Between the twin storms, the nation’s farming and food supplies are staggering.

According to UNICEF, October is the start of Mozambique’s lean season and two million people will face food insecurity. Over 66,000 people are still displaced and need humanitarian aid in cyclone-affected regions.

Beira following Cyclone Idai. (Photo courtesy of UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs)

Naomi Frizzell, executive director with Audio Scripture Ministries recently visited Mozambique and says the land still bears scars. “As I was flying into Beira, I had an opportunity to view the landscape and noticed some differences in water patterns, but also a lot of routes are still missing.

“Even as we were talking to some of the folks, they were still reeling from how ferocious the storm was.”

Just in time for the lean season, ASM is about to ship a container to Mozambique filled with aid during the first week of September. The ministry received so many donations that they had to double the size of the container!

“We’ve moved from a 20-foot container to 40-foot container because of the generosity of people in West Michigan and around the United States — donations-in-kind as well as cash donations, donations of medical supplies, [and] donations of agricultural equipment.

ASM volunteer Lee repairing a donated farming implement that will go in the 40-foot container for the Farming With God program at New Harvest Farm in Mozambique. (Photo courtesy of Audio Scripture Ministries)

“We are just truly humbled by the generosity of God’s people. They have seen the need and they have responded.”

ASM is also providing support to the people of Mozambique through New Harvest Farm. The farm is run by ASM in partnership with local farmers who learn about improved agricultural techniques and the Creator God.

“I think that’s what’s important about the New Harvest Farm,” Frizzell says. “It gives us an opportunity to work with the people in Mozambique to help them have new hope — new hope in new procedures, new hope in things that they’re going to be able to learn and then to apply in the way that they interact with their fields, but also new hope in Jesus Christ.”

On this latest trip, Frizzell joined the first community meeting for New Harvest Farm led by ASM’s Africa director Chad Vanden Bosch. Approximately 50 other people were at the gathering. They looked at new ways to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people in their region, especially in light of recent devastation.

“One man said, ‘If we are able to have access to this technology for our own fields, it could transform our farms.’

“But then the community leader…piped up and he said, ‘This could transform our entire community.’”

An ASM shipment of audio Bibles in Mozambique. (Photo courtesy of Audio Scripture Ministries)

Alongside aid and agricultural programs, ASM distributes audio Bibles to people in need. The holistic transformation that comes from physical and spiritual encouragement is what the ministry is all about.

As Frizzell puts it, “It’s offering us [an] opportunity to really seek out ways to meet physical needs. And as we know, people who have their physical needs met become much more open to hearing about a God that loves them and cares for every aspect of their lives.”

It’s not too late to donate towards ASM’s Mozambique aid container. Click here to give!

Also, please keep praying for the people of Mozambique. “Prayer is essential as we lift up our brothers and sisters in Mozambique who have gone through a very, very difficult time.”

Frizzell says, “What’s exciting is that the people of Mozambique are resilient. They are committed to ministering to one another, to lifting up one another, [and] to helping family, friends, and their neighbors. So we need to continue to pray for them, that the resources will become available for them to continue to not just rebuild, but to build into the future.”

Header photo courtesy of Audio Scripture Ministries.

An OMer helping with crowd control in Sri Lanka. (OM photo)

The ship is called Logos Hope. OM’s Dale Rhoton says, “We get about one million people a year that walk up the gang-ways of our ship. We’re able to get into so many different kinds of countries:150 different countries, including over 20 that are closed to the Gospel.”

What’s the draw? Logos Hope has one of the largest floating bookstores, featuring all kinds of books including Christian and non-Christian titles. 30% of the books sold are Christian titles and Bibles.

People are also drawn to young people from various nationalities. Rhoton says, “3/4 of the people on-board would be under 25. They come to learn and serve. This attracts a lot of people to the ship.”

The diversity also allows them into the communities away from the ship. “They get into schools, hospitals, civil clubs, and all sorts of events off the ship on shore. Also, on the ship we have a lot of programs going on, so a lot of the Gospel is going forth.”

Recently, Logos Hope was in Sri Lanka where conflict had prevented them from visiting before. This visit caused a stir never seen before. Rhoton says, “There were so many people who came [to see the ship] that it became quite a challenge just to keep peace and order in the port. We even had to close the ship down at one point.”

22 OM teams leave the ship for on-shore ministry. (OM photo)

More than 120 crew members, all volunteers, help run Logos Hope and the ship outreach. “We’re constantly looking for new people to come and join. You don’t need to be a professional seaman. About 20% of the people that serve on the ship have some special profession. But [for] 80%, their greatest ability is availability. They want to change the world.”

