This section is for the answers which are probably obviously displayed in some other part of my blog, but which I have genially agreed to make available especially in a question and answer format. If you have additional questions just burning a hole in your mind, feel free to email me and I’ll do my best to let you know all about my life!
What does the ship actually do?
But aren’t you just evangelising?
What is your job on board?
What is an “outfitting” phase?
What does a typical day on board look like?
What are your cabins like?
How many people are on board?
How does it all get paid for?
What does the ship actually do?
One of my friend’s nephews says that we “save the world”. This is not strictly true. We bring a message which we tag as “knowledge, help and hope” – essentially promoting world-wide education, international cooperation, aid and poverty relief, and new life in Jesus Christ. This is practically worked out in a number of different ways – floating book shops, on board conferences, visiting teams, building teams, awareness seminars, etc.
But aren’t you just evangelising?
Our aim is not to “evangelise” people, although everything we do stems out of the new life that we have received through being in a relationship with Jesus Christ. I am excited to share the good news and change that He has brought to my life with all the people that I meet, and even more excited if somebody wants to accept that for themselves! But I am not there to force my views on people – merely to show them what and why I believe, and to give them the option to have this great hope and joy for themselves.
What is your job on board?
I work as the ship journalist. This means that I write reports about what we do, and how lives have been impacted by our ministry, and make them available to be published in different formats – by web, email newsletters, print publications, publicity, recruitment brochures, fundraising campaigns, and more.
I am also involved in different areas of the community life on board, for example, I lead a worship band, and I help teach dramas to crew (one of the tools we use to communicate in countries where we can’t always speak the language). Everybody is encouraged to sign up for the activites we do on shore, interacting with locals and sharing our lives with them.
As well as that, in Logos Hope’s current outfitting phase, I do some manual labour with the work teams a couple of days each week, which helps build my muscles!
What is an “outfitting” phase?
Normal passenger ships are not really built with the purposes of OM in mind! Since purchasing Logos Hope, previously a car ferry, in 2004, we have had to create spaces where the public can come on board, buy books, attend conferences and experience a host of different cultures, as well as creating extra living spaces to accomodate crew. Even the engine room has needed to make changes – for example, installing a chiller system, so that the ship can be cooled when travelling in tropical climates (not a problem for the previous owners – a Scandinavian ferry company!). This all takes time, workers and money. The latter two we don’t have, and the former we don’t want to give! Welcome to the “outfitting” phase.
What does a typical day on board look like?
Every morning we have ship devotions at 7.30, where a member of the ship’s company, or a guest, shares a thought from the Bible. It is also an opportunity to make announcements, etc. Then work starts at 8 and continues until lunch hour, which is from 12-1. Afternoon work is from 1-5. I spend most of this time in the Communications office, which is already embracing equatorial climates, with a dodgy ventilation system, although I am often to be found running around the ship, trying to interview people. Dinner is from 5.30-6.30 (all meals function in a self-service cafeteria system), and in the evenings there are a variety of activities on offer. Ship’s prayer night, which everyone attends, is on Thursdays, while on Monday we have a worship evening, and on Tuesday there are ship family groups – smaller “family” units with a designated couple as the group’s parents. The weekly Staff cafe is an opportunity to relax over a coffee, while on other evenings people go out for a drink, or stay in and play games or watch a movie – shockingly like the real world!
What are your cabins like?
My cabin is a two-berth ensuite – sounds nice, and in Logos Hope terms it is fairly luxurious. Most are four-man, some are also en-suite. Storage space is tight, although we managed to squeeze everything in. And the best thing is that I get to share it with my best friend! (and somewhat miraculously, after six months of rooming together we are still best friends!)
How many people are on board?
Logos Hope at the moment has around 300 people from around 40 nations. The overall tally, when all accomodation is ready, will be higher, with space for 400 crewmembers, and 100 guests at any given time. However, it will probably take a few years before we see this achieved.
How does it all get paid for?
The entire organisation works on a “support” system. Each individual member raises personal financial and prayer support from people they know. That way, we form a network of supporters from all around the world. And yes, I did say financial support. That’s right – I pay to be a volunteer!
OM Ships is supported approximately 1/3 by book sales, ½ by personal support from crewmembers, and the remainder by other donations.
