continued prayers for Haiti

Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 

Though heartbreaking news from Haiti may seem endless, let us stay diligent and remember those for whom daily survival remains a challenge.  OM has been partnering with local churches in the Port au Prince area to provide food and water to a growing number of orphanages and communities. We have worked short-term with a medical team, a logistics team, and a structural engineer. These skilled workers have been invaluable, as have been the team of nationals working right alongside.

We are grateful for the gifts we have received. Your partnership has allowed us to do so much already. Thanks for standing with us as we continue to show the love of Jesus to a hurting people. Please continue to keep the people of Haiti in your prayers.

George Verwer in India

George Verwer interviews Moses Parmar, Chairman of Good Shepherd Community Church in India about the ministry there.

shoot out in Rome

OM Italy's Matt Gibson invites you to Rome, Italy, where OM will be shooting out teams to all over the Mediterranean this summer.

February International Update

OM International Director Peter Maiden talks about Haiti, Doulos, and several other topics in this month's International Update.

Pray for Haiti shipment & team

OM is partnering with Delta airlines to get supplies into Haiti. A small team left today with a shipment of cargo. Please pray that all goes well with the flight and that the supplies will get to the people who need them most.

Delta notified OM over the weekend that space on this flight would be available, so a call went out to local churches for bedding: foam pads, sheets, blankets, and mosquito nets. The response was so great, there was concern yesterday that not all the bedding would be accepted for this flight. But it was and everything collected will go to Haiti today.

Praise the Lord for His provision. Pray that these materials might bring comfort to a nation that has been sleeping outside for over a month. Pray this team could discern any other immediate needs. Thank the Lord for this new partnership with Delta.

George Verwer in NYC

OM founder George Verwer meets with Joy Christian Fellowship pastor Danny Han in New York City.

Stories of Hope: Like a Dream Come True

Hear about a late-night conversation in this episode of Stories of Hope, the podcast of OM ship Logos Hope.

Are you going to Transform 2010?!

Spend a few weeks in the Mediterranean next with Transform 2010. Here's a video overview:

The Journey Deepens: a retreat

If you have a heart for mission and are beginning to sense the Lord prompting you to take the next steps, you may want to attend a weekend retreat called The Journey Deepens. OM is hosting the March event on our Atlanta-area campus. For information see the Journey Deepens website.

FREE THE DALITS!

Incredible video of the Dalit cup-smashing event that ran throughout Passion 2010. Jill Monaco of One Verse interviews OM VP Michael Kaspar about the story behind the Dalit cups, then several students participate in this prophetic act. Please pray for the Dalits and for the end of the caste system in India.



For $25 you can provide one year of school lunches for a Dalit student.

Bus4Life in Hungary

See what OM Romania is doing through their Bus4Life ministry, a partnership with local churches. You can join the Bus4Life team this summer for a short-term mission trip.

Bus4Life brings hope to Eastern Europe from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

A week of God moments in Haiti

Written by Lane Powell, OM USA Communications

“I knew there were going to be ‘God moments’ through the week when the tap-tap [taxi truck] ran out of gas right in front of the orphanage.” That was the beginning of the visit to Haiti by Henry Couser, a member of OM’s staff in the USA. He had traveled nearly two hours from the airport in the tap-tap, and the fuel lasted until they got to the orphanage gate.

Henry arrived in Carrefour, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, in the first days after the January 12 earthquake. His goal was to visit the three orphanages OM had helped in the past, in partnership with a US church, and assess their needs. He based himself at the first one, where the tap-tap ran out of gas, and found that instead of 200 children, the orphanage was housing 350 and was also giving shelter and food to approximately 1,000 people from the community. And they were coming to the end of their food supply. No outside help had arrived yet. Their buildings were still standing, but, like everyone else in the region, they were sleeping outside due to concerns about aftershocks and damage to the structures. By finding some shops that had not been destroyed, Henry was able to purchase food for the immediate need.

Two days later, Henry was joined by a six-member, trained emergency response team sent by OM’s USA office and led by former OM missionary Rusty Garrison. One of their tasks was to check the rubble of a nearby school that had collapsed on 2,000 students. They could find no signs of life. Faced with this and other sites where children had died in piles of rubble, the team wanted to work at removing bodies. “But we knew that our mission was to help the living, and that had to be our priority,” Rusty said.

