A team visited those being cared for at the San Pedro Claver home, where they shared their personal stories and sang songs with around 80 older people.

Juan Manuel Bello, a pastor from Colombia’s capital city, Bogota, was visiting Logos Hope with a team of people who support the ministry. Participating in this outreach alongside crewmembers, he met one of the residents, Rafael Bell, an 82-year-old grandfather who lost his sight more than a decade ago. Rafael was thrilled with the visit and would not let go of the pastor’s hand as he accepted Christ as his personal saviour. “Rafael, you can't see physically, but today you will see Jesus spiritually," Pastor Juan said.

A group of residents with mental disabilities received individual attention from the crewmembers. “There was a woman who cried, and I realised that all she wanted was a hug,” William Ngoo (Singapore) said. “After I hugged her, she calmed down and we prayed for her." For William and his wife, Janice Low (Singapore), this was their final outreach after spending three years on board Logos Hope, bringing to a close their service across four of the world’s continents and in more than 55 port cities.

The team was taken to an area of the home in which patients nearing the end of their lives receive palliative care. Visiting each bedside individually, the crew and supporters prayed, even if the patients seemed unaware of what was going on around them. “Sharing with these elderly people, some at the point of death, is something we are called and encouraged to do in faith,” Pastor Juan said. "It makes us remember that although the body may be worn out, the spirit is always open to the new life that God offers us.”

It was a memorable day for one resident, Pedro Alvarez, who celebrated his 93rd birthday and also the beginning of new life as a Christian. “Thank you for coming to visit us,” he said, smiling at the team. “All of you are a gift from God.”

The vessel’s Hope Theatre was a sea of white, as 300 personnel in their uniforms filled the venue. The men and women were treated to a programme of music and dance in which several of the different cultures represented by Logos Hope’s international crew were conveyed. Crewmembers dressed in their national costumes performed a Mexican dance, followed by a traditional fan dance from Korea.

As well as a lively percussion drum performance and a dazzling light show set to music, the naval officers and sailors were welcomed by Logos Hope’s captain and heard from the first mate and the safety officer, who was formerly an officer in the Romanian Navy, about what motivated them to serve on a different kind of vessel as unpaid volunteers.

The event built on the excellent relationship with Colombia’s Navy which has been a valuable connection during Logos Hope’s time in the country. The organisation is grateful to naval base commanders who have proved firm friends and generous hosts, as Logos Hope was docked at a naval base in the previous port, Barranquilla; and has benefitted from kind cooperation during her ten weeks in the country, in three different port cities.

“The purpose of this event was to encourage the mariners through our stories – which might resonate with some of their experiences,” explained Wynand Scholz (South Africa), who planned the evening. “We wanted to challenge them about the purpose of their life and motivate them to find meaning and balance in their priorities.”

The evening offered the opportunity to connect with officer cadets who accompanied their superiors to the vessel and were distinguishable by their black shoes, whereas fully-fledged officers wear white. Several of Logos Hope’s crew were able to chat one-on-one with cadets about their career aspirations and offer own their perspective.

The evening was topped off with a lively performance from the Colombian Navy’s brass band, accompanied by a female officer soloist and plenty of audience participation.

“It has far exceeded our expectations,” says Julie. “The ship’s visit to Colombia has been the ‘guinea pig’: the first country in the region Logos Hope will spend the coming two years touring. So we’ve been testing out new mobilising events, new strategic partnerships, new aspects to the Visitor Experience Deck on board – as we introduce this new vision that Latinos are uniquely suited to connect with least-reached people who haven’t heard the gospel.

“We have been figuring out how Logos Hope and OM Latin America (LAM) can, in a sense, dance well together – how we become ‘we’ as we work in unison. Not forgetting that every crewmember is getting used to a new culture and language. That’s huge. But after our first three port calls and ten weeks in this country, I can say that Colombia has truly proved to be the launchpad we were praying and hoping for.”

Julie reveals that the team from OM Colombia will disembark Logos Hope with 2,000 responses to follow up on: local Christians who’ve expressed a genuine interest in exploring how they can serve God in a least-reached part of the world.

“In terms of numbers of people burdened for prayer, signing up to start giving, and to get information about going into mission – all of it just blew our expectations,” she says.

“Logos Hope being here has created the opportunity for us to get involved with strategic churches that it would have taken a lot longer to build relationships with individually. It’s exciting to see their response in terms of wanting to be a key part of sending out members of their church. They are eager to learn how they can support missionaries in prayer, care and finances.”

Julie continues, “One pastor told us he realised that it was selfish to be investing the church’s resources inward. He said, ‘We need to grab hold of this money and send it outward!’"

“We presented the idea that on one Sunday a month, if every member of a church could give just one dollar to support mission, that would amount to $4,000 USD a month; which is close to $50,000 USD a year," explained Julie. "The response we got was, ‘Oh – that’s totally possible.’ But if we’d gone up to the pastor and said, ‘Could you give $50,000 USD a year?’ they’d have said, ‘No, we don’t have money for that.’ So this way of thinking shows that it is within the realm of possibility for the Latin American Church to join the effort. It’s been a joy seeing Colombian Christians realise this is a way they can honour the Lord and be a vital part of His kingdom work.”

Connecting and mobilising 

OM Colombia and 12 other OM fields across the continent have refocussed their ministry on inviting, training and sending Latinos to serve in key regions of the world – in line with OM’s global purpose to see vibrant communities of Jesus followers among the least reached.

With Logos Hope bringing its neutral platform to attract and connect with visitors and mobilise the Church, plus the example of an international crew who have left their countries to serve God overseas, the coming years will see a collaboration between the Ship Ministry and OM’s land operations on a scale that hasn’t been seen before.

