OM has a business training project to help people start small businesses and become financially independent. They also offer microloans to national believers who successfully complete the training, like Mariam.* After receiving training and a small loan, she opened a small market in her neighbourhood, where most people were Muslims.

Mariam wanted to have a successful business, but more than that she wanted a fruitful one. Having also received discipleship training from OM, she desired to use her market for the Kingdom. She sold groceries, such as bread, sweets and tea.

Shortly after opening her shop, she hired Sama* to help her. Sama was not a perfect employee. Sometimes she came to work late and made mistakes, but Mariam showed her love and grace. This surprised Sama, who was a Muslim. One day she asked Mariam, “Why do you always show me love? Even though I’ve made a lot of mistakes, you haven’t fired me.”

Mariam replied, “God loves me, and I love you. I also want to teach you that you can work better.”

Sama had a lot of questions about Mariam’s faith. During work breaks, Mariam patiently showed her the answers to her questions in the Bible. After three months of discipleship, Sama became a Christian.

They decided to hire another woman, Ariana,* to help them. Similar to Sama, she was a Muslim when she began working in the market, and she became curious about Jesus after spending time with them. They treated her with love and kindness. When she made mistakes, they showed her grace. After about a year, she also decided to follow Jesus.

Now the three of them — three sisters in Christ — work on a rotation: two work in the market, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, and the third does ministry outside of the market. The next day, they switch, and a different person does outside ministry. Focused on discipleship of women, their ministry is varied. Some days they meet and share the good news with women who are interested in Jesus. Other days they read the Bible with believers to encourage their spiritual growth. They disciple women both in their own neighbourhood and in distant villages where they have connections.

Please pray for many women to experience Jesus’ love through these sisters. May this business shine as a bright light in the neighbourhood. May more businesses with a heart for ministry start in the Caucasus.

*name changed

Familien geben Spenden und Honorare für Beerdigungen oder Trauerfeiern und im Gegenzug führt der Tempel Ahnenrituale für die Familie durch. Das bedeutet, dass jemand, der die Verbindungen zum Tempel beenden möchte, das Wohlergehen seiner Ahnen sowie die Möglichkeit seiner eigenen lebenden Familie, in der Gemeinschaft begraben zu werden, aufs Spiel setzen würde.

„Du bekommst keine gesetzliche Strafe dafür, dass du den Buddhismus aufgibst, aber im ländlichen Japan gibt es eine unausgesprochene Regel, dass du ihn nicht verlassen solltest. Die Menschen sind sehr stark damit verbunden und ihm loyal gegenüber. Also ist dies wirklich ein starker Widerstand gegen das Evangelium“, fügt Kenji hinzu.

OM in Japan hat zwei Schwerpunkte. Der erste liegt auf einzelnen Personen, die unter der Leitung japanischer Gemeinden arbeiten, um deren Dienste zu unterstützen.

„Nach dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs, zwischen 1945 und 1980, kamen viele amerikanische Missionare nach Japan und gründeten Gemeinden. Doch nach so vielen Jahrzehnten sind viele dieser Gemeinden geschwächt, es kommen nur noch eine Handvoll Menschen und manche haben gar keine Leiter mehr“, berichtet Kenji. „Es ist nur unvermeidlich, dass die Pastoren ausbrennen oder die Gemeinden und Kirchen verschwinden.“

Der zweite Schwerpunkt liegt auf Personen und Teams in ländlichen Gebieten, die Pionierarbeit bei der Gemeindegründung leisten und von Jesus erzählen.

„Wir brauchen mehr Mitarbeiter für das ländliche Japan", erklärt Kenji. „OM in Japan hat ein Ausbildungszentrum in einem ländlichen Teil der Provinz Mie. Wenn neue OM-Mitarbeiter nach Japan kommen, durchlaufen sie eine dreimonatige Ausbildungsphase, wobei das Erlernen der Sprache einen großen Teil davon ausmacht. In Japan ist die Aufgabe zu groß, als dass eine Missionsorganisation sie alleine bewältigen könnte. Wir müssen zusammenarbeiten, um den bestehenden japanischen Gemeinden zu helfen und gleichzeitig die schwer erreichbaren Orte zu erreichen, an denen es keinerlei christliches Zeugnis gibt.“

In 2009, OM International team members were looking after our team finances, but then OM in my country was registered with the government. Once they registered, they needed an accountant. In January 2010, I was 22 years old. I just finished my bachelor's degree and I was looking for work to do. In a magazine, I found an advertisement that said OM was looking for an accountant and bookkeeper, so I applied for that role. 

When I joined at that time, I was just managing a few rupees only. I was a new believer as well. Once I joined OM, I had the opportunity to grow in my finance role and spiritually as well.  

There was a lot to learn. When I joined, I was not aware of how finances worked within OM. The system here is different to outside of OM. So I got to know all that knowledge. Then, as I was growing in my role, there was a time when those who were leading me had to leave the country, so I had to take over. 

Now I'm not just doing the finances, but also discipling other team members. I'm leading other finance people in the team; teaching them, delegating to them and discipling them in different areas.  

As part of the team, I feel the difference I make is mostly behind the scenes, but still deeply meaningful. By taking care of the finances, I help create a strong foundation so that others can focus fully on their ministry work. When the financial systems run smoothly, the teams in the field can serve without distraction — and knowing that brings me joy. 

For me, serving God as a finance officer is both a responsibility and a privilege. Even though my work is mainly with numbers, reports and compliance, I see it as part of God’s ministry. The money I handle isn’t just 'finances' — it’s a resource God is using to help people bring hope, serve communities and share His love. 

It also grows me spiritually. There are moments of challenge, pressure and even discouragement, especially when support for finance roles is limited or when regulations and processes feel heavy. But in those moments, I’ve learnt to depend on God more deeply — trusting His guidance, His wisdom and His purpose behind the work He has placed in my hands. 

Working in finance is quite a big responsibility, because you are not just taking care of the money, but you are taking care of God's money — it's God’s work; it’s not ‘just’ admin. If you do not have someone to manage the finances, the people working in the field, working directly with other people, aren’t able to do that much. 

Being a finance officer has taught me that ministry isn’t only what happens in front of people. Sometimes ministry is quiet, detailed, unseen — but just as valuable to God. And knowing that He is using my skills behind the scenes to build His Kingdom gives me joy and strength to continue. 

Through my role, I’ve learnt many things about who God is and how He walks with me in my daily responsibilities. One of the biggest lessons has been about trust. There are seasons when the workload feels heavy, when resources feel limited, or when the expectations are high. In those moments, I’ve experienced how God strengthens me, calms my heart and provides the wisdom I need — even in the smallest decisions. 

There are some difficulties. It is hard to get financial support for people working in finance. Many people think that it's not a ministry, it's just admin work. So, quite a few times I was really struggling with this. If you ask for donations for certain ministries, like for spreading the gospel or printing literature, then people are really okay to give donations for those ministries. But you also need people to make that happen. 

Over the years in this finance role, I feel like God has been gently shaping me — not just in my skills, but in my heart. I’ve had many moments when I’ve felt unsure, overwhelmed or even discouraged, especially when the responsibilities grew or when I felt unseen in the background. But those moments have taught me something very personal about God: He never leaves me to handle things alone. 

Please pray for the OM team in Laxmi's country to be able to work within the government’s rules regarding evangelical work. 

Pray for Laxmi as she leads the finance personnel and plays a role in the team leadership. Pray for wisdom as she ensures the OM team complies with all rules and policies to operate as a registered entity. 

Please also pray for strength and encouragement. "Sometimes the work can feel heavy or unnoticed, and I need God’s help to stay motivated and joyful, knowing that He sees every part of it."

"I would also appreciate prayers for our finance team that I can lead them well, support them and help them grow both in their skills and in their walk with God." 

Bald erfuhr Pemba, dass eine Familie – Tashi* und ihr Sohn Kelsang* – eine schwere Last tragen. Ein böser Geist verfolgt ihre Familie un hält sie nachts wach, erzählen sie ihm. Der Lama (ein buddhistischer Lehrer) ist machtlos und die Rituale funktionieren nicht. Doch Tashi und Kelsang haben noch nie von dem Licht Jesu Christi gehört. „Während wir die Nacht mit ihnen verbrachten, trafen wir auch den bösen Geist“, erinnert sich Pemba. „Aber wir kennen den, der stärker ist, und wir baten ihn um Gelegenheiten, von ihm zu erzählen.“

Und bald kamen die Gelegenheiten. In den folgenden Tagen arbeiteten alle zusammen, indem sie das Fundament aushoben und Steine trugen. „Es war ermüdend“, sagt Pemba, „aber unsere Liebe für die Verlorenen half uns, weiterzumachen.“ Während des Abendessens erzählten die Christen von ihrem Retter. Tag für Tag sprachen sie über Jesus. Tashi und Kelsang hörten aufmerksam zu.

Als das Dach fertig war, waren Tashi und Kelsang bereit, Jesus nachzufolgen. Vor vielen anderen verkündeten sie ihren neugefundenen Glauben. Zusammen machten sie ein Feuer und verbrannten all die Götzen und Gegenstände, die sie für Opfergaben verwendet hatten – diese brauchen sie nicht mehr.

Andere Familienmitglieder schauten voller Staunen zu. „Wir überlegen, ihn auch anzunehmen“, sagten sie. „Niemand würde seine Zeit opfern und uns so helfen. Das ist die echte Liebe eures Gottes!“

*Name geändert

As a global movement, Scripture Union helps young people, families, and communities worldwide encounter God, and in Papua New Guinea it has a longstanding tradition of bringing students together through prayer initiatives, especially all‑night prayer meetings. 

Planting the seed 

Attending an all-night prayer on board Doulos Hope was a new and meaningful experience for students. As student Henry explained, “this all-night prayer is a bit different and special because we get to have it on a ship… and not just any ship, but Doulos Hope.”  

Alongside the novelty of a new environment, the event sought use Doulos Hope as a platform to inspire the students. One question guided the entire night: “Who will go?” Students were encouraged to pray about how God might use them to share Him with the world.  

Michal, who is prayer coordinator for Scripture Union Papua New Guinea, described the night as, “an opportunity for students to learn first-hand stories from real-life people on the ship who have been travelling the world, sharing Jesus.”  

Leaving a lasting mark 

As students and crewmembers alike joined in prayer and song, the global fellowship left a strong impression.  

“With representation from all around the world, it kind of felt like you prayed with the rest of the globe,” said Jakob, director of Scripture Union.  

Judah, a volunteer for Scripture Union, adds, “The more we integrate with other people, the more we begin to see that God is not just the God of my country but the God of the nations.” 

From inspiration to action 

Jakob believed the night of prayer would have an impact far beyond the ship. He explained, “Out of one seed comes a plantation, so from these seeds that we’ve planted in here we are hoping and praying that this gets spread all throughout the nations that are represented on the ship.” 

As dawn broke over Port Moresby, many students left with a deeper sense of calling. Even until 6 a.m. as they waited for transport home, the students continued singing. Student Rowland, aged 19, shared, “One of the questions that really got me was about how far you are willing to go for God. It was like a personal question, so I need to go and pray about it and think about this.”  

Together we pray and keep watch 

Together we give thanks for all that God is doing in Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific Islands. 

Thank you for your partnership in prayer — we could not do events like this without your help. There is more to come as Doulos Hope continues to serve communities through events like this in future ports — sharing hope and mobilising the next generation to join God’s work among the nations.

Join us in prayer for the future of the Ship Ministry: Be a watchkeeper

One day, a woman told him that only Christ could heal him. After hearing this, he decided to go to church and place his faith in Jesus. Not long after, Vanh experienced healing in his eyes. He said that he now realises that God called him not only to heal his eyes, but to save his life. This miracle became a turning point in his life, leading Vanh to commit fully to following Christ. 

Wanting to learn more about his new faith, Vanh, who lives in South East Asia in a Buddhist-majority country, asked if he could attend a TeenStreet camp. Although the event was designed for teenagers, Vanh was 30 years old, but described himself as a “teenager in Christ.” 

During the camp, Vanh shared that he had found it difficult to understand the Bible. When he read Scripture, it felt as if he were simply reading stories without knowing how to apply them to his daily life. During the camp sessions, he listened very attentively to the teaching. The facilitator didn’t know Vanh was a new believer, but noticed his maturity and asked him to facilitate a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) small group. 

After the small group session, Vanh shared how meaningful the experience was for him. The simple guiding questions helped him understand Scripture in a practical and personal way. His testimony is a reminder of how God continues to work powerfully in the lives of new believers and uses simple tools to deepen their understanding of His Word. 

Please pray for this "teenager in Christ" and other young believers from Buddhist backgrounds across South East Asia to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. 

Sita*, an OM partner, had just arrived in the same area. She had heard about Nyima’s village and the people who live there. Due to government restrictions, it is difficult to visit Nyima’s area for any reason — let alone as a Christian. That’s why Sita went to where people from the village stay during the winter. But even there, doors seemed to remain closed. “I tried to connect with the mountain people,” Sita shares, “but they didn’t want to talk to me.” 

Then, the night before Sita was due to return home, God opened a way. “We saw Nyima walking around the shrine, praying for her knee. I asked her if I could pray for her. She agreed, I prayed, and we talked for a bit.” Sita was grateful for this small opening. Yet God was about to do much more. 

A few weeks later, Sita returned to the valley, hoping to reconnect with Nyima — and it didn’t take long. “As soon as I arrived, Nyima ran up to me,” Sita tells us. “Her knee had been healed. Now she wanted to know more about Jesus!”

As she needed to go to the city anyway, Nyima travelled with Sita and stayed at her house. To Sita’s surprise, Nyima also spontaneously brought a friend along.

Nyima and her friend stayed with Sita for two weeks, and God continued His work. Day by day, they heard about Jesus, and toward the end of their stay, they both accepted Christ. The drive back to where they were staying for the winter was filled with joy. Then Nyima spotted a river and remembered the Bible stories they had just learnt. “What’s stopping us from getting baptised too?” she exclaimed. So Sita stopped the car — and there, in a mountain stream, Nyima and her friend were baptised. 

Now, Nyima and her friend are back in the mountains they once descended from. Life is not easy in this isolated place. Sita struggles to find ways to visit this restricted area, and Nyima and her friend are the only believers there. They face persecution from their community, and their faith is fragile. On top of that, they cannot read. Pray for them, that they may grow in their faith.

*name changed

Soon, Pemba learns that one family — Tashi* and her son Kelsang* — carry a heavy burden. An evil spirit haunts their family, they tell him. It keeps them awake at night. The lama is powerless, and the rituals don’t work. Yet Tashi and Kelsang have never heard of the Light of Christ. “As we spent the night with them, we encountered the evil spirit too,” Pemba recalls. “But we know the One who is more powerful, and we asked Him for opportunities to share.” 

And opportunities soon came. In the following days, everyone worked together, digging the foundation and carrying stones. “It was tiring,” Pemba says, “but our love for the lost helped us keep going.” Over dinner, the believers shared about their Saviour. Day after day, they talked about Jesus. Tashi and Kelsang listened intently. 

By the time the roof was completed, Tashi and Kelsang were ready to follow Him. In front of many others, they declared their newfound faith. Together, they made a fire and burnt all the idols and items they used for offerings; they would not need them anymore.

Other family members watched in amazement. “We are considering accepting Him too,” they said. “Nobody would sacrifice their time and help us like this. This is the genuine love of your God!” 

An OM worker first met Palden last year during a visit to Palden’s village. The men prayed together and shared stories of faith. When the OM worker learnt that the family travels down to a lower altitude each winter, he invited them to stay at his house. Palden gladly accepted.

As they shared life together, the OM worker and his family spoke about the hope they have in Jesus. They also connected Palden with a faith‑based hospital for his son’s physiotherapy and arranged a special wheelchair. Palden and his wife were deeply grateful. “Even our relatives and our own people don’t care for us in this way,” they explained. Practical acts of love helped point the family to the Lord's love. Or, in Palden’s own words: “Caring hands are far more than only praying words.” 

Now, Palden and his wife have moved to another city, waiting for their second child to be born. While they have become more open towards the gospel, they are afraid to commit to following Jesus. What if the spirits get even more angry? What if their second child will also be cursed?

Please pray for them during this frightening and uncertain time. Pray that the words they have heard will take root in their hearts, and that they would put their trust in the One who can bring them peace.

*name changed

She was part of OM’s scholarship programme for many years, and after finishing high school, the OM team offered Bo the chance to return to Tha Sala, in southern Thailand, to continue studying what she loves. They provided her with a scholarship, helped with accommodation in a women’s dorm and daily meals, and allowed her to take part-time work alongside her studies. 

At the end of the semester in late March 2026, Bo said she wanted to work during the school break so that she could save enough to not work during the school semester. She contacted OM worker, Mimi, to ask if she could stay with her in Chonburi, on the east coast, during the school break and find work. God moved Mimi to say yes to Bo staying with her and invited her to help with ministry opportunities during the two months. 

Bo’s summer break has been filled with new experiences: living with a Jesus follower, reading the Bible together every morning, visiting the dentist for the first time ever, enjoying Thai New Year (water festival) celebrations, serving a small local church and travelling to North East Thailand to meet her grandfather, who had raised her until her grandma died. 

One day in a casual conversation, Bo said, “Thank you for introducing Jesus to me.” The team praises God for this precious opportunity to show someone what a life with Jesus looks like. 

“You don't get any legal punishment for quitting Buddhism, but in rural Japan, there's an unspoken rule that you're not supposed to quit out of this. People are very strongly tied and loyal to this. So this is very much a strong resistance to the gospel.”

OM in Japan has two main focuses. The first is on individuals working under the leadership of Japanese churches to support their work.

"After the end of World War II, between 1945 and 1980, many American mission workers came to Japan and started churches. But after so many decades, many of the churches are weak with only a handful of people attending, and some don’t have any leaders any more," Kenji said. “It is only inevitable that the pastors burn out, or the community and the churches disappear."

The second focus is on individuals and teams in rural areas doing pioneer church planting and sharing Jesus. 

Kenji explained, “We need more workers for rural Japan. OM in Japan has a training centre in a rural part of Mie province. When new OM workers come to Japan, they go through a three-month training period, with language learning a major part of that. 

“In Japan, the task is too big for any mission organisations to do it themselves. We need to work together to help the existing Japanese churches as well as reaching the difficult places where there is no Christian witness of any kind.”

The book moved Abigail’s heart. Having attended religious school, she was familiar with the same prophecies but this time she saw them in a new light. “My spiritual eyes were opened and I saw Yeshua clearly. I was spiritually born again before I had ever read the New Testament. I made a decision to follow Him at any cost,” she says.  

Being the first believer in her family, Abigail knew she needed a community in which to grow in her new faith. After reading a negative newspaper article warning readers away from a shop run by Jewish followers of Jesus (because they were suspected of being mission workers), Abigail went to meet her new brothers and sisters in faith. They welcomed her into their spiritual family and gave her a New Testament, which she began to read. Over the next few years, she grew in her faith, began serving in local ministry and decided to obey a personal life-calling to serve the Lord. 

Serving God with her life 

At the age of 24, Abigail travelled for six months, sharing the gospel in both the Netherlands and Brazil. After returning to Israel, “I only wanted to see the Lord at work, saving lives,” she recalls. “I joined a ministry centre, where I enjoyed going out every day with brothers and sisters from around the world, sharing the good news with anyone who was willing to listen. I thank God that already in the early years of my faith, He gave me both the passion and the opportunities to serve.” 