Each of the three orphanages was visited, and at each the team found a similar situation: buildings standing but showing cracks, children and staff living outside, food and water nearly gone. Through contacts in the communities, the team was able to find food and water to stock each orphanage. They located a relief aid warehouse which had begun receiving food shipments, but the director was overwhelmed at organizing it and establishing a distribution system. He asked only for the team’s labor of unloading trucks and organizing a supply line in exchange for food they could take to the orphanages. “I’ll never forget the cheers that erupted as we drove into the orphanage gates,” says one of the team members, speaking of arriving with food from the warehouse. As they transported injured people to a hospital in the area, they found that the medical staff had run out of food two or three days earlier. The team provided them with food, as well.

During a week in Haiti, the three orphanages were supplied with food and water to last until a shipment could be arranged, injured people were transported to clinics, and a child whose adoption had been finalized just before the earthquake was helped out of the country with her adoptive parents. Everywhere there were the stories and stunned faces of people still in shock--not yet grieving, only staring at the rubble. There was the old man who, with his wife of 58 years, was visiting from Canada when the buildings collapsed. Her body was removed from the rubble, and he asked Henry to take a photo of her passport picture “so that the world will not forget Anne Marie.” There was the family who lost 15 members in the collapse of their home. Four bodies were recovered and placed in one coffin, but the other 11 were still in the ruins. The family asked Henry to take of photo of the surviving members. The heartbreaking sadness was knowing that hundreds of thousands of people had similar stories.

But in the midst of such tragedy, after the team’s work, there were three orphanages which had smiling children with full stomachs. They understood that God had brought Henry and the team to help them.

Thanks for your gifts to long-term Haiti relief.

Haiti relief video to share

Thanks for posting this to your own sites and helping us spread the word about the long-term needs in Haiti.

Haiti Relief from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

team in Haiti after flight change

The donated charter jet leaves Georgia for Haiti.

The emergency response team sent to Haiti by OM USA in partnership with New Hope Baptist Church was diverted to the Dominican Republic. The team had been given a confirmed landing time for Haiti, yet the air space was closed and they were sent to the Dominican Republic. So they traveled by land into Haiti and have arrived at the first orphanage, the one written about here yesterday. Everyone there survived the strong aftershock of this morning.

We will keep you updated on the team's progress. Word has gotten to them that a second orphanage on the other side of Port-au-Prince was also spared, as was a third orphanage farther away. What powerful reminders of God's heart for the orphan, referred to throughout Scripture. Please continue to pray that the team will be able to get food and water to the kids, as well as pave the way for subsequent teams.

partnership gets team to Haiti

The team packs at OM USA.

The search and rescue team that left for Haiti yesterday spent some time at OM USA before they left. They met members of New Hope Baptist, an Atlanta-area church who partners with the same orphanages this team will be serving. New Hope member Rhodena Buck was able to show pictures from the area and brief the team on who they would meet and what they could expect. During the briefing, the team was treated to lunch by a local Chick-fil-a, with plenty left over to take with them.

Former OM member Rusty Garrison put this 6-man team together and watched as the Lord provided everything they needed. First, each man on this team is certified in search and rescue, a must at this stage in Haiti's earthquake recovery. To get there, a local businessman offered the use of his corporate jet, saving the team $6,000 in last-minute airfare. Another business leader is offering his jet for the return trip, possibly bringing a fresh team with him. A local branch of the NAACP was hosting a parade and rally for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and half of the funds they raised will go toward OM's relief work in Haiti.

Thanks for your continued support of this team. As you pray and give, you are joining with them.

team en route to Haitian orphanage

Kids before the earthquake, at the orphanage where OM is sending a team.

OM USA is sending out a six-member emergency response team to serve several orphanages in Haiti. Each team member is certified in search and rescue. The group will first search the rubble of a school just outside Port au Prince for possible survivors. As many as 2,000 children may be buried there beneath the rubble. No rescue teams have yet been in the area where they are going.