“That old proverb of going fast alone, but going further together is true for this partnership,” says Julie. "With trying to merge teams and all the adjustments needed on both sides, it can feel slower – but as a result, we’ll be able to make even greater kingdom impact among the least reached. It’s like iron sharpening iron, as we each bring our strengths and the experience God has given us to accomplish so much more, together.”

Julie and her husband Alex Paniagua moved their family to live on board Logos Hope for 2018 – ensuring that OM’s Latin American leadership can oversee each of the fields as the ship spends time in that country.

Key to the process of building the capacity of the region’s smaller OM fields to ride the wave of interest stirred up by the ship, is plugging in to other organisations. Julie explains: “We are coming alongside fields and empowering them to grow their databases, plan follow-up conferences and training, and put the right people and structure in place to work towards sending 2,000 Latinos into mission in the coming decade. We’ve formed strategic partnerships with people like Crown Financial; to teach the theory of giving and its biblical foundation, and with COMIBAM International – which is an umbrella for more than 600 mission agencies. We realise that God has equipped each of us for a specific purpose, and in some things, we can achieve a greater reach and impact if we join forces and share skills.”

It’s not all been plain sailing, Julie acknowledges, and she is excited about the room for growth ahead. “In each port, we’ll learn more about what works and what doesn’t, and we’ll get better at inviting Latinos to consider this call. God willing, we’ll have it down pat by the time we reach Brazil in 2019!"

“People have walked through this quite gracefully in the midst of confusion and there are great attitudes,” Julie concludes. “It continues to be a learning curve – so let’s keep having the hard conversations, because we want to get there. We want this partnership between the Ship Ministry and OM Latin America to work well, because it’s so worth it: it’s worth it because of what God works out in our own hearts, and because of the influence and impact it will have on what we have been called to do.”

Julie Paniagua was speaking to Logos Hope‘s onboard journalist, Julie Knox.

Those who served on the vessel when she made her first voyage as a floating bookfair staffed by volunteers have gathered around the first official gift presented to the ship: a brass bell.

On 19 February 2009, almost five years after the purchase of the car ferry, the renovation work carried out in several European shipyards was completed. MV Logos Hope received her Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (PSSC) and undertook an icy crossing from Køge, Denmark to Gothenburg, Sweden.

“It was so cold that the water was frozen – we had had to have an ice-breaking tug boat ahead of us,” remembers Carlos Montañez (Colombia), who was the journalist on board. “I think something made the power shut off and the engines stopped as we were praying together as a group. We freaked out and prayed harder!” he laughs.   

On arrival in Gothenburg, Logos Hope’s bookfair was open to the public for three days as a test launch. It was enough time to make an impression on the city. One of the ship's divisional directors, Randy Grebe (USA), takes up the story:

“On the day we were departing, an older man walked through the snow our volunteers were playing in – many of them came from countries where they’d never seen snow. So this man made his way past a giant snowman in the dockyard and up the gangway. He presented us with a box containing an ornamental bell, engraved with the emblem of his charity, Helping Hands. It was the first official gift Logos Hope received and the benefactor said it was with joy and pride that he gave it, in memory of our very first port of call.”

The Gothenburg bell was mounted in Logos Hope’s dining room, where it is rung daily to call the community’s attention to announcements, to ask silence for prayer before meals, and to signal that second helpings are available. It's still in action, nine years on.   

And nine years on, several of the original crewmembers find themselves back on Logos Hope. In the early days, Randy Grebe and his wife Kim designed the new Visitor Experience Deck; the space seven million people have passed through since then. The captain on that first voyage, Dirk Colenbrander (Netherlands), returns regularly to provide relief cover and oversee training. After leading the communications team on board, Jon Crowe (USA) oversees the organisation's communications and marketing, based from the US office. Second Mate Endre Bjorå (Norway) was a deckhand in 2009. He’s spent almost five years on the vessel in total; citing the excellent training it offers young people as a reason to return. Meanwhile, Ruben Muñoz (Mexico) has had three stints on board, after becoming hooked on the floating bookfair as a boy.

One of the loudest voices cheering Logos Hope into Cartagena for her current port call was that of Marta Ardila (Colombia). Marta had already served three commitments on sister ship, Logos II, when she was asked to make arrangements for the new vessel’s visit to London in 2009. After months of advance preparation, she remembers the relief on learning that Logos Hope was finally certified to carry passengers and embark on her scheduled programme.  

“We were all jumping when we heard the news that the ship could make her first voyage to Gothenburg!” recalls Marta. She was jumping again, as, after offering local assistance to Logos Hope’s current volunteers lining up port visits in Colombia, she had the joy of welcoming the vessel – along with several of her old friends – to her city.  

“Sometimes you feel like you never left,” says the woman who grew up in a naval family and was always fascinated by the maritime world. “When I saw the ship, I started crying that she is finally here. I couldn’t believe I was seeing people I never imagined would be in my home town, and I’m so happy to see the response of people in Cartagena to all this vessel stands for.”

The Christian organisation Youth With A Mission (YWAM) reaches out to people in the village of Palenque, Colombia. It’s almost two hours’ drive away from Cartagena and feels like it’s still set in a previous generation.

The YWAM organiser, Yeison Valencia, explained:

“This community’s history dates from when Spaniards brought black people from Africa to Colombia as slaves. Their ancestors eventually fought against that and fled to set up home in this part of the countryside. To gain acceptance here, we first had to apologise for the sins of the past. Then we felt we should make reparations. There may not be physical chains on the people any longer, but there are spiritual ones. The Lord told us to start a community project, specifically with kids, because we can see they are a good mission field and as we show them the gospel, we can bless their families through them.”

