PSSC

We got it! :)

Thank YOU, thank you. 

Now let the voyage begin. :) weeehoo!

ETD Koege : 19th Feb.

With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm

it's probably a good time to give an update about the 'situation'.
We're still fixing up the bits and pieces, ticking off the list that will enable us to get the PSSC.
( it's the word that is SO on our minds that it literally roles off people's tongues ) Like, if you want to say "PST", it comes out "PSSC", and so on and so forth.

I hope we get it soon. And then we can finally move on!
For me it's been just a little over a month to wait, for some people, it's been 8months? And for others - this journey started 5 years ago.
So it HAS been a long wait, and the launching of Logos Hope into ministry would be much anticipated.

The good news is, this Saturday has ALREADY been 'ear-marked' as our PSSC Celebration. The announcement was, "We might not be able to sail immediately after the PSSC, but we will celebrate our PSSC." The PSSC would open doors to all the other documents necessary for sail, and optimistically, we'd sail as early as Thursday ( yes, next Thursday! ). It has been a long journey. Trying, needless to say. On many counts. Thank God for perseverence.

This weekend is expected to be our last weekend here in Koge, and we are already changing our schedules to prepare for ministry!
Notices like : "Make sure your cabin is ready to sail. Everything that needs to be bolted down should be, we don't want stuff falling all over your cabins and breaking. Pillows may be fine, but your mother's vase from home will not." "Make sure all vaccinations are present.", "You would be given seasick tablets when the time comes.", etc are being made so I guess the moment really IS coming.

I'm glad. It's about time. And I can see the community's hearts and minds being more focused on prayer and on God's purposes. There have been little ripples of prayer and worship and reverence here and there - and I really think - it's about time.
We are probably not totally ready for what is ahead, but at least we got our focuses right, and that is most important.

So yea, I will let you know when we sail. When it's finally confirmed.
And when that time comes then internet access may be not-so-present, and things like that.
I'm still reachable at Michelle.Ding@gbaships.org at all times though.
Our first journey will be a short one ( about a day ) and it should be to Sweden.

So yea, to HOPE.
We're all hoping very much now.

God, be our Peace-maker, but also be our Pace-maker.

What they all mean, and what it means to us

Okay, now to explain. 

PSSC stands for  "Passenger Ship Safety Certificate"

Now in order for a ship like LogosHope, which contains lots of sailing passengers, ( ie : mua ), to sail in the great oceans, she needs a PSSC. Other ships that would need a PSSC would be Cruise ships, or certain sorts of ferries. Container ships, however, do not need a PSSC. 

The Doulos has been getting its PSSC for 10s of years ( since the beginning of its ministry ) with no problem, and the Logos & Logos II before their decomissioning had it renewed year after year, but for LogosHope, it's been a long journey in attaining and preparing this ship. So much has been done, but still there's more. Thousands of items ( probably ) have been ticked off the To-Do list, but there's still the odd 100. But then this is life for us on the LogosHope, now. 

We want to sail, but :

1) We need the PSSC ( and the other OTHER documents & permissions : ISPS, ISPM, Insurance for Sailing ( now we have Port Insurance only.. ) etc ) 

2) Are we ready? ( as in physically, mentally, emotionally and especially spiritually?) 

The PSSC checks the readiness of the vessel, but God checks the contents and intent of the heart.  I have been thinking that THAT is the key. All this other things should be nothing to God. As long as the heart be ready, then there will be the breakthrough, and we can finally move on to the next season of ministry. 

I hope to be here when that happens. I hope we as a ship company, grow up. 

Then there will be much pomp and circumstance. 

Not just here on LogosHope, not just throughout OM ( Operation Mobilisation ), but I'm sure up there in the heavenlies as well.

A thought : if we were a TV drama series, it would've been exciting if we finally moved on already! Episode 235 : Life in Koge, Day#202 )  heh. 

This past week the Surveyor's from Lloyd's have been walking around all day long, in their workmen suits checking and rechecking every nook and cranny, every connection, every hole. Firedoors, fire dampers, lights, water - everything. They have been very critical, and very thorough -and it think that would be necessary. 

The crew are anticipating our departure from this town, finally. But we'll still have to see. Apparently when they first got here, they thought that they could sail right off, I think it's been almost a year now - and still - we are anchored at this port. A good port, and much has been done in partnership with the local churches here -- but a lot of people, joining a "ship" ministry - would undeniably, like to sail. Interestingly, a fair number don't really care anymore - and have resorted to what the Filipinos say, "Bahala, na" "Whatever will be, will be.". 

And I think we have to agree. "Man can plan, but it is God who decides". "For My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than yours" 

So that's what's been happening. It's an important week, this. 

And we are hoping for nothing short of a miracle. 

The final report that came in said that it would be "humanly impossible" to get the certification, then the other documents, and then set sail on our target date February 10th, but we ARE believing and praying for divine intervention. 

And this God has been faithful. He has been Ebenezer. ( Hitherto, Thou has helped me )

He has done it so many times, He can do it again. 

I guess it also makes sense. 

That it has to be nothing short of a miracle to set this ship afloat and a-sailing-ho. 

And nothing short of a miracle for us to have the hope that we now have in Him. 

( lest we would think it is by our own strengths and capabilities .. ) 

Still - may His plan prevail. And may we be able trust the One who sees the bigger picture. 

So yea, pray for that - pray however you will. 

But as fellow supporters in this work, it is your right to know these things. 

And my responsibility to make sure you are aptly updated. 

Please, if anything just email me and I will gladly answer any questions you may have about the progress of this /ship/ my life on ship/ etc. 

Hugs to all, and thank you for your profoundly humbling support, prayers and love. 

-m - 

PRAY!

Okay, can't believe I haven't mentioned this yet, so this will be a blurp.

Full story later!

PSSC is this week!

What that basically means is that the Surveyors are here to check and certify if the ship is fit for sailing. 

They are very thorough and critical, but that is so the vessel will be made fully ready. 

What I am more concern about is the readiness of the Crew, I believe that once we are ready, we can sail. All in God's timing. 

So yea, pray along. If we get our certification, target sail date is February 10th. But all depends on how the evaluation goes. So this week is critical, and we need prayer!

If we get it, Feb 10th will be the Logos Hope's maiden journey to missions since 4-5 years now. So you will be 'taking part' in something rather momentous, I'd say. 

I will keep you updated, of course. And more on that - I gotta rush off to work now. 

Please PRAY PRAY PRAY. Send a 'knee-mail', haha. I just learnt that from my ship brother, Sam. Knee-mail ( okay, corny Christian joke ) -- but it's true!

"The shortest distance from a problem to it's solution is the distance of our knees to the floor". A dear, dear friend once told me that, and I've always remembered ever since. Good stuff. 

More later! thanks all.