearing a special sash reading ‘One Million in 2007’ Fritzie had a tour of the vessel and received a voucher to use in the book fair. The figure gave crew cause to thank God for how he uses the ministry to bless people, and also to pray for the 999,999 that visited before Fritzie.
While most crewmembers on board OM’s ships are single, provision is made for families to join too. Those who serve on board with children in tow are mostly the leaders or qualified staff necessary to keep the vessel running. Those youngsters need to continue studying and so on each ship there is a small school staffed by professional teachers who volunteer their services. With a very positive teacher to student ratio, the children flourish and external auditors visit regulalry to check the high standards are maintained. Having a few younger crewmembers adds to the onboard community atmosphere too.
Highlighting the ships’ global reach, here’s an email we recently received from the Pacific region. ‘Many thanks for continually sending the ships’ newsletters. I really appreciate being updated with what’s going and this helps me pray for the ministry intelligently. I now serve with Pacific Missionary Aviation, working among people in the Pacific particularly Micronesia and the Philippines. I served in Guam for four years and am now based in the Republic of Palau. My training with OM helped me a lot in the ministry God allowed me to serve. God bless, keep on, keeping on. Ruth.’
The tree is in place and the market stands are being built. Mosbach’s Christmas market truly brings some seasonal cheer to the otherwise dark and wet month of December. Selling handmade crafts and home-made cakes, the market is refreshingly traditional and uncommercial. Even local churches sponsor a stall to make Christian literature available and make sure the Christmas message is presented as part of the event. With the town’s residents arriving en masse each evening to drink, eat and make merry together, the atmosphere at Mosbach’s Christmas Market is not to be missed!
Just as soon as we posted a link to this video, a newer updated version surfaces! This time, the present ship’s company are featured – people which we only know in passing, so watching this isn’t such a trip down memory lane for us. However, it’s good to see that the ministry focus and onboard community life remain as strong as ever. It doesn’t matter which countries or which people are featured in a video about OM Ships – we still beleive it is a ministry God is using in mighty ways and one where Christians both young and old can develop their faith by joining.
Made it back to Mosbach safely… Our little trip to see Logos Hope and Logos II in Kiel was indeed quite an adventure. We drove up in horrendous weather and then used Germany’s very cheap (but very slow) local train services to return. It was great to see how much God has blessed and guided the project to launch Logos Hope. Volunteer workers have achieved so much already, but many months of extra effort lie ahead to make the vessel fully ready for ministry. Despite all the upheavals with the Logos II crew arriving on board, we’re excited to report that morale on board in Kiel is very high.
Posted by shipsbecks 
Posted by shipsbecks 
Posted by shipsbecks 
