Posted: 02/20/2014 at 10:10am | IP Logged

BANGKOK, THAILAND (ANS) -- Good navigation is essential for every ship, but God’s grace and provision has been instrumental in keeping OM Ships International’s Logos Hope – the 12,500 tonne ocean-going vessel staffed by 400 volunteers – on course during the last five years. Since her launch on February 19, 2009, from Koege, Denmark, over 3.5 million visitors have walked up the gangways and hundreds of thousands more have benefited from the service of crew members on shore.

The Logos Hope

“We rejoice in God’s ongoing provision for His Ship Ministry!” said OM Ships International CEO, Peter Nicoll. “We are humbled by His faithfulness throughout the history of this organization over more than 40 years. It is our privilege to be stewards of this transformational endeavor in partnership with so many around the world.”

Having sailed the equivalent of 2.7 times around the world since her launch, Logos Hope has made 87 port visits in 48 different countries and territories. Beginning in northern Europe, Logos Hope has visited ports in the Caribbean, West and North Africa, the Near East, the Arabian Peninsula, South Asia and the Far East.

God’s provision extends beyond the practical realities of financial and personnel needs. In 2011, Logos Hope was able to visit ports in Libya and Egypt just weeks before the effects of the Arab Spring were felt there. The visit of Logos Hope to several ports in the Arabian Peninsula at the end of 2013 was a remarkable opportunity to bring knowledge, help and hope to a region still in the process of change.

Record numbers of visitors (over 18,000 in one day) came to Logos Hope in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka (Photo: © OM Ships International – Credit: Photographer Doseong Park)

In January 2014, the first-ever visit of an OM ship to Trincomalee, Sri Lanka highlighted the ongoing interest in the world’s largest floating book fair, with 73,783 people coming aboard in the short five-day visit. A new record for Logos Hope was set with 18,634 visitors in one day. For people who suffered so much in civil war and then had their lives devastated by the 2004 tsunami, the ship visit was a symbol of hope and freedom.

But these life-transforming opportunities don't come without perseverance through difficulties and the experience of God’s grace. Launching the ship five years ago was the result of a massive undertaking to buy and renovate a 35-year-old passenger and car ferry into a ship that would bring knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world. The Logos Hope Project was OM’s largest project ever, both financially and in terms of its scope. God’s hand was clearly seen by the team tasked with realizing the vision of a ship that would provide a platform to ‘reach everyone in a million’ – alluding to the one million visitors per year on average that OM Ships has hosted on board its vessels over the past 43 years.

“As the Director for the Logos Hope Project I experienced God at work over and over again. It was only through His enabling and the participation of thousands of volunteers and partners that we saw the ship launched into ministry service,” recounts Logos Hope’s current Managing Director Lloyd Nicholas. “Since the launch, we have experienced God’s amazing grace every day. There are more opportunities for a ship-based ministry today than ever before. Even so, recruiting personnel, especially qualified maritime crew is an ongoing challenge. Likewise, the sobering realities of fuel costs, maritime regulations, changing social environments and limited resources are sometimes overwhelming. Nevertheless, we are reminded that the Lord is faithful and we continue to hope in Him.”

As the ministry passes this milestone, a look back over the past five years gives much to celebrate, and many more opportunities to see God’s provision as the ship sails into the future. Towards the end of 2014, the installation phase of the Power Up Logos Hope Project will begin – replacing two generators and the main electrical switchboard, as well as installing a heat recovery system. These measures will make the ship more energy efficient and provide a stronger platform for ministry for many years to come. After a terrific response from partners around the world, financial backing for the project is in a very strong position.

The two new generators are presently in storage awaiting shipment to the vessel and work is ongoing to confirm the most suitable shipyard, plan the work and organize opportunities for teams that will serve on shore during this time. Once the project is complete, the ship will be ready to continue her voyage of hope with many more ports in Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean anticipated in the coming years.

A monk browses through the book fair during the ship visit to Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: © OM Ships International - Credit: Doseong Park)

This impact all around the world is only made possible by the generosity of individuals, churches and other groups. As a special incentive to others at the start of this year, a generous friend of the ministry has made a $750,000 matching grant available, effectively doubling the value of any gift towards Logos Hope’s operating costs up to that amount. You can invest in this life-transforming ministry by giving online at www.omships.org/donate or through your local office: www.om.org/contact

About OM Ships International

OM Ships International (OMSI) exists to transform lives by bringing knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world. OMSI pioneered the concept of using ships to transport personnel, literature and humanitarian aid resources. The organization’s ships are well known for their work providing educational and Christian literature in ports around the world.

OMSI began in 1970 as part of the global Christian training and outreach movement, OM International. On board Logos Hope the crew and staff of 400, including professional seafarers, are all non-salaried volunteers. With over 45 different nationalities represented, the onboard community is a fascinating expression of cross-cultural living and understanding that reflect the church around the world. Crew members are unified by their faith and goal to share God’s love as they serve in port communities. The ship remains in port for several weeks and opens to thousands of visitors every day.

Up to one million visitors come on board each year to browse the hallmark of the Ship Ministry: a large floating book fair with over 5,000 titles in stock. Resources include books for university studies, professional and career interests, history, science, economics, language learning, hobbies, novels, children’s stories, biographies, dictionaries, atlases and a wide variety of Christian literature, including Bibles, study materials and books on Christian living.

The ships also bring aid and relief to needy people and places around the world. Crew members go ashore to provide medical aid, help construct schools, orphanages and homes, and give gifts of food, clothing and books. Teams also visit hospitals, orphanages and prisons to share God’s compassion and love.

Since 1970, over 43 million people have visited the ships during more than 1,400 port visits in 151 nations. People from all walks of life, from presidents and prime ministers to street children and the homeless, have been welcomed on board.

As the fourth ship operated by OM, Logos Hope launched into active service on February 19, 2009. Since then she has visited 73 different ports in Europe, the Caribbean, West Africa, the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia.

OMSI’s operational costs are met by sponsorship of onboard personnel, general donations and gifts, reductions and waivers of fees by civic and port authorities, book sales, and corporate support in each port of call.

Logos Hope is operated on behalf of OMSI by GBA Ships e.V. (formerly Good Books for All), a private, non-profit, entity registered in Germany.

For latest news, further information, port schedules and opportunities to participate visit www.omships.org.

Source: Assist News Service