Update

we had an opportunity to spend time as a family today and to play a game of Risk tonight. It was the futuristic version. It's a little more complicated than the classic game.

Several people visited the ship today. We have worked with a number of them and it has been encouraging to connect and introduced them to the ship.

On Thursday and Friday I spoke from the book of Haggai in devotions. I spoke about the effect of discouragement on our priorities. In this small book God's people are called to live by faith in his word even though the circumstances in situation is difficult. It was very encouraging from me to see how God had chosen the leaders for this task and how he promised his presence and power as they gave themselves to the vision that he had given.

As we continue to focus on the project work, we are looking for people on board who will be able to be part of a special project to the Caribbean. We plan to relaunch the logos to for a literature and discipleship ministry in the region. This will be for six months from the middle of January.

Pray that God will give us wisdom in identifying the right people to be involved.

We also seek to follow Christ in Kiel in such a way that he will make us fisher's of men in the city. we pray that the people in Kiel will be transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ in the weeks and months ahead.

Today we were able to release a list of the work is to be done for the passenger ship safety certificate. This gives us some very clear goals to work towards while we are here in Germany.

Prayer Diary

We wrote in our December Prayer Calendar:
27
Pray that God will prepare our hearts for what lies
ahead in 2008. Wow another year already Gone. This has been an amazing
journey in His grace.
28
Pray for the small groups on the ship that they will settle well as families. This
will be the life and health of the ministry. Pray for good bonding together and
Kingdom purpose to be worked out.

We prayed for the nations last night with a focus on Pakistan. Our desire is to see Logos Hope as a place where the nations encounter Christ.

We pray that God will provide skilled people to serve with us for a few months in the coming year. We seek Him for His Kingdom breakthrough. Praise God for His provision. Pray for the supply of our needs as we focus on His glory here.

Hey Family Boxing Day 2007

Ann, Michelle, Mike, Esther and Rebecca

Prayer Diary

We pray that you will experience the joy of the Lord at this time. We had a great Christmas with lots of food! Please pray:

1. Skilled project workers to join us for the next weeks
2. Wisdom in leadership
3. Financial provision
4. Powerful witness to the Good News
5. Leading of the Holy Spirit
6. Rest and refreshing from the Lord
8. Preparations to see the Logos 2 sail to the Caribbean for a season of literature ministry with a dedicated team.
9. Quality family times together in the next few days
10. That many in in Kiel will be transformed by the Good News

Christmas on Logos Hope

The Children put on a brilliant play for Christmas. Esther was Mary. Many said that it was the best Christmas play that they had seen. THis was all put together in a very short period of time.

People from the Caribbean on Logos Hope

Rebecca and Michelle

It is a joy to have Rebecca and Michelle with us at this time. Praise God for His hand on thier lives and provison for them on their journey of faith. We had a Chrstmas Eve dinner tonight with the ships company. It was a special time.

Insights

During these last few weeks we have spent everal times of prayer and worship to wait on the Lord for His leading. Several words have come through in scripture during these times:

1. Surrender - to find His direction we first need to surrender our agenda to His. (Romans 12:1)

2. Seek - We are to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and then trust Him for our needs to be met. (Matt 6:33)

3. Thanksgiving - As we thank God we acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness in our lives. We express confident faith towards Him (Phil 4:6)

4. Wait and Worship - Several on board have experienced His presence in an unusual way as they have waited in prayer and worship. (Isaiah 40:31)

It is Cold in Kiel today

Mike with the Logos Hope

Logos Hope in Kiel

In Kiel on Christmas Eve

Update

Thank you so much for your support this year. As we look back we can see the faithful hand of God guiding us through many situations. We are thankful for his provision to the Logos Hope and to us personally. Thank you for being a part of our lives through prayer and financial support.

As I write to you, a team of people from the Logos Hope will be on the streets of Kiel to share the love of Christ with the many shoppers. We have had opportunities to connect with people living in the city. Pray that as we follow Christ here we will see many come to faith in him. It is very encouraging that we have an opportunity to develop relationships and to share a love of Christ over a period of time.
We have 300 people settling on board the ship. In the next months project workers will visit us from around the world. While the work continues to outfit the ship for the Ministry, we will have time to build and repair the community for the future. At the same time we will welcome many on-board to walk through the ship and gain a vision of the opportunities that we will have for ministry in the future.

The local committee has been very helpful and every Friday night we have a partner event to share about the progress of the work. This has provided a way to tell the story about God's hand on the Logos Hope over the last few years. When the ship sailed out of Trogir many were able to watch the progress of the voyage. The arrival of the ship was an exciting event which was followed by the move of resources and people from the Logos 2 to the Logos Hope. While we were moving we also received guests and had a number of significant meetings with Christian leaders from the countries that we will be visiting after this time here. This was quite an intense time and we are very glad to now begin to settle into more of a routine on-board.

It has been wonderful to have Rebecca and Michelle with us. Michelle's boyfriend, Dan is also here. We will enjoy Christmas together and it has been good to get to know Dan. Last night we had a game of Risk and Michelle won!

Mike will speak on Christmas Day on the theme of Immanuel, God with us! This is what the ministry is all about. This vessel will be a place for God's people from many nations to live and to work together. It is a place where thousands will be able to experience the love of Christ and to receive a message of hope in him. Please pray that our lives will be a clear witness to his presence and that many will have a personal encounter with Christ.

We hope to take a few days break with the family in the first week of January. Pray that will be a time to be refreshed together and to prepare our hearts for the coming year. In the second week of January Mike will go to Bremen speak at the Evangelical Alliance prayer week. Pray for anointing and a clear word for this time.

We appreciate you are much. Please write and let us know how we can pray for you at this time.

