Studies Show: Short-term Mission Trips Can Change Your Heart

Did you know that The Barna Group...

...pioneered the discipline of faith-related statistics?
...has studied the effects of short-term mission trips?

Did you know that OM...

...pioneered the short-term mission movement?
...would love for you to read the Barna study?
...can customize a short-term mission trip for your small group?

You can be a statistic!

Be one of the few who have shared God's love in another culture. Go, and keep taking friends with you until the next Barna study shows that you are in the majority.

Cyber Sea Voyage

The Logos Hope had a successful launch in London this weekend. The ship is now sailing and you can track its trip online via the Logos Hope Voyage Dashboard. You'll find a GPS map and a Google Earth map, as well as three webcams. The webcams are still images which change at regular intervals. Frequency of uploads depends on what is going on at the time and also how much bandwidth is available to the ship.

Here's a screen shot from the only outside webcam. This is the view from the Port Bridge Wing. The crew is scheduled to land at Cork, Ireland on July 1st. If you are close by, go see them!

Verwer on praying through mission news

This week, ASSIST news service has been covering preparations for the London launch of Logos Hope. ASSIST stands for Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times. OM founder George Verwer talks about how ASSIST has been a resource for his own prayer life.

Meet the Captain

From the bridge of Logos Hope, Captain Dirk Colenbrander talks about his calling with ASSIST News Reporter Peter Wooding:

Verwer interviewed about Logos Hope launch

ASSIST News Service (ANS) is on hand for the London launch of Logos Hope scheduled tomorrow. ANS reporter Peter Wooding took a few minutes with OM founder George Verwer to talk about plans for the new ship.

Notes from an OM trekker...

The Richness of God in Nepal

I've been in Nepal for just over three months; days rich with experiences of God's goodness.

One of the major ministries in Nepal is trekking, in which we sell books in remote areas where people often have never heard of God's Son. The time is an amazing experience, as you depend on God to provide for all your needs, including food and a place to stay each night.

I went on my second trek a few weeks ago, this time as the leader. I was uncomfortable with that position for many reasons, not the least of which is my still limited Nepali. Continually God assured me He would take care of everything we needed, and I saw this in wonderful ways.

On the top of a mountain in a tiny village, my friend and I were talking with a group of women. They seemed interested, but we had shared everything we could in Nepali. At that time, a man came who told us he was a Nepali believer. He bought one of the books and started sharing its truths with one woman. He suggested she buy the book and read for herself, and when she said she had no money, he gave her his copy and bought another!

Every time, God sent someone to share when we couldn't. Plus, every night, He provided us with a place to stay. Twice we slept outside, and when the storms came, He provided a shelter. God provided exactly what we needed at every moment.

[Would you like to see firsthand the richness of God in Nepal? The next trek starts in November. Get more information.]

"World's Largest Floating Book Fair"

The largest ship in the history of the OM fleet, Logos Hope, will be officially launched in London this weekend. ASSIST News has a great article about the scope of this new ship's ministry, as well as a rare photo of OM founder George Verwer in a suit.

You're invited to the party!

The Logos Hope first set sail on February 19 but its official UK launch is this weekend. London is the home of OM International and founder George Verwer.

Rick Hicks, OM's North American Area Director says, "We're excited about the launch of this ship. We've been praying toward this weekend a long time and rejoice with everyone who has had a part in getting Logos Hope ready to serve the nations." Rick and his wife Kathy will attend the celebration along with the chairman of the OM USA board and his wife, and several pastors. If you are in London this weekend you may also attend! See the invitation and event schedule schedule from OM Ships International.

Another free book from George (!) and a chance to get involved

George Verwer talks about Transform 2010, a short-term mission focus on the Mediterranean, with leader Witherall. At the end he tells you about a special book offer.

World Refuge Sunday

Today we remember in prayer our brothers and sisters left without a home. This video may help you focus your prayers as you listen to the words of the song "Hold On".

Orphan, Widow, and Alien

Sunday is World Refugee Sunday. Let's remember those who are being oppressed and forced from their homelands.

First Dalit Graduation

We rejoice with OM India over the first graduating class from their Dalit Education Centers. Dalit [pronounced Dah-LEET] means "untouchable" and is used to describe those in the lowest part of the Indian caste system. To see an entire class of 17 Dalit children empowered by education is a real kingdom moment. Praise the Lord for those at OM India who made this happen. Read more on this story and continue to pray for the Dalits and for the end of the caste system in our lifetime.

Pray for Hungary short-term mission teams

Please remember the Bill Drake worship team as they leave for Hungary Saturday. And please continue praying for the Dancelink team already there.

OM has many opportunities to serve through the arts, sports, or administration. See our upcoming short-term mission trips and long-term options, keep watching for those in your own area of interest.

Worship with the Tonga of Malawi

OM Heartsounds encourages indigenous praise music worldwide. Here is a worship service among the Tonga people of Malawi. According to the Heartsounds YouTube channel, "The Tonga language is one of 7 primary languages of Malawi and, as is characteristic of each language group, specific dance movements accompany its music. What you view here is just a small segment of a longer worship time, which we were both pleased and honored to experience together with them."