For 12 years, Yeison and his team have run games activitves and taught the Bible in Palenque. The community is traditional; with donkeys carrying goods along dirt roads and many of the basic homes having thatched or tin roofs. YWAM seeks to show God’s love to children for whom abuse is common and whose families are suffering the effects of drug use and mixed worship practices taken from their African heritage.

By helping with a sports club and sharing their personal stories of how God has worked in their lives, a team from Logos Hope was something of an attraction in the village. The international volunteers were from various ethnic backgrounds, which Yeison said was a helpful influence:

“Through this exposure to white people – who were formerly their oppressors – it is important for the kids to see normal relationships across cultures and to feel free to relate as equals. It is also wonderful for them to see people from different parts of the world and realise there is no distinction between black, white, indigenous: we are the same before God and He is bringing healing.”

The ship’s volunteers were shown some of the micro-business ideas the YWAM workers are encouraging in the community, which is reliant on handouts from local authorities. Traditional sweets made from locally-grown fruits and hand-made jewellery are products the Palenque outreach is working to sell more widely; to lift the village out of poverty and give the people self-respect and a more driven attitude of hope and freedom.

“But above all, our hope is that they will know Jesus,” said Yeison. “Please join us in prayer for these children’s future.”

As part of their three-week orientation before they step aboard to begin one or two years of service, the volunteers have been bonding as a group, learning teamwork and getting prepared for life on an ocean-going vessel.

They also need to learn how to react in the event of an emergency, which could include abandoning ship or tackling a blaze on board. So new joiners – including children – have a ‘fire and water day’ of handling extinguishers before jumping into deep water from height, learning how to make buoyancy aids and handle life rafts.

While it’s not a legal requirement for the volunteers to be firefighters, Logos Hope’s safety officer, Ionut Vlad (Romania), sets high standards and wants his team to be familiar with distress situations; so they can cope well if one ever occurs.  

“Commercial ships operate with experienced crew,” explains Ionut, “We operate with some people who are coming into the maritime industry for the first time. We want to familiarise them with the risks – like fire being the first enemy of a ship – so they know how to respond.”

The former naval officer also intends Logos Hope to maintain her reputation when maritime assessors visit to grant licences. “Surveyors are not looking for happy and excited volunteers running a ship – they want to see professional and capable crew, and that is why we give training at the beginning and keep going with refreshers throughout their service on board.”

Ionut has trained four new crew intakes and enjoys seeing the progression of those who assist him. “Here I have a new group of clumsy people; some of whom have never been on a ship, some have never been close to fire or used an extinguisher,” he says. “I’m standing in front of them with people on my right and left helping me. And these people used to be just like the clumsy people. But now they are applying what they have learnt to guide the next group with confidence and maturity. And this is what’s impacting me, with every BST course,” says Ionut.

Having proved they can do it practically, the new volunteers have to pass a written exam before they are cleared to climb Logos Hope’s gangways. From what Ionut has seen of their attitude and reactions, he expects to be welcoming each one on board in the coming days.

Three hundred and fifty people came to the vessel to hear different cultural and musical styles tailored to express the six days of creation, which led to a thought-provoking presentation of the gospel.  

“We began with a darkness blackout to signify the first day, and we shone spotlights on our percussion drummers as God spoke, ‘Let there be light,’” explained Ruben Muñoz (Mexico), the event organiser. “Our God is the ultimate Creator, who created us in His image, and this was a way we could display our musical and vocal creativity for His glory.”

When tasked with illustrating day two in song, Amanda Solosy (UK) wasn’t hopeful she could find a piece that matched the theme. “I didn’t think there was anything that expressed God separating water from sky,” she said. “Then the day before the event, Ofasia Wayne (Papua New Guinea) said he would just write something. I was amazed at how he sat in the ship’s dining room, playing around on his guitar, and composed poetic lyrics so easily. They went: ‘You made the waters, Lord; take me deeper. You made the sky, Lord; take me higher. Deeper into your heart, higher above my struggles.'"

The diversity of style ranged from a lively Latin orchestra full of brass instruments to a Colombian band with a Caribbean feel. Logos Hope’s African choir related the creation of the earth’s animals, with dramatic imagery of the wild beasts found on the continent. The event closed with a number from a gospel choir made up of students who are majoring in music at Cartagena’s university.

The item which seemed to touch many came from Gino Borst (Curaçao), who sang a haunting piece, accompanied by Sally Nikesh (Germany) on the keyboard. Entitled "Laminin", by the artist Spzrkt, the song fit the theme of day six, when God creates man and evokes His desire for a close bond which humanity doesn’t return.

“It’s an unusual Christian song,” Gino said. “So many people approached me afterwards to say they felt it was their life: They may put so much hope into loving another person—their boyfriend or girlfriend—instead of God. All the effort of giving, giving, giving, to someone and not getting anything back; we are actually treating God this way. A guy told me the atmosphere changed as I was singing—he said it impacted him and it felt like heaven opened up. Deep stuff! It’s my privilege to do it all for the Lord.”

The vessel’s crew is celebrating passing the 100,000 visitor mark; which was last achieved in mid-2017, in both Jamaican ports Logos Hope visited: Kingston and Montego Bay. 

“It’s been great to see so many Colombians come through our bookfair, to browse our new selection of books in Spanish,” said David Waugh, Logos Hope’s bookfair manager. “As we’ve seen elsewhere around the world, the ones people buy most of are Christian-themed and books for children.”

Bookfair staff member Christa Shipman (USA) said, “A pastor I spoke to was buying books for his church. He said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get these books in his language at reasonable prices.”