Water is the greatest need for an orphanage that was miraculously spared. The kids are sleeping outside since it is unknown how safe their building is, but praise God for protecting these children. The town around this orphanage was completely destroyed so the orphanage is providing aid to the neighborhood survivors. Pray for this team as they go, that the Lord will protect them and that they will be able to find anyone still alive. Subscribe to this blog for more updates. And click here to give to OM relief work in Haiti.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
James 1:27

OM anticipates long-term involvement in Haiti earthquake relief

OM staff continue to investigate the best ways to help with earthquake relief in Haiti. Contact has been made with the two orphanages we have assisted in the past. They have minimal structural damage but are cut off from food and water supplies. We are investigating all possibilities of getting relief supplies into Haiti.

Please be in prayer with us that we can arrange the right logistics to provide some immediate help to these orphanages and surrounding areas. A member of OM USA who has local connections in Haiti will be in the country on the weekend and will further assess the situation and how OM can help. We anticipate having long-term involvement with some local churches once the crisis transitions to a rebuilding phase.

Give to Haiti Earthquake Relief.

How to pray for Costa Rica

OM founder George Verwer talks with the leader of OM Costa Rica about current ministry projects there. Please pray for the needs mentioned here. Thank you.

Give to Haiti Earthquake Relief

OM is sending a leader today to find areas of greatest need, with teams to follow. Please pray for this first responder who will be partnering with members of a Hatian church. Pray he will be able to find the pastor of this church in the chaos of that area, pray for the people of Haiti, and pray for many miracles to happen in these first crucial days of recovery. Thanks for your gifts toward these relief efforts. You can subscribe to this blog for more updates. Continue to pray with us in the coming days.

George in the USA

OM founder George Verwer meets with Andrew Scott, COO of OM USA in the Atlanta-area office.

Passion 2010 crushes injustice

In Atlanta at the Passion Conference:
22,000 students (ages 18-25) raised
$668,000 for global projects
One couple matched that --
bringing the grand total to
over $1.3 million.

For OM, that meant not just one but TWO Dalit education centers will be built in India. The Dalits are one of the world's most oppressed people groups. In their culture, they drink out of clay cups and when they are finished smash the cups, so no one else will be made "unclean" by coming into contact with them. Passion attendees paid $30 for two cups, one to take home as a prayer reminder, and another to break as a prophetic act toward the future of the Dalit people, thereby helping to crush injustice. Proceeds went toward the Dalit education centers, where Dalit children are being equipped and empowered. Here's more from the Dalit cup crushing experience at Passion:

OM at Urbana: Anna's story

Michael Kaspar interviews Anna Lyman about how she found OM through the Urbana mission conference. See more of Anna's story here.

OM at Urbana: Iraqi Bibles

OM VP Michael Kaspar meets with two Urbana participants in St. Louis this week. You can join the students who are buying Bibles for those in Iraq. Iraqi Bibles are $2 each. Just use this form.

Continue to pray for Shiite Muslims

Here are the last two prayer prompts for Ashura (click pictures to read the prompts), a time that ends in many men performing self-mutilation in remembrance of a Muslim martyr.








Shiite Muslims continue to be attacked during this time. Many explosions have gone off during Ashura gatherings all over the Muslim world this week. Pray for the safety of the Shiites and for someone to tell them about the one who shed His blood for them.

Merry Christmas...

...and thanks for partnering with us through the year

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Day 8: Supremacy of Jesus

This Christmas Eve, remember Shiite Muslims who still need to know the love and the supremacy of Jesus.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 7: Shiite households

While you are preparing your own home for the joy of Christmas Eve, lift up Shiite families who are in a traditional season of mourning, that they might know the hope that you have.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 6: Influential Shiite Men

As we are preparing for Christmas, Shiite Muslims are preparing for Ashura, a day of ceremonial chest beating, to mourn the suffering of an Islamic martyr, one of Muhammad's grandsons. Join with us in prayer during these 10 preceding days of Ashura.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 5: obedient followers of Jesus

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 4: stepping out of your comfort zone

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

y 3: seekers of God

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 2: Dreams and Visions

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 1: Shiites and fear

Today is the first of the Islamic month Muharram and the therefore the first of a 10-day observance of Ashura.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

PRAY: 10 days of Ashura

Today is the first day of Ashura for Shiite Muslims worldwide. Remember to pray for this time, which ends in self-mutilation rituals. To help you pray, you can sign up to get prayer updates for Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Getting ready for Urbana

It's almost time for Urbana 09 and OM USA staffers have been creating the OM booth, a large mixed media display now affectionately termed The Shroud of Tyrone. Read why on our Facebook photo album.