You may not be able to go on a two-year tour, but you can help financially to help cover fuel costs and other expenses. Rhoton says, “We can spend up to $2 million to move the ship from one port to another, to operate everything that’s needed on the ship. Some people are interested in helping to support some of the young people who come onboard.”

If you’d like to volunteer to serve on the ship or donate to OM ships, click here.

Logos Hope is currently in Hong Kong for a month in dry-dock for annual routine maintenance. Still, ministry continues at 120 crew members will be serving in 22 land base teams. Pray for the teams as they serve in local churches to assist in relief work in the Philippines.

The Logos Hope, an outreach of Operation Mobilization, needs engineers to help impact lives for eternity through their ship ministry.

Qualified marine engineers are urgently needed to to operate and maintain their 132-meter-long vessel, according to Operation Mobilization's Web site.

Logos Hope brings knowledge, help and hope to the people around the
world by supplying vital literature resources, encouraging
cross-cultural understanding, training young people for more effective
life and service, providing needed relief, and sharing a message of hope
in God wherever there is opportunity. 

Each ship is a floating bookstore with Christian and educational
literature, and has an on-board community of 300-400 crew and staff from
approximately 40 nations who work with local churches and reach out to
impact each city they visit. 

The Logos Hope was built in 1973 as a ferry and underwent major renovations between 2004 and 2009 to transform it into a passenger ship. The 9-deck vessel is equipped with 4 main engines producing a total of 11,768 kW and three generators for power supply, auxiliary equipment and air-conditioning. The vessel features a mix of older equipment and machinery as well as newer technology.

You'll be working together with qualified marine engineers and a team of on-board trained engine room watch keepers. A permanent Chief Engineer is needed, as well as an additional 1st or 2nd Engineer to join them now, and a replacement at the end of October for the current 1st Engineer. There's an additional need of a 3rd Engineer.

If you're up to the challenge, you must have the requisite technical ability, have a passion for people, be a committed to Christ and the Logos Hope ministry, be able to work with a team of young international crew, and possess a valid STCW certification.

An international crew and staff of volunteers live and work on the ships, and there is usually accommodation for a spouse or family. The ship also has an on-board school for children.

Investing in young people and keeping a life-changing ministry operating with your technical skills is rewarding.

Being able to take part in the training program on board and receive personal input through daily devotions are just a few of the benefits.

For information, click here.

On December 31, 2009, OM Ships International, a branch of Operation Mobilization, had to retire the ship known as the MV Doulos. The ship had been a part of OM for 32 years.

The MV Doulos was used in the past for the Lord's work across the world. In its 32 years with OM, it carried medicine, food, clothing, Christian literature and much more to those in need across the globe. It also traveled enough miles to have circumvented the earth 16 times.

Over 21 million people had been aboard the MV Doulos during OM's time with it. Many came to faith in Christ on the ship or as a result of the materials and ministry that traveled with it.

Especially given its rich and fruitful history, the process of decommissioning the ship was not easy. Many prayers were answered, however, when businessman Eric Saw became the new owner.

Saw is the Chief Executive of BizNaz (Business of the Nazarene) Resources and could not be more excited to be the owner of MV Doulos. "[My family and I] see the Lord's hand and will very clearly in this transfer of stewardship and pray that we will be worthy and faithful stewards," Saw said in a recent OM press release.

Saw plans to use the ship as a host for various conferences and weddings and also hopes to open up a café, restaurant and bookstore. He plans to change the name of the ship to Doulos Phos, to mean both "servant" and "light."

Most excitingly, the vessel will still be used for ministry. Saw hopes to host a Bible study on the ship and to offer courses to help people grow in their faith. Saw already owns another ship that has a similar Christ-centered atmosphere.

Pray that the ship will continue to be a vessel to spread the message of Jesus Christ. Pray that many more would come to know the Lord on this historic boat.

Operation Mobilization just launched their newest vessel, Logos Hope. OM's Vice President of Partner Development Myles Toews says this ship is the reason they need more help. "This ship is considerably larger than the ship that it replaced, the Logos II. So we need significantly more people than in the past to maximize the potential of this new ship. Just to put it in perspective, this new ship is twice the size of the Logos II."

While the ship is operating, Toews says about 60 crew members are still needed to help maximize OM's ministry of reaching out to the world with the Gospel– bringing knowledge, help and hope.

Toews says a variety of people are needed — some with experience and some without. "Captains, deckhands, ship mates, engineers, and we also need some I-T people and other specialties. But for the most part, we need willing workers who would like to commit two years of their life to serve on the ship."

