Site work for Ministry Center progressing well

Here's a pictorial view of the progress so far. All the trees have
now been cleared and some building materials delivered.
Click on News & Events for more photos.

Site clearing has begun for the Ministry Center in Florence

Bulldozers and saws are hard at work clearing the trees where the Ministry Center building will be erected. Here are a few photos of this week's progress.

On God's Business

 Lonnie Curl, Pastor of Lamb's Chapel in Florence, SC, accompanied one of his church members, Onni Hytti, on a recent visit to Logos Hope. An OM Ships' technical manager, Onni was there on ship's business.

The two flew into Antigua in order to board the ship before she set sail for St. Kitt. When the customs official asked Lonnie the purpose of his visit, he replied "To visit the Logos Hope ship." The lady said, "I know that ship! I wanted to go myself but I haven't had a chance."

Explaining that the ship would soon be leaving Antigua, Lonnie encouraged her to come that afternoon when her shift was over.

In the taxi driving to the port, the friendly driver asked, "Why are you here?" Lonnie answered, "To visit the Logos Hope." The driver said, "Oh, I have been to the ship myself two times and bought some books!" 

Click on Articles to read more about Pastor Curl's visit to the ship and see photos of some of his activities while on board.

Journey of Life exhibit on Logos Hope tells a timeless story.

A well-illustrated walk-through of panels, the new Journey of Life exhibit on Logos Hope depicts the story of the Prodigal Son in a modern day setting.

In just ten days, 17,700 visitors went through the display. Jennifer Bernard (Trinidad and Tobago) observed two men there who seemed impressed by the pictures and workmanship on the wall. As the three discussed what the pictures meant, one of the men told Jennifer how depressed he was, opening the door for her to share the gospel of hope with the visitors. That is exactly what the display is for!

To see more photos of this great exhibit, click on Articles.

Thomas Guest House welcomes out of town visitors.

OM Ships in Florence now has a guest house, which has been named the Thomas Guest House. One of our longest-serving engineering officers, Dave Thomas (UK) joined OM in 1969 when the vision for ship ministry had not yet become a reality. Over the years, he and his wife, Joy (USA), together with their children, served on Logos, Doulos and Logos II, as well as at the OM UK office where Dave was the Director.  More recently they served at the Ships head office where Dave was the Technical Manager. 

Logos and Logos II were the ships Dave was especially linked to, even though he also served as Chief Engineer on Doulos. Logos II in more ways than one was ‘his’ ship, a ship that he re-built and renovated ‘with his own hands’.

It was commitment that characterized Dave: commitment to the ministry of OM Ships; commitment to his own family, especially when he and Joy cared for and subsequently lost their special son; commitment to his engine room team and especially to many individuals, longing to see them involved in ministry and to see them developed as individuals.

To read the rest of this special article and take a photo tour of the newly-renovated house, click on Articles.

• Ministry Center project has begun in Florence
  
• Technology missionaries visit Florence office
  
• Donation made to Florence crisis pregnancy center
  

• On God's business
  
• The Thomas Guest at Florence office
  
• First Youth Vision Team Visits Logos Hope
  

Meet the Team:  

Ronelle Vanheerden, Literature Administrator

 Ronelle Van Heerden joined the Literature Division of OM Ships in Florence, South Carolina in June 2010 as Literature Administrator.

A native of Cape Town, South Africa, Ronelle completed her college education and went to work as a research scientist in a South African company. However, one day the company was "down sized" and she found herself needing new employment. Soon afterward, Doulos visited the area and Ronelle visited the ship.

To read more of Ronelle's story, please click on Meet the Team.

Help Packs are a simple way for OM Ships crewmembers to meet some physical needs of children and adults during visits to orphanages, homes for the elderly, hospitals, prisons, schools, and homes for the abused.  See the story in Articles about a Florence volunteer's recent trip to Trinidad, where she helped distribute Help Packs.

Click  Help Packs  to learn more about them, how you can participate in creating and/or providing Help Packs.

Carolina Connection is published by the OM Ships International Florence Office in Florence, SC and is designed for supporters in North Carolina and South Carolina, USA.  If you are ever visiting in our area, please give us a call and plan to stop by for a visit to our office.

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