After meeting and marrying her husband, Gersham*, they decided to open their hearts and home fully to ministry. First, they travelled through several countries in Europe, then to India and Nepal, before returning to Israel and joining OM. One of their first ministries was teaching in various home groups, sometimes travelling over an hour via public bus to get to different locations. The members of these groups were new believers hungry to learn how to live out their new faith, often amid a culture in which there can be prejudices against Jewish followers of Jesus. 

Eventually, God provided a home for Gersham and Abigail’s growing family that had ample room for hospitality. At the same time, without advertising or seeking it out, God began sending groups for them to host — teams that came to share the good news. In their busiest year, they hosted over 60 international ministry teams, in addition to founding a home group for Spanish-speaking believers.  

Hospitality ministry in Israel 

As the ministry grew, Gersham and Abigail began to prepare ministry programmes and schedules for their visitors; first in their own city and then branching out across the wider region. Then, the couple sensed God calling them into the profession of hospitality and tourism, as groups coming to serve in Israel also visit biblical sites. This led to several years of professional study, which continues to this day.  

As members of the tourism industry, Gersham and Abigail teach believers throughout Israel, showing how archaeology and the land of Israel support the biblical account. They do not advertise their services; people come to them through referrals, which they see as specific opportunities from God. “We find great fulfilment in witnessing their new revelations from the Word of God, and we feel that we are equipping them to become better ambassadors of the Word,” Abigail says. They found that the two sides of their lives — ministry and the tourism industry — not only overlap but actually complement each other, and these last several years have opened doors that they did not expect.  

New opportunities 

While they entered this field with a primary focus on Christian visitors, Abigail has seen doors open for sharing her faith with fellow Jews, both religious and secular — including political leaders from both Israel and the USA, social media influencers, and others. Each time, she uses her skills and knowledge to connect her faith and biblical knowledge with Jewish religious tradition. 

Additionally, with Abigail’s faith being known among her colleagues, a few have asked her for New Testaments and advice in interacting with visitors who are evangelical believers.  

In recent years, the tourism industry in Israel has been negatively impacted, first from the COVID-19 lockdowns, then the war with Hamas following 7 October 2023. “Every day, we pray for guidance and opportunities,” Abigail shares.

She has recently enrolled in a new course, as she has a vision to expand their business to potentially see a new branch of ministry unfold. They continue to host a Hebrew-speaking Discovery Bible Study (DBS) in their home. Known for being believers in their small community, sometimes their neighbours seek them out with questions about faith. “These unplanned meetings are the most exciting and empowering, and we pray they will bear fruit for the kingdom of Heaven,” Abigail says. 

As a Jewish follower of Jesus, Abigail shares not only her heart, testimony and physical home with others, but also openly shares the gospel from, in and throughout Israel. God has unfolded multi-faceted, many-layered hospitality for her and her family. 

“Looking back, I am joyful for every time I said, ‘Hineni (Here am I)’ to the Lord’s call. As I look to the future, I open my heart and continue to invite Yeshua to be my Lord and Leader.” 

*name changed

Ein Mitglied in Samirs Familien-EBS-Gruppe ist seine 75-jährige Großmutter Gulnara*. Sie folgt zwar Jesus nach, hat jedoch immer gezögert, mit anderen über das Evangelium zu reden, weil sie sich ungeeignet dafür fühlte. Obwohl ihre wöchentlichen EBS-Treffen sie dazu ermutigten, anderen Geschichten aus der Bibel zu erzählen, kämpfte sie immer noch mit Schüchternheit auf diesem Gebiet.

Eines Tages, als Samir am Telefon über das Evangelium redete, hörte seine Großmutter ihn. Er redete wie der Vater in Matthäus 7,7-11 denen gute Gaben gibt, die ihn suchen und bitten. Gulnara fühlte sich sehr ermutigt. Als Samir den Anruf beendete, sagte sie: „Bitte schicke mir diese Verse. Ich möchte sie weitergeben.“ Sie gehörte zu einer WhatsApp-Chatgruppe älterer Frauen in der Nachbarschaft und sie hatte ihnen noch nie gesagt, dass sie eine Jesus-Nachfolgerin ist.

Samir half seiner Großmutter und zusammen gaben sie Matthäus 7,7-11 in der WhatsApp-Chatgruppe weiter. Kurz danach begannen Fragen zu erscheinen: „Was ist das?“ „Wer ist Matthäus?“ Gulnara begann sofort nachzuforschen, erfuhr, wer Matthäus war, und schrieb im Chat, dass er einer der Jünger Jesu war. Dann begann sie über Jesus zu reden.

Einige der Frauen antworteten: „Wir sind Muslime. Wir brauchen das nicht. Wir haben unsere Religion.“ Nach einiger Zeit klopften einige an Gulnaras Tür und sagten, sie wollten mehr hören. Doch obwohl sie zuhörten, akzeptierten sie nicht, was Gulnara sagte.

Seit dem Tag haben die Frauen in der Nachbarschaft nicht mehr mit Gulnara gesprochen. Manchmal, wenn sie an ihnen vorübergeht, hört sie sie hinter ihrem Rücken reden. Aber Gulnara ist froh, dass sie einen mutigen Schritt getan hat, und stolz darauf, dass ihr Enkel sie dabei unterstützt hat.

Gulnara plant, wieder mit ihren Nachbarinnen zu sprechen und ihnen die Dinge ausführlicher zu erklären. Da Gulnara für viele Dinge in ihrem Gebäude verantwortlich ist, fragen ihre Nachbarinnen sie normalerweise um Rat, ehe sie handeln. Also können sie sie nicht für immer ignorieren. Sie ist bereits in der perfekten Lage, ihnen die Hoffnung und Liebe Jesu weiterzugeben.

Bitte bete für Gulnara, dass sie den Mut hat und die Worte, das Evangelium klar weiterzugeben und ihren Nachbarn die Liebe Jesu zu zeigen. Bete, dass Gott ihre Herzen weich macht und das bei Gulnara zu Hause eine neue Versammlung von Großmüttern entsteht.

*Name geändert

Following the disability training, Shelter’s vision was for the school in Bemberi to become inclusive for people with all types of disabilities, but with no funding or resources for adaptations or training, it seemed impossible. Through coaching, Shelter was encouraged to use what she did have — her knowledge and understanding of disability and the Bible truths that told of God’s heart of compassion — and pray that the Lord would use those things to bring about change.

Sharing God’s Word faithfully

Shelter boldly began sharing what she was learning about disabilities with the teachers at her school during staff meetings. She led Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) on key Bible passages revealing God’s heart of compassion and love for people with disabilities, starting with John 9:1-5, which talks about the man who was blind from birth. In that passage, Jesus declares that the man was not born blind because of any sin he or his parents committed, but in order that the glory of God could be revealed in his life. 

Shelter spoke with passion at school assemblies on topics related to disabilities and encouraged the children as she spoke about love, acceptance, being caring and the fact that everyone is different but all special. She began doing DBS with children during school breaks on key Bible passages that the OM training had focused on. 

From a place of shame to a place of value

During a DBS focusing on Luke 14:12-14, one of the children approached Shelter and explained that she had a young sister who was hidden away in the house, who is deaf and cannot speak or walk. Shelter tried visiting the young child at home, but the family refused to let her in. She persisted and continued to stop by the family’s home. Eventually, Shelter was invited in, and over time, the family began to trust her and open up to her. She met Kundai, who had been born with a disability, and began sharing God’s Word with the family and praying together. Shelter has begun to see a change of heart within the family as they now see Kundai not as a curse but as a blessing from the Lord. Kundai is allowed to go outside to play with friends and the family shared that they would love her to go to school.

A community transformed

When Shelter completed the disability training, she shared that the school in Bemberi had a number of students with learning disabilities, but no children currently attending with physical disabilities because of the lack of infrastructure to enable access for children with mobility impairments. As Shelter raised awareness about disabilities with the staff at the school, they were moved to share the need for suitable toilets with the community leaders. The community was so inspired that they rallied support and worked together to build accessible toilets at the school for children with mobility impairments. They also now have clean drinking water and sanitation at the school, all achieved through community disability awareness, which brought about a change in perception among those living in Bemberi.

All praise and glory be to the Lord for His faithfulness and thank Him for Shelter, who heard, obeyed and shared the Word of God in her community.

Leonardo de Chirico, ein italienischer Jesus-Nachfolger, Theologe, Autor und Pastor, Partner von der OM-Arbeit in Italien, erklärt, dass während der letzten 60 bis 70 Jahre, seit dem Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzil (1962-1965), die Römische Kirche ihre Hauptrichtung von dem römischen Aspekt der Kirche wegbewegt hat, der sich um Hierarchie, Tradition, lateinische Liturgie und Alleingültigkeit der Römisch-Katholischen Kirche drehte.

Der modernere Drehpunkt liegt auf dem katholischen Aspekt der Kirche, der Inklusivität, Dialog, weltweite Unterschiedlichkeit und Allgemeingültigkeit des Katholizismus betont. Neuere Theologie, seit dem Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzil, lehrt, dass jede Person mit Gott als Kind Gottes verbunden ist, aber dass die Menschen innerhalb der katholischen Kirche diese Stufe der Vertrautheit mit Gott in höherem Grade erfahren.

Leonardo erklärt, dass dies „jetzt zum vorherrschenden Gesprächsthema“ in Italien geworden ist.

Diese Theologie würde feststellen, dass ein praktizierender Muslim geistlich näher daran ist, Gott zu erfahren, als ein Atheist, der überhaupt nicht an Gott glaubt. Aber weil ein Muslim nicht an den katholischen Sakramenten teilhat, fehlt ihm ein Aspekt, Gott auf Erden zu erleben. Ein katholischer Theologe, Leonardo Boff, schreibt darüber, wie die katholische Kirche offen für Veränderung ist und ihre Denkweise so anpassen kann, verschiedene Arten, wie Menschen Gott erfahren, einzuschließen.

Dieser Umschwung in der Theologie öffnet einen tiefen Graben im Verständnis der Errettung zwischen der katholischen Kirche und Jesus-Nachfolgern.

Jesus-Nachfolger in Italien identifizieren sich als evangelisch, sie unterscheiden sich mehr von der katholischen Kirche als von anderen kirchlichen Denominationen. Sie glauben, dass jemand nur gerettet ist, wenn er sich persönlich entscheidet, Jesus Christus nachzufolgen, wie es in Römer 10,9 beschrieben ist: „Wenn du also mit deinem Mund bekennst, dass Jesus der Herr ist, und mit deinem Herzen glaubst, dass Gott ihn von den Toten auferweckt hat, wirst du gerettet werden.“ (NGÜ)

Katholische Lehre

Als ein Kind, dessen Vater vor Kurzem gestorben war, Papst Franziskus fragte, ob sein Vater – der Atheist war, aber alle seine vier Kinder hatte taufen lassen – im Himmel sei, antwortete der Papst: „Gott war ganz gewiss stolz auf deinen Vater, weil es für einen Gläubigen leichter ist, seine Kinder taufen zu lassen, als für jemanden, der nicht glaubt. Ganz bestimmt hat Gott das sehr gefallen.“

„Glaubst du, dass Gott einen Mann wie ihn jemals weit von sich entfernt halten würde? Verlässt Gott seine Kinder?“

Die Antwort von Papst Franziskus nimmt die hohen Hindernisse weg davon, was es für die Kirche bedeutet, sich um Nicht-Gläubige zu bemühen, denn die katholische Theologie scheint zu lehren, dass sie die Erlösung erhalten können, wenn sie auf Erden ein gutes Herz haben.

Etwas, was dem neuen Ansatz der katholischen Kirche zur Theologie sehr guttut, ist, dass viele Katholiken offener dafür sind, Ansichten von denen anzuhören, die einem anderen Glauben folgen als sie.

Besonders betrachtet

Die evangelische Kirche in Italien muss dazu bereit sein, die Gute Nachricht von Gottes Gnade und Errettung allein durch Jesus allen weiterzusagen. Leonardo erklärte, dass in Bereichen, in denen Christen in der Minderheit sind, sie sich nicht von anderen abschotten sollten. Stattdessen können sie das Evangelium von der Errettung durch Jesus weitergeben, indem sie die Fähigkeit weiterentwickeln, mit verschiedenen Personengruppen zu interagieren.

Leonardo selbst gehört zu einer Gruppe von Personen, die bei Gemeinden in Rom, die Jesus nachfolgen, Pionierarbeit leisten – in einem historisch vorherrschend römisch-katholischen Gebiet. In Partnerschaft mit OM suchen er und andere Gemeindeleiter nach Wegen zu erklären, dass die evangelische Kirche sich von der katholischen Kirche unterscheidet, aber dabei auch zu zeigen, dass Jesus-Nachfolger Menschen aus anderen Glaubenssystemen nicht meiden sollten.

Dies ist eine schwierige Aufgabe, da viele Katholiken die Mehrheit der Evangelischen als Sekte betrachten - doch Gott wirkt! Leonardo und seine Mitarbeiter planen, bis Ende 2030 fünf Gemeinden in Rom zu gründen. Leonardo versucht, eine hoffnungsvolle, aber realistische Haltung in der Gestaltung dieser Gemeindegründung zu bewahren. Er glaubt, dass ein langsames und organisches Wachstum dieser Gemeinden helfen wird, Mitglieder festzuhalten, die beständig an der Gemeinde beteiligt sein werden.

Leonardos Ansatz verlässt sich auf Gott, dass er die Herzen der Menschen verändert, während er doch den Schwierigkeiten Rechnung trägt, die das Weitergeben des Evangeliums von Gottes Gnade und Errettung durch Jesus in einem kulturell katholischen Land mit sich bringt.

Bete, dass Gott durch diese Gemeindegründungen wirkt, um kulturell katholische Italiener zu erreichen, die Jesus noch nicht kennengelernt haben. Bete, dass Gott die Jesus-Nachfolger trägt, die sich bemühen, in ihrem Land eine Veränderung zu erreichen.

On their way to a medical outreach over the Easter weekend in April 2025, 16 mission workers and course participants were travelling in a public bus which overturned in rainy conditions. Ten passengers died in the crash, three of whom were from the REACH team: staff members Heather Dillon (67) from Jamaica and Hannah Bunduka (31) from Sierra Leone, plus John Japol (27), a Ghanaian participant on the training.

The only member of the group not to sustain injuries was a four-month-old baby, who became a symbol of hope for the survivors in the days following the tragedy.

Richard Asiamah, the director overseeing the REACH discipleship initiative, recalls: “We had studied the theology of suffering just the week before and talked about our assurance of salvation. John Japol told the class he was certain that if he were to die, he would be in heaven. We were all impressed to hear how confident he was — but we had not imagined it would become so real so soon.”

Richard and his wife, Stephanie, had joined their team for the three-day trip, which forms part of the practical ministry training on the course. The Asiamahs had swapped seats with another passenger in order to sit together as a family. Both Richard and Stephanie sustained fractures and bruising in the crash, but their baby, Kaiden, was unharmed; cradled against his mother in a sling. The man across the aisle, who had given them his seat, did not survive.

The team identified more profoundly with the themes of Easter that weekend: the bitterness of suffering and emptiness of loss — but also the hope found in Christ’s resurrection and ultimate promise of life beyond death for all who believe in Jesus as Saviour.

Paul Nyama, who leads OM’s work across Ghana, relocated immediately to the REACH base to support his staff who were hospitalised and handle formalities. “The Body of Christ rallied around OM in Ghana, and other evangelical missions let us know we were not alone,” he says. “Remarkably, all the participants wanted to continue with their discipleship training. We took a two-week break so they could receive very helpful trauma counselling, provided through the Bible Society of Ghana.”

As they continued learning and wrestling with weighty questions, the 11 remaining students from various different African nations formed strong bonds and matured in their faith. Their leaders saw them work together well as they took on more responsibility and served in practical ministry among tribespeople. In a poignant touch when they graduated from the course, their certificates were presented by Rev Solomon Japol — elder brother of John, their colleague who had passed away in the crash.

The graduates are still on their journey of healing as they serve with their churches. Some are considering joining OM in full-time mission. Their course director, Richard Asiamah, has been working through physical recovery after badly breaking his shoulder, as well as spiritual recovery:

“After the accident, I reflected on many things. Did I sin? Did I make a wrong decision as leader to book that bus journey? Jesus told us when we follow Him, we will suffer for it. In Africa, leadership is honour. After this, I saw how fragile man is and it has made me humble myself more.”

“I struggled with the why — why did they have to die, why didn’t we?” says Stephanie. “We wrestle with the sovereignty of God and the goodness of God in that. I wasn’t even supposed to be on the bus… but I had the sense that I needed to go through this and suffer some pain, because as a family doing ministry that God has called us to, if it had just been Richard on the bus and not me, it would have been harder for me to support my husband well.

“Richard had to go through this as a leader. We use the analogy that if you want to get stronger muscles, you have to carry heavier weights. It’s hard for us to understand the loss of key, capable members of our training team. For us to grow and learn, this is the weight God is having us carry — but He was with us on that bus, through the whole thing. He is not happy that we’re having to suffer all of this, but He will strengthen us.”

In a memorial service on the anniversary of the crash, Stephanie told the congregation, “We are standing here as testimony to God’s grace.” She is now expecting twins. “We move forward trusting what God has in store for us and for our children,” she says, “If we had died, these babies I’m carrying wouldn’t have life: what will He do in their lives?”

Paul Nyama paid tribute to the three individuals on the anniversary of their passing: “Each has left an indelible mark of love, courage and Christ’s light. 

“Hannah epitomised ‘let your light shine’. Wherever she went, life just came there. Her capacity to love everyone was immense with her joyful, selfless heart and how ready she was to serve at any given time.

“Heather represented a mature Christian example whose dedication inspired us all. She listened and when she spoke, she added value. She encouraged each person to use their sphere of influence for the purposes of the Kingdom.

“John, for the brief time we knew him, also touched many lives with his graceful personality and passion to do exploits for the Lord with sincerity of heart. He wanted to go back to his village – a place of idol worship — to share Jesus there. We pray for God to move in that place and for the community to be impacted.

“The way we can honour them is to live the light that they represented.”

Zuhause wieder angekommen, gründete sie eine Netball*-Mannschaft für junge Frauen in ihrer Umgebung und begleitete sie, während die Frauen sowohl in ihren athletischen Fähigkeiten als auch in ihrer Beziehung zu Gott wuchsen. Die Veränderung, die unter den jungen Frauen geschah, bemerkten kurz darauf auch die jungen Männer der Umgebung. Sie kontaktierten Zaineb, welche den Männern half, eine eigene Fußballmannschaft zu gründen.

Zainebs Leidenschaft, andere durch den Sport zu unterstützen, war sichtbar. Deshalb schickte das OM-Team sie zu einer zusätzlichen Sportausbildung, damit sie ausgerüstet ist, Spielerinnen zu fördern, zu betreuen und sie zu ermutigen, dies auch mit anderen zu tun.

