Airlie Beach And Whitsunday Islands

I spent time with Hal and Cathy Strong on their yacht Amanda.

YWAM Newcastle

Out and about with Mike and Karen Thorpe in Newcastle.

S/V Ruach

 Shakedown cruise in Germany

 Jesse was my student last year in the School of Navigation and Seamanship. now he is the ships Manager on the Ruach.

I spent the last few days in Newcastle Australia helping YWAM leaders to set up Fleet Support for their new vessel the Ruach (means Spirit in Hebrew)

Update from Australia

Dear  Friends

I want to thank you for your prayers and support.  My time in Australia has been very fruitful.

Here is a summary of the Ship Equipped Ministry conference from our YWAM Ships Kona Director, Brett Curtis:

“We discussed issues of communication, crisis management, interfacing with Government and developing marine training to better meet future regulations, as well as having various Fleet Support offices helping new ministries come online with things such as insurance and technical assistance. We learned that we now have 24 vessels in our fleet. Our fleet is growing in both size and influence and we all agreed upon the need to develop very intentionally as we move forward. We heard the first day from Loren and Darlene Cunningham, the Founders of YWAM, as they recounted the early days of pioneering with difficult lessons learned: Listen very carefully to God, keep Jesus central, don't quit, and grow in strength together - referencing the UofN and Ships' twin vision.

In typical YWAM style vessels of all shapes and sizes are being used depending on the local need.

Lessons being learned in the PNG theatre are proving instructional for other locations. God is giving us a training ground to engage in a nation together as twins. “

I was able to meet with leaders who also have Maritime training as their Primary focus and we are moving forward as a team. 

From Townsville, I rode with new friends, Hal and Cathy, to Airlie Beach and  encouraged their vision to use their 50 foot Ketch in Missions in Melanesia. I stayed at the YWAM Whitsunday Base and was excited to see how God is growing his network of mariners.

A short stop in Brisbane allowed me to get my visa for Papua New Guinea (PNG) and make more friends at YWAM Brisbane. 

I was picked up at the Newcastle airport by Mike and Karen Thorpe with their speed boat in tow.  After a delicious lunch of fish and chips on the beach, they launched the boat and gave me a grand tour of Port Stephens.  The sights, sounds and the smell of outboard motor exhaust brought back so many memories of of my childhood, cruising in the San Juan Islands in Washington State with my family. 

My first three days in Newcastle were Rest and Recreation while seeing many sights in the area.  Then we had two days of very productive meetings with the “Ships” staff at YWAM Newcastle.  I shared my experience in Ship Equipped Ministry and Fleet Support and they created a structure that will help them move forward with their new ship the S/V Ruach (Ruach means Spirit in Hebrew).

See http://ywamships.net/ruach/

Tomorrow I fly to PNG.  Please pray for my health and safety as I serve as Ship Manager onboard the M/V Pacific Link for a month.  I will be updating my blog where you can also find information on how you can partner with me in reaching the isolated with the Love of God.

Blessings,

Captain Ann