More Pictures from my Western Pacific Visits

From the top:  S/V Ruach view from the bow,  Bell on S/V Ruach, New YWAM Base just outside Port Moresby,  Woodworking container Built and shipped by YWAM Ships Norway loaded on the deck of the M/V YWAM Liberty in Port Moresby, girl receiving gift from Operation Christmas Child at Local Church in Port Moresby,  Team Spaghetti on the YWAM Liberty, YWAM Liberty crew, S/V Beatnik, Great Mercury Island, New Zealand,  Beatnik under sail rounding the Coromandel Peninsula, NZ,   Lauren and me at the waterfall on the Marine Reach base, Tauranga, NZ.

What do I do?

I sat down with my long time friend Nancy the other day while she was visiting extended family in Kona.

She had been with me since the beginning of my faith journey.  I clearly remember the day in 2005 when the small group from my local church prayed for me.  They gave me a picture of angels in the place of a figurehead on the bow of a sailboat.  Boy have I kept my angels busy.

Nancy asked “What do you do?”

My role with YWAM Ships has changed over the past 5 years.  It is all about “Transformation”

I am being transformed from a “git er done” taskmaster, to understanding that God brings about transformation through relationships.  Relationships are the main thing. That is why I travel- to build relationships.  In my travels this year I met a missionary from Wycliff.  His title is “Director for Strategic Relationships”.  I think that’s a good description of the Holy Spirit and how he works in my life.

In New Zealand, I was filling the role of Designated Person Ashore (DPA) for our medical ship the YWAM Liberty in Papua New Guinea. (and developing strategic relationships).

In Port Moresby while onboard the YWAM Liberty I served as Ship Manager, during  that time I had to face some of my own unresolved issues as I helped to resolve many conflicts in relationships.  I also built relationships with key people on board which helps me trouble shoot situations on board while in my current role of Fleet Support in Kona.

In Newcastle, Australia  I was able to catch up with the staff of YWAM Newcastle, debrief Katie, a student from the September 2018 SONS who was earning credit for field experience on the S/V Ruach, as well as make new friends who will surely fit into the YWAM Ships story in the future.

All the while developing, improving and expanding our School of Navigation and Seamanship, which you guessed it requires good communications and teamwork in relationships.