Mit Selbstbewusstsein und neu gefundenem Wissen durch diese Ausbildung ging Zaineb wieder nach Hause. Dort teilte sie den Dorfoberhäuptern ihre Vision mit, Frieden zu den jungen Menschen vor Ort zu bringen, da diese ohne Grund miteinander stritten. Mit der Unterstützung der Dorfoberhäupter gründete sie noch eine weitere Sportmannschaft und half anderen, das Gleiche zu tun. Heute hilft Zaineb sechs Trainern dabei, 70 Jugendliche zu unterrichten.

„Zaineb wurde zu einer Vertreterin des Friedens in ihrer Umgebung, indem sie das Evangelium ihren jungen Kollegen weitergab“, erzählt ein OM-Mitarbeiter. „Die Dorfoberhäupter schätzen sie, da die Jugendlichen nun miteinander spielen, die Gemeinschaft beleben und deren Zusammenhalt und Entwicklung fördern!“

* Netball ist ein Basketball ähnlicher Mannschaftssport, der hauptsächlich von Frauen gespielt wird

One time, they decided that each day of the following week, they would go on a prayer walk led by the Holy Spirit. The women sought to listen to Him about where to go and whom to speak with. This way of praying, known as 'listen and pray,' involves setting aside intentional time to seek the Lord and ask for direction for something specific that day. 

“We spent the entire morning asking the Lord to speak to us, to remove every lie from our minds and bring His truth, and to allow us to see with spiritual eyes,” Rebeca recalled. 

Something different

In that country, it was uncommon for women to converse with men, and the group normally only spoke with other women. Yet that morning, during their time of prayer, Rebeca and her four friends sensed that God wanted to do something different. 

As Rebeca prayed for direction, she began to see something in her mind: “It was a street full of clothing shops. As I walked down that street in the vision, I saw a shop on the right that said ‘Repair Workshop,’ and there I found a man named Mehmet.” 

Despite her doubts about whether to share this impression with her friends, Rebeca did, clarifying that it might mean nothing. However, the group encouraged her and insisted that if God had shown it to her, it must have a purpose. 

Dividing into pairs, they went out to pray in different areas of the neighbourhood. Although Rebeca continued praying, she was not confident that she would actually find Mehmet; after all, the vision had been very specific. 

As they walked and prayed, they felt God guiding them. “When we entered a shop, I sensed the Holy Spirit saying, ‘Not here,’ and we would simply leave. Suddenly, we began walking down a street with several shops and many signs that read ‘Repair Workshop.’ Even though I had walked there before, I did not remember seeing that,” Rebeca shared. 

Entering one of the shops, Rebeca felt that it was the right place. But then the question arose: how would they approach Mehmet? While they were thinking about it, the man working in the shop — curious to see two women there — asked if he could help them. Rebeca’s friend, who was more outgoing, explained that they were looking to speak with Mehmet. The man asked them to follow him and led them to a nearby shop where he introduced the women to Mehmet. 

The friends had not planned what to say when they found Mehmet; in fact, they were not even sure they would find him. As they tried to find the right words, Mehmet and the man who had accompanied them waited for an explanation. 

“We decided that the best thing was to tell the truth,” Rebeca remembered. 

They told him what they were doing and how they had ended up in the shop. When they asked if there was anything they could pray for, a surprised — but visibly relieved — Mehmet explained that he truly needed prayer. His 20-year-old son had been diagnosed with cancer in his eyes; he had already lost sight in one eye and was about to lose the other. In addition, the cost of treatment had left the family in a very difficult financial situation.

“As we prayed, I could feel how the presence of God filled that dark shop. It was so strong that when we left, all we could do was sit on a bench, give thanks and worship God,” Rebeca shared. 

Divinely ordained encounters

Throughout the week of prayer, the women saw again and again how God guided them and revealed people, places and situations. Rebeca understood — not only during that week, but throughout her entire time in missions — that God desires to speak to His children, and that prayer is not only important; it is the foundation of all mission work. 

The prayer walks continued regularly, and God kept surprising the group with what He was doing, even though they knew they would never fully grasp everything their prayers were accomplishing in the spiritual realm. 

Months later, Rebeca went to spend the winter at a friend’s home along with two other women. Since they were together, they decided to go on another prayer walk. On that particular day, Rebeca did not take time beforehand to ask for direction at home, but while riding the metro, she asked the Lord to guide her. 

“I asked the Lord if there was someone He wanted me to talk to. I closed my eyes and began to see a woman sitting on a bench, with something on her head, and the name Fatima came to my mind. The first thing I thought was that Fatima sounded too Brazilian for where I was. Since I arrived before my friends, I said to God, ‘If this is from You, take me to her Yourself; I won’t say anything to the girls,’” Rebeca explained. 

Before her friends arrived, Rebeca tried to find Fatima but could not. However, when her friends arrived and were talking, Rebeca looked towards the sea and saw a woman sitting on a bench exactly as she had seen her on the metro. 

When her friends noticed Rebeca had drifted away from the conversation, they asked what was happening. She explained what she had seen. Though surprised, they knew that these kinds of things could happen, so they went with her to speak to the woman, who was waiting for the bus. 

“We went up to the woman and started talking. When we asked her name… I froze. It was Fatima.” 

Rebeca asked her friend to speak on her behalf and explain that God had shown her, because she felt unable to find the words. Her friend shared the story, and as she listened, Fatima looked intently at Rebeca. When the story ended, she hugged her several times, deeply moved, and asked, “Is it true? Does God see me? Does God know my name?” 

Then, in tears, she confessed that earlier that same morning, she had gone to the mosque to pray, asking God why He did not see her and why He did not hear her. 

As they continued talking, another woman approached and said, “I also need prayer.” Rebeca and her friends prayed for both women, shared about Jesus, and exchanged phone numbers to stay in contact.

One time, they decided that each day of the following week, they would go on a prayer walk led by the Holy Spirit. The women sought to listen to Him about where to go and whom to speak with. This way of praying, known as 'listen and pray,' involves setting aside intentional time to seek the Lord and ask for direction for something specific that day. 

“We spent the entire morning asking the Lord to speak to us, to remove every lie from our minds and bring His truth, and to allow us to see with spiritual eyes,” Rebeca recalled. 

Something different

In that country, it was uncommon for women to converse with men, and the group normally only spoke with other women. Yet that morning, during their time of prayer, Rebeca and her four friends sensed that God wanted to do something different. 

As Rebeca prayed for direction, she began to see something in her mind: “It was a street full of clothing shops. As I walked down that street in the vision, I saw a shop on the right that said ‘Repair Workshop,’ and there I found a man named Mehmet.” 

Despite her doubts about whether to share this impression with her friends, Rebeca did, clarifying that it might mean nothing. However, the group encouraged her and insisted that if God had shown it to her, it must have a purpose. 

Dividing into pairs, they went out to pray in different areas of the neighbourhood. Although Rebeca continued praying, she was not confident that she would actually find Mehmet; after all, the vision had been very specific. 

As they walked and prayed, they felt God guiding them. “When we entered a shop, I sensed the Holy Spirit saying, ‘Not here,’ and we would simply leave. Suddenly, we began walking down a street with several shops and many signs that read ‘Repair Workshop.’ Even though I had walked there before, I did not remember seeing that,” Rebeca shared. 

Entering one of the shops, Rebeca felt that it was the right place. But then the question arose: how would they approach Mehmet? While they were thinking about it, the man working in the shop — curious to see two women there — asked if he could help them. Rebeca’s friend, who was more outgoing, explained that they were looking to speak with Mehmet. The man asked them to follow him and led them to a nearby shop where he introduced the women to Mehmet. 

The friends had not planned what to say when they found Mehmet; in fact, they were not even sure they would find him. As they tried to find the right words, Mehmet and the man who had accompanied them waited for an explanation. 

“We decided that the best thing was to tell the truth,” Rebeca remembered. 

They told him what they were doing and how they had ended up in the shop. When they asked if there was anything they could pray for, a surprised — but visibly relieved — Mehmet explained that he truly needed prayer. His 20-year-old son had been diagnosed with cancer in his eyes; he had already lost sight in one eye and was about to lose the other. In addition, the cost of treatment had left the family in a very difficult financial situation.

“As we prayed, I could feel how the presence of God filled that dark shop. It was so strong that when we left, all we could do was sit on a bench, give thanks and worship God,” Rebeca shared. 

Divinely ordained encounters

Throughout the week of prayer, the women saw again and again how God guided them and revealed people, places and situations. Rebeca understood — not only during that week, but throughout her entire time in missions — that God desires to speak to His children, and that prayer is not only important; it is the foundation of all mission work. 

The prayer walks continued regularly, and God kept surprising the group with what He was doing, even though they knew they would never fully grasp everything their prayers were accomplishing in the spiritual realm. 

Months later, Rebeca went to spend the winter at a friend’s home along with two other women. Since they were together, they decided to go on another prayer walk. On that particular day, Rebeca did not take time beforehand to ask for direction at home, but while riding the metro, she asked the Lord to guide her. 

“I asked the Lord if there was someone He wanted me to talk to. I closed my eyes and began to see a woman sitting on a bench, with something on her head, and the name Fatima came to my mind. The first thing I thought was that Fatima sounded too Brazilian for where I was. Since I arrived before my friends, I said to God, ‘If this is from You, take me to her Yourself; I won’t say anything to the girls,’” Rebeca explained. 

Before her friends arrived, Rebeca tried to find Fatima but could not. However, when her friends arrived and were talking, Rebeca looked towards the sea and saw a woman sitting on a bench exactly as she had seen her on the metro. 

When her friends noticed Rebeca had drifted away from the conversation, they asked what was happening. She explained what she had seen. Though surprised, they knew that these kinds of things could happen, so they went with her to speak to the woman, who was waiting for the bus. 

“We went up to the woman and started talking. When we asked her name… I froze. It was Fatima.” 

Rebeca asked her friend to speak on her behalf and explain that God had shown her, because she felt unable to find the words. Her friend shared the story, and as she listened, Fatima looked intently at Rebeca. When the story ended, she hugged her several times, deeply moved, and asked, “Is it true? Does God see me? Does God know my name?” 

Then, in tears, she confessed that earlier that same morning, she had gone to the mosque to pray, asking God why He did not see her and why He did not hear her. 

As they continued talking, another woman approached and said, “I also need prayer.” Rebeca and her friends prayed for both women, shared about Jesus, and exchanged phone numbers to stay in contact.

Seeing Zaineb’s passion for helping others through sport, the OM team sent her for additional sports training aimed at developing and discipling players and encouraging them to do the same with others.

With confidence and newfound knowledge from the training, Zaineb returned home and went to the local chiefs to share her vision of bringing peace to the young people in the community who had been fighting for no reason. With their support, she formed another team and helped others to do the same. Today, Zaineb is helping six leaders as they coach 70 young people.

An OM worker shared that “Zaineb has become an agent of peace in her community, sharing the gospel with her fellow youths. Community leaders admire her because the youths are now playing together and thriving, fostering unity and development within their community!”

The teams shared the gospel there in a variety of ways, including children’s clubs on the streets and in parks, visiting individuals in their homes, popping into a school and hosting a barbecue. “We had some lovely encounters, and since the outreach, new people have started to come to church,” team member Steph said. “We give thanks to the Lord for this and are so grateful to those who prayed for us.” 

The OM team in France had been praying for a project to place a full-time team with a church in Brittany. Unfortunately, these plans fell through, but the outreach made way for the birth of a new project in the Vendée region. 

Eric, who leads OM’s pioneering ministries in France, has lived there with his wife for the past seven years. La Vendée is one of the regions in France that is least reached, with only a few churches spread far apart. 

The project aims to establish a small OM team there for a three-month period, to serve several churches in the region and, in particular, the church where Eric and his wife are members. Their church, L’Assemblée Evangélique Le Rendez-Vous, was planted two years ago in the southern part of the Vendée region, where there was previously no evangelical church. 

Please pray fervently for this spiritually deprived region and that God would provide a team to work in His harvest field there between March and June 2026.

“I like it so much. I like doing God’s work and I like the work in finance also, because there are people who can share the gospel, but when we do work in finance, we can build people also, and we can build capacity, build people to God as Jesus followers, even in finance.” 

After a decade working with the OM team in Madagascar, Sarah took on a new role as the region finance officer for the Sahel. While still based in Madagascar, she now works with other finance officers in countries across the region. 

Working with OM has also allowed Sarah to be a witness to her family. She started an online prayer meeting with one family member; it has now grown to include five. 

As she has grown in her role and responsibilities, Sarah has seen her faith grow as well through working alongside other Jesus followers. 

“Before I joined OM, I was a believer, but I didn't have a good relationship with God like I do now. So it is through OM that I know more about Jesus,” she shared. “Before, when there was a problem in the work, I tried to resolve it myself, in my mind, and when I didn't find a solution, I prayed. But now, I pray first. 

“God is starting to change my character, [I'm not like how] I was before, especially when I was in the corporate world, where I focused on the work but not on the people. God taught me to tolerate people, to understand people, to have a good understanding of the people and not only focus on the work and the result, but to learn to take care of the people I work with as well. 

“Before, I was paid a high salary in the corporate world, but I didn’t have joy and peace. Now I’m a volunteer with OM, but I feel more peace and joy.” 

I was working with The Leprosy Mission in Bangladesh when I heard about OM. My son was six months old, and I had been praying to find office-based work for three months. OM in Bangladesh needed a person who could work in finance. 

I started in July 2009 with very simple work — like writing vouchers, depositing and withdrawing cash from the bank, transferring money, and maintaining various registers. After two years, I started doing bookkeeping and accounts, and after five years, I became the field finance officer, preparing annual budgets and finance reports, auditing and doing other work. 

Through my work, I’ve learnt to rely more on God’s guidance. It has shown me that my efforts are not just about results, but about serving with integrity, stewardship and humility. I’ve realised that my relationship with God grows stronger when I understand that Jesus has given me this responsibility, because it keeps me grounded and gives me peace even when there are challenges. 

Colossians 3:23–24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (NIV) reminds me to work wholeheartedly for the Lord, and that perspective has transformed my work into an act of service to Him. Many times, I have received blessings through prayer, especially when I was struggling to complete my work for the year-end. 

I am a Jesus follower from a Muslim background. My father died when I was young and my mother was very strict in her Muslim faith. She was very angry when I sometimes shared the good news with her. But she saw my relationship with God: how God provided for my needs, how Jesus cared and protected me in every situation and how my life grew through His blessing and peace.  

My mother saw my faithfulness and contributions to the Lord, and that Jesus gave His provision to me financially, socially, mentally and spiritually. He cared me and my family. I continually prayed for her salvation, and church members and my office team members were praying for her too. After 10 years, I got an answer to that prayer, and she received Jesus Christ as her Saviour in November 2025. I am so thankful that we are all believers in my family. Every day we praise His glory together! 

I am so blessed and grateful to our Lord and to OM in Bangladesh that gave me a chance to serve through my role. I would like to express my gratitude to all my leaders, trainers, co-workers, my family and prayer partners for their support, trust, help, effort and encouragement. I can see my work is a gift from God. I serve together with my team as one body in Christ, and through my role, I am able to contribute to God’s Kingdom with my life. 

Please pray for me as I am now serving in a new role doing personnel for my field. Please pray that I may receive God’s guidance and wisdom to carry out this responsibility faithfully. My son will soon complete his Secondary School Certificate. He is a worshipper in my church and desires to be a missions worker for God’s Kingdom — please pray for his calling, preparation and dedication. Please pray for my mother’s spiritual growth and good health. Pray for the finance team in Bangladesh. Pray for the new government of Bangladesh, that it may lead with wisdom, justice and peace for the people. 

Veranstaltungen und Workshops an Bord zogen mehr als 20 000 Besucher an und motivierte sie zu neuen Glaubensschritten.

Eine Veranstaltung, die in jedem Hafen angeboten wurde, ermutigte Unternehmer und Arbeiter dazu, ihren Glauben auch im Beruf zu leben und Gottes Liebe in ihrem Alltag weiterzugeben.

„Jesus fordert uns auf, Salz und Licht zu sein. Ich habe Anregungen bekommen, wie ich auch Alltag Salz und Licht sein kann, und das hat mich sehr ermutigt“, sagte Teilnehmer Pastor Bradley King.

Ein anderer Teilnehmer berichtete „Ich bin schwer beeindruckt davon, wie mein Arbeitsalltag und mein Glaube zusammenpassen. Das höre ich hier zum ersten Mal und ich sehe meine Arbeit dadurch in einem ganz anderen Licht.“

Das Schiff bot auch zahlreiche Veranstaltungen für Teens an, bei denen sie lernten, wie sie Gottes Liebe in ihrer Umgebung an Menschen weitergeben können, die Gott noch nicht kennen.

„Die Lebensberichte waren wirklich gut uns ich lerne, dass wir auf der ganzen Welt andern Menschen von Gott erzähle können, auch wenn wir noch jung sind“, meinte der Teilnehmer Jayden.

Zusammenarbeit

In der Karibk arbeitete die Logos Hope mit mehr als 500 örtliche Organisationen und vielen Einzelpersonen zusammen.

Logos Hope-Direktor Decio De Carvalho aus Brasilien fand es „besondes spannend und ermutigend, dass viele Menschen hier sich noch lebhaft daran erinnern, wie sie als Kind das Schiff besucht haben. Viele dieser früheren Kinder haben jetzt wichtige Rollen in ihren Wohnorten.“

Teams vom Schiff beteiligten sich an Hilfsprojekten, besuchten Gefängnisse und Schulen, halfen beim Wiederaufbau nach dem Hurrikan, verteilten Lesebrillen, machten Sporteinsätze und Vieles mehr.

In einem Zentrum der Heilsarmee führte die Logos Hope Sehtests durch und gab passende Brillen aus. Das Schiffsteam bot den Menschen auch an, für sie zu beten und viele von ihnen wagten weitere Glaubensschritte. Insgesamt konnten mehr als 1800 Brillen verteilt werden.

In Antigua kam die Mannschaft in Kontakt mit einem Pastor und spendete Bücher an ein Projekt für junge Männer, die wegen ihres Verhaltens von der Schule verwiesen worden waren.

Später erzählte der Pastor: „Ich kann gar nicht beschreiben, wie sich das angefühlt hat, als sich diese jungen Männer heute Morgen hinsetzten, lasen und lernten. Danke, dass ihr das möglich gemacht habt!“

Douwe aus den Niederlanden kam in Kontakt mit einem Pastor auf Jamaika und spendete Bücher für dessen Jugendarbeit auf mehreren Karibikinseln.

„Ich freue mich sehr darüber, dass die Logos Hope für unsere Arbeit Bücher spendet. Jedes Jahr veranstalten wir eine große Jugendkonferenz und wollen die Jugendlichen von den Drogen und den Banden retten“, erklärte der Pastor.

An diese Einrichtungen gingen einige der 6500 Bücher, die in dieser Region gespendet wurden.

Anker und Ziel

Das Schiff freute sich auch sehr darüber, dass 14 Personen aus der Karibik während des Schiffsbesuches in der Region Teil der Mannschaft waren.

Abigail aus Trinidad und Tobago hatte bei ihrem ersten Besuch auf der Logos Hope gedacht, auf dem Schiff gäbe es nur Bücher. Doch dann hörte sie die Berichte der Mannschaft und das motivierte sie dazu, dass sie ein Jahr lang an Bord mitarbeitete.