Logos Hope sails from Guyana to Netherlands Antilles

The crew of Logos Hope continues its Caribbean tour this week in Netherlands Antilles. You can follow their voyage from Guyana on the Logos Hope dashboard.

Guest of Honor, The Honorable Samuel Hinds, Prime Minister and

Acting President of Guyana, followed by Logos Hope Director Gian Walser
of Switzerland, leads a procession up the gangway.

Upon the crew's arrival in Guyana, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds expressed his gratitude for the ongoing ministry of OM Ships. “We admire the wide range of aid and relief projects over the years,” he said. “May other organizations follow this excellent example.” That example included crews sent to several communities to distribute help packs, perform dental and medical clinics, and lend a hand on building projects. One team brought a message of AIDS awareness through drama. Logos Hope partnered with both Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and Habitat for Humanity in this port. Learn more about the ship's travels at the Logos Hope website. And pray for smooth sailing through arrival at the next port on Thursday.

Algeria: a terrorist has a dream

Adel was a Muslim terrorist in the late 80's and was selected to go to Afghanistan and work with Osama bin Laden. But he could not get a passport so he stayed in Algeria. He soon saw a list of people Al Qaeda wanted to kill and found that his brother, a Christian, was one of them.

Disappointed with fundamentalism, Adel decided to leave and went back to his hometown. He talked with a friend from school who was suffering because of her Christian faith. She had heard about the Lord through Christian radio. She had no Bible, no books, only the radio for discipleship. Adel told her, "I can help you; my brother is a Christian."

However, Adel still was not a believer himself. So one night he had a dream in which he saw four doors. He opened the first and it was completely dark. He thought to himself, "I won't go in there". Behind the second door were people drinking and dancing. "No," he thought. Opening the third, he saw an imam preaching holy war and decided, "I have had enough of that." When he opened the fourth door, he saw an incredible light and a man in beauty and glory. The man was holding Adel's friend from school and saying, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Adel had never heard this verse before, nor did he know it was from the Bible.

The next day he told the dream to his brother who explained "the Lord is asking you to give Him your life". Adel soon proposed to his Christian friend from school. She said no, she could only marry a Christian, and that was the first time he confessed his new faith. He is in full-time ministry now.

Early on, the local police followed Adel and eventually brought him in for questioning. He was no longer wearing Muslim clothing or a full beard, so the police asked what happened. Adel told the story of how God had taken his heart of anger and vengeance and given him a heart of love and forgiveness. The policeman was amazed and said, "Go and preach and if anyone stops you, come and tell me".

Please pray for Adel's continued favor in the country as he is planting churches and following up with new believers.

worship song inspired by Isaiah 58

Beautiful song by OM member Shirley Booth, who writes, "Do I fail to stoop down because my hands are raised too high?" Meditate on this over the weekend:

December International Update

Look over the past month and year with OM International Director Peter Maiden:

start training for Run 4 The World 2010

Lace up your shoes and hit the road. It's time to start training for OM Sportslink's Run 4 The World, Saturday, May 8. Participants raise money and awareness for mission projects worldwide. The 2010 race will benefit OM ministries AIDSlink, Artslink, and Sportslink.

See photos from last year's race and get more info on the OM USA website. Join the R4TW Facebook group to meet other runners (and walkers) from around the world.

"Caste is worse than racism"

Dr. Joseph D'Souza, leader of OM India, explains how "Caste is worse than racism" in this overview of the plight of the Dalits of India. You can partner with the Dalit Freedom Network and help break caste slavery forever.

join us in prayer today

We here in OM's US office will be observing a corporate day of prayer for needs and concerns around the OM world. Please join us. Ask the Lord to lead you to specific Scriptures and feel free to post them here. Thanks for your partnership with Operation Mobilization.

