May 11th, 2004 NEWSLETTER

Greetings to all my friends, I hope you are doing well.  In order to preserve sanity I will break this letter into three parts.

What I have been doing:

On March 15^th I returned from a two month stretch on the Caribbean Mercy and have successfully installed and upgraded security system on that ship, much like I did last summer on the Anastasis.  I am rapidly becoming a security systems expert with all the new technology involved in security systems these days.  The security regulations have really been strengthened on a global basis these days, and it is my job to implement these systems on our ships.  It seems like I have been going from dry-dock to dry-dock lately, but you could not ask for a better time to take apart the ship and pull wires in the dark places of the overheads and corridors.  While I was working on the security upgrades the normal dry-dock maintenance was also under way.  The time was extended because the DNV surveyor found lots of rusting steel and tank plates that needed replacing, mostly due to the age of the ship.  So while I was pulling wires to install a new video surveillance system I was surrounded by ship yard welders all cutting and replacing steel in the ship.  On another note, I really enjoyed the fact that the ship was having this work done in Mobile, Alabama and was so close to home.  This gave me an opportunity to go to do some work on my house as it was in desperate need of a paint job.  The good news was that the paint was donated from church team that came down last year to paint my house and it rained the whole time they were there. 

I also had a little time to spend with my family and that was good, many of you may know my sisters Laura and Amy, well,  last year Laura opened up here own animal hospital and also a pet resort and my youngest sister Amy has been helping here there.  Now they are both married now and Laura is going to have a baby soon, I can hardly believe it.

On April 12^th I returned from a two week vacation to Europe, I know it is hard to imagine me taking a vacation.  One of my supporters, Markus, who lives in Switzerland, invited me to his wedding so I took two weeks off and went to see him get married.  I first met this guy in 1998 on the Caribbean Mercy and have since become good friends with him.  I took the opportunity to fly into Holland and visit some other supporters and meet up with another friend, Bernd de Blouw.  Bernd and I went to the wedding together with the intent on driving there so we could see many sights along the way.  It was only a nine hour drive from Holland to Switzerland so this was still the best way for us to travel.  I had a great little vacation and now it is time to get back to work.

What’s going on in Mercy Ships?

• Africa Mercy: ( our new ship )

The ship yard say they are aiming for a completion date of Dec 3^rd but progress will need to speed up considerably to achieve this. Commissioning is being set for March 7^th at the new cruise terminal by Tower Bridge in London.

•  Anastasis:

Things are going well on board from a technical point of view.  The current outreach in Africa will be completed in mid May.  It looks 90% certain that shipyard this year will be in Pernis, Rotterdam from 17^th July till 20^th August. I always look forward to going to Rotterdam; it has become one of my favorite cities to visit.

• Caribbean Mercy:

 I have enjoyed my last few months on the Caribbean Mercy as I headed up the installation of the new security equipment to help ensure the safety of our crew.  However, this has been a very painful dry-docking experience for the Caribbean Mercy.  More extensive steel repairs, mainly internal decks and some tank work had to be completed to the satisfaction of the attending surveyor.  The vessel is finally back in the water, but steel renewal still goes on. The present plan is to sail on April 27^th to Honduras.

•   Marine Operations:

Our Texas office successfully completed the annual audit for renewal of our Document of Compliance by Lloyds Register, although I was not directly involved with this, I have learned that paperwork is very important.  At the same time the Vessel Security Plan for the Anastasis was approved.                                                       

What is in my near future and long range plans:

Before I left for my vacation, my boss informed me that I would be going to the Anastasis on May 10^th and staying on until around September 1^st.  Then in September I would be going to the Africa Mercy and then staying on until after Christmas.  So basically this means I will be gone the rest of the year!  After that I am considering spending a few years on the Africa Mercy, but for now I will leave it at that, many factors and eight months will play into the final decision about that.  I want to continue my pursuit of a maritime career and continue to further my license and education in this manor, and could easily do that in any position on the Africa Mercy.  I have never really given any thoughts about going to Africa, actually I have never really had much of a desire to go there at all, but I see it is in my near future, in which God only knows where I will end up!  Where ever it is I appreciate each and every one of you for your continued financial support and prayers and know that I could not do this with out you.

Latest News:

I have just completed a DNV Certified Ship Security Officer course in New Orleans.  This will help in all the security things that I have become responsible for and adds to my continuing education in the shipping world. 

In 1987 I was on a ship in Hawaii and I fell in love with the whole ship aspect of life and I was reminded of that when I found this picture of me there.  Well, now I am living out that dream, especially as I will spend the remainder of this year on a ship!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests:

• Praise – my house is painted and rented

•  Prayer – that my house will not be any problems for my mom who manages it for me

•  Praise – for my car being repaired at a minimal cost with a friends help after it was hit in a parking lot

•  Prayer – for finances to help recover the cost  of a new laptop computer.

•  Praise – for  God’s provisions for my needs

• Prayer – for my friend Pastor Estuardo and the continued Radio ministry I am involved with in Guatemala

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