„Meine Mutter war auf dem Vorgängerschiff Logos II gewesen und sie wollte Bücher kaufen, während die Logos Hope in Trinidad war. Zu der Zeit war meine Beziehung zu Jesus nur noch Routine. Als ich in den Büchermarkt kam, wusste ich: Hier möchte ich mitarbeiten“, berichtete Abigail. 

Vor 15 Jahren hatten die Schwestern Lana und Lena beim ersten Besuch der Logos Hope in Barbados auf dem Schiff mitgearbeitet. Dieses Mal waren Lena und ihr Mann als Hafenhelfer wieder an Bord. Dabei bekamen sie eine neue Vorstellung davon, was es bedeutet, Gott in der ganzen Welt zu dienen.

„Auf dem Schiff erkannten wir, dass Gott dienen ganz unterschiedlich aussehen kann“, sagt Lena. 

Du hast dazu beigetragen, dass Menschen in der Karibik Hoffnung gefunden haben!

Gemeinsam danken wir Gott für alles, was er in der Karibik bewirkt hat. 

Danke für deine Großzügigkeit und deine Unterstützung. Deine Gebete und Spenden haben diese Arbeit möglich gemacht. Gemeinsam können wir Gottes Liebe weitergeben und erleben, wie sich Menschen verändern.

Wellen der Hoffnung durch Gebet

Seit dem Beginn ihrer Arbeit 2023 hat die Doulos Hope  37 Häfen in Asien besucht.

Durch ihren geringen Tiefgang konnte das Schiff über den Fluss Mekong Städte wie Phnom Penh in Kambodscha anlaufen. Dafür hatten wir und andere viele Jahre gebetet.

Der Besuch der Doulos Hope brachte Gemeinden aus ganz Asien in oft ganz neuen Kombinationen zum Gebet für die am wenigsten Erreichten zusammen. Pastor Ian aus Singapur erinnert sich: „Wir kamen in Einheit zusammen und beteten für die Generationen und die Völker. Wenn wir auf die Knie gehen, bewirkt das immer etwas.“

Gemeinsam mit euch danken wir Gott für die Gebetserhörung, dass Gott uns die nötige Mannschaft für unser neues Schiff gegeben hat. Wir feiern ermutigende Berichte, wie den von Roco aus den Philippinen, der ja zu Gottes Führung sagte und an Bord mitarbeitet. Der Pastor von Rocos Gemeinde, Pastor Andrew, erklärt: „Wir haben Jahre in ihn investiert, aber unser Ziel ist es, dass wir Jesusnachfolger schulen und aussenden. Deshalb schätzen wir die Arbeit der Doulos Hope. Sie bietet eine Einstiegsmöglichkeit in kulturübergreifende Arbeit und inspiriert mehr Filipinos, über die Landesgrenzen hinauszugehen.“

Wellen der Hoffnung durch Partnerorganisationen

Die Mannschaft arbeitete mit Dutzenden von Partnerorganisationen an Land zusammen, besuchte Schulen, Kirchen und Gemeindezentren.

Solche Partnerschaften sind auf den Philippinen sehr wirkungsvoll. Mark Joseph Ibale, der Teamleiter für interkulturelle Arbeit, sieht die Auswirkungen. „Die Doulos Hope war wie ein Magnet und brachte Menschen zusammen. Kirchen aus den Bergen und aus der Stadt kamen und haben uns besucht.“

„Wir kamen an Bord der Doulos Hope zusammen und erlebten, dass Gemeinden in den Philippinen durch die Zusammenarbeit mit OM nicht nur wuchsen, sondern sich teilweise sogar verdoppelten.

In Asien half die Mannschaft der Doulos Hope auch bei praktischen Projekten, durch Bücherspenden und Sehtests, Besuche in Gefängnissen und das Mitwirken in Hilfsprojekten.

In Kambodscha konnte die Mannschaft in Dörfern und Gemeinden Wasserfilter verteilen. Diese sorgen nicht nur dafür, dass Kinder gesund bleiben. Mit ihnen können Gemeinden das Geld, das sie vorher für Wasserflaschen ausgeben mussten, in ihre Arbeit investieren und dadurch weiter wachsen.

Ein Pastor berichtet: „Wenn 70 bis 100 Kinder zusammenkommen, ist Wasser ganz wichtig. Ohne Wasser werden die Kinder krank. Deshalb ist es ein wichtiger Aspekt unserer Arbeit, dass die Kinder sauberes Wasser bekommen. Gott gibt uns, was wir brauchen, damit sich sein Reich weiter ausbreiten kann.“

Wellen der Hoffnung durch Veränderung

Viele Schiffsmitarbeiter aus Südostasien werden an Bord geschult und kehren dann in ihre Heimat zurück und bewirken etwas unter der Bevölkerung dort. „Wenn ich wieder nachhause gehe, kann ich den anderen zuhause Ideen vermitteln, wie sie besser miteinander kommunizieren und eine stärkere Gemeinschaft aufbauen können“, berichtet Schiffsmitarbeiterin Sarina aus Südasien.

Sam aus Südostasien ist ein gutes Beispiel für die langfristigen Auswirkungen der OM-Schiffe. Heute leitet er ein Zentrum für suchtkranke Jungen und Männer. Im Rückblick auf seine Erfahrungen an Bord erzählt er: „Die Zusammenarbeit mit Menschen aus der ganzen Welt hat mit gezeigt, dass Gott jeden gebrauchen kann, der ja sagt und sich im zur Verfügung stellt. Auf dem Schiff habe ich Demut und Zusammenarbeit gelernt und diese Lektionen haben meine Arbeit geprägt.“ 

Während des Aufenthalts der Doulos Hope in Asien kamen auch mehr als 1 370 Hafenhelfer an Bord und unterstützten unsere Arbeit. Viele wurden an Bord neu ermutigt und möchten sich zuhause mit neuer Kraft einbringen.

In Thailand entdeckte eine Helferin neu, dass ihr Name ihre Berufung ist. Ihre Eltern hatten sie Doulos genannt nach dem Vorgängerschiff von OM. Sie berichtet: „Doulos bedeutet Diener. Jetzt ist mein Name etwas Besonderes für mich. Er bedeutet dienen und so bin ich hier und diene Gott von ganzem Herzen.“

Mit deiner Hilfe konnten wir in Asien Hoffnung weitergeben! 

Danke für deine Großzügigkeit und deine Unterstützung! Deine Gebete und Spenden haben das möglich gemacht. Diese Wellen der Hoffnung sind nur der Anfang. Gemeinsam können wir Wellen der Veränderung in vielen Ländern erleben.

The OM team in the Caribbean quickly mobilised a relief team. During the three-week first stage, the team identified the communities' urgent needs and, in partnership with other organisations and churches, helped over 1,600 people by distributing water filters and zinc roofing sheets.  

The initial phase was followed up with a second relief mission to repair homes. The two-week mission consisted of a team from Jamaica, Tobago, St Vincent and the USA, led by the Jamaica team members. 

Rebuilding hope

One of the homes repaired was that of Teresa and her six children. The walls of their home were badly damaged, and the roof was blown off. The family was forced to live in a wooden shack put together from materials recovered from their shattered home. 

The OM relief team got to work quickly and repaired Teresa’s home, building a new roof that will withstand the next hurricane season. The team not only met the family’s physical needs, but they also took them to the local church and introduced them to Jesus. 

Please pray for Teresa and her children to settle back into their home, and that they will believe in and love our Lord Jesus. Pray also for a second relief team going in April 2026.

The OM team in the Caribbean quickly mobilised a relief team. During the three-week first stage, the team identified the communities' urgent needs and, in partnership with other organisations and churches, helped over 1,600 people by distributing water filters and zinc roofing sheets.  

The initial phase was followed up with a second relief mission to repair homes. The two-week mission consisted of a team from Jamaica, Tobago, St Vincent and the USA, led by the Jamaica team members. 

Rebuilding hope

One of the homes repaired was that of Teresa and her six children. The walls of their home were badly damaged, and the roof was blown off. The family was forced to live in a wooden shack put together from materials recovered from their shattered home. 

The OM relief team got to work quickly and repaired Teresa’s home, building a new roof that will withstand the next hurricane season. The team not only met the family’s physical needs, but they also took them to the local church and introduced them to Jesus. 

Please pray for Teresa and her children to settle back into their home, and that they will believe in and love our Lord Jesus. Pray also for a second relief team going in April 2026.

The OM team in the Caribbean quickly mobilised a relief team. During the three-week first stage, the team identified the communities' urgent needs and, in partnership with other organisations and churches, helped over 1,600 people by distributing water filters and zinc roofing sheets.  

The initial phase was followed up with a second relief mission to repair homes. The two-week mission consisted of a team from Jamaica, Tobago, St Vincent and the USA, led by the Jamaica team members. 

Rebuilding hope

One of the homes repaired was that of Teresa and her six children. The walls of their home were badly damaged, and the roof was blown off. The family was forced to live in a wooden shack put together from materials recovered from their shattered home. 

The OM relief team got to work quickly and repaired Teresa’s home, building a new roof that will withstand the next hurricane season. The team not only met the family’s physical needs, but they also took them to the local church and introduced them to Jesus. 

Please pray for Teresa and her children to settle back into their home, and that they will believe in and love our Lord Jesus. Pray also for a second relief team going in April 2026.

The OM team in the Caribbean quickly mobilised a relief team. During the three-week first stage, the team identified the communities' urgent needs and, in partnership with other organisations and churches, helped over 1,600 people by distributing water filters and zinc roofing sheets.  

The initial phase was followed up with a second relief mission to repair homes. The two-week mission consisted of a team from Jamaica, Tobago, St Vincent and the USA, led by the Jamaica team members. 

Rebuilding hope

One of the homes repaired was that of Teresa and her six children. The walls of their home were badly damaged, and the roof was blown off. The family was forced to live in a wooden shack put together from materials recovered from their shattered home. 

The OM relief team got to work quickly and repaired Teresa’s home, building a new roof that will withstand the next hurricane season. The team not only met the family’s physical needs, but they also took them to the local church and introduced them to Jesus. 

Please pray for Teresa and her children to settle back into their home, and that they will believe in and love our Lord Jesus. Pray also for a second relief team going in April 2026.

Chitalu lives in a rural area of Zambia with rugged terrain, which makes moving around on his old and broken tricycle a challenge. A supporter kindly gave him a wheelchair, but it is unsuitable and unsafe due to the rocky terrain. Chitalu often feels isolated from his community.

In 2014, Chitalu also lost his sight. When he met Kelvin, a disability ambassador in his local community who encouraged him through Scripture, Chitalu's spiritual eyes were opened and his faith was strengthened.

He still struggled, however, to see his worth and to realise his abilities. Without his mobility and without his sight, Chitalu felt he was good for nothing. How could he work or have a business or a means of earning an income when he was unable to walk or to see? He also believed that his disability rendered him useless to God. With the help and encouragement of both Kelvin and the disability team, who provided practical support and spiritual teaching from the Word of God, Chitalu now understands that God can use people of all abilities for His Kingdom work. He has also started his own small business selling items from his home.

Chitalu joined a regular weekly Disability Bible Study (DBS) group and received an audioBible which helped him grow spiritually. He has since been a great encouragement to Kelvin, and now sees that his labour and service for the Lord are not in vain; there is real fruit from his labours.

When he first went to church, Chitalu was very shy and lacked confidence, but over time, he found acceptance and he is now actively involved and doing the accounts for the church.

Now, Chitalu is seeking to inspire others; he travels long distances to remote communities to share his story with people with disabilities.

Owen’s early days were very much like any other child's, but as he grew, his family noticed he had difficulty expressing himself verbally and some other developmental delays. At the age of five, Owen seriously injured his leg, requiring surgery and seven months in the hospital.

Despite rehabilitation, Owen never walked again and, as a result, never attended school.

While he can use his arms to feed himself, Owen needs help with his personal care, a responsibility shared between his male relatives.

Life for Owen is one of considerable isolation. Without a wheelchair, he is left at home alone whenever his family needs to go out.

Communication continues to be a challenge, as Owen uses simple hand gestures to express himself. Other children rarely come to play with him, and opportunities for him to leave the house are almost non-existent. His family, including his mother, have come to accept his disability, but still holds onto hope for improvement one day. This hope has inspired his brother to pursue a career as a doctor, as he wants to help others in similar situations.

The disability team first encountered Owen as they were walking through his community and saw him sitting outside his house. They were invited to sit down with the family to find out more about Owen. Building trust through relationships has been the key for the small team serving in this rural location and the team has since invited Owen’s mother to join the local parent support group and Bible study groups. She hasn’t attended yet, but they are hopeful that she will one day.

During their visit, the team took measurements for a wheelchair — something that could change Owen’s life dramatically. Once the wheelchair arrives, some pathways around the house will need levelling to make the toilet area and road accessible, finally giving Owen the chance to venture outside more easily.

For now, the team's focus is on supporting the family, encouraging Owen’s mother to become involved with local groups and ensuring Owen feels included and cared for. When the wheelchair arrives, the team is looking forward to seeing Owen’s world expand, showing not only Owen, but also his whole family, the love and compassion of Jesus, evident through the body of Christ.

Becoming involved in her local disability group proved to be a lifeline for Yvonne, connecting her with others in similar situations and opening her eyes to new and exciting opportunities. Through this group, she met Kelvin, a disability ambassador, who invited her to take part in a business training programme run in collaboration with Grace Enabled.

Previously, Yvonne ran a business making fritters that provided a small weekly profit. During the training, she gained a much clearer understanding of income and expenditure. With the small loan she received during the training, Yvonne decided to shift her focus to making buns.

She now makes a daily profit of 50-70 Zambian Kwacha ($2.50-$3.50 USD), which Yvonne immediately reinvests back into her business by stocking items in her small shop that people want to buy, making it the go-to business in her community.

Now, Yvonne has financial stability and uses her business to support her children and provide them with the necessary school supplies.

She is currently operating her small business from her yard, but plans to build a shelter for her business. Her dream is to one day have a full-time bakery.

Her enthusiasm is infectious; not only have neighbours been blessed by it, but now her children love to make buns, as Yvonne helps them after they come home from school.

Yvonne has gained a reputation as someone to be looked up to and she has inspired others in her group to take the step of faith that she did.

She is a faithful witness to the love of God in her life as she shares the Word of God with her customers and neighbours through Bible studies, using the Audiobible she received from the disability ministry.

Through the discipleship and training that she has received, God is using Yvonne in powerful ways to bring about change in her community.  Her community is not only being fed by delicious homemade buns, but they are also being fed by the bread of life, and that is Jesus.

Several daily activities and a varied programme were planned: the team visited two nursing homes and one school, held activities in public markets, made a programme for a refugee home which offers political asylum to immigrants and shelter for women exposed to human trafficking, visited a youth meeting, organised a special dinner of thanksgiving for 15 mayors of the counties of the area, handed out literature and spoke with people on the streets.

The team met Enzo and Teresa in a park where more than 1,000 people spent their Easter Monday. "At one point, Enzo came to sit at our table, for no reason, and we started talking to him," one of the teenagers who participated in the outreach said. "Shortly afterwards, his wife Teresa also arrived. He was interested in knowing who we were and so we explained it to him. Then we could talk about Jesus and the message of salvation. We asked if we could pray for them, they said yes and while we were praying, he started crying. He didn't know why he was crying. We encouraged them to attend a church in Turin, where they live."

One morning, the team went to the large public market in Asti to talk with people. Towards the end of the morning, they crossed paths with a gentleman and told him, "God loves you." The man started crying, and the team prayed for him and gave him more information about Jesus and where he could go to learn more.

The week encouraged the whole team. They shared...

"God guided the whole week, programmes and conversations with people!"

 "We have had the privilege of knowing our Swedish brothers and sisters and serving the Lord together!"

"It was wonderful to collaborate and serve together with about eight young Italians from other local churches, who joined us during the week, to translate and do evangelisation! It's amazing to see how God moves!"

Pray that the Lord may continue to touch and speak to all the people who have been reached during the week, and that He may bear fruit for His Kingdom.

Several daily activities and a varied programme were planned: the team visited two nursing homes and one school, held activities in public markets, made a programme for a refugee home which offers political asylum to immigrants and shelter for women exposed to human trafficking, visited a youth meeting, organised a special dinner of thanksgiving for 15 mayors of the counties of the area, handed out literature and spoke with people on the streets.

The team met Enzo and Teresa in a park where more than 1,000 people spent their Easter Monday. "At one point, Enzo came to sit at our table, for no reason, and we started talking to him," one of the teenagers who participated in the outreach said. "Shortly afterwards, his wife Teresa also arrived. He was interested in knowing who we were and so we explained it to him. Then we could talk about Jesus and the message of salvation. We asked if we could pray for them, they said yes and while we were praying, he started crying. He didn't know why he was crying. We encouraged them to attend a church in Turin, where they live."

One morning, the team went to the large public market in Asti to talk with people. Towards the end of the morning, they crossed paths with a gentleman and told him, "God loves you." The man started crying, and the team prayed for him and gave him more information about Jesus and where he could go to learn more.

The week encouraged the whole team. They shared...

"God guided the whole week, programmes and conversations with people!"

 "We have had the privilege of knowing our Swedish brothers and sisters and serving the Lord together!"

"It was wonderful to collaborate and serve together with about eight young Italians from other local churches, who joined us during the week, to translate and do evangelisation! It's amazing to see how God moves!"

Pray that the Lord may continue to touch and speak to all the people who have been reached during the week, and that He may bear fruit for His Kingdom.

One member of Samir’s family DBS group is his 75-year-old grandmother, Gulnara*. A follower of Jesus, Gulnara had always been hesitant to share the gospel, feeling a little inadequate to do so. Even though their weekly DBS meetings encouraged them to share Bible stories with others, she continued to struggle with shyness in this area.

One day, while Samir was sharing the gospel over the phone, his grandmother overheard him. He was speaking from Matthew 7:7-11 about how the Father gives good gifts to those who seek and ask Him. Gulnara felt deeply encouraged. When Samir ended the call, she said, “Please send me those verses. I want to share them.” She was part of a WhatsApp group chat for elderly women in the neighbourhood, and she had never before told them that she was a follower of Jesus.

Samir helped his grandmother, and together they shared Matthew 7:7–11 in the group chat. Shortly afterwards, questions begin to appear: “What is this?” “Who is Matthew?”

Gulnara immediately began to do research, learnt who Matthew was, and wrote in the chat that Matthew was one of Jesus’ disciples. She then began to talk about Jesus.

Some of the women responded, saying, “We are Muslims. We don’t need this. We have our own religion.” After some time, a few knocked on her door and told her they wanted to hear more. Although they listened, they did not accept what she said.

Since that day, the neighbourhood women have not been speaking to Gulnara. Sometimes, when she walks past them, she hears them talking behind her back. Yet Gulnara is glad that she took a brave step and proud that her grandson supported her in it.

She plans to talk to her neighbours again and explain things more fully. Because Gulnara handles many responsibilities in her building, her neighbours usually consult her before taking any action. So, she knows they cannot ignore her forever. She is already in the perfect position to keep sharing the hope and love of Jesus with them.

Please pray for Gulnara to have the courage and words to share the gospel clearly and explain Jesus’s love to her neighbours. Pray for the Lord to soften their hearts. May a new gathering of grandmothers begin in her home.

*name changed

The children’s programme was a vibrant and welcoming space that combined dynamic activities with clear biblical teaching. Each day, the children learnt Bible stories and experienced them through skits, crafts, songs and memory verses. The programme was designed to be engaging and interactive, with games, recreational activities and snacks — and at day camps, lunch was also provided. 