Ahead of the ship’s arrival in Colombia, the bookfair’s shelves were restocked, with around 70 per cent of those on sale now being Spanish-language titles.

“The local volunteers who helped us every day kept reiterating that when visitors left the vessel, they were changed,” said Christa. “They may have been irritated to queue for a long time to get on board, but they met with God during their time in the ship and it’s been so wonderful to hear that, over and over.”

Pastor Harold Beltran’s church, Faith Christian Community, was a key partner for Logos Hope in Barranquilla. But it wasn’t a one-way arrangement: “We participated in the organising committee to make arrangements ahead of the ship’s arrival; we have tried to help and give as much as we could dash – but at the same time we have received just as much or even more,” said Pastor Harold. “We’ve been able to join many different activities with teams from the ship, which has really encouraged our church and challenged the youth in how they may serve God.”

“I’ve been thinking that I’m going to be 60 this year, but I need renewal, not retirement,” said the pastor. “And, actually, I think I have received new breath and joy, thanks to being involved with Logos Hope!”

Along with Colombian ministries to marginalised people and those promoting fairly-traded indigenous products, there were networks to connect young people with opportunities across the world. A sports outreach had a stand, as did CRU Colombia, which works among students.

The Latino branch of the international missionary agency WEC was also represented. The organisation came to Colombia in 1933, and now focusses on sending believers out to share the gospel in parts of the world where fewer than two per cent of people have heard the message. Manning the WEC Latino stand was a Colombian woman wearing traditional African fabric and sharing her story with visitors.

At the age of 40, Jazmin Abuabara left her job as a maths teacher to go to Bible college. She became a missionary and served in Equatorial Guinea for the next 15 years. “Operation World’s book [giving information to inform prayer for every country] was key in my call. It’s from that book that I got a vision for the nations,” she explained. Jazmin helped to plant churches and teach children in Equatorial Guinea. “We saw them move from crisis to Christ – and now those ministries are in local hands.”  

Back home in Barranquilla, Jazmin is an example to recruit others from her own country. “Twenty years ago, when I left, Colombians were just beginning in mission. Now we can say we did it, and it is possible. The Church is more aware and churches are larger, with resources to send missionaries.”

Distance isn’t as daunting in the 21st century, thanks to better communications. Jazmin recalled, “I phoned my mum twice in my first four years – but then the internet arrived in Africa; so young people today can stay connected and they’re excited about finding their part to play.”

Jazmin throws her support behind OM’s Ellos son como Tu (They are like you) initiative, to encourage Latinos to share the gospel in least-reached communities. “We learn that we are like them. We know the Latino can adapt so well, in terms of physical appearance, in Middle Eastern or Asian cultures,” she said. “Many have learnt to live with little, here in Colombia; so they can adjust well to circumstances in other places. We have so much in common as we come alongside others to share ‘Christ in us, the hope of glory!’”

A troupe of professional clowns from Barranquilla, Colombia came on board the ship to run the workshop as a means of equipping the international volunteers to connect better with people without having to use words.

After a morning of games to break the ice and discussion about the techniques used in clowning, the crewmembers then dressed up and performed for the visiting public in Logos Hope’s bookfair and International Café.

Lead clown Mario Bustillos told the team, “A clown is like a person performing in the mirror when no-one sees him.” Pamela Mua (Papua New Guinea) took the advice on board when it was her turn to act. “I felt like I could be the personality I hide when I’m not wanting to make a fool of myself. When that makes other people happy, I don’t feel shy!” she laughed.

“In the moment, we forgot about ourselves," said Christa Shipman (USA). “We were real and spontaneous. The audience was super excited, laughing along with us and singing back!”

Camilo Fernandez, who performs under the name ‘Coco the Clown’, is a Christian mime artist and musician who shares his faith through drama; acting out stories of love, mercy and joy. He says his workshops build unity and transmit joy. “It’s a universal language!” he said, in Spanish.

And despite their instructors speaking no English, the ten clowning participants were able to understand without difficulty.

Annelie Menges (Germany) said, “We couldn’t have done better with translation. Using our face and hands got the message across and connected on a deeper level. I’m going to use it as I work in the bookfair when Latin Americans ask me questions!”

Hannah Davidson (Australia) learnt that the purpose of clowning shouldn’t be about making a spectacle of yourself and trying to be funny. “It is to meet the person where they are, and with the right amount of gentleness, show love to that person by finding the joy. I think it’s something that can apply to every conversation we have,” she said, at the conclusion of the workshop.

The ship’s presence on the continent for the coming two and a half years will be a platform for the Ellos son como Tú! (They are like you) initiative.

The slogan is backed by a mobilising campaign to encourage missionaries from Latin America to take the message of the gospel to parts of the world which are considered least reached. OM aims to train and send 2,000 Latinos to specific mission fields over the next ten years.

Living on board Logos Hope for the coming years are Alex and Julie Paniagua (Costa Rica), Associate Area Leaders for OM in Latin America. In training sessions for the ship’s community as they made the voyage towards Colombia, Julie told the volunteers: “My heart breaks for countries and people who haven’t had a chance to hear what we have heard and responded to. So many people are broken, lost, and have no healing. If Jesus were to return today, they would not be able to celebrate and be in relationship with Him, as we look forward to being.”

The crew was given statistics which point to there being more than 2.8 billion people worldwide who have little or no access to the gospel or to communities of believers. This figure rises by 57,000 every day as the population increases.

Alex Paniagua encouraged Logos Hope’s community: “Our job is to make sure that we are faithful and we witness. You are on this ship because you received that calling and you believed the Great Commission. Your story – the fact that you are here and that you boldly obeyed the calling – is enough for you to speak into somebody else’s life and say, ‘You too can go.'”

