Wow, it’s been a full month since our last real post on the site and that’s a reflection of the full schedule the last while during our visit to Guyana which proved to be a highlight of our time on board when it comes to feeling like we were able to make a difference in some lives. This will probably end up being a long update so you might want to print this off and save it for when you have some time

Looking back to Guyana, Holly got to take part in her dental clinic team early in the port and had a really awesome time. She was able to assist our onboard dentist in working with a number of patients and she really enjoyed that opportunity as she learned a lot. The ship has been blessed with a really great portable clinic setup and this was the first time it had been used. But the real highlight for Holly was the opportunities which came after the patients had received the dental attention. That’s when she could talk with them and give a bit more health information as well as share with those who wanted to know more about why we do what we do. Through this a number of patients started a personal relationship with Jesus!

The highlight of those opportunities was a young teenege boy who came because he had some sort of stain on his teeth that he could not get off. After the dentist removed the stain, he brought him to Holly and explained that no matter how hard the boy had tried to remove the stain, it would not come off, someone else had to do it for him. This was a great way to be able to relate the Gospel to him and share with him what the Lord did to remove the stain of our sins and the cleansing we can have because he paid the penalty for our sins when he died on the cross. Right there he made a decision for Christ. He was smiling really big and Holly told him that every time he sees how white his teeth are, he needs to remember also how white his heart is because of what Jesus has done for him.

Over 20 Challenge teams went out during this port to do a wide variety of help projects the focused on dental/medical and building. Some of the teams worked in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Youth With A Mission and I think everyone of the 160+ crew and staff who took part in a team were really encouraged by the experience they had. There are numerous stories from this port and it was really exciting to see the way God used us to make a small difference in this country which struggles in so many ways. If you would like to receive The LogBook which is published at the end of each port and shares a few highlight stories, send me a note and we’ll send you the one for Guyana which will be published very soon.

The berth was up a river and the river was very brown and as we took local water supply during the three weeks there, we ended up with pretty murky water on the ship for cleaning and drinking. It was checked regularly to ensure it was safe for drinking but it was a bit of a phsychological challenge to take a big drink of water that wasn’t clear. The locals who came aboard found it odd as they all purchase bottled water for drinking. This brown river water also extended out quite some distance into the ocean around the coast so needless to say, we weren’t able to go to a local beach during our time there. We did however get a free pass to visit the Pegasus Hotel one afternoon and enjoyed a swim in their pool.

Another fun outing was a trip to the Guyana Zoo which was one of the main things we could remember from our time in Guyana on Logos II about 11 years previously. The zoo has a big, muddy pond near the entrance and in there are 8 manatees. They are a very bizarre looking creature with and if you look at our photos you’ll get an idea of what they look like. We had seen them before in San Diego where you can see them from underwater through a big viewing glass. But at the Guyana Zoo you get to feed them and pat them if you want. It is a memorable experience. Some other highlights of the zoo are the two parrots just after you enter that when we said “HellO” to, they responded in unison with a “Goodbye” and a cackle of laughter. The other fun thing are the monkeys most of whom live in a couple of big caged areas. But there were some who were out of the cages and ran around the outside. Two of these were mothers carrying their babies and one was a small one that could squeeze in and out of the cages and so would go around visiting the different groups of monkeys. It was quite entertaining and once again a very memorable experience.

So Guyana was a great port despite its challenges but we are also glad to now be on the island of Curacao which is a huge contrast. We sailed into Caracasbai which is about a 20 minute drive from the main town of Willemstad. The berth is in crystal clear water which is home to a myriad of amazing tropical fish and we’ve been given permission to swim right where the ship is so we’ve really enjoyed that huge blessing during this Christmas where we’ve had a bit of time off. Snorkelling is a real treat here and so we’ve been out looking at God’s amazing creations fairly regularly and seen numerous fish, squids, sea snakes and even a big spotted ray. We’ve also tried fishing a bit and have caught a number of long, skinny garfish and Zac caught one Sargeant Major fish which ended up thrown back in later on. For many on board, not having snow for Christmas has been a big difference but I think most of us have enjoyed the wonderful weather and water.

Before Christmas the number of visitors was low but it seems to be picking up a bit more now and we’ve had just over 1000 on board today with many enjoying a tour of the ship as part of their visit. We also had some personal guests today as Sheloutska, who joined Logos II with me in Curacao 13 years ago brought her family to see the new ship. They had flown over from Bonaire for a family wedding and had a couple of hours so it was great to meet them in person and share a bit of our life with them now.

With that I will sign off and express our thanks for your interest in our lives and for your encouragement of what we’re doing. It is a real privilege to be able to serve God in this unique way.