VOTE for photo of the year

You can tell us which picture deserves to be Photo of the Year on the OM Photo Blog. Simply browse the archives and rate each photo from 1-5 stars. Your results will be automatically calculated and we will post the results here at year's end. Thanks for voting!

Sponsor a Dalit Pastor in India

OM plants a church of at least 25 people every other day among the Dalit people of India, considered lowest in the caste system. These churches need trained pastors and leaders. You can help equip these leaders through sponsorship. Learn more about sponsoring one of these pioneer church leaders. And pray for the Dalits. Pray that we will see the end of the caste system in our lifetime.

rough seas in the Caribbean

Crew members ready their media devices while being ferried to shore.

Logos Hope is currently in Guyana, after two recent stops in the Caribbean. While in Bridgetown, Barbados, the Logos Hope crew faced new challenges, such as having to berth the ship at two different locations. For one of the locations, the Visitor Experience area had to be reconfigured to allow for port side entry, a first for the new ship. The crew was welcomed by the Honorable Mr. Patrick Todd, Minister of State who said, “Logos Hope represents a micro-community and is a clear picture of what a larger community should and can be.”

That community got to work together through another challenge in port: rough seas. Captain Dirk Colenbrander and other leaders on board decided to take Logos Hope out to anchor in Carlisle Bay to avoid damage. So the ship's on board rescue boat was used to ferry crewmembers to shore. "The swell was very high,” said Coxswain Adam Gosen of Australia, "but I really believe that God’s hand was holding us steady there.”

Although closed to the public, Logos Hope was able to welcome 14 new crew members from around the world as part of OM Ships' Short Term Exposure Programme (STEP). The program is designed to give a taste of ship life for around three months, though some participants stay longer or come back to take part in the two year program. “I’m loving it," said Alena Kortiakova of Slovakia, "I think it’s going to be a very rewarding experience.”

November International Update

OM Director Peter Maiden offers a glimpse around the OM world in under 7 minutes. Please pray with us through these stories.

George Verwer at Biblica warehouse with FREE books!

OM founder George Verwer visits the Georgia book warehouse of the newly formed Biblica organization and makes a discovery.

transition

Almost nine months to the day after the maiden voyage of Logos Hope, the decision was made for Doulos to retire early. Although saddened and surprised, the crew on Logos Hope have an overall sense that God is doing something. After unexpected challenges in Barbados, including rough seas, the Logos Hope crew entered their annual week of rest during which they learned the fate of their sister ship. These experiences have caused them to face the reality of serving on a ship, bringing them to a deeper appreciation of doing so as they head toward Guyana. Logos Hope Director Gian Walser summed up the week saying, “I believe Guyana will be a fantastic ministry port; at the same time our hearts go out to the Doulos community.”

Live at Eddie's Attic: All the Things You Are

OM Arts song leader Jon Simpson took his music to an open mic night in Atlanta. Learn how you can use your own art to reach others.

Saying Goodbye to Doulos

Peter Nicoll, CEO of OM Ships International, talks about the sudden end of OM's ship Doulos.

Decommisioning Doulos: Questions & Answers

Doulos in Singapore drydock

What has happened?

While Doulos has been undergoing her annual period of dry dock and maintenance in Singapore, the ship’s classification society (RINA) has been conducting a ‘special survey’ of the ship’s structure, machinery and systems, which takes place every five years. This survey has identified a significant number of additional works to be completed. No extension of time has been given to do this work while the ship continues to operate.

What does this mean?

The additional work would have to start right away, since the surveyors have confirmed that they will not issue new certificates for the ship until this work has been completed. The present certificates run out on Dec 31, 2009.

How much work would have to be done, how long would it take, and how much would it cost?

Quite a number of work projects have been identified, but the primary one is replacing sections of steel on the main deck. An initial quote has been received from the shipyard in Singapore where Doulos has been in dry dock. This, together with other additional costs, would be well over fourteen million dollars. The work would take at least five months and, because of other commitments, this yard could not even start the work until September 2010.

Why can you not do the works needed?

The OM Ships executive leadership team and board believes that it is not appropriate to invest resources of this scale into the ship, since Doulos would have a limited ministry future.

Is this a surprise or did you see this coming?