Photo

Today we went to Hamburg for the day with some friends form the ship and with Gordon Carlyle, a friend from Australia. It was -3 Celcius. It was a fun time together in the Christmas markets.

Prayer Diary

Last night we had opportunity to meet God in prayer. It was an amazing encouragement to hear many praying in their language and declaring Jesus as Lord over their nations. We shared about the purchase of the logos hope.The story of God's leading declares his faithful hand in leading us to this ship. Over 2000 people have now worked to shape the Logos Hope vision as volunteer project workers. We thank God for each one of these people who have made a significant difference in preparing the logos hope for the future.
Over the Christmas season we hope to have many opportunities to serve among communities in Kiel and touch the lives of needy people with good news.

Prayer Diary

We thank God for the project workers that have joined to help with the work. We continue to look to God for financial breakthroughs. Pray too for the skilled workers needed. In the engine room we need people with the following skills for the jobs listed below:

ME 2&3 Overhauls for Survey	6-8 weeks	2 marine engineers, 2 fitters
Bergen diesel overhaul	2-3 weeks	1 marine engineer, 2-3 motormen
Overhaul ME pumps	1-2 weeks	1 marine engineer or 1 machinist
Installing Chillers	4-6 weeks	1 fitter, 1 welder, 1 elctrician
Installing Sewage systems	3-4 weeks	1 fitter, 1 welder, 1 electrician
Dismantle Geny 1	1-2 weeks	1 engineer, 1 motorman
Installing Geny 1 piping (new)	2-3 weeks	1 fitter, 1 welder
Building a bilge water circ. Tank	1-2 weeks	1 fitter, 1 welder

write to projectworkers@logoshope.org if you are interested in helping.

Update

Rebecca arrived today. She spent a day in New York on her way here. We are glad to be a family for a little while together.

Tonight, we had a special event with a Football star who shared his story and touched the lives of many local people who visited the ship. Pray for more opportunities for the Good News through event like this.

Several project workers have arrived. Pray that more will come and add to the progress of the work.

Praise God for His grace in our lives at this time.

Prayer Diary

Today we had a more relaxed time as a family and went out for lunch. It has been a joy to get to know Michelle's boyfriend, Dan. They both have such a passion for Jesus and to share good news. Pray that God will guide them as they take steps of faith to invest in his kingdom.

Rebecca arrives tomorrow. We are excited that we will be able to be together for Christmas. The community on the Logos Hope is beginning to settle into life and work. We are very thankful for God's grace and provision through this time. Christmas is a time to remember that God is with us and that he has generously provided salvation that brings true transformation of the heart in the power of his Spirit.

It is such an encouragement to see the commitment of the leaders in Kiel towards the other so project work. Every Friday night we have a special partners event to update them on the progress with the work. Please continue to pray for God to provide needs in finance and skilled people for the jobs that need to be done.

One of the critical areas of work that will need the focus of qualified engineers with unique survey work for the engine room. Two of the main engines will need to be overhauled in 2008. We will need teams of engineers, these are mechanics and other handy and to complete these projects in order for us to obtain the passenger ship safety certificate and to sail from here.

Today Ann and I did some Christmas shopping. We were doing quite well until I sat down for a cup of coffee. Then we lost each other. We eventually met again back on the ship with Ann arriving back just five minutes before me.

On Monday the project work schedule begins. We will have breakfast and devotions together at 7:30 a.m. each morning. On Monday Mike will share the word. Pray for an anointing and for message that will connect with the heart of everyone on board. Then work will begin at 8 a.m.

We have project workers joining us each day to help and some come for a week or more. Praise God for the steps that he is enabling us to take into the future.

Prayer Diary

We wrote in our December Prayer diary:

We need to get a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate and we need to ensure some surveys are completed in the engine room. Pray for the work being done towards these goals.

Last night we had a great time of prayer with George Verwer. God lifted our eyes to the nations.

Prayer Diary

We wrote in our December prayer diary:

Pray for Ann as she spends time with people to counsel and encourage
them in their journey of life on board. Pray that we will encounter God personally
as we walk this road together.

Today George Verwer shared in devotions. He will be with us in the next few days. We thank God for the encouragement that he is bringing to the team at this time.

We are seeking the Lord this week for financial breakthroughs for the ministry. Pray for God to open many hearts to participate. We rejoice in his supply.

We have 311 on board at the moment. Praise God for the way that he has led each person.

prayer diary

today is a time to connect with God and to connect with people. We began by emphasising the need to surrender our agenda to Christ and to seek his agenda for our time in Kiel, and with the project.

Tonight there will be an open time of worship, and celebration. We have much to thank God for and much to seek him about as we face the New Year. Please continue to pray for financial breakthroughs, and for the needed technical project workers to complete the various aspects of the work.

One of our main needs is for experienced marine engineers to help complete some survey works that need to be done on the main engines.

it is a real joy to have Michelle and her boyfriend, Dan on board. They have had such a positive influence, and we thank God for the way that they are adding to the community.

Time to Connect

Mike shares in the Logos Hope orientaton. In these nexts days we will seek to connect with God together and to connect with one another. Pray that we will also have a powerful connection for good news in Kiel.

Christmas Market in Kiel

Prayer Diary

We wrote in our prayer diary:

"Pray that we will have a very refreshing time with the ship’s company over Christmas. Pray for the formation of the community."

We have had several days of settling on board with many different agendas. Today we had an open interactive time on board and we sensed that it was a breakthrough time for many as gathered to pray together for wisdom and direction.

Update

Today Hans VanBaaren spoke in our morning service about our identity in Christ. Then we broke bread together as a community. It was a special time as a family as we waited in the presence of Christ.