Events on the ship will be tailored to encourage Christians to consider mission for themselves, and to help churches understand how to raise funding for and offer ongoing support to missionaries. Already, Colombians are excited about the part they can play, with Operation Mobilisation having received hundreds of enquiries about joining and pledges of financial support.

In a prayer evening on board Logos Hope, the community was told the story of how Logos hit rocks in a storm in the treacherous Beagle Channel, between Argentina and Chile. With many of the volunteers being younger than 30 years of age, they knew little about the events of 5 January 1988. Seeing images from the time, hearing personal details and realising the parallels as they live on an oceangoing vessel and fulfil similar roles helped them identify with their forebears and appreciate more of the Ship Ministry’s heritage.

Although the ship was lost – along with everything she contained – none of Logos’ 141 crewmembers were harmed in the accident. Eyewitnesses on Naval rescue vessels declared it ‘a miracle’ that everyone lived to tell the tale. A poignant aspect of the commemorative evening was hearing from some of these surviving crewmembers. Mark (UK) and Kathy Knight (Australia) are still volunteers with OM Ships and are currently on board Logos Hope. They shared how they have come to recognise that God proved His faithfulness then, in order to prepare them to face future tragedy: the couple went on to experience the death of their teenage son some years later.

Something that made the anniversary especially relevant to current crewmembers was discovering that five people serving on Logos Hope today have parents who were serving on Logos when she was shipwrecked.

Brothers David and Matthew Taylor (UK) shared news from their mother, who was Logos’ doctor in 1988. She had the added complication of moving a patient with a broken leg from the sick bay to the lifeboats as the tilting ship was being abandoned. Andrea Taylor (nee Lewis) emailed her memories:

“I had my medical bag to take and sneaked my diary into it, feeling a level of guilt about making use of that privilege,” Andrea wrote. “Thinking now about that moment when we knew we needed to abandon ship, it feels like a very emotional one but at the time it was just like doing boat drill – but for real. It was remarkably orderly despite some slipping on the sloping deck as sleet fell in the grey half-light,” she recounted.   

Her older son, David, who is 25, is now a deckhand on Logos Hope. “I can put myself in the position of the deckies back then. I’m in our medical team – so I’d be going from person to person, dealing with those who would be anxious and nervous; the ones with small children, the one with the broken leg – a bit like my mum,” he reflected.

Benaya Keppler (Germany) knew his father's Logos story but the family was unaware there was a photograph of Matthias in action from the time. Benaya was delighted to be shown an image from Logos Hope's archives, which he could identify as his dad and email home, to share the anniversary in a special way. 

“My father was a carpenter on Logos and the coxswain of a lifeboat,” said Benaya. “When he was lowering his boat and the ship was hanging over him at a dangerous angle, he realised that if the ship sank, he wouldn’t be able to just jump off to try and save himself – he would have to wait for everyone he was responsible for. He told me God showed him it’s about Him being in charge, and not about how much control we think we have over our lives. Of course, my father partly inspired me to serve the Lord on Logos Hope today.”

For Mark Knight, who was the bookfair manager on Logos and now works from England in a senior leadership role with OM Ships, being back in South America to mark the anniversary on Logos Hope was an emotional experience.

“To be standing on terra firma in the north of the continent, when we were on Tierra del Fuego in the extreme south in 1988, and to have seen some of what God has done in the middle in the last 30 years is amazing,” smiled Mark. “It’s so special and rewarding to see children of OM Ships people who have taken on board the first-generation vision and mission and values, and are living that out as a conscious choice now that they are adults.”

David Taylor delivered encouragement from his mother to the current crew, reminding them to embrace adventure and trust that they all they will experience in life is part of God’s bigger story. David said of the anniversary: “It makes me think about the legacy that we are all a part of. I feel like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants.”

To read the full story of the Logos shipwreck in January 1988, click here

After repeatedly having to make way for commercial vessels by moving Logos Hope from her berth to anchor out at sea, events on the ship have been rescheduled to venues on shore. Local Christians have offered hospitality to crew to enable commitments in the area to be kept.

Among outreaches in the community were several visits to a prison to offer eyesight testing and free reading glasses to inmates. The women’s section received a donation of four sewing machines, with ladies who live on board Logos Hope showing the prisoners how to use them. The facility plans to run classes so inmates can learn to make clothing and use their new skills when they are released.

A Friday night youth event on board was moved to a church on shore, while a team involved in football ministry disembarked to stay on land. This meant the sports outreach the following day could still happen while Logos Hope was anchored off the coast.  

“While there’ve been frustrations, it’s been great to see crew connect with local people more meaningfully,” said Marco Arjona (Argentina), one of the advance preparation team. “People we’d got to know as we lined up the port have been happy to have our volunteers as their guests. They’ve taken them to family birthday parties, driven them to the places they needed to be, even brought them to their workplace to introduce their colleagues to the unusual visitors from all around the world. It’s been a special way for crew to experience Latino culture!”  

“We’ve even realised blessings in disguise,” affirmed YeSol Lee (South Korea), another of the advance preparation team. “For instance, we had a maximum number permitted on board the ship for our youth event, but now it’s being held at a church with a bigger capacity – so we get the opportunity to challenge even more young people to consider serving God.”

“I want to pay tribute to our whole team and to local people for their flexibility at this time,” said Logos Hope’s director, Pil-Hun Park (South Korea). “In particular, our Marine Operations department has had a lot of work to dock the ship and make it accessible for visitors, then get ready to go to sea again. Our bookfair staff have opened at unusual times to serve the people of Santa Marta. We know God is at work and we thank everyone for their understanding as we have sought to be a blessing in this place.”