A team member explained, “On the first day, the children learnt that God is the creator of all things, and that they were all created with love and a special purpose. On the second day, we addressed the entrance of sin into the world, demonstrating that disobedience has consequences and results in separation from God. Through a play, the children learnt the story of Lucifer, his fall and the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. We then discussed how sin still affects our lives today, while also highlighting the hope offered by God's plan. 

“On the third day, we explained that only God could repair the damage caused by sin and restore our relationship with Him. A skit showed how Jesus took on our sins and opened a new path back to God. On the final day, we emphasised Jesus’ love for all children. The skit showed how He welcomed the children, even when the disciples tried to stop them coming to Him. The children experienced Jesus' care in a personal and meaningful way, which reinforced the message that they are precious to God.” 

Love in action 

As a way of showing God’s love in action, many homes were visited and the team distributed 265 food parcels during the outreach. 

One of the homes visited was Ecaterina’s*. Her father abandoned the family before she was born, so she was raised by her mother and grandmother. Her mother then died, leaving Ecaterina in the care of her grandmother, who had a severe disability. A year ago, Ecaterina lost her grandmother as well, leaving her completely alone without any family support. 

In the meantime, she had married, but her husband abandoned her for another woman, with whom he had two more children. At 23 years old, Ecaterina now finds herself raising her two children alone: a three-year-old girl and a one-and-a-half-year-old boy. Because of the children’s young age, she cannot work and lives in extremely difficult conditions. The house is in an advanced state of decay, and the shortages are many and pressing — sometimes they do not have enough food to last through the month. 

Seeing her desperate situation, the pastor of the village church and a social worker intervened to ensure she received social assistance. With God’s help, the state now provides her with monthly financial support of 4,000 Leu (about $235 USD) to help cover the basics. 

Despite the trials, Ecaterina’s face lights up when she hears the Word of God. She has an open heart full of faith and hope. The team blessed her with a food package and prayed with her and her children, entrusting them to the Lord, who can bring light even in life's hardest moments. 

'We survived because of prayer'

In another village, the team met Ana*, who is 91 years old. “She told us about her grandmother, who had a strong faith, and her parents, who were community leaders,” a team member shared. “Because of their status, the entire family — three generations — was arrested and deported to a labour camp in Siberia when Ana was 12. With tears in her eyes, Ana shared her stories with us: how they travelled by train in a closed cattle car for 22 days; how many elderly people and babies died along the way; and how little they had to eat during those years. She was put to work on the railway and later cutting down large trees in the forest. 

“She eventually grew up and got married at 18. Her first baby died, and her second baby was only two months old when they were finally allowed to return to Moldova. Their land, house and possessions had been confiscated, so they had nothing and had to start again from scratch. 

“When we visited with the food parcel, we were inspired by Ana's strength. As we talked about faith, she reflected on the fact that her family had lived through so much over the years. 'Maybe we survived because of my grandmother's prayers,' she reflected."

Then, God made it clear, first to Mina, and then to Harvey, that they were to surrender it all to Him. “I never dreamt of becoming a missions worker. I supported them and prayed for them, but never desired to be one.” 

Through a Bible study on the book of Hosea, Mina connected with the story of Israel. Deeply understanding what it meant to be lost and given the grace of God's salvation, she remembers, “I became a believer as an adult, after a tennis coach first shared about God's love with me. Looking back, I see now that He was pursuing me all along, even though I was strong-willed and rebellious. He never let me go. 

“I see this in Israel’s story, of God pursuing them in patience. I became overcome through just understanding a small portion of His grief over their unfaithfulness in the Old Testament. I also saw the depths of His love.”   

Because of this, Mina wanted to go to Israel to share Him with others.  She planned to join a group on a prayer journey in 2020, but then the COVID-19 pandemic began. The group continued to pray together for three years, interceding daily for Israel. Then, one day, Mina understood that God was leading her to Israel long-term.  

God’s restorative work 

However, Harvey, who had always been supportive of Mina being in full-time ministry, was not in agreement at first. It felt too out-of-the-box for him, especially as he did not want to leave his career. With great sadness, Mina surrendered to the Lord, “If this came from You, You have to make a way for us to be on the same page. I want to submit to Your call but also to my husband.” 

Through a long period of waiting, God worked in and restored their marriage, while also ministering to Harvey’s heart. Then, one night while praising God together under a star-strewn sky, they renewed their vows and prayed together, “Lord, here we are. Send us.”  

“After years, we were on the same page. We wanted to use our best years to worship the Lord in ministry in Israel. We also had confirmation from our children, who both supported the decision,” Mina said. 

Sharing God’s love in Israel 

Mina and Harvey arrived in Israel not long before the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, leading to two years of war. Still jet-lagged and reeling from the shock of the tragedy, Mina began to question: Did we make a mistake? But then she remembered that they had specifically chosen their arrival date; their other flight option would have left after 7 October. “It was not a mistake. It was God’s intention that we were there at that time. And God continued to show us that in those early days,” Mina recalls. 

Within a few months, they moved to an apartment in a small village. Mina began studying at a university, and life took on a rhythm. Once classes began in person, she found an unexpected opportunity: being of Chinese background and a Mandarin speaker, she began making friends with Chinese exchange students.  

While on a walk one day, Harvey heard two construction workers speaking Mandarin. He told Mina, who went out to talk with them. They invited the men to their home for a Shabbat dinner and to read the Bible with them. One of the men later decided to follow Jesus.  

This gave Mina an idea — what if she did the same with her fellow students? They were in a foreign country, in a war, without any family. A home-cooked Chinese meal might be just what they needed. Soon, this group of students became a weekly Discovery Bible Study (DBS) group.  

As most of the students had little knowledge of God or the Bible before arriving in Israel, the experience has been interesting. Mina shares, “The students have seeking hearts. They have an interest and curiosity towards the Bible, which can answer all of their questions about life.  

“The DBS method is asking questions, which they are not taught to do in China. They are taught to accept answers instead. By asking these questions, they are learning to think and wrestle with the Word of God. They have a hunger, more and more, for God’s Word, and willingness to apply it. And, they have experienced answered prayer.” In addition, a few Chinese students who were already members of secret house churches in China and familiar with DBS, began to attend as well, and encourage their fellow students. 

As it became safer to move throughout the country, Mina had another idea: field trips to biblical sites. She and Harvey began taking students on themed tour days, where they talk about stories from the Bible and do a DBS in the place where an event happened.  

New life in Jesus 

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, the students sat in a group on the side of a mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Reading from Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount, they started thinking through the questions. In response to, ‘What does this passage say about the character of God?’, one young man, Asher*, replied, “Jesus said this because He was the Son of God.” 

Asher was not unfamiliar with the Bible before coming to Israel, as his parents and sister are believers. Years before, his sister, who had a terminal illness, was healed after being prayed for by believers. However, he did not believe, as his parents were illiterate and he thought they were naive. 

Through the DBS study, and his friendship with ‘Mama Mina’, as some of the students started calling her, Asher came to believe the truth of God’s Word for his life. That day, he chose to follow Jesus. On another field trip, he was baptised in the Jordan River, and before leaving Israel, he was commissioned to return to China and share his new faith and disciple others there. 

While not all students have experienced such a radical change in a short time, the impact of this group is evident. For instance, Mina shares, “Another student, a Buddhist, has experienced a change in his worldview. Whereas before he didn’t believe in a God, now he says he is searching for God’s purpose. He is so close to realising God’s love for Him.” 

As most of the students were in Israel for only a year and have since returned to China, the study has moved online. Mina and Harvey are intentionally discipling them online and connecting the new believers with local house churches when possible. Now, they have a new group of students who come every week to their home, once again for Shabbat dinner and DBS. 

“God has given me such a big love for the Jews and Arabs living in Israel; I never expected He would lead us to this ministry,” says Mina. “More than anything, I have been blessed and transformed as I have had to depend on God like never before. He has continually led me to people to share God’s love with. In addition, He not only restored Harvey and I’s marriage, but Harvey has become my true partner in ministry, as we spend so much more time together than we did before. 

“I changed from a very planned person to reluctantly letting it all go. I do have a prayer, that every DBS group that I am a part of — which currently are six and made up of locals and foreigners — that God has planted a seed in each heart through the study. This is true for groups with seekers as well as believers, as my heart is to encourage local believers in becoming disciple makers in their own communities.” 

*name changed 

Die Woche bedeutete praktische Arbeit, denn die Teilnehmer gaben im Dorf das Evangelium weiter, verteilten christliche Literatur, führten persönliche Gespräche über den Glauben und verbrachten Zeit mit den Kindern in der Gemeinde. Für die Kinder wurden Freizeitaktivitäten organisiert, im Sportzentrum und auch in einer offenen Ecke auf dem Dorfplatz. Dies brachte den Kindern nicht nur Spaß, sondern auch eine Einführung in christliche Werte in einer einladenden und sicheren Umgebung.

Das Team aus Frankreich bestand aus sieben sehr engagierten Freiwilligen, die sich aktiv in verschiedenen Bereichen des Dienstes vor Ort einbrachten. Zu den Highlights gehörten die Gebets-Spaziergänge durch das Dorf, wo – zusätzlich zu ihrem Eintreten für die Menschen und deren laufende Arbeit – die Teammitglieder auch mit den Ortsbewohnern Kontakt aufnahmen und Gelegenheiten schufen, die Botschaft von der Hoffnung, die in Christus liegt, weiterzugeben.

„Die Anwesenheit des französischen Teams, zusammen mit anderen OM-Mitarbeiterinnen und -Mitarbeitern in Portugal, war ein bedeutender Segen für den Fortschritt der Gemeindegründung in Lanhelas", erzählt der portugiesische OM-Mitarbeiter Carlos. „Das Zeugnis vom Glauben, der Dienst und die christliche Gemeinschaft hinterließen einen tiefen Eindruck, nicht nur bei den Dorfbewohnern, sondern auch bei jedem, der an dem Missionseinsatz beteiligt war. Wir danken Gott für diese fruchtbringende Partnerschaft und beten, dass die Früchte dieses Bemühens weiter wachsen und den Namen des Herrn in diesem Dorf verherrlichen.“

Danke Gott für den erfolgreichen Einsatz und die Zusammenarbeit zwischen zwei Teams und den Gemeinden vor Ort. Bete, dass die jungen Menschen und die Erwachsenen, die teilgenommen haben, weiter den Namen Jesus bekanntmachen und dass die Portugiesen, mit denen sie über Jesus sprechen konnten, ihn wirklich kennenlernen.  

Die Woche bedeutete praktische Arbeit, denn die Teilnehmer gaben im Dorf das Evangelium weiter, verteilten christliche Literatur, führten persönliche Gespräche über den Glauben und verbrachten Zeit mit den Kindern in der Gemeinde. Für die Kinder wurden Freizeitaktivitäten organisiert, im Sportzentrum und auch in einer offenen Ecke auf dem Dorfplatz. Dies brachte den Kindern nicht nur Spaß, sondern auch eine Einführung in christliche Werte in einer einladenden und sicheren Umgebung.

Das Team aus Frankreich bestand aus sieben sehr engagierten Freiwilligen, die sich aktiv in verschiedenen Bereichen des Dienstes vor Ort einbrachten. Zu den Highlights gehörten die Gebets-Spaziergänge durch das Dorf, wo – zusätzlich zu ihrem Eintreten für die Menschen und deren laufende Arbeit – die Teammitglieder auch mit den Ortsbewohnern Kontakt aufnahmen und Gelegenheiten schufen, die Botschaft von der Hoffnung, die in Christus liegt, weiterzugeben.

„Die Anwesenheit des französischen Teams, zusammen mit anderen OM-Mitarbeiterinnen und -Mitarbeitern in Portugal, war ein bedeutender Segen für den Fortschritt der Gemeindegründung in Lanhelas", erzählt der portugiesische OM-Mitarbeiter Carlos. „Das Zeugnis vom Glauben, der Dienst und die christliche Gemeinschaft hinterließen einen tiefen Eindruck, nicht nur bei den Dorfbewohnern, sondern auch bei jedem, der an dem Missionseinsatz beteiligt war. Wir danken Gott für diese fruchtbringende Partnerschaft und beten, dass die Früchte dieses Bemühens weiter wachsen und den Namen des Herrn in diesem Dorf verherrlichen.“

Danke Gott für den erfolgreichen Einsatz und die Zusammenarbeit zwischen zwei Teams und den Gemeinden vor Ort. Bete, dass die jungen Menschen und die Erwachsenen, die teilgenommen haben, weiter den Namen Jesus bekanntmachen und dass die Portugiesen, mit denen sie über Jesus sprechen konnten, ihn wirklich kennenlernen.  

Enabling churches to serve

At Harborne Baptist Church (HBC) in Birmingham, Thursday 30th October 2025 is Day Two of the ‘Lionheart’s Detective Agency’ holiday club, presented by OMer Laurie McEwen (a.k.a. “Kids ‘n’ Things”). Across three days, Laurie and HBC volunteers are introducing 15 primary-age children to Jesus through a fun two-hour programme packed with Bible stories, games, memory verses, crafts, quizzes, songs, dramas and puppetry. Laurie prepares and runs each element, so even the smallest church has only to provide a venue and a few helpers; this approach is enabling HBC to run its first holiday club since 1998. So far in 2025, Laurie has partnered with two other West Midlands churches to run clubs in the main school holidays.

Ways to make it happen

As well as partner churches integrating young guests into their existing children’s work, Laurie hopes they will gain confidence and skills to run their own clubs in future. And the Kids ‘n’ Things ministry goes beyond enabling local one-off events: Laurie has developed a range of trainings and resources, many online. His vision is to empower churches and Christian workers anywhere to bring kids, with no previous knowledge of Jesus, to a simple heart response to Him.

Firstly, there are 26 short videos on YouTube, featuring ‘The Church Street Crew’, puppet ‘children’ whose fun, relevant adventures address daily life issues, and introduce kids to Jesus. Accompanied by downloadable activity sheets, the videos can be readily used by churches for holiday clubs or year-round activities like Sunday School.

Secondly, Laurie loves to train churches through online or in-person workshops. They can select from 10 varied subjects, such as using puppets effectively, storytelling, working with kids who have additional needs or safeguarding. A favourite forum of Laurie’s is ‘The Dudley Hub’ network; local churches and Christian workers meet every term for mutual encouragement and equipping, and  serve together at Christian festivals in the Black Country through puppetry and more.

Puppets go to school

Also in the Dudley area, Laurie helps local churches create and deliver puppet-based school assemblies to several primary schools. Throughout the year, by invitation, he brings assemblies exploring different aspects of Christianity, and explains the truth behind Christmas, Easter and other festivals. Hands-on involvement from local churches strengthens their existing connections with schools, creating a platform for ongoing interactions of their own.

While Laurie empowers churches regionally, his OM colleague Ruth is equipping her own congregation at Foleshill Baptist Church (FBC) in Coventry to bring the Good News to least-reached kids.

A Halloween alternative

It’s Friday, 31st October, and the FBC Light Party, nearly two hours of fun and gospel truth for primary-age kids, has reached mid-point. Around the church hall, helpers are distributing trays of fruity snacks and drinks amid the chatter of over 40 children; there will be time again later for games such as hoopla and basketball, and crafts like biscuit decorating.

These have been interwoven with gospel-themed activities led by Ruth, FBC’s Youth and Children’s Worker: action songs and a fun rap-style drama about Jesus and the man born blind. “That man had ‘eye disease’,” Ruth tells the kids, “but we all have ‘I disease’ – ‘I want this or that, and I want it NOW!’”

Although very few are from ‘church’ backgrounds, most children snigger in recognition of this truth; when Ruth declares that Jesus can heal us too from this ‘I disease’ of sin, many young voices agree with a loud “Amen!” At home time, there are kids’ Bible portions and tracts available to take, along with goodie bags of sweets and little gifts. After the last kids have been collected at 20:00, Ruth and her team of helpers gather to pray a blessing on them.

Relationships build community

Foleshill is one of the most deprived areas in Coventry, with much social housing and an ever-changing population from around the world, many seeking asylum: the Light Party guests exemplify this diversity. Just a handful attend FBC itself, or other local churches which have little or no kids’ work. The rest come from other faith backgrounds, yet are ‘regulars’ at FBC’s holiday clubs at Christmas, Easter and during the summer holidays. As families arrived tonight, their repeated contact with FBC folk was evident in the warmth of mutual greetings.

During her dozen years as Youth and  Children’s Worker, Ruth and the church have worked hard to develop relationships throughout the community, without compromising the church’s clear witness. Parents of first-time attenders may hear of the Clubs through the local Families Hub, council Family Information Service, local primary schools or library, etc; others have been former FBC Toddler Group mums. Ruth co-leads this group: the 20 or so current mums are predominantly Muslim, drawn by word-of-mouth from their peers.

The power of example

From a congregation of less than 80 people, about a quarter get involved with youth and children’s work, whether it’s holiday clubs, the Sunday morning ‘Sunday Club’ for church kids, Toddler Group or Youth Group. Looking to the future, Ruth encourages teens from the Youth Group to take leadership and evangelism training opportunities, and live them out: eight or so teens assisted at tonight’s Light Party, and invite their school friends to Youth Group for serious exploration of what faith in Jesus means.

Ruth would love FBC to run a Messy Church or weeknight Kids’ Club to further serve tonight’s unchurched kids, and prays for more adults who could commit the time and energy to take on that. It’s all about providing a consistent presence — discipling and nurturing young lives long-term.

Loving Albania

LVV’s youth were already engaged in local outreach in Northern Ireland, but to build their global perspective,  Amy and her colleague Jamie suggested joining OM’s week-long ‘Love Albania’ outreach in 2024. Thirteen young people from LVV and their leaders served through children’s programmes, home visits and faith-filled conversations. They also helped launch a new community centre that continues to serve families today.

Language barriers, travel fatigue and the unfamiliarity of cross-cultural mission all became spaces for God to move, bringing healing, laughter and holy moments of real connection to Him.

Moldova: serving the least reached

Returning home, the spiritual impact,  even on those who hadn’t gone, led Amy and Jamie to plan another youth outreach for 2025, this time to Moldova. There, the LVV youth and their leaders helped the OM team serving alongside a new church plant. “It was humbling how the local believers welcomed us with open arms.” Amy recalls. "Ministering in villages to children, youth and the elderly built on what God had already stirred in our youth, particularly those who’d previously been to Albania."

Transformation at home

“These trips have helped shape the culture of our youth group ever since,” Amy says. “The young people came home more confident, and hungry for more of Jesus. They’ve started prayer gatherings, led small groups and become bolder in sharing their faith.

“Cross-cultural mission has reminded the whole church that God’s Kingdom is so much bigger than our valley,” Amy continues. “It’s changed how we pray, welcome people and see our everyday lives as mission opportunities.”

A growing partnership

“We’re so thankful for the way OM have walked alongside us,” Amy concludes. “Their clarity, care, and vision for equipping others have been invaluable. Together, we’re seeing a generation rise up with hearts that say ‘yes’, to God’s call, both to the nations and their neighbours.”

