Captain's Log #5
November, 2000

CHICKENS IN THE PREACHING
Have you ever wondered why some missionaries seem so dramatic? I think one reason is a passion for what God has got them pouring their lives into. Another reason might be the chickens. That's what happened to me Sunday, I was preaching away and things were going great, then the chickens started in again! I don't mean the chickens in the next village over. I mean the chickens in the 'sanctuary'. There was the one in the corner, sitting on some eggs, and I think she would have been ok except for the other ones that kept chasing each other around my feet. Personally, I think that's what ruffled her feathers and got her excited and who can blame her?
 
You need to know none of this ever has any effect on the people, they don't even notice it. But for us...   well it's hard not to get a little more animated and turn everything up a notch or two, thinking that will be required to keep people's attention. The truth is we don't need to worry about it, God's already been at work long before we get there and judging by the people, they are simply waiting for the chance to respond to Him! What a privilege to play a part!

THE GALILEAN
Within the last few days we have finally received word from the Naval Architects in California. For many weeks now we have been working through friends and contacts from half a world away to get the GALILEAN moved from Oakland to Richmond, CA, get the boat hauled out of the water, detailed drawings and measurements of the exterior and interior of the hull taken and then the boat returned to Oakland and the technical drawings and plans made for building the cradle that will hold the GALILEAN on the deck of the freighter as it crosses the Pacific. Each and every step necessary in getting the GALILEAN to Fiji seems painstakingly slow and complicated. Please pray that God would continue to bring about the vision that He has given. It has been humbling to watch the miracles unfold in bringing this ministry together.

FLOATING THE BOAT - FLORIDA
One such miracle was the incredible report we received this last week from Florida about the 'Float the Boat' day last Saturday at Cypress Gardens in which the young people of all three Florida districts came together having worked hard to help raise support for the FIJIBoat Project. By the end of the day the total raised by these young people was over $13,350.00 Matched by the Helstrom Foundation that translates into $26,700.00 real dollars toward this ministry to reach the lost of the South Pacific!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! And THANK YOU from Fiji, to the young people of Florida!! Your sacrifice and offering to God's Kingdom work over here will have consequences that are eternal. THANK YOU!

WEST TEXAS VBS
Another huge group of kids that has been working VERY hard to help with this project all during this last summer, has been the young people of the West Texas churches. We are working at getting the final figures in on what God has been doing through them, but at this point it really looks like they too have done absolutely OUTSTANDING!! What a humbling thing to watch all these young people respond and sacrifice to see God's Kingdom move forward on the other side of the world from where they live among people they don't know! THANK YOU to the young people across West Texas, from the islands of the South Pacific! We will keep you posted as more information gets to us about the great way in which God is using the youth of Texas to reach the lost of Fiji and beyond. You're involvement makes us want all the more to redouble our efforts!!

GOD'S HANDIWORK
Two days ago on Friday, Cindy and the kids and I, took the 4 WD and drove almost 500 km around the entire island of Viti Levu, Fiji. Following the coast, it took us eleven hours. The beauty of God's handiwork was beyond this man's ability to describe. At many places throughout the day we would stop high up on a mountain and look out as far as we could see. And beyond the millions of shades of blue and green, coral filled, crystal clear waters, what we saw was island after island after island disappearing beyond the distant horizon, with villages and chiefs and people that desperately need to hear about the Love of the One who made them, the Love of this One which is not abstract, but is personal. His Love for them which was and is so powerful, so real, that for them on a hill called Golgotha, He proved His Love so that they could be set free! Thank you for praying for us and the overwhelming burden God has given us for these people. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of representing you here as we live to introduce these precious people to Him!

the Schmelzenbach

Be sure to visit our NEW web site at http://www.fijiboat.org
Click on 'Captain's Logs' to read all of the FIJIBoat Email Reports!

The FIJIBoat Project / Nazarene Maritime Ministries is completely funded by designated donations and is a "10% Special Project" approved by the World Mission Division, Church of the Nazarene.

A Big Thank-you to those of you who support Nazarene Maritime Ministries regularly! To be a part of this ongoing ministry you can send support to:
FIJIBoat Project / Activity Fund ID # AFS 1219
General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City, MO 64131
or you can now contribute online >>

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