Yes, this is a surprise. We expected that the ship would be able to sail until at least September 2010, with the hope for longer. Out technical team has been working towards this five-year ‘special survey’ for some time. The ship has passed many such inspections, but work to keep the ship compliant with marine regulations is continual. Additionally, a new set of ‘Safety of Life at Sea’ (SOLAS) regulations applying to all passenger ships with more than 36 passengers is due to come into effect in October 2010. Meeting these new requirements would have meant huge investment in the ship to remove all remaining non-fireproof construction materials.

What events led up to this point?

Earlier this year, we reached agreement with the Malta Maritime Authority that we could add our ‘staff’ to the official ‘crew list’, and change the ship’s ‘class’ to that of a passenger ship with fewer than 36 passengers. This would have allowed the ship to continue to sail beyond October 2010. Our technical personnel then commissioned a comprehensive assessment of the ship’s construction to see what work would be needed to sail the ship beyond that date. This revealed significant work needing to be done in a number of areas, including replacement of steel in sections of the ship’s main deck. The surveys in Singapore have confirmed this, and early indications were that the ship would be able to sail until the end of September 2010, as long as conditions would be met. It is only in the last week that it has become clear what these conditions are.

Does OM Ships have a contingency plan for this?

Work had been going on for many months to identify the issues and establish the options for the ship not being able to sail beyond September 2010. Things have moved very quickly now and we are responding to the reality that the ship will need to be decommissioned much sooner than anyone expected. Initial plans are coming together and these will continue to be developed and implemented over the coming days and weeks.

What are the next steps?

The people on board are our top priority and our personnel team is already responding to manage the issues and help people work out their next steps.

We want to communicate as clearly as possible and provide regular communication updates as new information becomes available.

Our technical team is working with the marine authorities and making plans to decommission the vessel.

We are looking at the possibility of chartering a ship in the interim.

What will happen to Doulos now?

The ship will remain in Singapore, alongside and/or at anchor until the end of December. Meanwhile, a group will investigate possible options for the vessel, including discussion with ship preservation groups, since Doulos is unique and registered in the Guinness Book of Records as ‘the world’s oldest ocean-going passenger ship’.

What will happen to the ship after Dec 31?

Options include changing the vessel class and obtaining a single voyage certificate for a smaller group of essential crew to sail the ship to a port for handover to a new owner.

What about all those on board and how many are they?

There are around 300 people on board at this point, including singles, couples and families. Our Personnel team on board intends to interview every individual on board over the next weeks, and look together with them at the best options for them. We are also appointing pastoral support to deal with the emotional issues that many of them will be facing. At this stage the future options could include a number of different scenarios such as relocating to a chartered vessel as an interim replacement for Doulos, relocating to another OM field, or returning home.

Who should family members and representatives of sending churches be in touch with?

First and foremost with their relative or church member on board directly, but also with the OM office in their country.

What about the future ports on the schedule?

All future ports on the schedule will have to be cancelled. The team responsible for schedule planning and port preparations will be in communication with government authorities and other partners in these ports. Line-up teams already in place will bring their work to a close and leave.

What about friends, family who were planning to visit the ship in one of those ports?

Planned visits to the ship in these ports will no longer be possible and we regret these visits will have to be cancelled. Due to the uncertainty of the ship’s location and whether access for visitors will be possible, we would advise against making plans to travel to the ship in Singapore. Staying on board will not be possible.

Where can I get regular updates and information about next steps?

Detailed information will be available at www.omships.org/doulosupdates and we encourage you to visit this special section of the site frequently. Please also contact your local OM office for help and advice.

How can I/we help you financially?

You can give to the Doulos Replacement Ministry fund. Thank you for your generosity and partnership.

Will OM replace Doulos?

The board has expressed their commitment to continuing to operate two ships. Initial work was already under way to consider options for replacing Doulos, believing that the ship would not be able to sail for many more years. The executive leadership team and the board are considering all interim and longer-term options to continue as a two-ship ministry into the future, in close cooperation with our OM partners around the world.

Who should I ask if I have a question?

There are many unanswered questions right now. For parents, crew and staff, home offices, sending churches, partners, supporters etc, we have set up a special email account for questions and to ask for advice.

Where is our faith in all of this?