Much to Irene's relief, Lubomba was discharged the following week. However, as a trained nurse who was very aware of the ages and stages of child development, Irene noticed that her baby was not meeting her developmental milestones. When she was not sitting at nine months old, Lubomba was referred to the government hospital in Lusaka, the capital city, where she was given medication and began physiotherapy exercises.

Lubomba was provided with a standing frame and a specialised chair to support her while standing and sitting, but she made very little progress. With a child who was unable to walk or talk, Irene did not know where to turn. When she went to the hospital, she met other parents of children with similar difficulties and knew that she was not alone, but at home, Irene felt both lonely and isolated from the world around her. 

From isolation to community

On one of Lubomba’s visits to the district physiotherapist, Irene learnt about the parent support groups that were being established through OM for parents of children with disabilities. Irene joined the parent support group and, through OM’s relationship with Beit Cure hospital in Lusaka, Lubomba received a wheelchair, a life-altering assistive device which could open up many opportunities for her.

Through the parent support group, Irene no longer feels alone and is growing in her relationship with the Lord. Lubomba continues with physiotherapy and Irene is looking for a speech therapist to explore ways to help her daughter communicate with the world around her. Through the group, she has registered with the Zambia Association of Persons with Disabilities, and Irene now receives some financial assistance to help care for her daughter.

“I used to think, ‘That kind of Christian life is very different from mine,'" Naty shared. "I had never considered whether my life had an impact on others. But in that process, I realised: I want that life — the kind that gives everything for Christ.” 

Naty grew up in a church where global missions was uncommon. In the church's nearly 78 years of history, no one had ever been sent cross-culturally, which raised questions for her about what missions might look like in her own life. 

At the same time, Naty was beginning to lean towards a career path. While attending orthodontic appointments, she noticed that her dentist was so kind that each visit turned into long conversations. That was when a spark was ignited. 

“I started falling in love with the profession. You’re always with people and relationships form easily. I thought, ‘This profession works anywhere…everyone has teeth!’” 

Mission through careers

Upon finishing her university studies, Naty completed one year of Bible training. After praying and seeking guidance, she decided to go on a short-term mission trip to Angola. She joined a team of mostly health professionals who were using their careers as tools for ministry. That was when one of her biggest surprises came. 

“I was surprised to see that doctors had schedules to keep and many patients to attend to. It wasn’t just standing in front of people and talking about the Bible once. It was living among them, sharing daily life and showing God through the way you live.” 

When she returned home, Naty shared with her church elders her desire to serve long-term in Angola. One of them then told her about FIT Global, a training programme created by OM in partnership with other organisations to equip professionals who want to use their careers as mission tools. The church didn’t just encourage her — they offered to cover all the costs. 

“FIT Global helped me see in practise what I had already been sensing: it is possible to glorify God through my profession," shared Naty. "Life is not divided into spiritual and secular. Work is part of God’s plan.” 

Today, Naty is the first person her church has sent to serve in long-term cross-cultural missions. 

“Ten years ago, this would have been impossible. But God was preparing everything. Now my church is fully involved. Since that first trip, they have supported me not only spiritually, but also financially and logistically.” 

One of the most beautiful things Naty shares is that the work in Angola is no longer her personal project. 

“The elders were very clear with me: this is a church project. Even when I have doubts, the church stands firm — and that sustains me.” 

God provides

The dream was to open a dental clinic that could support the ongoing medical work in Angola, but the budget of USD 13,000 seemed impossible. They began sharing the vision without knowing what God would do — and the unexpected happened. 

“To my surprise, we raised much more than we expected, even though it wasn’t yet the full amount budgeted.” 

Of the USD 13,000 needed, they raised USD 9,000 through the collaboration and effort of several churches and individuals united by the shared dream. When they arrived in Angola, they discovered that the dental chair cost far less than expected. What they had was exactly what they needed. 

Equipping the clinic was completed faster than they had imagined. In less than 15 days, they had almost all the materials, a technician to assemble everything and even made progress on the paperwork for Naty’s dental license in the country. 

Today, everything is up and running. Naty is already able to practice her profession legally, although she is still awaiting a few final documents.

Please pray that God will guide her in everything and that through her hands and her conversations, God would open doors to people’s hearts so she can share the love of Jesus. 

“I used to think, ‘That kind of Christian life is very different from mine,'" Naty shared. "I had never considered whether my life had an impact on others. But in that process, I realised: I want that life — the kind that gives everything for Christ.” 

Naty grew up in a church where global missions was uncommon. In the church's nearly 78 years of history, no one had ever been sent cross-culturally, which raised questions for her about what missions might look like in her own life. 

At the same time, Naty was beginning to lean towards a career path. While attending orthodontic appointments, she noticed that her dentist was so kind that each visit turned into long conversations. That was when a spark was ignited. 

“I started falling in love with the profession. You’re always with people and relationships form easily. I thought, ‘This profession works anywhere…everyone has teeth!’” 

Mission through careers

Upon finishing her university studies, Naty completed one year of Bible training. After praying and seeking guidance, she decided to go on a short-term mission trip to Angola. She joined a team of mostly health professionals who were using their careers as tools for ministry. That was when one of her biggest surprises came. 

“I was surprised to see that doctors had schedules to keep and many patients to attend to. It wasn’t just standing in front of people and talking about the Bible once. It was living among them, sharing daily life and showing God through the way you live.” 

When she returned home, Naty shared with her church elders her desire to serve long-term in Angola. One of them then told her about FIT Global, a training programme created by OM in partnership with other organisations to equip professionals who want to use their careers as mission tools. The church didn’t just encourage her — they offered to cover all the costs. 

“FIT Global helped me see in practise what I had already been sensing: it is possible to glorify God through my profession," shared Naty. "Life is not divided into spiritual and secular. Work is part of God’s plan.” 

Today, Naty is the first person her church has sent to serve in long-term cross-cultural missions. 

“Ten years ago, this would have been impossible. But God was preparing everything. Now my church is fully involved. Since that first trip, they have supported me not only spiritually, but also financially and logistically.” 

One of the most beautiful things Naty shares is that the work in Angola is no longer her personal project. 

“The elders were very clear with me: this is a church project. Even when I have doubts, the church stands firm — and that sustains me.” 

God provides

The dream was to open a dental clinic that could support the ongoing medical work in Angola, but the budget of USD 13,000 seemed impossible. They began sharing the vision without knowing what God would do — and the unexpected happened. 

“To my surprise, we raised much more than we expected, even though it wasn’t yet the full amount budgeted.” 

Of the USD 13,000 needed, they raised USD 9,000 through the collaboration and effort of several churches and individuals united by the shared dream. When they arrived in Angola, they discovered that the dental chair cost far less than expected. What they had was exactly what they needed. 

Equipping the clinic was completed faster than they had imagined. In less than 15 days, they had almost all the materials, a technician to assemble everything and even made progress on the paperwork for Naty’s dental license in the country. 

Today, everything is up and running. Naty is already able to practice her profession legally, although she is still awaiting a few final documents.

Please pray that God will guide her in everything and that through her hands and her conversations, God would open doors to people’s hearts so she can share the love of Jesus. 

Die Gruppe sind Pilger, die den Jakobsweg gehen und die zu einer Ruhepause bei der Herberge O Refuxio in Os Muiños Halt gemacht haben, etwa fünf Kilometer von der nächsten Stadt Muxia im Nordwesten Spaniens entfernt.

O Refuxio (Zuflucht) wird von dem US-Amerikaner Jason betrieben als ein Dienst von OM in Spanien. 2021, nach zwei Jahren in der Stadt A Coruña, spürte er sich zum Jakobsweg geführt.

‚A Coruña ist eine Stunde von Santiago entfernt, und es gibt sogar einen Weg durch die Stadt, daher sahen wir regelmäßig Pilger", erzählt er. „OM in Spanien betreibt Camino-Einsätze, wo sie ein Aufschlagzelt aufstellen und Wasser ausgeben, wie in einer Oase. Die Pilger sind bereit, über geistliche Dinge zu reden, und das sprach uns an. Unsere anfängliche Idee war, eine Herberge + zu eröffnen und sie zu einer evangelistischen Stätte zu machen, wo die Pilger bleiben könnten. Wir würden zusammen essen und einfach versuchen, mit ihnen über das Evangelium zu reden.“

Jason sagte, dass es zwei oder drei andere Dienste gebe, die ähnliche Ruhestätten entlang des Pilgerwegs unterhielten, aber nicht so viele, wie er erwartet hätte. „Nicht viele Personen nutzen die Tatsache, dass hier Menschen aus der ganzen Welt durchkommen", sagt er.

Ein gottgewolltes Gebäude

Mit dem Segen seines Team-Leiters begann Jason, sich nach einem geeigneten Gebäude umzuschauen, und er erwartete, für den Kauf ein Budget aufstellen und es den Kirchen vorlegen und Geld einwerben zu müssen. Doch im Januar 2022 fand er ein vierstöckiges, 900 Quadratmeter großes Gebäude direkt am Pilgerweg für 84.000 Euro – den Preis einer kleinen Zweizimmerwohnung.

„Ich dachte, dass es scheußlich sein müsste, Aber ich ging hin, sah es mir an und dachte, das hat viele Möglichkeiten", erzählt er. „Ich ließ ein paar Freunde aus der Gemeinde in A Coruña, die im Baugeschäft arbeiten, kommen und es ansehen. Sie sagten, es ist gut und braucht etwas Arbeit, weil es 20 Jahre lang leer gestanden hat, aber noch einmal 80.000 Euro und du hast einen recht guten Standort.“

Der Besitzer war offen für einen Mietkauf-Vertrag und verlangte eine Anzahlung von 10 Prozent. „Ich dachte, ‚Schön, Herr, wenn du willst, dass wir das machen – ich habe keine 8400 Euro zur Anzahlung, du wirst dafür sorgen müssen'", erinnert sich Jason an sein Gespräch mit Gott. „Wenn ich das Geld bekomme, wird für uns die Antwort sein, dass wir das machen sollen - und Gott gab das Doppelte!"

Jason leistete die Anzahlung, holten seine Sachen und ging mit seiner Familie nochmal auf Besuch zurück in die USA. „Statt dass wir sagten: ‚ja, wir wollen dies Haus kaufen‘, konnten wir nun sagen, dass wir schon beim Kauf waren", meint Jason begeistert.

Das Gebäude benötigte viel Arbeit, damit es bewohnbar wurde. Jason und seine Familie duschten zu Anfang bei Taschenlampenlicht und schliefen im Essraum. Im Frühling 2023 eröffneten sie eine Raststätte für Pilger, wo diese Erfrischungen kaufen, sich niedersetzen und ein Weilchen schwatzen konnten.

„Wir hatten schon Kurzeinsatz-Gruppen aus den USA, aus Deutschland, Frankreich und Australien bei uns", berichtet Jason. „Viele kamen über  OM, aber einige auch von Gemeinden hier vor Ort. Wir haben eine Menge Elektriker, Klempner, Maurer und so weiter, die kommen und beim Bauen helfen, und andere wollen in der Raststätte evangelisieren."

Auch über OM Deutschland kamen schon einige Teams. „Das ist cool, weil diese besondere Route viele Deutsche anzuziehen scheint", meint Jason. "Sie kommen her, sind hier in diesem kleinen Dorf in Spanien, und plötzlich spricht jemand mit ihnen auf Deutsch. Das ist wirklich cool anzusehen. Wenn man darüber nachdenkt, falls man etwa aus Deutschland oder den USA ist und nicht Spanisch spricht – welchem missionarischen Kurzeinsatz könnte man in Spanien machen und evangelisieren? Aber Englisch ist die allgemeine Sprache des Pilgerwegs, also kann man den ganzen Tag gute geistliche Gespräche führen und man muss nicht Spanisch lernen.“

Kurze Treffen von großer Bedeutung

Entsprechend dem Wesen des Dienstes haben Jason und die Helfer selten mehr als ein oberflächliches Zusammentreffen mit den Personen auf dem Pilgerweg. Doch manchmal erzählen Pilger dem Team ihre Geschichte mit dem Team. Jason erinnert sich: „Eine deutsche Frau, Jenny, kam im ersten Jahr, das wir geöffnet hatten, und lernte Laura kennen, die durch OM Deutschland bei uns war. Laura spürte, wie der Heilige Geist sie zum Gebet mit Jenny führte, und als sie betete, merkte sie, dass Gott sagte: ‚Bete, dass du weißt, sie ist wertvoll und dass ich sie liebhabe.‘ Das tat sie. Später schickte Jenny uns eine Nachricht, dass sie geplant hatte, ihrem Leben nach dem Pilgerweg ein Ende zu setzen, aber dass Lauras Worte ihr wirklich etwas bedeuteten und dass sie so dankbar war. Sie sagte, sie sei zurück in Deutschland und schaue sich nach einer Gemeinde um. Letzten Sommer bekamen wir ein neues Update, dass sie eine Gemeinde gefunden habe und dass sie nun Jesus nachfolgt. Selten haben wir das Privileg, so etwas zu hören, aber dieses eine Mal gestattete Gott es uns.“

Nächste Schritte

Jason hoffte, dass 2026 O Refuxio ganz geöffnet sein wird, mit Stockbetten und einem Abendessen für Pilger, die gegen eine Spende über Nacht bleiben möchten. Gemeindegruppen werden ebenfalls das Hostel für Einkehrtage zu reduziertem Preis außerhalb der Saison der Pilgerstraße nutzen können, wenn weniger Menschen den Weg gehen.

Es besteht die Hoffnung, dass diese Einkehrtage eine Möglichkeit werden, spanische Gemeinden zu bewegen, in ihren eignen kleinen und großen Städten etwas zu unternehmen. „Mit dem Pilgerweg ist es so einfach, eine geistliche Unterhaltung anzufangen", sagt Jason. „Man fängt einfach an mit: ‚Warum gehst du den Pilgerweg?‘ Und oft haben sie einen tiefen, persönlichen Grund. Oder eine andere einfache Frage ist: ‚Bist du religiös?‘ Weil sie eine mittelalterliche religiöse Pilgerfahrt machen, ist das überhaupt keine verrückte Frage. Und dann kann man direkt eine gute, tiefgehende Unterhaltung beginnen.“

Ein anderer Gedanke ist, einen Kaffeeausschank am Morgen für die Nachbarn des Hostels im Dorf zu eröffnen.„Es gibt ein anderes Café in der Stadt, aber dahin gehen die Menschen mehr am Abend, um zu trinken und wir wollen nicht zur gleichen Zeit geöffnet haben", erklärt Jason. „Wir wollen nicht wirklich ein Geschäft machen, sondern wir möchten einen Ort haben, an dem die Menschen hingehen können und vielleicht können wir da die Bibel zusammen studieren. Am Abend können wir es benutzen, damit die Pilger ihr Abendessen einnehmen. Aber das braucht auch Arbeit. Wir werden erreichbare Hilfsmittel benötigen.“

Das Größte, was Jason gern erleben möchte, ist eine Gemeindegründung in der galizischen Sprache. Einige Gemeinden zwar schon sprechen Gebete in dieser Sprache, aber Jason kennt keine, in der auf Galizisch gepredigt wird. Jason ist dafür offen, O Refuxio als Basis für eine galizische Gemeinde zu gebrauchen und es gibt eine Wohnung in dem Gebäude, die für einen Pastor zur Verfügung stünde. 

"The Mark Drama" is a unique way to present the entire Gospel of Mark in 90 minutes with the collaboration of 15-16 actors,” Eunice explains. “It uses theatre-in-the-round and is very intense, interactive and powerful for both the public and the actors. The actors move in the middle of the audience, to give an experience of immersion in history.” 

Eunice moved to Pisa in 2024 to work with the church, which is one of several supported by the OM team in Italia. “It was the first time I'd heard of 'The Mark Drama,'” she says. “But being part of the cast helped me grow in relationships with other church members who were also acting, as well as improve my language skills and be personally impressed by the history of the gospel.  

“During the two presentations we organised, about 130 people saw the history of the gospel. Many of them were not believers and were touched by the presentation. A man came the first night alone and returned the second night bringing his girlfriend, his sister, her boyfriend and her parents, so that they could see him too.  

"For another young woman, who recently lost her mother, this was one of the first times she was in an evangelical church and she really enjoyed listening to the entire Gospel of Mark recited. Let us pray that the non-believers present will respond to the same call that Jesus made to His disciples: ‘Follow me.’” 

For more information about "The Mark Drama" and how to stage it in your local church, visit themarkdrama.com

They told me how, for years, they have been working on the production and distribution of evangelistic booklets designed for major events and large crowds — world championships, Olympics, festivals, etc. From that coffee was born a project that aimed to reach thousands of people who would find themselves in Rome, many of them looking, aware of it or not, for hope.

Joe invited us, OM in Italia, as well as CLC Italia, to participate in the production of the material, offering cultural suggestions and theological clarifications to make the evangelical perspective clear in the delicate context of Rome during the Jubilee. The booklet — entitled “Hope” — took its cue from the history of Peter, a figure close and familiar even to the Catholic world, but puts an emphasis on his faith in Christ as the true rock on which the Church exists. The goal was to invite the reader to reflect on the grace of Jesus: a grace that reconciles with God and transforms life.

10,000 books in a week 

To distribute the books, Gospel Publishing Mission brought a group of 15 volunteers to Rome from the USA, while we launched a local appeal, bringing in help from 10 evangelical churches. Some churches also contributed by making their spaces available to receive and distribute the boxes of booklets. 

In September, over the course of a week, volunteers scattered to different areas across the centre of Rome, and more than 10,000 copies were distributed. Sometimes the task wasn't easy. Many people, seeing the title “Hope”, immediately sensed the spiritual content and rejected the booklet. More than once, I was met with the response: "It's religious; I'm not interested." At first, these rejections were frustrating and tested our motivation.

As the days went by, however, we also saw how God was opening doors. With some tourists, starting with simple requests for information, sincere conversations were created, which lasted tens of minutes, talking about the grace of Jesus and the wonder of the gospel. In another case, a lady, struck by the attitude of some volunteers, insisted on offering them a cappuccino. Another lady, caught off guard by the title, shared her deep doubts, asking questions that had been buried for a long time. With some, we prayed together, we listened to the testimonies of others, and, after each conversation, we entrusted those lives to God. 

In the bleak deserts of the crowds many “noes”, God continued to lead us to an oasis of meetings full of hope. In a concrete and often unexpected way, the Lord reminded us that He is at work and that every occasion is born of His initiative.

The story of Peter always remains an excellent starting point to tell of a life transformed by a real encounter with Jesus, and makes evident, even today, the power of the “follow me” of Christ. We continue to trust that even simple tools can become real opportunities to witness to the gospel. 

For this reason, as we still have some copies of the book remaining, we invite those interested in collaborating or receiving copies of the booklets for similar initiatives to get in touch with OM in Italia. 

*Jubilee year in 2025 was a time for celebration, and saw millions of pilgrims visiting Rome seeking spiritual renewal and a stronger connection to their faith.

As a child, I never thought to ask my parents why we hid plastic eggs in the garden, or why we ate chocolate in the shape of a bunny or why we dyed boiled eggs different colours. It never occurred to me that these had any meaning beyond the fun we had as a family. Growing up in a nominal Catholic family, we kept a lot of traditions, but we did not grasp their significance, and, although I was as curious a child as any other, I never asked why with regard to our religious traditions. I do not remember anyone in our family really discussing why we did the things we did. Somewhere along the way, we forgot the original meaning of the things we were doing.  

