Outreach on Land and Sea

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:8-10, ESV)

The justice team has had another week of hard work and sweat on board the Pacific Hope. The cleaning projects inside and out have continued with the paint chipping and scraping coming to an end and the first coat of paint being applied. The majority of the outside crew moved inside to help with renovating the mess hall and lounge/dining area. We stripped the wallpaper to reveal bare wooden walls pulled up the old carpet so it can be replaced. Many people have spent hours polishing brass portholes, a definite test of our patience as results are slow to appear.

Lindsay preparing the walls for painting

The funnel paint crew

During the week we have had many specialist work crews come aboard to do welding,  fix the air conditioning,  work on the plumbing, deliver fresh water and remove sewage. We are thankful and amazed at the way God provides for the practical needs of the ship - He has met our financial needs so far and has provided ways to lower expenses and still get tasks completed. We can't wait to see the Pacific Hope when it has been fully renovated. It will look amazing!

On Tuesday, the girls received the welcome news that the guys would be trading places with them for sleeping; the air-conditioned and spacious guys' cabin became the temporary home for the girls while the guys resorted to camping out in the dining area and upper deck. This was a definite blessing as a number of girls were not well and really needed a place of their own to rest and re-energize. Thankfully, the air-conditioning was up and running on Friday so the girls moved into their original cabins and the guys returned to theirs. We are all thankful to God for the cool rooms we can stay in and sleep in after a hot day's work. The justice, medical, and worship teams also got to relax and cool off at a nearby pool (part of the Manila Ocean Park) on Wednesday afternoon. This was a welcome break from the normal routine, and we enjoyed the refreshing swim and even got to watch a sea lion show in the neighboring pool.

This week a number of our group (Jules, Mishelle, and Amber)  had the opportunity to meet the family that Nicole and Edgar have been getting to know. We have been able to give them food and money for them to buy the initial school start-up kit (school books, uniform, certification, etc) for King David, their four year old son who will be beginning school in the upcoming months. His mother was excited to show Nicole and Edgar all the school supplies bought with our donations. We are so happy that we could help them in a practical way that will make a difference to the lives of their young children. Edgar and Nicole are also looking for ways to help them in even longer-lasting ways.


Dan and Edgar also had an adventure this week helping an elderly woman named Vyoleta whom Edgar and Nicole recently also found living on the street. A little while ago they noticed her sitting on the sidewalk with just a couple of plastic bags presumably containing all her worldly possessions. Each day after that, they noticed her in the same spot, seeming hardly to have moved. Feeling compassion for her, they began to bring her some food and get to know her as best they could to find out how she ended up the the situation she was in. They learned that she was actually from Mindanao, the large southernmost island in the Philippines, and had come to Manila to find her son, who was supposed to be living here. But once she arrived here she had no way to contact or find him, so she ended up on the street with nowhere to go. She seemed to be very depressed and without hope; it was difficult to even get her to eat. Edgar and Nicole talked to our ship's Filipino cooks, asking if there was some organization that could help her and at least get her off the street. They directed us to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a government agency, saying the organization could take her in, look for her family, and take care of her if no one could be found to take her.

So on Friday afternoon Edgar and Dan headed out with Evelyn, another Filipino crew member, to try and take Vyoleta to the DSWD at the nearby city hall. It proved easier said than done, as first Vyoleta refused to come with us despite her complete lack of other options, perhaps due to distrust, depression, or maybe even a spiritual attack. After nearly 45 minutes of coaxing and praying, however, she agreed to get in a cab with us. The cab driver didn't exactly know where the DSWD was, but we eventually found the right building. They let us in, and we wrote a letter telling how we met Vyoleta and what we knew about her. They assured us that they would give her food, a place to stay, and medical care, and they would try to find her family as well. So we prayed for her and left her in their care. We have continued to pray each night that she will receive all the care that she needs, along with the hope of the gospel.

The busy week ended with a relaxed weekend. Church was held on the ship and included thought-provoking sermon given by a medical DTS student and a time of prayer for the needs of the ship in the upcoming week.  Friday was our last day of work on the ship as we will begin our ministry this week. We are looking forward to learning about the range of ministries YWAM has in Manila and we are excited to see how God will use each of us to show His love to the many people we will meet. 

Until next time,
The Justice team


P.S. We're sorry this is so late - the internet isn't always the most reliable here in the Philippines.