Visiting Family in Eugene

I had a wonderful 2 week visit with my daughter and her family in Eugene.  They are a very busy family.  The newest granddaughter Aletheia arrived on July 11.

Pictures from Australia

 Galley on Pacific Link

 Geitz family on Pacific Link

Tug company moving the Pacific Link while I watch from the pier

 YWAM PNG arriving in Townsville from Papua New Guinea

 Great Barrier Reef

 Snorkel Buddy

 M/V Adrenalin -great trip to the Great Barrier Reef

 Sydney

 Maritime Museum Sydney

June and July in Australia

Here are some excerpts from emails I sent in June and July.  It provides a little insight into my journey.

June 21

God has my attention here in Townsville.  Craig Bower and I had a quick tour of the Pacific Link on Saturday.  The work that needs to be done is overwhelming, (that was not a surprise to me).  I went to church with Vicki this morning.  It was a great message about making declarations.   I realized that since I arrived, I have been resisting the role God has put me in.  Yes, I have been around this mountain before.  At least I realized it a little quicker this time.  The only way I will get volunteers is if I step up and be a leader, in this case step up to the role as Captain as God has called me.  

I am really thankful for Vicki who is my roommate.  She is a prayer warrior and very encouraging.  Thank you all for your prayers.

Blessings,

Ann

Hi Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers.  I know my week went better because of your prayers.  The First thing Monday Morning I had so many confirmations that God wanted me in this Captain role.  Then on Wednesday Craig and I met with Ken Mulligan (the Director of YWAM Medical Ships Australia.)  Ken shared the big picture that he sees and we know that is only part of the huge plan God has for Ships.  One of the details he shared (I cannot share it yet) is so amazing that it really built my faith.  So I continue to take life one day at a time, and try to be obedient to the steps God shows me and continue to believe that God is going to do something really big.

I did have a very refreshing trip to Magnetic Island with Vicki on Saturday.  I have attached a photo sailing a Hobie Cat on Horseshoe Bay.  The whole day was full of joy moments.

The plan is still to depart Townsville on Nov. 1 and start the first outreaches in PNG by Nov. 15.  I will know a lot more about how realistic that schedule is next week, but one think I know for sure, God has big Plans.

I leave Townsville on July 25, I spend a few days in Sydney and then a few days in Orange County with Aaron’s mom.  Then I go to Eugene to be with my daughter and Granddaughter #3 who will be born by then.  

I return to Townsville for the Gathering, then back to Kona for SONS.  After that I don’t have a plan.  I would appreciate your prayers.

July 2

I want to thank you again for your prayers and give you a little update.  I started reading this book “Against the Tide” by David Cowie.  It is about pioneering the YWAM Ships ministry in New Zealand.

He starts off saying God is more interested in Character Development than any building, ship or program.  I was feeling very inspired in my quiet time this morning.  

Then I got a phone call from Captain Jeremy, the former Captain of the Pacific Link.  He is still in PNG on the YWAM PNG.  He made arrangements for a Tug boat to move the Pacific Link and asked if I would be willing to oversee the operation.  That was a big stretch for me.  I told him I did not have any experience with a ship that big but I was willing.  

I showed up at the 8 am campus meeting and we started with stretching.  Physical stretching, then the leader related it to Spiritual stretching.  I was feeling very stretched.  about half way through the meeting I got a text from Jeremy that he had another Captain to oversee the operation and I should call the Captain at 9 am.   I shared with the group how God had stretched me and taken care of me.

It got even better.  When I called the Captain he said the Tug Company wanted to do the job this morning and they would provide the line handlers.  So it ended up Craig and I just drove down to the pier and watched them take care of the whole operation.  

I felt like I passed the test. Like Abraham, God was testing me to see if I would be obedient, when I said yes, God took care of the whole situation.  I’m looking forward to seeing what God does next.

Blessings,

Ann

July 11

I am staying on the YWAM PNG.  It is really nice.  I have my own room with my own bathroom and shower and hot water!  and the toilet works every time..  

When I got back to the ship I went up to the Sun deck which I had all to myself  with a beautiful view of the ocean outside the harbor.  I had a good time with the Lord.  I cried and cried and processed so much hurt and pain and grief.  In the end God brought me to Isaiah 61.    I usually think of that as God is sending me to heal others, but today I gave God my broken heart and received healing.  I really received v. 7 they will inherit a double portion and everlasting joy will be theirs.

Not much is happening with the Pacific Link that we can see, but I know God is up to something big.  On Friday morning during Worship Robyn called up the People from YWAM Ships Kona (me, Craig, Sonja and Micheal Geitz) and everyone prayed over us.  It was super encouraging.  So many words and pictures spoken over us.  