“I now only speak about 300 times a year"

How did OM founder George Verwer meet his wife Drena?

What's the story behind his famed global jacket?

And when does this mission visionary plan to retire?

Find out in this new article by ASSIST News. In it, George candidly recalls moments from his OM story with his usual humor and passion. It's a great read.

Hungary has opportunities for athletes

Local church planters in Hungary are looking for baseball, softball, and (American) football players interested in short-term outreach. Anyone who’s at least 18 years old and willing to commit 6 months – 2 years is welcome to apply. For more information, see the Sportslink page.

Verwer in Lebanon

George Verwer gives us a view of Lebanon in this recent post on his site:

We love volunteers!

Looking for a stateside ministry with worldwide impact? Consider volunteering at our corporate office in Tyrone, Georgia. Many positions have just been posted to the OM site.

Christian bookstore in Thailand

Thanks to the efforts of the OM team in Northeast Thailand, a well-stocked Christian bookstore has now opened—the only one of its kind within 100 miles in any direction! The shop is in a good downtown location and offers literature in both Thai and Lao. Recently, a volunteer team came from a church in New Mexico, USA, bringing hundreds of books, Christian t-shirts, bookmarks, and other items for the new bookstore. The group also visited orphanages and worked alongside small rural churches, performing puppet skits, dancing, and singing Gospel songs in rural schools, shopping centers, and orphanages. One team member provided a year's supply of nutritional supplements for the children in a small Christian orphanage that was in much need of that kind of help.

Praise God that these visitors were able to share the Gospel with hundreds, leaving an eternal mark of encouragement on the lives of so many local believers simply by working alongside them. Pray for other international groups that are coming to leave their mark, and for the permanent team to be able to follow up new opportunities.

Dancers headed to Hungary

A team from OM's DanceLink will be in Budapest this summer for a two-week outreach. Please be in prayer for them as they make their preparations. Pray for travel safety and for favor among the local people. We believe the Lord is doing something new through this ministry and trust He will draw many to Him during this time. Praise God that the team found a local photographer who will be capturing some of their performances on film. Watch for updates here!

Free book download

George Verwer's new book is available in PDF format.

Download your copy here!

URGENT prayer for Europe this week

Today we turn from joyful prayers to more serious intercession. OM USA's prayer leader Graham Wells would like us to join the 24/7 prayer movement in praying for Europe over the next few days. Here is 24/7's co-founder Pete Greig with the specifics -- thanks for praying:

Click here to
learn more about
the needs in Europe.

"It increases your prayer life!"

Something fun for the weekend: OM founder George Verwer on a roller coaster in Copenhagen (with subtitles):

OM USA news

Have you read the latest on the OM USA website? New additions include a link to a virtual ship tour, and a story about the impact of God's Word in Thailand. Check it out!

GOING: on foot...

Run for the World (R4TW) is an annual event to raise funds for OM projects worldwide. This year, R4TW events in 10 countries were held on May 9. Money was raised for three projects:

• AidsLink in Nepal
• Tariro Day Care Centre in Zimbabwe and
  
• SportsLink camps worldwide.

Can't wait 'til next year's event? Take your passion for the road...on the road. Go on a winter trek in Nepal. This is a short-term ministry outreach to various villages in the country. Pray and see if God would have you join us there!

GOING: by bus

How do you adapt the ships' literature ministry to reach those father inland? In Europe, it's being done by bus. Bus4Life is a ministry of OM Central Europe whose goal is to equip and serve local churches. You can read more about their current outreaches on their blog. In Baja (Hungary) over Easter, participants were thrilled with Bus4Life:

Matt: To hear that this was the first time that the local youth had proclaimed the gospel on the streets of their city was a real encouragement and I definitely got the sense that this was the beginning of something great in Baja.

Beth: The Bus4Life helped provide a focal point in the local community for people to gather together to hear the gospel...

If Paul had had a bus,
he would surely have used it!

Ireland has its own traveling ministry called The Big Red Bus. Their bus is less library, more meet-n-greet. Team members take their double-decker event center to all types of gatherings, using the bus as everything from a puppet stage to a coffeehouse. See them in action below, as founder Mike Mullins gives you a tour. And read how this ministry started at the OM Ireland website.

GOING: by ship

Nothing says OM like the iconic ships ministry. The ships Doulos and Logos Hope sail to ports around the globe offering reading materials, relief services, and most importantly, relationships. Currently, the ships have several openings for accountants. Would you consider using your finance skills in this vital role? Read more about this niche opportunity.

Dan Lagasse: Hero of Hope

Career OMer Dan Lagasse was recognized earlier this year as one of the Heroes of Hope Living with CF. This is an honor given by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to individuals living positively with a CF diagnosis. Most recently, Dan and his wife Deanna have been representing OM on the west coast. You can read more of Dan's inspiring story at the Heroes of Hope site.