As the vessel came alongside in the port of Santa Marta, Colombia, crewmembers on the outer decks experienced the warmth and noise of a Latino welcome from those gathered on the quayside. A giant Colombian flag was being waved, people were cheering and singing and there were dancers wearing traditional costumes to add to the party atmosphere.

Logos Hope now plans to spend the next ten weeks in Colombia, calling at three different ports in the country. This is the first visit this ship has made here, and begins the long-awaited return of one of the organisation’s vessels to Latin America after a gap of 15-20 years.

Colombians wasted no time in making the most of the opportunity, with long queues of visitors waiting for buses to bring them inside the port to the ship’s berth.

There has been a transformation within Logos Hope in recognition of operating in a new language between now and 2020. All signs in visitor areas have been translated into Spanish, tannoy announcements and public events are bilingual and the crew has been practising conversational Spanish with Latino colleagues.

But the biggest alteration is in the bookfair. “Seventy per cent of the books on our shelves are now in Spanish,” said David Waugh (Scotland), the bookfair manager. “We received two shipping containers full from our handling centre in the USA; stock we’ve been purchasing in readiness over the last year.”

That’s not to say there aren’t still English books on offer. David wants to cater to Latin Americans who may have studied in North America or those who want to improve their English, and is finding that already, sales are higher than expected. He also pays tribute to his team for rearranging the ship’s main visitor area so quickly.

“I have the best team on the ship, but of course I’m biased!” he laughs. “They’re still learning, but they pulled together well to change everything over in three days so we could start in the new region in good shape.”

It’s been a busy few weeks for all on board Logos Hope. Next on the schedule is Christmas, with crewmembers’ excitement mounting about experiencing the atmosphere and traditions of a Colombian celebration.

It took place at the Cartagena Women’s Prison over the course of two days with 60 women participating and 20 of them getting baptised. They were ministered to and taught about the cross of Christ, forgiveness, freedom of guilt and rejection and baptism.

Many of the women are released from jail shortly after this yearly event and it causes them to anticipate this special encounter eagerly. The women consider it proof of God’s presence among them and within their lives, and the physical freedom that often follows the spiritual freedom stirs up their faith.

One week after the encounter, 10 ladies were declared free from jail, 5 of them have been released already and the other 5 are expecting to be set free soon. Adela and all the other women know that no jail and no bars can keep captive their spirit which was freed from sin by the power of Jesus.

OM: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hugo Echeverri: I serve as a Pastor in Bogota, Colombia, as well as OM representative in all the central region of Colombia, including the capital. I have been married for 33 years and have two sons, both involved with OM. Further, I have the privilege of being the Director for Colombia of the Cooperation of Missions Ibero-American (COMIBAM), which is the collection of the majority of ministries, agencies and missionary churches in our region.

OM: Why did you decide to work with OM Colombia, and how long have you been serving in your efforts in Bogota?

Hugo: OM is an inspiration in my home since many years ago, when my older son Juan David decided to complete the training and go to serve on the Logos II ship. He served there for two years and presently works with the church in the United States and continues to be in contact with OM. Just recently, my other son, Diego, decided to follow in the same path and served on the Logos Hope. Now he is studying with the intention to return and serve even better.

It's been four years now since Roberto Façanha, the Leader of OM Latin America, invited me to be a part of OM, with the aim to reinforce its presence in Colombia, especially in the main cities like Bogota, Medellin and Cali.

OM: In what areas does OM Colombia work, and what exactly is your role?

Hugo: My main function has been to present the OM ministry to pastors and churches in the Christian community, while representing OM in missionary congresses, consultations and special meetings. Also, our team has been working especially in the area of sending missionaries to serve in cross-cultural mission fields, including OM fields in Ecuador, Panama, Africa, Lifehope [in the UK], the Logos Hope and others.

OM: In your experience, what would be the best tactic for a missionary, domestic or foreign, to impact Latino churches and mobilise them into cross-cultural missions?

Hugo: We must understand that the Gospel is primarily about relationships that impact, influence and are relevant, through our simple yet powerful actions. They leave their mark on society, aimed at providing answers to specific needs of communities in which God takes us and where we have presence.

For example, fixing the community park; teaching music, arts, crafts or cooking; working with children, youth and people in need; providing basic medical assistance; and training or teaching how to generate small businesses as new sources of income to vulnerable sectors of the society. Our future missionaries should keep this in mind as they take up the charge to creatively help communities wherever they are found.

OM: How can we pray for you? And how we can support your ministry?

Hugo: We need prayer for resources to develop and better represent the ministry in Colombia and abroad, especially since both OM and COMIBAM are volunteer organisations that require constant mobilisation. We are very limited in this area.

Also, we desire to impart a strong missions legacy into future generations through relevant and transformative teachings. Even more, OM Colombia needs to legally formalise and develop new ministry opportunities. Also, I dream of having an OM missionary base in Colombia, which will permit us to work more expansively.

The news in the local paper had said that Clara*, a drug addict and homeless young girl, was condemned to 15 years in jail after she was found guilty of killing her friend under the influence of drugs. It was this same young girl who one day, about a year ago, started attending OM Colombia’s craft workshop in the prison of San Diego Cartagena.

“I remember how scruffy, lost and confused she looked back then,” said OM Colombia’s Martha Ardila. “But gradually we witnessed her transformation that began by hearing the Word of God and surrendering her heart to Christ.”

Now, Clara is very diligent with a deep desire to grow in faith and learn as much as she can to make a living.

“She is aware of the fact that it was Jesus who changed her life,” said Martha. “We witnessed her tears the day she learnt that she had been convicted. But she knows that her soul and spirit were released from the captivity of sin in this same place where she is physically imprisoned.”