Workers are needed for housekeeping, kitchen, and similar positions to help behind the scenes. Toews says, "We 'intake' people who serve on the ships twice a year. One intake is in the summer. The other one is at the beginning of the year."

The age of the volunteers also varies. "We have people join us right out of high school. They serve for two years before they continue their education. Then, we have another wave of people that come after college. We also have a whole range of young adults and middle-aged people," says Toews.

Each staff member is responsible for raising support. Toews says, "When you work everything in, it averages about $900 a month. That would include airfare to get to the ship."

With the difficult economic times, you would think raising support would be difficult. "Individuals who are interested may find it a little more challenging to get sponsorship, but one thing about the difficult economy is that it really does make people go back to thinking about what really is important. So I think there are people who may be even more motivated to invest in eternal things as a result of the economy."

To learn more about the OM Ships Ministry, click here.

OM Ships International touches the lives of about one million people every year. Up to 400 volunteer staff are needed on Logos Hope alone.

If you are interested in short-term work with OM Ships International, then take the next STEP. After two-four months of training, participants will get a
taste of world-wide service in a multicultural environment. 

Living in a community of over 300 from more than 45 different countries is an experience that is both rewarding and challenging. You will be sharing a cabin with up to three other people, with limited space and privacy. However, you will find great opportunities to build deep friendships on the ship and to interact with local people in port communities, both informally and through organized programs and teams.

OM says you'll work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week in one of their work departments, such as the kitchen, cleaning or project teams. Along with a five-day work week, a sixth day is designated for ministry or training opportunities.

OM desires that every person on board deepen their relationship with God and learn how to apply and share their faith in a relevant way. Community activities such as morning devotions, study groups and prayer evenings are all designed with this goal in mind. As well, you will have access to training resources such as teaching mp3s and DVDs.

If you're interested in taking a STEP of faith, click here.

International Director for Operation Mobilization, Peter Maiden said: "As Logos Hope sails from Køge, a great day has arrived in the history of OM Ships and, I believe, in the history of OM. It is both encouraging and challenging to think of the huge number of people who will meet with God on this vessel or through teams sent from this vessel in the years to come."

The Faroe Islands-registered Logos Hope will "bring knowledge, help and hope" to people in port cities all over the world. The ship carries vital literature resources, aid supplies and an all-volunteer crew and staff.

"This is a huge milestone and represents a great step forward in the fulfillment of our vision to impact the life of every visitor. Now it is up to us to fill what God and His people have entrusted to us with life and creative opportunities! The launch of Logos Hope moves us a step closer to 'touching everyone in a million.' We are grateful for the prayers and practical participation of God's people worldwide!" said OM Ships International CEO Bernd Guelker.

The huge project to renovate and outfit the ship has included replacing and upgrading fire, safety, electrical, and ventilation systems, renewing accommodation and other community spaces, and installing a whole new deck for the "visitor experience," including the world's largest floating book fair. In recent months, enormous effort has gone into fulfilling all the requirements to obtain the vital Passenger Ship Safety Certificate and ensuring that all the safety procedures and vessel documentation are in order.

Following initial rebuilding work in a Croatian shipyard, almost all the work has been completed by professional volunteers and other willing workers. Individuals, churches, trusts and other community groups have donated over $33,500,000 to make the ship ready for service. A final boost in donations is now needed to help complete remaining projects and cover ongoing operating costs. Work still to be done includes further outfitting in the visitor experience and the 450-seat Hope Theater. This will be ongoing over the first months of ministry service.

"Momentum is building as Logos Hope sails," said Logos Hope Director, Mike Hey. "We still have some more work to do to complete the project, but we are thankful for the opportunities in the coming ports to welcome people into the unique Logos Hope experience and see the potential of this vessel develop. We start with lots of excitement and growing energy but with much need to see more people join the team."

The schedule includes a short visit to Gothenburg, Sweden, followed by two ports in the Netherlands. The ship will visit ports in the UK, the Faroe Islands and Ireland, before setting sail for the West Indies, where Logos II–the ship Logos Hope replaces–was well known and much loved as '"he book ship." Logos Hope crew and staff are thrilled to be able to embark on this first ministry voyage and put the ship's public ministry facilities into service. A number of events have already taken place on board as facilities have become available for use.

"We recognize that we would not be where we are today without the great efforts of skilled people–often accomplished 'behind the scenes' and with much sweat, pain and difficulty. We are grateful for their perseverance, patience and prayer in the face of many challenges. Their work has been a tremendous expression of personal faith and courage. Looking to the future, the investment made will result in millions of people experiencing the grace and love of God," said Logos Hope Project Director Lloyd Nicholas, Australia.

