Sanctifying a Rust Bucket

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

This week we have transitioned from the comfort of the Kabayan Hotel to our next home on the M/V Pacific Hope, Marine Reach Ministry's "new" ship. Monday morning started strong with worship and group devotions led by Nicole, followed by a prayer walk around the streets that surrounded the hotel. For this we split up into three groups of four and prayed together and then set out into the hectic streets to walk, pray, and initiate conversations with the people we met on the way. This was challenging at the start - most of us aren't used to walking up to strangers in a foreign country - but it got easier, and we were able to talk and pray with lots of different people.

Waiting...and waiting...to be allowed to board the ship

After eating lunch at the hotel, we piled ourselves along with our baggage into two jeepneys and headed to the Manila Hotel. Rides in the jeepney are always interesting (and rather uncomfortable) with people sitting on each others laps and backpacks crammed in the aisle and stacked high to the ceiling. Upon arriving at the Manila Hotel we realized that we actually needed to be at the South Harbor which was relatively close but still a ways away. Unfortunately the jeepneys that brought us to the Manila Hotel had left in a hurry so we made this part of the journey on foot in the Manila heat with all our luggage - needless to say we were sweaty when we finally arrived. Similar to the Philippines Airport Customs, we waited for about four hours for the port authorities to process our passports and grant permission for the justice, medical and worship teams to travel by water taxi and board the Pacific Hope that was waiting for us in the Manila Harbour. This time of waiting provided a good opportunity for people to catch up on reading, worship, and relax with each other.

The view from the ship at anchor in Manila Harbor

Seeing the Pacific Hope for the first time was surreal, it is a long-awaited answer to countless prayers, patience, and the hard work of many people. Stepping onto the ship was an exciting, yet humbling experience. As we explored the corridors, mess hall, upper and lower decks we realized the enormity of the task that lay ahead of us for cleaning and renovating the ship, inside and out. While the rust and the lack of air conditioning in much of the ship (especially the girls dormitories) was daunting, we looked towards this mega cleaning project with enthusiasm. We are the first of future Marine Reach Training DTS (Discipleship Training School) students to be onboard the Pacific Hope. We have the opportunity to start at the beginning of its history with Marine Reach Ministries and see it transformed into an amazing tool for extending the gospel and the hope it brings to the islands in the Pacific. The potential and vision of the Pacific Hope is far-reaching and we as the justice team are excited that we are able to leave our mark on this ship (and the history of YWAM Marine Reach) literally as we have spent hours chipping layers of paint and rust from the ship's exterior, scrubbing toilets and floors, polishing brass and cleaning dishes.

The M/V Pacific Hope in Manila Harbor

As a group we are thankful to God that the Pacific Hope did not come to us brand new, but that it requires attention and investment toward its restoration. We are able to recognize how God desires us to be reliant on him and his provision and to trust that he will give all that we need. From Tuesday to Friday this week we have been amazed at God's provision for us. Working in the heat of the day we have been able to go about our work on the ship with God-given energy and endurance despite the lack of sleep, especially for many of the girls who have been sleeping outside on deck because their rooms have been reaching temperatures of 40 degrees celsius due to no air-conditioning. God has sustained us when we have been tired physically and mentally and has given us strength to continue in our work.

Nicole is ready to chip some paint!

What happens to you after chipping paint for several hours

Lindsay chipping away

Danny's hand, which had been busily polishing the portholes

The justice, medical and worship teams on the ship's bridge!

This week has also been a time of learning for the justice group, many of our group have been learning about what it takes to maintain unity within our group through sharing, questioning and praying during devotion and debrief times. We are learning that our attitude makes a big difference to how we go about our cleaning and maintenance tasks on the ship. We can bring glory to God by the effort we put into the unappealing jobs and the words we speak can be used to encourage and motivate others to build unity within the justice team.

Nicole with the young family she met during this week

While our main focus this week has been towards the ship, a number of our group have demonstrated "doing justice" in everyday life. While waiting for a jeepney, Nicole and Edgar noticed a little girl sleeping on a sheet of cardboard, covered in a small piece of material at a busy bus stop. They were concerned for her safety so Edgar questioned the people standing nearby about whether they knew where the child's mother was. He found out that the mother was working with organizing people into jeepneys. She is 22 years old and 8 months pregnant, with two young children. Edgar and Nicole briefly spoke with the mother and found out that the things they needed most were food and medicine. The next evening they returned with food and one of the leaders of the medical team to check the four year old boy who had a fever and the father who had a wound to the back of his head and hand due to a stabbing. For the remainder of the week Nicole and Edgar spent time speaking with the family about God and their faith and giving them some food and clothing. They found out that the young mother believes in God and the family are currently attending a Catholic church in the local area. While the mother is aware of some social service organizations, limited supported has been given to her and her family. This experience has raised numerous questions: Where is the long-term help for this family? There are people who come, stay for a little while and help but then leave again; how can we really help to change their lives?

We don't have all the answers to these questions, but we do know God has told us to serve the poor and love our neighbor sacrificially (see Luke 10:25-37), which is a central part of the justice God calls us to strive toward. Edgar and Nicole are exemplifying obedience to this command and trying their best to make a long term impact on this beautiful family. Even as our main efforts are going toward a ship which will do future ministry, God is still providing opportunities to make an impact right now in the present.

That's all for this week; we'll try to post again next weekend!

P.S. Here are some excellent glamour shots for your amusement. :)