Along with other 15 inmates, Clara is now learning to make sandals. She and her companions are eager to see the final product to start selling sandals and improve their quality of life.

Two years ago, Lourdes Arnedo and Martha Ardila from OM Colombia began to bring the Word of God to women in the prison in Cartagena, Colombia. They also teach the inmates to make handbags, underwear, bathing caps, Christmas decorations and other things.

“When we started making sandals, we realised that the inmates were very interested in this workshop,” said Martha. “We got the resources to teach them how to make simple sandals called ‘three stitches’ and gave every woman the pair they’d made.”

Now the ladies are making sandals to sell. They need money to buy supplies like leather, soles, shoe lasts and other supplies to produce sandals.

Please pray for the women’s prison ministry in Colombia. Pray for many women like Clara to be transformed by Jesus.

For more information about this ministry, contact info.ec@om.org.

This socialisation of inmates is the focus of the Christian Prison Fellowship of Bolívar, a non-profit organisation with a volunteer staff who have worked with the government for over 20 years in prisons in Cartagena and the rest of the Bolívar department.

“We work in alliance with this prison ministry,” says Martha. “We’re sharing the gospel with the inmates and want to remember those in prison, like it says in Hebrews 13:3*.”

It has been two years since Martha began working with OM in her native country, after spending many years with OM’s ship ministry. It has been two interesting years, she recalls. “I think I started from the end instead of from the beginning. I started working like crazy in all different kinds of ministries, offering many opportunities to serve.”

Now is the time to look back and start prioritizing more, she says. “I decided to stop with some activities until I get a bigger team, and to focus my efforts on making OM known in Colombia.”

Martha is now contacting pastors throughout Colombia to visit them to talk about missions and OM. After having made a strategic alliance with a few pastors from the Four Square Church in Colombia, she invited Bible teacher Jack Rendel from the US to teach in August in a mission school in the city Barranca. “Together with him I’m also planning to meet with some pastors in Bogotá and Cartagena,” says Martha.

The work in prisons is the only local ministry she’s continuing for now, with Lourdes, a volunteer God has provided. Lourdes helps carry out workshops at the women’s prison and assists Martha with office work. “Lourdes is incredibly talented in doing craft work,” says Martha.

To hold the workshops, the women need financial gifts to buy material. “We need all kinds of stuff,” says Martha, “like cardboard, pencils, scissors, zippers, fabrics, etc.”

Please pray for this ministry in Cartagena, and pray for wisdom for Martha to lead OM Colombia in the right direction. If you would like to donate money towards the prison ministry, please contact your local OM office. For more information, contact Martha at martha.ardila@om.org.

*“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” – Hebrews 13:3 (NIV)

Inside the San Diego Women’s Jail in Cartagena, Colombia, inmates celebrated a joy-filled Christmas last month. OM Colombia leader Martha Ardila and the members of the Bolivar Prison Fellowship organised the event.

The air was heavy with anticipation as the women opened packages filled with necessities and treats: toothpaste, bath soap, detergent, juice, chocolates, lollypops and cookies. The gifts had been bought with the contributions of generous people. Eighty inmates also received a copy of The Calvary Road by Roy Hession, a gift from OM Founder George Verwer. The book was also given to the 20 staff members and 10 members of the Bolivar Prison Fellowship. Later, everyone enjoyed ice cream and cakes, along with a drama of the Lord’s Prayer.

Praise God that OM Colombia could partner with the Bolivar Prison Fellowship and the San Diego Women’s Jail to bring God’s joy to the inmates this past Christmas. Please pray that the message and books will have an eternal impact on the women.

Although Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America, it has one of the tiniest OM teams. In 2010 Martha Ardila agreed to pioneer the ministry in Cartagena under Roberto Facanha’s Andean Region leadership, which also extends to Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. Working from home since there’s no office as yet, Martha’s team consists of a few occasional volunteers. But that doesn’t stop her from making big plans!

“I love ministry and visit the prison every Thursday to share the Word of God with inmates,” enthuses Martha. “Next year we are planning to teach some workshops at the women’s prison. Also in 2012 I hope to bring a church team from the U.S. to do sport ministries in a very poor and needy area of Cartagena. A group called Foundation of Jesus works here, and the director has already put me in touch with schools.”

Earlier this year, Martha took the HIV and AIDS Channels of Hope facilitators’ training from AIDSLink, which works in partnership with OM. A recent mission congress in Bogotá gave her good contacts with pastors all over Colombia, which opens doors for her to Bogotá churches interested in hosting a Channels of Hope workshop.

“I need a lot of strength and wisdom to do this job,” Martha admits. “Without finances and personnel, I cannot advance. Please support me in your prayers—and consider coming to Colombia to join me!”

It all started with an informal conversation during the OM Latin America leaders meeting in February 2011. OM Guatemala Leader Pilar Castro and Martha Ardila, a native Colombian just starting the ministry in Colombia, met for the first time.

“I told Martha I would come to Colombia with a group of Guatemalans to help her,” says Pilar. “It was just a crazy idea. But it turned out that God was planning it. For Him there are no problems, only plans.”

Martha was hesitant at first and told Pilar that she wouldn’t contact the pastors until Pilar and her group confirmed their plans to come. Airline tickets were expensive at the time—Colombia had just organised an important football championship—and Martha didn’t want to promise the pastors an activity with OM and then later have to cancel it.  

However, thanks to the Lord, Pilar was able to get 14 enthusiastic Guatemalans to accompany her to Cartagena, Colombia, for the outreach in September.

Guatemalans hard at work

The teams ministered in schools, teaching the students values and sharing Christ through dramas in a poor and depressed area of Cartagena. Many young people prayed to accept Christ.