Although the sudden end of the Doulos ministry has come as a surprise to us, we know that God is in control. We would ask our partners around the world to pray with us as we seek His plan for the future. We are confident of the Lord’s sovereignty and grace at this time.

Doulos Ministry Coming to an End

The ministry of OM’s ship Doulos will come to an end on December 31, 2009.

Doulos is the world’s oldest ocean-going passenger ship, now 95 years old, with the hull built in 1914, just two years after Titanic. In spite of the year-round maintenance that has taken place, the amount of steel replacement and other repairs needed for her to continue sailing are overwhelming. The ship is presently in Singapore and has been undergoing the annual period of drydock and surveys.

Chief Executive Officer of OM Ships International, Peter Nicoll, said, “The outcome of this is that Doulos will not be able to continue in ministry. This is not what any of us wanted and has serious consequences for everyone on board, those about to join, and ports we planned to visit. We have been praying that God would use this five-year ‘special survey’ to give us a clear picture of the way forward for Doulos, and He has done that.”

The well-being of the 280 crew and staff onboard is of paramount importance. Each person will receive the guidance and support they need to decide what their next steps should be.

CEO Peter Nicoll stated, “We recognize God’s faithfulness through these 32 years of wonderful service of the ‘servant’—Doulos—as an outstanding OM ministry, through more than 600 port visits in over 100 countries. Many lives have been transformed, both visitors and those who have served on board.

We are also deeply grateful to our partners around the world who have supported the ship in ministry through the years. Please continue to pray with us as we work on present challenges and seek the Lord for the future.

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

In less than 60 days from now a revolution will begin across the U.S. An epidemic of gargantuan proportions will be unleashed across our land. It will be a grass-roots, word-of-mouth outbreak infecting tens of thousands of people.



Beginning in mid January in 170+ locations around the country, thousands of churches and hundreds of campus ministries will team up with the objective of raising up World Changers!

Go to perspectives.org and type in your zip code to find a class near you.

dancing worship: "Mighty Spirit"

OM Arts member Jon Simpson was a guest performer for two Refuge Dance Company concerts called "Stories". Here he performs a song called "Mighty Spirit".

You can use your talent to help expand God's kingdom. Find a short-term dance trip here.

Go to the Passion Conference in January

See what's offered: who will be speaking and leading worship in Atlanta January 2-5:

Future of the Dalits: a featured outreach at 2010 Passion Conference

In January, thousands of college students from all over the world will worship together in Atlanta as part of the 2010 Passion Conference. OM USA will be there to meet with participants as they begin to explore possibilities for ministry and mission. Also, one of the ministries of OM India will be featured as a possible outlet for students to sow into financially. Passion wants 2500 students to give $30 each to get an education center built for the Dalit people in India. Dalit, pronounced "Dah-LEET", actually means "untouchable"; Dalits are considered the lowest part of India's caste system and suffer great oppression and persecution.

But there is hope. Thanks to OM India, the first Dalit high school graduation was held last spring. More centers are needed so more Dalit children can experience the freedom and dignity education allows. Please pray one of these centers will be funded through the efforts of the Passion Conference.

Video: the heart of Mozambique

See what the Lord is doing in Mozambique. Then pray about going to Africa short-term.

Follow OM USA Prayer

OM USA does not have a typical corporate structure. Instead, it is divided into four departments: Pray, Go, Give, and Grow. The latter is where we minister to our own missionaries. The other three are areas through which American believers can get involved in global mission.

The Pray Department has incredible resources for prayer, both within and outside of OM. You can have access to these through the OM USA Prayer pages on both Facebook and Twitter.

We also welcome you to pray for the people and places on the OM photo blog. These represent relationships formed by OM teams throughout the world. Thanks for your ministry of prayer.

New worship music by Jon Simpson: "Offering"

OM Arts song leader Jon Simpson presented his new song "Offering" at a recent concert for Refuge Dance Company called "Stories." Learn more about Jon's music.

a string of divine appointments

An OM team visiting a school in northern Namibia met one of the teachers, Uzhera, who had recently taken over care of her five-year-old niece Kauko. With tears in her eyes, Uzhera told the team that it was difficult to raise Kauko because the girl had been born deaf. When the child would cry, Uzhera had no way to communicate with her and understand her needs.