Passover observance in modern-day Israel 

It is normal that the further away in time you get from an event, the more gets lost. It goes without saying that the ten plagues of Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea would have been impossible to forget for that first generation of Israelites. How could they forget the night they slaughtered the first Passover lamb and applied the blood on the top and sides of the doorframes of their home? Suspense and terror must have struck the hearts of all living in Egypt as the Lord struck down the firstborn of the Egyptians but passed over the houses of the Israelites. As unforgettable as an event as that was, God knew that it would be only a matter of time before His wondrous deeds were forgotten. So, God made the festival of Passover to be celebrated each year. 

Passover was not something I celebrated until I moved to Israel. It was not long before I understood why Israelite children might be more likely to ask a version of “Why are we doing this?” First all, the leaven needs to be removed from the home starting a week before, an intensive cleaning process. Instead of nice soft bread, matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten for seven days. Grocery stores actually either remove leavened bread from their shelves altogether or cover whole aisles with large sheets of paper so that no one buys bread or anything that goes on or with bread, like jams, spreads, etc. Even Gentiles cannot purchase these items in these stores during that time.  

Further, during the Passover seder**, this matzah (unleavened bread) is to be eaten with bitter herbs. How can a child eat freshly grated horseradish mixed with vinegar, sugar and beets without asking, “Why we are doing this?”  

As with most religious holidays, it is true that through the generations, traditions have been added or changed from how the Passover was originally celebrated. For example, because there is no Temple or priesthood as there were in Biblical times, there is no longer a sacrifice of the Passover lamb for every household. However, any participant in a Passover seder would affirm that remembering the miraculous removal of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt remains central to the traditions. 

Almost 1,500 years after the first Passover in Egypt, the long-awaited Messiah reclined at the table with twelve disciples and said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering” (Luke 22:15). He gave thanks and broke the bread, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19b).  

On that night, that would later come to be called the “Last Supper”, Jesus lifted up the cup saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20b). Within about twelve hours, Jesus’ body was brutally beaten and crucified, affirming John the Baptist’s prophetic proclamation, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).  

All the disciples of Jesus from that day on would come to associate Passover, the celebration of being set free from slavery to Egypt, with the freeing from slavery to sin and death of all those who by faith have become children of God.  

In the years to come, the apostles would surely have gathered for Passover celebrations. I wonder how they would have responded if a child in the room were to ask, “What does this ceremony mean to you?”  

What Passover and the Lord’s Supper mean to me 

It was a summer night in North America, and the gospel had just been boldly and clearly proclaimed. A call went out to whoever would want to come forward and receive this great gift of redemption, freedom and forgiveness that the Lord Jesus the Messiah purchased on the cross. I came forward with the revelation that I was a sinner in need of a merciful Saviour. I realised that without Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, I was headed for judgement and destruction. That night, the salvation of the Lord was not some distant story that took place thousands of years ago. That “today” was the day of salvation for me.  

Now, when I take communion, I meditate on what it means to me. The same Lord who saved ancient Israel, the same God who saved the world through sacrificing His only Son, is the same God who saved me. The LORD who brought the Israelites out of Egypt and redeemed then, is the Lord who freed me from slavery to sin and redeemed me. 

 This is the same God who is coming back again to redeem all things. Less than two per cent of Israel today are believing Christians. Many throughout Israel have forgotten the true meaning of Passover. For many Jews the Passover has become nothing more than culture or tradition. Close to half of the Jewish population are secular, one-third define themselves traditional, and only the remaining fifth are religious.  

In addition, around twenty-one per cent of Israel’s population are Arab and most of them are either nominal or practising Muslims, meaning they do not know God’s salvation for themselves.***  

As we celebrate the sacrifice of the ultimate Passover Lamb this Good Friday, His redemptive work on the cross for us and His overwhelming victory over sin and death through resurrection, may we remember those around the world who do not know Him. Those who practice traditions that do not have to do with the life-transformative significance of this day — and those who do not observe it at all, because they do not know God’s salvation for themselves.  

Pray the Jewish people, both in Israel and throughout the world, will understand the meaning of their traditional seder, both in past physical salvation of their people from slavery, but also the Messianic prophecies and meanings woven throughout the service.  

Pray for the Gentiles in Israel, for Israeli Arabs (both Muslims and nominal Christians) to realise God’s love and salvation is for them. 

Pray for the Jewish, Arab, and other Gentile believers to share their faith and its relevance to this season. 

*name changed 

**A seder, meaning “order”, is the traditional Passover meal that includes specific foods and an order of service that is based, at its roots, on Scripture. 

*** https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/mediarelease/DocLib/2024/409/11_24__409e.pdf; https://en.idi.org.il/arab-society/2023/?chapter=55095 

Wenn du nicht vollzeitlich in Mission engagiert bist, kann es manchmal schwierig sein, deine Arbeit oder deinen Alltag mit dem Missionsbefehl zu vereinbaren. Für einige von uns liegt das Evangelisieren nicht in ihrer Natur, und so kann es sich anfühlen, als sei dein Beitrag zur Arbeit am Reich Gottes recht unbedeutend. Aber wenn du mit Jesus lebst, weißt du im Kopf, dass das nicht stimmt. Aber was kannst du tun, um dein Herz zu überzeugen?

Mein Weg mit OM begann vor zehn Jahren. Ich erinnere mich, wie mein Bruder 2014 von seiner Zeit bei OM zurückkam und er von Jesus zu glühen schien. Das wollte ich auch. Aber ehrlich gesagt, weiß ich nicht, ob ich wie mein Bruder glühte, als ich 2016 von Südasien zurückkam. Aber ich weiß, dass mein Herz von dem Gott berührt war, mit dem ich aufgewachsen war, den ich aber so noch nicht gekannt hatte. Gott versicherte mir, dass das, was ich tue und gerne tue, gebraucht werden kann, um am Reich Gottes weiterzuarbeiten – überall, wo ich bin – in jeder Lebenslage. Und das ist seitdem für mich immer ein Ziel gewesen.

Das Leben ist voller Drehungen und Wendungen, und obwohl ich versuchte, durch Konferenzen oder Schulungen mit OM Kontakt zu halten, war ich wenige Jahre später ganz und gar in mein Leben außerhalb der Mission eingetaucht und versuchte, als junge Frau in den Zwanzigern meinen Weg zu finden. In diesen Jahren blieb ich in Verbindung mit einer lieben Freundin aus meiner Zeit in Südasien und dachte immer, wie toll es wäre, eines Tages wieder mit ihr zusammen zu arbeiten.

Fast zehn Jahre später fand ich mich mitten in einem Master-Kurs in Taiwan wieder und suchte nach der Möglichkeit eines Praktikums. Ich wurde daran erinnert – in dem ich auf dich, Gott, schaute – dass meine Freundin damit beschäftigt gewesen war, ein Praktikumsprogramm für OM aufzustellen. Türen öffneten sich und wenige Monate danach hatte ich wieder die Gelegenheit, bei OM in Südasien, diesmal als Praktikantin im Bereich Kommunikation, zu dienen. Dass ich meinen Beruf mit meinem Glauben so direkt verbinden konnte, war Antwort auf mein Gebet.

Bilder aufzunehmen, Menschen zu interviewen und Geschichten über das zu schreiben, was Gott durch OM bewirkt, war eine sehr, sehr kostbare Erfahrung. Es fühlte sich gut an ‚zurück‘ zu sein, mit meiner Freundin zusammen zu arbeiten. Die Fertigkeiten zu nutzen, die ich während der letzten zehn Jahre entwickelt hate, praktisch anzuwenden, um zu der Vision von OM beizutragen, war die Gelegenheit, um die ich Gott gebeten hatte. Als ich die Chance bekam, nach dem Praktikum als Freiwillige weiter da zu bleiben, sagte ich ‚ja‘. Ich wollte diese Gelegenheit nicht fallenlassen, in einem Team von Gleichgesinnten dabeizubleiben und an der Arbeit im Reich Gottes teilzunehmen. Manchmal braucht es einige praktische Schritte, dein Herz davon zu überzeugen, dass das, was du tust, wichtig ist.

Bitte missversteht mich nicht: Wo auch immer wir im Leben stehen – als Freiwilliger in einer Missionsorganisation oder von 9 bis 17 Uhr im Beruf – wir haben alle die Chance, auf Gott zu hören und uns dort, wo wir sind, von ihm gebrauchen zu lassen. Aber gerade jetzt bin ich froh, dass ich etwas Greifbares bieten kann, mit Wortzählung und sichtbarem Inhalt, was als Erinnerung daran dient, dass ich nicht bloß etwas mit den Fähigkeiten tue, die mir Gott geschenkt hat, sondern auch daran, was er um uns herum wirkt – jeden Tag, jeden Moment.

Zusammen mit ein paar Freiwilligen geht das einheimische OM-Team auf die Straßen von Geylang, um die Menschen dort anzusprechen, besonders die, die in der Sex-Industrie arbeiten sowie Arbeiter aus Ländern wie Bangladesch und Indien.

Die Angesprochenen werden an einen gemütlichen Ort eingeladen, den das OM-Team in der Nähe eingerichtet hat. Dort feiern sie besondere Tage wie Muttertag und Vatertag und das chinesische Neujahrsfest (Lunar New Year/LNY).

Für die Gastarbeiter ist das LNY etwas Neues, und lo hei (ein Gericht aus rohen Fisch-Scheiben, zerkleinertem Gemüse und verschiedenen Gewürzen, die gemeinsam hochgeworfen werden, während man glückverheißende Sätze äußert) ist der Höhepunkt. Yen, ein OM-Mitarbeiter, erinnert sich fröhlich: „Die Arbeiter haben viel Spaß daran, mit Essstäbchen umzugehen, und der Geschmack ist auch neu für sie. Im Gegenzug lehren sie uns, wie man mit den Händen isst.“

„Unsere Feiern und Gemeinschaft mit den Arbeitern zeigen ihnen, dass sie mehr sind als nur angeheuerte Arbeiter in Singapur“, sagt Siew, ein weiteres Mitglied des Teams. „Sie sind unsere Gäste und Menschen mit Würde und sie gehören zu unserer Gemeinschaft.“

Mit der Zeit hat sich die Beziehung zwischen dem Team und den Gastarbeitern vertieft und sie erleben gemeinsam Freude und Sorgen. So haben OM-Mitarbeiter bereits schon mehrere Male ein Familienmitglied eines Arbeiters zu Hause besucht, wenn diese krank waren oder Probleme hatten.

„Die Gastarbeiter fragen sich, wieso wir so gut zu ihnen sind“, erzählt Yen. „Sie bemühen sich, zu unseren monatlichen Treffen zu kommen, selbst wenn sie in einen anderen Stadtteil von Singapur umgezogen sind. Einer von ihnen hat dazu gesagt: ‚Einmal im Monat kommen wir als Familie zusammen.‘“

Genau wie Jesus mit gesellschaftlichen Außenseitern wie Zolleinnehmern zusammen aß, trifft sich das OM-Team mit den Randgruppen von Geylang zu gemeinsamen Mahlzeiten.

Onkel Peter, ein älterer Mann, der ein Bordell in der Nähe betreibt, war einer der ersten, der zu den LNY-Mahlzeiten kam. Dieser Feiertag wird typischerweise mit der Familie gefeiert, aber viele, wie Onkel Peter, in Geylang sind ihren Familien entfremdet und haben schon lange nicht mehr mit ihnen zusammen gegessen.

Onkel Peter öffnete sich immer mehr, als das OM-Team mit ihm über Jesus sprach. Er hat sogar einen kleinen Raum seines Bordells für das OM-Team abgeteilt, damit sie dich dort monatlich mit ein paar anderen zum Lobpreis und Lesen von Bibelgeschichten treffen können. „Onkel Peter ist auf der Reise zu Jesus“, meint Siew. „Er versteht Jesus noch nicht als den einzigen Herrn, aber er ist bereit Ihn kennenzulernen.“

Das Team erzählt weiter, dass es in diesem Dienst manche Herausforderungen gibt, zum Beispiel die Arbeit mit den verschiedenen Kulturen. Aber sie haben gesehen und gespürt, dass die Menschen bereit sind, mehr über die Bibel zu erfahren und auch offene, echte Gespräche mit dem OM-Team führen wollen.

Bete um einen geistlichen Durchbruch im Leben der Sex-Arbeiter und Bordell-Betreiber, dass sie von sexueller Sklaverei und Götzenanbetung befreit werden. Bete für die vielen Gemeinden in der Geylang-Gegend, dass sie mit dem OM-Team zusammenarbeiten, um die Menschen dort zu erreichen.

In diesem Artikel liest du die Geschichten von vier dieser Frauen.

Madalena from Portugal

„Ich wollte einfach nur Gott dienen, wo immer ich gebraucht werde“, so beschreibt Madalena aus Portugal, mit welcher Grundhaltung sie vor neun Monaten als Mitarbeiterin an Bord kam.

Nach einigen Monaten wurde Madalena Teamleiterin für Veranstaltungen und organisiert seither die Veranstaltungen für Besucher. Sie beschreibt ihre Rolle folgendermaßen: „Ich leite die Mitarbeiter an, sorge für Einheit in einem Team mit vielen Kulturen und sorge dafür, dass jeder und jede Einzelne die nötige Unterstützung bekommt und mit Selbstvertrauen auftreten kann.“

Leitungsaufgaben sind anspruchsvoll, doch Madalena ist mit ihrer Aufgabe gewachsen.

„Leiterin sein ist eine Herausforderung. Ich habe persönliche Schwächen entdeckt, aus Fehlern gelernt und musste meinen Komfortbereich verlassen“, berichtet sie.

Madalena hat sich durch ihre Führungsaufgabe als Persönlichkeit weiterentwickelt, und deshalb ermutigt sie andere Frauen dazu, dass sie ihre Gelegenheiten nutzen, egal wie groß die Herausforderung ist. Sie sagt: „Bei Führungsaufgaben geht es nicht um deinen Persönlichkeitstyp, sondern darum, ob du es wagst und Gott gehorsam bist. Es ist entscheidend, dass du treu bist und andere Menschen liebst.“

Summer aus Südkorea

Summer aus Südafrika ist seit neun Monaten an Bord und arbeitet in der Kombüse, der Schiffsküche. Sie begann als Mitarbeiterin und dann bekam sie das Angebot, Kombüsen-Teamleiterin zu werden.

„Für mich war das eine Chance, denn ich hatte noch keine Erfahrung im Führen eines internationalen Teams“, berichtet sie.

Zuhause in ihrer Gemeinde hatte Summer bereits Leitungserfahrung, doch sie meint: „In Korea waren alle Mitarbeiter Koreaner.“ Ein internationales Team bot ganz neue Herausforderungen.

„Mir fiel es zunächst schwer, mein Team zu verstehen“, berichtet sie. Doch dann lernte sie durch ihre Aufgabe dazu: „Gebet ist das Fundament“ erklärt sie. „Als gute Leiterin ist es wichtig, dass ich bete und auf Gott vertraue.“

Beim Leiten des Kombüsenteams hat Summer eingeübt, wie man mit Menschen aus verschiedenen Kulturen kommuniziert. „Ich habe gelernt, wie empathische Menschenführung aussieht, und wie ich mit Menschen aus unterschiedlichen Kulturen mitfühlen kann“, erklärt sie.

Irina aus Russland

„Wenn ich nicht weiß, was ich tun soll, ist God da und hilft mir“, berichtet Irina aus Russland.

Zuhause hatte Irina im Bereich Personal gearbeitet und auch an Bord konnte sie ihre Berufserfahrung nutzen. Irina lernte, wie sie anderen zuhört und gleichzeitig Gott bittet, dass er ihr zeigt, wie sie gut mit ihnen kommuniziert.

„Ich bitte Gott immer um Weisheit und die richtigen Worte. Ohne Gott verstehe ich meine Mitmenschen nicht wirklich“, erklärt Irina.

Trizenia aus Südafrika

Im Februar wurde Trizenia aus Südafrika Schiffsdirektorin auf der Doulos Hope.

„Erst wollte ich diese Aufgabe nicht übernehmen, weil sie mir zu groß vorkam“, gibt sie zu. Doch sie erkannte, dass es nicht um ihre Fähigkeiten geht, sondern darum, sich von Gott gebrauchen zu lassen.

Es war Trizenias Wunsch, dass sie in dieser Leitungsaufgabe noch authentischer wird. „Es ist mir wichtig, dass ich ganz ich selbst bin“, erklärt sie.

Gute Führung zeichnet sich für sie dadurch aus, dass man von anderen lernt. „Ich lerne immer dazu, mich inspirieren die Geschichten der Menschen um mich herum und ich bin mir dessen sehr bewusst, dass ich im Zusammenleben und in der Zusammenarbeit mit anderen wachse und mich weiterentwickle“, sagt sie.

Als Schiffsdirektorin der Doulos Hope hofft Trizenia, dass ihre eigene „Geschichte der Unmöglichkeiten“ andere Frauen ermutigt.

„Viele Frauen vor mir haben etwas zum ersten Mal gemacht und damit die Türen für uns andere geöffnet. Ich hoffe, dass meine Geschichte auch Türen für andere Frauen öffnet“, sagt sie.

Einen schönen Weltfrauentag!

Wir sind dankbar für jede Frau, die Teil der Schiffsarbeit ist, ob sie an Bord mitarbeitet oder die Arbeit im Gebet unterstützt, finanziell oder indem sie andere zur Mitarbeit ermutigt

In this article, you will read about the faith stories and journeys of some of these amazing women.

Madalena from Portugal

“I simply came willing to serve wherever I was needed,” says Madalena (Portugal), talking about how she felt when she first joined as a crewmember nine months ago.

After some time on board, Madalena stepped into her role as events team leader, which involves coordinating and overseeing events for the public. She describes her role as, “leading people, creating unity in a multi-cultural team and helping each person feel confident and supported in what they do.”

Leadership roles can be challenging, but Madalena feels that her journey in leading the events team has helped shape her as a person.

“Leadership has stretched me, exposed my weaknesses, taught me how to learn from my mistakes and pushed me out of my comfort zone,” she says.

The personal growth she has experienced through leading a team means Madalena encourages other women to take advantage of any opportunity, regardless of how scary it might appear. She says, “Leadership is not about personality type; it’s about availability and obedience… It’s about faithfulness and loving others.”

Summer from South Korea

Summer (South Korea) has been on board for nine months and works in the galley (the ship’s kitchen). After joining as a crewmember, Summer was offered the position of galley team leader.

“I thought it was a really good opportunity for me because I didn’t have any experience as a team leader of people from different nationalities,” she says.

Back home, Summer had led a team in her church, but as she says, “In Korea, it was all Koreans.” Leading a team of different nationalities proved to be a new challenge.

“At first, I had a really hard time understanding my team,” she says. But reflecting on what she has learnt from this role, Summer says, “Prayer is the foundation, I think, for leadership. It’s important to pray and rely on God.”

Through leading the galley team, Summer feels she has learnt how to engage with people from different backgrounds. “I learnt empathy in leadership,” she says, “how to empathise with people from different cultures and their different situations.”

Irina from Russia

“God is the one who helps me when I don't know what to do,” Irina (Russia) says.

After working in human resources at home, she joined as a crewmember and was able to continue using her professional skills on board. Irina learned to listen to people and allow God to help her relate to others.