Pictures with friends Winter 2015

Pictures of Family visits Winter 2015

Easter 2015 Update

Dear  Family and Friends,

Happy Easter!  He is Risen Indeed!  In Kona we started the day with a 4.4 earthquake! Then we had a beautiful community sunrise service at 6 a.m.  

I returned to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii a week ago.  I had a wonderful time visiting family and friends on the mainland with stops in Eugene OR, Portland OR, Olympia WA, Seattle WA, Reno NV, and Redding CA,  followed by 9 days on Oahu.  God provided elements of physical, emotional and spiritual healing at every stop.  I truly feel refreshed and restored.  One breakthrough came at Bethel Church in Redding.  During worship we sang You’re a Good Good Father.  One of the lines is “You are perfect in all of your ways.”  I struggled with that line saying to God:  “Really God, that experience I went through loosing Aaron and the Hawaii Aloha, as well as the physical injuries I received, did not seem very perfect.”  God showed me the good things that have come out of that loss and He continues to bring blessings every day.  Two ships have been donated and two PartnerShips are preparing to depart for missions next week.  You can read about those vessels at www.ywamships.net.

I am running Fleet Support for now.  This is a big job providing shore support and administration for the two new ships and the two partnerships. 

I’m still praying and waiting on the Lord for my long term ministry plans with YWAM Ships.  My short term plans include returning to Washington State to help with the West Coast Tour in June, spending time with my daughter Sabeth for the birth of her third daughter, and meeting my son Remy’s daughter.   Remy was able to see his daughter for the first time in ten years on Good Friday.   Take a look at their picture posted on my blog.  They look so much alike.  I hope to get to Townsville Australia for Fleet Support training in August and the YWAM Global gathering in September.  I will be leading the School of Navigation and Seamanship (SONS) again Fall Quarter.

As I enter this new season in my life I am grateful for the many lessons I have learned.  I have a whole new understanding of the depth and breadth of God’s love for me.  God has poured out his love through so many people.  My prayer is that you will experience God’s love for yourself.  When we lost the Hawaii Aloha, I lost all of my personal belongings as well.  Now, I understand it was “just stuff” and most of it does not need to be replaced.  Most importantly, LIFE IS SHORT!  Way to short to hold on to un-forgiveness in any area of life.  I pray that God will bring restoration and renewal to your relationships.

I am also excited for all that God has for me in this new season.  Although I will not be returning to Micronesia in the near future, I am able to provide support for even more outreach teams to the most remote Islands in Micronesia.  All of us in Youth With a Mission (YWAM) raise our own support.  If you would like to partner with me to bring God’s Love to these remote Islands, please to go the “How to Give” tab on my Blog  www.sailorann.blogspot.com

Thank you for all of your prayers and support.

Aloha,

Captain Ann

First 2015 Update

March 1 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

I have a lot of catching up to do.  I have had a very challenging season.  On January 3, 2015 while underway near the West Coast of Hawaii Island, the Hawaii Aloha was hit by a rogue wave and capsized.  Four of us were able to get into the life raft and were later rescued.   Our dear friend and crewmember Aaron Bremner was never found.  The ship rolled over completely two times before we were able to get into the life raft.  We think it rolled at least one more time before it washed up on a beach near the Four Seasons Resort.  It was a total loss.

I was seriously banged up and bruised, but no broken bones.  I had one big laceration on the side of my knee, which became infected and landed me back in the hospital for four days after my initial discharge from the Emergency Room. 

I am so thankful for all of the prayers and words of encouragement I received.  I have never experienced anything like that, both in the tragic loss and the outpouring of love and support.  Recovery has been slow, but steady.  When I was in the life raft, I kept thinking,  “I want to see my family.  I want to be with my kids.”   I spent ten days in Eugene Oregon with my daughter and her family.  My granddaughters bring so much joy!  I am on my way now to visit my brother, my son and more friends.

 YWAM Ships Kona truly gave me the love and protection of a family.  You can read more about what happened and see many of the wonderful tributes to Aaron at www.ywamships.net .  We are moving forward and I believe we will have even more ships.  We had an amazing year in 2014 bringing hope to some of the remote islands in Micronesia.  There are so many more people to reach. For the short term I will be working with Fleet Support, helping to put more systems in place to be prepared for our new ships. 

I will get more photos and stories from the School of Navigation and Seamanship posted on my blog www.sailorann.blogspot.com.  Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for the crew and YWAM Ships.  I would love to hear from you.

Aloha,

Captain Ann