That same evening, team leader Paul prayed for this desperate need. The next day, God provided. The team learned that Johan, one of the local guides that accompanied the team, knew sign language because his parents were deaf. For two days Johan spent time with Uzhera, teaching her the alphabet in sign language. But he knew his time was short there and that Uzhera would need a reference to fall back on after he left. He noticed another team member carried a flip chart so he asked her to draw the signs on the chart. This was no coincidence. God had clearly told her to buy these specific sheets of paper in the States before she left. She obeyed, not knowing how valuable that decision would be.

The team then learned that another guide had been praying for a young man in his twenties who was also deaf. Now he and young Kauko learn sign language together from Uzhera, who has since surrendered her life to the Lord! Join this team in praising God for his foreknowledge and provision during this outreach. And continue to remember all the people affected by these events.

You can go to Africa as part of Transform 2010. Pray about going.

George Verwer on London TV

Tom Chacko, host of the TalkGod TV show in London, is presented with a globe jacket by his longtime friend (and OM founder) George Verwer. Both men urge us to pray for Christian television worldwide.

A video tour of Greece

OM Greece team members discuss changes in Greek culture. You can go to Greece as part of Transform 2010.

Hear powerful mission speakers, get a free book for you, and shop for Christmas

The World Mission Conference continues at First Baptist Atlanta, home of Dr. Charles Stanley. OM's largest book table display of the year is set up near the rotunda and is offering select titles for free. Stop by the book tables during these times:

4-9 pm TONIGHT:
(Note: Dr. Stanley is NOT speaking tonight, Wednesday)
Start with dinner at the International Food Bazaar from 5-6:30 pm in Faith Hall. Then hear from two of FBC Atlanta's missionaries and end the evening with international desserts at the mission display tables. Make sure you browse OM books. Inflatable globes and globe jackets will also be available.

8:30 am-1:30 pm Sunday:
Dr. Charles Stanley preaching
Hear Dr. Stanley's message on missions at either 9 or 10:45 am. Hear missionaries in Sunday School classes during either hour. And finish your Christmas shopping early. OM prices are often less than retail and proceeds benefit mission work around the world.

We look forward to seeing you there! Here are directions to the church. For more information on scheduling see the FBC World Mission Conference calendar.

Transform 2010: Get off the couch

Leader of Transform 2010 Gary Witherall has a message for those interested in the Middle East:

a mission heart: it's in the genes

Sheila Slocum came to OM to help women like herself. Women hurt by abuse. Though she was called to missions as a child, Sheila turned from her faith in her twenties. She returned to the Lord later in life and was soon drawn back to missions, through an OM speaker visiting her church.

Almost a decade later, she began her own time with OM as a cook in Belgium. She thought, "I don't like cooking but I'll do anything for Jesus". She served in a couple of different roles before finding her current niche, ministering to hurting women. Sheila travels to OM fields to talk with OM members. She is also an OM speaker, just like the one God used to direct her own life all those years ago. She says of her talks, "I just tell my story," which includes a difficult past of rape and abuse. And then the women begin to tell their own stories, often for the first time. Sheila says that many women keep these hurts secret their whole lives, either out of fear or perceived guilt. But Sheila's openness allows them to speak freely and that's when she gets to step into her favorite part of her job: listening. She knows that talking through these issues allows women to walk in freedom and Sheila says, "When women walk in freedom, they are free to serve".

The joy that Sheila gets from her work is infectious. Not only does it affect the women she ministers to but it has been an inspiration to her granddaughter Bekah as well. Sheila took her aboard the OM ship Doulos when Bekah turned 16 and Bekah fell in love with life on the ship. She is joining the crew next year. Bekah finished school with a degree in psychology so not only is she following in Sheila's footsteps to OM but may also follow her into a counseling ministry, too.

Sheila has since taken Bekah's younger sister to Switzerland on her 16th birthday, and the girls' younger brother will likely go on an OM-related trip when he turns 16. It is becoming a family tradition, one that may wind up impacting the kingdom for generations to come.

Would you like to hear more of Sheila's story? Have her speak to your women's group. Contact the OM Speakers Bureau.