Farewell

11 January 2008 Posted by Martin

Logos Hope

In a few weeks, I will be in Kiel, northern Germany, on board the Logos Hope: a wonderful ship! This ship is wonderful, not because she was designed by genius, but because her mission is outstanding. Logos Hope: "Word of Hope". She will sail in the wake of Logos II to continue the mission that Operation Mobilization is trying to complete for the last 30 years with the library ships: Bringing Knowledge, Help and Hope.

Mission

In each port where she stops, the vessel opens her library to offer 6000 titles (education, health, sports, cooking, spirituality, culture) at an affordable price. Operation Mobilization is also eager to impact the lives of local people. It is undertaken through humanitarian works, (building orphanages, food or medicines distribution, books for schools).

Hope

And bringing Hope. Because there is so much needs. And men are so limited in providing real solutions. I realize that if I want to help someone one day, I can give him food or medical treatments. If I want to him help for his life, I may help to build a school or bring books. But if I want to help him for Eternity, I feel powerless with my two small arms. The only thing I can do is to witness that God loves him with an infinite love and that God can heal the wounded hearts. No matter his past or his situation, God wants to touch his heart as he has done for me.

Disappointment

So, That is the heart of the mission. A few weeks ago, when I was thinking about my departure, I was dreaming of far far away countries, mysterious languages to learn, new cultures to discover... I was really excited. However, I learned that the conversion work on ship had been delayed, and I will finally spend 6 months in Germany to leave Europe in 2009. I was terribly disappointed.
Well, it is true that the German is far from being 100% understandable to me and I am not yet accustomed to sauerkraut for breakfast. But yet it was a difficult moment.

Perseverance

I was far from being as enthusiastic as I am today. But with hindsight, I am glad to have crossed this period, because I had to think about my motivations and I learned perseverance. I had the opportunity to rely on God for all the challenges that I will face. Anyway, these next two years on the ship will be full of ups and downs. And when I will grip at the balustrade, feeding fish with my lunch, I hope I will have the wisdom to remember why I joined this project. I trust that the Lord is preparing my path. And I want to trust him to renew my vision and my motivation during these two years in order to remain teachable and available to serve wherever I go.

Thank you

Honestly, it is a project that is far beyond my imagination And I do not yet realize the impact it will have in my life. But I am happy and proud that you are with me to share this adventure.

Thank you, all of you who support me financially and make this project possible.

Thank you, you who pray for me, as I need the Lord to guide me and teach me every day!

Thank you my friends, your friendship is very precious to me, and even if the seas separate us, I will bring you in memories.

Mart1n