Resources on board the much smaller Logos II were regularly overstretched in hosting the many thousands of people who visited each day. Once all facilities on board Logos Hope are completed, and as additional crew and staff join, Logos Hope will offer significantly larger capacity to serve port communities around the world.

The project to replace Logos II began in September 2001. It gathered momentum with the purchase of Logos Hope in 2004.

Now, after years of complex planning and hard work, the ship has reached the point of launch into operational ministry. Up to 400 volunteer crew and staff can live and work on board and many more people are still needed. There are also Short-Term Exposure Program places available.

For the first time in the history of OM's ship ministry, a significant number of cabins are set aside for teams from churches and other groups to join the ship and serve alongside the crew for one week or more. This is a unique short-term mission service opportunity and one OM Ships International is looking forward to developing in the coming months.

Contributions toward Logos Hope can be made through OM offices around the world or online at: www.omships.org/donate.

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

OMSI began in 1970 as part of the global Christian training and outreach movement, OM International. The crew and staff of 500, including professional seafarers, are all non-salaried volunteers. With over 70 different nationalities represented, the onboard communities are a fascinating expression of cross-cultural living and understanding that reflect the church around the world. Crew members are unified by their faith and their goal to share God's love as they serve in port communities. The ships remain in port for several weeks and is  open to thousands of visitors every day.

Over one million visitors come on board each year to browse the hallmark of the ships–a large floating book fair with 6,000 titles in stock, including books for university studies, professional and career interests, history, science, economics, language learning, hobbies, novels, children's stories, biographies, dictionaries, atlases and a wide variety of Christian resources, including Bibles, study materials and books on Christian living.

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

Since 1970, more than 38 million people have visited the ships during more than 1,350 port visits in 158 nations.

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

It's time for annual maintenance to keep the vessel in shipshape. "Dry dock" is a time for crew to do all the things they can't do while the ship is open to the public. The crew is excited for this time since they get to do new things. Some members work on repairs while others serve in different ways on shore in Bremerhaven, Germany.

"I normally work in the Book Fair, but now I'm working in maintenance," said Elysse Redmond from the U.S. The priority now is to get the ship ready as well as to obtain a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate.

While the crew does maintenance, the leadership of Logos II and Logos Hope are preparing in other ways. When Logos II returns to its program schedule in September, there will be a transfer of about 120 personnel from Logos Hope to Logos II. They are planning now to make it an effective transition.

In September, they will celebrate the personnel transfer and the new program with a short public program. Then, they set sail.

Logos Hope will replace Logos II with a commissioning service September 22, 2007.  After three years of work and a year's worth of delays the end of the project is finally in view. At that time all the people who have been a part of the process are invited to celebrate in Bremen, Germany.

OM Ships International is an organization that does port visits around the world to share God's love to 1.5 million people each year through literature, programs, and relief work.  Their multi-cultural crews are from over 50 countries and many different
churches.  Because of this, even closed countries are miraculously welcoming.

Their desire is that every person is helped one step closer to a personal relationship with Jesus.  Once Logos Hope is operating, the thousands of people that walk up the gangway each
day will have a more interactive experience. There will be a large ministry deck where people will be able to interact with the crew, purchase Christian literature and Bibles, and have coffee.  A conference room will be showing the JESUS film and two other meeting rooms will be available for presentations about the Gospel.

Logos Hope has 500 beds that will make room for 400 crew and staff members and 100 visitors.  Visitors filling those remaining 100 beds will be OM's partners, mission crews who are working alongside OM, parents, and pastors who are volunteering for shorter periods of time.

There are currently 70 volunteers working on the ship in Trogrir, Croatia at any given time.  When the ship arrives in Bremen, Germany sometime in May, it will be equipped for volunteers who meet it there.  "That's the moment when we want to see an army of people come and join us over the summer into August/September to finish the project," said President of OM Ships International, Hans VanBaaren.  At that time, finishing painting, laying carpet, cleaning and decorating will be the objective.

 OM Ships international is looking to recruit 300 people into their ministry for one or
two years of service on the ships.  "We pray, and they can pray with us, and even search their own heart.  If they're ready for a challenging time- step out, test their faith, learn about different cultures, be trained and equipped in doing evangelism, join the ships and have the time of their life."

 "Without people they are just buckets of rust I sometimes say," said VanBaaren.  Teams are needed in Bremen in May to complete all the work there is to do.  Those interested in volunteering can visit OM Ships International's website.  Please pray that the God will send forth workers to fill the positions that are open in this growing ministry.