They also shared the gospel with 800 inmates at a men’s prison, most between the ages of 20 and 35. There they saw God’s hand working through a drama they presented called “Forgiveness”.

“It was amazing to see how the inmates were able to identify with the drama,” says Martha. A reported two hundred men made decisions for the Lord during their visit.

At a local church the team conducted a workshop called “Knowing yourself” with a group of wealthier women in Cartagena. “Many people think they have everything. But even if they have a good job or business, they often don’t realise they have low self-esteem,” shares Pilar. “It is true that it doesn’t matter how much you have if you have wounds in your heart.”

Valuable to the Lord

Lastly, the team visited a children’s foundation named Niños de Jesús in a poor, gang-riddled area of Cartagena. Over several days, the team taught values and shared about Christ in creative ways.

Again they presented the workshop “Knowing yourself” to mothers in the neighbourhood. When they had finished sharing about the subject, the women were invited to choose a sign with words written on it that they identified with.

One mother picked up a sign and said, “I don’t know what this says because I don’t know how to read, but I like this one.” The sign read, “You are very valuable.”

When told what was written on the sign, she started to cry and shared that she had always been mistreated for not being able to read. For this reason, she had put her children in school so they wouldn’t suffer like she had. She now realised she was valuable and decided not to listen to the insults from others anymore.

Praise God for touching the hearts of many during the outreach in Cartagena, Colombia. Praise Him for the encouragement Pilar and her team were to Martha. Please pray for Martha as she continues to build the work of OM in her home country.

“There is nothing left”, says Martha Ardila. “Everything is destroyed. Their homes, the school, the church and the grocery store.”

A recent visit to the village Gambote confronted the representative of OM in Colombia with the results of the terrible flooding in her country. Gambote is only about a thirty minute drive from Cartagena, the city where she lives.

The fishing village had never seen anything like this. On 13 December at 10pm, the inhabitants experienced the horror of the worst flooding in its history. The water came up above their waistline and in some places to the neck. “Only a few belongings could be saved”, says Martha. “Since that night, most of the 800 families that make up this fishing village fled to hide in shelters in the Arjona area or found refuge with relatives in Cartagena.”

For Christmas Martha asked her family to give an offering for the victims of the flood. Many others did the same. She joined an initiative called “S.O.S. Gambote”. With the money collected, the group bought mattresses, tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, pillows, cloths, water and food. On the 10th of January, they took the supplies to Gambote. “We were able to help 63 families and 300 children affected by the flood.”

Torrential rains

Nearly two million people have been affected by the recent flooding in Colombia. The torrential rains that hit the country in the past few months caused its worst flooding in 40 years. Over 240 people have died and many had to leave their homes behind, especially along the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines.

There is a lot of work to do, says Martha. With S.O.S. Gambote, she’s planning to go back this weekend to the destroyed village near her hometown. She sees the relief work as a good opportunity to show the love of Jesus in a practical way, especially since OM is just starting the work in Colombia. “I would love to take this opportunity to bring these people some material and spiritual relief.”

OM Colombia would love to receive donations for the relief work in Gambote. There are still many supplies needed, like crutches for disabled people, tents, gas cylinders, pots, medicine, mosquito nets and more mattresses. “Please consider collecting a love offering to help the people of Gambote who are affected by the flood. Help us to help them!”

For more information, please contact OM Colombia through martha.ardila@ec.om.org. To give, contact your local OM office and designate your gift to: “Andean Region – relief work flooding Colombia” (OM fund 22).

Martha Ardila first learned about Christian ship ministry during an YWAM School in Bogota, Colombia in 1992. After returning from the school she prayed seriously about future mission work, with a specific desire to join a Christian ship ministry. To her surprise, OM’s Logos II came to Cartagena, Colombia, where she lived, in 1992. She worked as a volunteer while the ship was in Cartagena and then joined the ministry in March 1993.

For her, it was the fulfillment of a desire she had since learning about Christian ship ministries during the YWAM school in 1992. Throughout much of the nineties and early two thousands, Martha worked with OM’s ship ministry. During those years, she worked as a dish washer in the kitchen, to program manager, and most recently project manager, where she organized with port authorities, immigration, customs and local churches in advance of a ship’s arrival. She describes the project manager job as “A John the Baptist, you are preparing the way”.

Her last assignment with the ship ministry was last year. She was coordinating the visit of OM’s newest ship Logos Hope to London, UK. While there, she experienced another life changing encounter. During her time in the UK, Martha met and spoke with OM's founder George Verwer, who asked if there was OM in Colombia.

The simple question triggered a course of events that brings her back to Colombia. She had received several invitations from OM Andean Region's leader Roberto Facanha to represent OM in Colombia, and George Verwer’s question resulted in her thinking, “Now is the time to do it.”

For Martha, her time in ministry is coming back full circle. She has had the opportunity to share Jesus with many people in various countries; this year, Martha returns to her native country to represent OM in Colombia, to minister to her countrymen, and work to transform lives and communities. She is a dynamic person with a specific vision.

“I want to raise awareness of HIV-AIDS and prolife ministries in schools and foundations”, she shared, and “I have met with Christian leaders in Cartagena who have shown interest in Aids Link and prolife ministries.” She also wants to help low-income children with proceeds from her own special projects. She has written several children’s books which are in the process of being published.

Finally, Martha looks forward to seeing more Colombians join their Christian brothers and sisters in serving the Lord on the mission field. It has been 18 years since Martha received that phone call from Ecuador. In April, Martha went to Ecuador for the first time to meet with OM Andean Region members. She was commissioned from there to return to her people and be the light to her own nation and encourage others to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.