“I always ask God to give me wisdom on what to say, so that I can relate… Without God, I know I don’t understand…” Irina explains.

Trizenia from South Africa

In February, Trizenia (South Africa) joined Doulos Hope as managing director.

“Initially, I tried to avoid the position because I felt the role was too big for me,” she admits. Yet she realised it was not about being competent, but about being ‘readily available to be used by God.’

Coming into the role, Trizenia’s heart was to grow in authenticity in leadership. “For me, it’s about fully embracing who I am,” she shares.

She also feels that good leadership is about learning from others. “I am always learning. I am always inspired by the stories of others around me, and I am very aware that interacting and living in community with others continues to grow and shape me as well,” she says.

As the director of Doulos Hope, Trizenia hopes her “story of impossibilities” will be a source of inspiration to other women.

“As many before have been first and have opened doors for the rest of us to follow, I am trusting that my story will also open doors for many women,” she says.

Happy International Women’s Day!

We are grateful to each woman who has been and is a part of the Ship Ministry – whether through their service on board, on shore or by supporting the work in prayer, financially and encouraging others to join! 

Against this backdrop, OM is working to share the gospel with people in this area by word and deed. 

A gift of goats

Anajafy is a hardworking mother who often does not have enough money to meet her family's daily needs. And she is not alone — unfortunately, this is the same reality faced by many in her village, Anjatelo.

When a neighbour told Anajafy about Jesus, she was intrigued. She longed to experience the peace, forgiveness and healing shown in the story of the woman who had been sick for 12 years and was healed by Jesus. As she learnt more about the gospel, Anajafy decided to commit her life to Christ. She began gathering her friends regularly to listen to Bible stories and took over leading the Bible study group in her community. Since then, the group has started two other Bible studies in neighbouring villages.

OM in Madagascar runs community empowerment projects focused on goat farming with the hope of empowering the communities of Jesus followers they are connected with. Anajafy's community is one that was impacted. 

OM team leader Hanitra (Madagascar) explains, “The communities are given eight female goats, which multiply quickly, providing 28 goats in one-and-a-half years. In the past, OM would hand out relief packages in response to a famine, but now people are being empowered as they can bring relief to their own families through the goats they have tended.” 

So far, Anajafy has sold 10 of the goats in order to buy food to distribute in her community. She says, “It was a great help to us that we were able to give relief at the time we needed it most. Our Bible study group was really encouraged as we were able to help each other. We are also happy to be able to share and show love to our neighbours who have still not made the decision to believe in Jesus Christ.” 

A gift that multiplies 

As a woman in the local culture, it is not easy to both lead and manage the goat programme, as culturally it should be a man’s — not a woman’s — responsibility. However, Anajafy shares, “I am thankful to God that my husband is standing by and supporting me, and he is also starting to show interest and be open to hearing Bible stories.” 

The OM team supported the local relief team by gifting them two goats to help them as they supervise the ministry and continue growing it.

“The goat programme is an opportunity for us to be able to engage with new communities and share the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Hanitra says. 

With dedication, integrity and support from the local OM team, Anajafy’s efforts have paid off and the goats continue to multiply. Her community now has 30 goats, and their dream is to raise enough funds to build a community basin to store water. 

“The success that Anajafy and her community have experienced is something for other villages to aspire to. We are happy to see the model they have provided, and hope to see other communities experience the same success,” Hanitra adds. 

Pray for the goat project to continue to bring transformation to communities. Pray for Anajafy as she leads the Bible study and goat programme in her village.

Vor ihrer Heirat wussten Yakup und seine Frau Cansu* bereits, dass Gott sie dazu berufen hatte, ins Ausland zu ziehen. Durch verschiedene Erlebnisse legte Gott ihnen Muslime aufs Herz. Später zeigte er Cansu in einem Traum die Gegend, in die sie ziehen würden. Im folgenden Sommer, als das Ehepaar zu einem Kurzeinsatz in ein Land in Westasien reiste, erkannte Cansu es als den Ort, den Gott ihr gezeigt hatte.

Ein Ehepaar, das dort lebte, lud Yakup und Cansu ein: „Wir stellen hier ein Team zusammen. Warum macht ihr nicht mit?“ Mitte 2019, nach einem Jahr des Gebets und der Vorbereitung, zogen Yakup, Cansu und ihr Baby um. Drei Monate später war das OM-Ehepaar, das Yakup und Cansu eingeladen hatte zu kommen, plötzlich gezwungen, das Land zu verlassen.

Sechs Monate später begann die Covid-19-Pandemie. Die Isolation machte es schwer, die Sprache zu lernen und Einheimische kennenzulernen, aber Yakup und Cansu taten, was sie konnten. Sie schlossen sich einer Gemeinde vor Ort an und kamen zusammen, so wie es im Lockdown erlaubt war.

Als sich die Einschränkungen lockerten, baten die Gemeindeleiter John* und Bethany* sie um einen Gefallen. Sie hatten jahrelang ein Treffen für die Gehörlosen organisiert, hatten nun aber nicht mehr die Kraft für beides, Gastgeben und Leiten.

„Wir wollen das Gehörlosentreffen wieder neu beginnen. Wäret ihr bereit, euer Haus für die Gruppe zu öffnen und für Tee und Kekse zu sorgen?“, fragten sie. „Wir werden weiter das Treffen leiten.“

Yakup und Cansu stimmten zu und in der nächsten Woche versammelten sich etwa acht gehörlose Christen in ihrem Haus. Die meiste Zeit beobachteten Yakup und Cansu nur. Zuerst gab Bethany eine Geschichte aus der Bibel mit Hilfe von Bildern weiter. Als nächstes wies sie jeder Person eine Figur aus der Geschichte zu und sie spielten sie miteinander.

„Ich erinnere mich, dass ich dachte: ‚das macht ja richtig Spaß‘“, erzählt Yakup. „Eine der Herausforderungen bei der Gebärdensprache ist das unterschiedliche Darstellen von Stimmen. Man kann etwas verwenden, was ‚räumliche Grammatik‘ heißt, aber alles, was über zwei Stimmen hinausgeht, wird richtig schwierig. Und so half ihnen das Theaterspielen, die Geschichte sehr viel besser zu verstehen.“

Woran er sich noch erinnert, ist, wie eifrig die Gruppe bemüht war, dass er die Gebärdensprache erlernte. „Einer der Männer begann sofort, mir das Vokabular beizubringen, er zeigte auf Gegenstände und machte dann das Zeichen dafür“, erzählt Yakup. „Ich erkannte, wie sehr Gehörlose wirklich kommunizieren und verstanden sein wollen.“

Zugang zur Welt

Dieses Arrangement dauerte etwa ein Jahr. Dann, Anfang 2021, sahen sich John und Bethany auch ihrer plötzlichen Ausweisung gegenüber. Sie baten Yakup und Cansu und ein weiteres Gemeindemitglied, den Dienst zu übernehmen. Alle drei stimmten zu, doch mit der Zeit blieb nur Yakup übrig.

Seit er die Rolle übernommen hat, hat Yakup eine Menge gelernt, beginnend mit der Gebärdensprache. Er kann nun Gespräche führen, Bibelgeschichten erzählen und sogar übersetzen. Er hat auch viel darüber gelernt, was es heißt, in Beziehung mit Gehörlosen zu stehen und wie sie Gott erleben.

„Die Gehörlosen sind besondere Menschen. Da gibt es viel Fröhlichkeit, aber auch viel Schweres“, sagt Yakup. „Es gibt nicht die richtigen Einrichtungen für Behinderte im Land, darum haben viele Gehörlose eine viel zu geringe Bildung, und einige von ihnen können weder lesen noch schreiben.“

Das bedeutet, dass viele Hilfe brauchen bei Dingen wie ins Krankenhaus gehen oder bei allem Offiziellen. Yakup erzählt von einer Frau, die jahrelang arbeitete und genug Geld sparte, um ein Haus zu kaufen. Ihre Ersparnisse bestanden in physischem Gold (also Münzen und Wertgegenständen) und sie brauchte viel Hilfe bei den gesetzlichen Vorgängen.

„Sie haben oft auch nicht dieselbe Sozialisation gehabt, wie hörende Kinder und so kämpfen sie mit Dingen, wie dem Wissen, was als ungehörig angesehen wird oder emotionaler Regelung“, fährt Yakup fort. „Das führt zu vielen Konflikten unter Personen, in der Gruppe und auch in ihrem Leben im Allgemeinen. Wir mussten schon Faustkämpfe zwischen Brüdern über Streitigkeiten schlichten. Viele haben sogar auch schon den Kontakt zueinander abgebrochen oder sind in eine andere Stadt gezogen, weil sie an kleinen Anlässen Anstoß genommen hatten. Vor Kurzem hat die Gruppe beschlossen, einem gehörlosen heimatlosen Mann zu helfen. Er ist seiner ganzen Familie entfremdet, was in der Gehörlosen-Gemeinschaft nicht ungewöhnlich ist. Gleichzeitig haben gehörlose Christen dieses kindliche Staunen und Bewundern, wenn Jesus und seine Wunder aufkommen. Sie scheinen auch von Gott auf übernatürlichen Wegen zu hören, wie Träumen und Zeichen – mehr als andere. Ich denke, die hörende Gemeinde hat viel von ihren gehörlosen Brüdern und Schwestern zu lernen. Ich habe die Vision, dass Gehörlosen-Gemeinden nicht nur von hörenden Gemeinschaften unterstützt werden, sondern sie auch unterstützen, wenn sie in Heiligkeit, Versöhnung, Evangelisation und Jüngerschaft wachsen.“

Yakup glaubt, dass der Zugang zum Wort Gottes in der Gebärdensprache in kritischer Weise davon abhängt, dass man diese Vision lebendig werden sieht. Zusammen mit einem kleinen Team hat er einen Social-Media-Kanal gestartet mit Bibelgeschichten, Unterricht und Lobpreisliedern in Gebärdensprache. Das ist ein viel benötigtes Hilfsmittel für die Gehörlosen-Gemeinschaften und trägt dazu bei, dass Gottes Wort gehörlose Christen erreicht, selbst in den entlegensten Ecken des Landes.

Wenn Yakup über seine Reise mit dem Gehörlosendienst nachdenkt, gesteht er auch die Herausforderungen ein. „Ich habe oft über Aufgeben nachgedacht“, gibt er zu. „Aber ich glaube nicht, dass Gott bei ihnen aufgibt, und ich glaube immer noch, dass er mich gebrauchen will. So lange wie das stimmt, mache ich weiter. Lange Zeit ist die Gemeinschaft wegen Problemen geschrumpft.“

Dann schwenkt Yakup auf einen hoffnungsvollen Ton um und spricht mit ruhiger, aber wachsender Begeisterung: „Ich bin sicher, dass es weiterhin Probleme geben wird, aber ich erwarte vor Ort und in anderen Städten Wachstum. Ich glaube, dass noch große Dinge geschehen werden – und dass sie bald geschehen werden. Ich glaube, wir werden eine Erweckung unter den Gehörlosen sehen.“

Bitte bete, dass Gott Yakup weiter stärkt und ausrüstet, um den Gehörlosen vor Ort und landesweit zu dienen. Bete für die Gehörlosen-Gemeinschaft, dass sie in Gnade, Vergebung und Versöhnung wachsen. Bete, dass der Social-Media-Kanal tausende von Menschen mit Gottes guter Nachricht erreicht.

*Name geändert

“As we are Christians, we have a role to play in this situation. In Luke 10, we see the story of the Good Samaritan; it teaches us a lot. [The OM team] decided to work with the refugee community. We started by distributing mosquito nets, blankets and carpets. The need is so big. We can’t cover everything, but we need to do what we are able to do.” 

While the team was allowed to enter the refugee camps to distribute aid, they were forbidden to share the gospel there. However, people often leave the camps and go to the city.  

Along with a friend, Oumar started to share with the Sudanese he saw at coffee shops. “We have 17 guys who have accepted Christ so far," he shared. "They are actually getting baptised soon. We are also thinking of opening schools for discipling people.” 

While giving practical aid helps in the short term, Oumar wants to draw on his experience as a tailor to offer business training to help people in the refugee camps plan for the long term. In the future, the team would like to offer microloans to cover the cost of setting up a small business. 

“The refugees are open to all this. We thank God for this. They see that Christians are helping them,” Oumar added. 

'You look like a Muslim'

Oumar met Ali* when he visited a coffee shop looking for food. After being offered breakfast and a cup of tea, Ali continued to meet Oumar regularly to talk.  

At one meeting, Ali asked, “Why are you different?” Oumar replied that he was a follower of Jesus, and his relationship with Christ made the difference. 

Ali was surprised and said, “Culturally, you look like a Muslim. How can you say you are a Christian?” 

Oumar told the man that religion is not about clothing or culture; it is something that is in the heart. He asked to know more about “the Jesus of the Bible,” and Oumar took the opportunity to share the good news and why Jesus is the only Saviour. 

“After that, he accepted Jesus,” Oumar said. “I found a restaurant [that hired him]. He gave me as a reference. I told them he is my brother, as he gave his life to Jesus. 

“He always attends Bible study. He reads the Bible very well and sometimes even he surprises me. There are some stories I don’t know and he will find one and tell me.” 

Powerful prayers 

Oumar and Ismail* met at a coffee shop, and on learning Oumar was a believer, Ismail exclaimed, “Christians have very powerful prayer!” 

He shared that he had been working in Libya when he was kidnapped. While Ismail was being held, someone called his mother and told her what had happened. She decided to ask people in the mosque to pray for him. She also asked her Christian neighbours to pray.  

One of them said, “We prayed for your son, and he will be released. So don’t worry.”  

After a month, government officials found the place where Ismail and others were being held and released them all. Ismail returned to his mother and heard how the neighbours had prayed and said he would be released, but hadn’t expected anything in return for their prayers. 

After many conversations, Ismail learnt more about the true God and now attends church.  

Oumar said, “God is amazing, and He always gives us new ways to share. As we are human, sometimes we are afraid and don’t take the step. But I think that if we take the step, God is always helping us. He always gives us the wisdom and ability to do amazing things for Him.” 

Pray for the team, which has limited resources and no budget for the work. Ask God to provide for the team’s personal support as well as for the business training and microloans that Oumar hopes to distribute.

*name changed

Gaer first visited one of OM’s ships as a child, when her mother took her to Doulos and bought her a Bible.

Later when Gaer was a teenager, a team of crewmembers from Doulos visited her village in Papua New Guinea and a lady from the team asked her a question. ‘Are you a Christian?’ That question stuck in her heart and she realised that she hadn’t accepted Jesus. Later that same lady gave her another Bible.

“They gave me a Bible and it’s like a seed was planted,” Gaer said.

God making a way

When Gaer was 20, she attended a Bible study camp in her village and had an encounter with God.

“I was in tears until I sensed there was a peace in my heart… I could really see who I was and who God is and his son Jesus… I said ‘Lord, whatever you want me to do, I will do it,’ I just surrendered myself to the Lord,” Gaer said.

A dream to serve the nations grew in her hear and in 2003 she received training with OM preparing to ‘go.’ However, when she returned to her church, they didn’t have enough funds to send her.

“I continued my study in university, but inside of my heart I always wanted to go and serve,” Gaer said.

In 2017, when Gaer finished her studies in theology, she asked God once again how she could go and start her journey on the ship if she didn’t have enough money.

“This word from Jesus said, ‘Now go. I am sending you,’ (Luke 10:3) and it just spoke directly to me,” Gaer said.

But she didn’t know where the support would come from. “I went home and I had to raise my funds. This time I was not really worried. God just provided every day!”

“It was in seven days that I had all the support I needed,” Gaer said.

The start of a new journey

Gaer’s journey with OM’s Ship Ministry started in 2018 in Panama, when she joined Logos Hope. Gaer kept serving, but still struggled to find support to serve beyond one year.  She cried out to God to provide once again: “Why? You brought me here and I don't have enough support,” she said. “After I cried, I opened my laptop… my full support had just come in, and all this time my eyes were just blind to see,” Gaer said.

God had already provided her another full year of support. “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it,” she shares (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Her journey did not end there. After initially serving on board Logos Hope for two years,  she joined Logos Hope again in November 2023 to continue her ministry. “My heart is just to say yes to the Lord. Now coming back and serving with Logos Hope… now that I’ve moved departments, I’m so happy to work and see where God has placed me for the ministry,” Gaer said.

Gaer’s joy for connecting with people has led her to disciple young women on board and serve God wherever she has been placed. “I just want to serve,” Gaer repeats.

Support the journey of people like Gaer

We are grateful to take part in what God is doing across the world as OM’s Ship Ministry continues to reach new shores and return to ports.

You can take part too. Give a financial gift to support the work in each port reached.

Give your gift

Together we will go further and reach more people like Gaer.

Thank you for your gift!

Gaer first visited one of OM’s ships as a child, when her mother took her to Doulos and bought her a Bible.

Later when Gaer was a teenager, a team of crewmembers from Doulos visited her village in Papua New Guinea and a lady from the team asked her a question. ‘Are you a Christian?’ That question stuck in her heart and she realised that she hadn’t accepted Jesus. Later that same lady gave her another Bible.

“They gave me a Bible and it’s like a seed was planted,” Gaer said.

God making a way

When Gaer was 20, she attended a Bible study camp in her village and had an encounter with God.

“I was in tears until I sensed there was a peace in my heart… I could really see who I was and who God is and his son Jesus… I said ‘Lord, whatever you want me to do, I will do it,’ I just surrendered myself to the Lord,” Gaer said.

A dream to serve the nations grew in her hear and in 2003 she received training with OM preparing to ‘go.’ However, when she returned to her church, they didn’t have enough funds to send her.

“I continued my study in university, but inside of my heart I always wanted to go and serve,” Gaer said.

In 2017, when Gaer finished her studies in theology, she asked God once again how she could go and start her journey on the ship if she didn’t have enough money.

“This word from Jesus said, ‘Now go. I am sending you,’ (Luke 10:3) and it just spoke directly to me,” Gaer said.

But she didn’t know where the support would come from. “I went home and I had to raise my funds. This time I was not really worried. God just provided every day!”

“It was in seven days that I had all the support I needed,” Gaer said.

The start of a new journey

Gaer’s journey with OM’s Ship Ministry started in 2018 in Panama, when she joined Logos Hope. Gaer kept serving, but still struggled to find support to serve beyond one year.  She cried out to God to provide once again: “Why? You brought me here and I don't have enough support,” she said. “After I cried, I opened my laptop… my full support had just come in, and all this time my eyes were just blind to see,” Gaer said.

God had already provided her another full year of support. “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it,” she shares (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Her journey did not end there. After initially serving on board Logos Hope for two years,  she joined Logos Hope again in November 2023 to continue her ministry. “My heart is just to say yes to the Lord. Now coming back and serving with Logos Hope… now that I’ve moved departments, I’m so happy to work and see where God has placed me for the ministry,” Gaer said.

Gaer’s joy for connecting with people has led her to disciple young women on board and serve God wherever she has been placed. “I just want to serve,” Gaer repeats.

Support the journey of people like Gaer

We are grateful to take part in what God is doing across the world as OM’s Ship Ministry continues to reach new shores and return to ports.

You can take part too. Give a financial gift to support the work in each port reached.

Give your gift

Together we will go further and reach more people like Gaer.

Thank you for your gift!