Captain's Log #9
December, 2000

534 DAYS
Five hundred and thirty four days! That's one and a half years that have passed since the day we were asked to pray about the possibilities of launching this project. At 4 AM, in the darkness of this Monday morning I felt the tiny cables pull tight as I stood on the deck of the 'Galilean' and in a sudden, single movement, we were lifted high up and out over the pitch black waters of Suva harbor - the 20 ton vessel slowly swinging back and forth at the end of its life line, controlled by a massive crane on the container ship. As we were lowered into the dark waters of Fiji, I could not have been more aware of our total inability to have ever brought this about! God gave the vision for Nazarenes to reach all the island nations of the South Pacific by 2010! With 8,000,000 sq kilometers of ocean covering this field of 10,000 islands, God gave the vision of 'Nazarene Maritime Ministries' with the pilot 'FijiBoat Project'! God is bringing it about!! He asks us simply to obey. It is HIS Kingdom! Many have responded to Him to bring things to this point! The Helstrom Foundation, Directors of the South Pacific Field, Asia/Pacific Region and Nazarene World Mission, pastor after pastor, church after church, individual after individual, (including many non-Nazarenes), the 'Galilean Plank Holders', the Harvest Partners, and more. To God be the glory for this kind of faith; "... being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

THE JESUS FILM
"Until the curfew changes, our hands are tied at least in this part of Fiji", I told them. "We will just have to pray." A person would have thought that the curfew could go on indefinitely - but guess what? Yesterday it was moved to midnight, imagine that! - so we're starting the JESUS Film showings again tomorrow night and the next (Monday and Tuesday) at Navua, west of here. Please pray that God would do a great work and use the JESUS Film once more and also use the crusades that we are incorporating the Film into!

SO WHO ALL'S BEEN PRAYING ANYWAY??
The little white pickup with the emblem on the door, pulled up along Kings Wharf where the 'Galilean' had been docked for three days and nights waiting for customs clearance. I stepped off of the boat, recognizing the man who climbed out. He was the man who had been in charge of the whole complicated unloading operation throughout Sunday night. He reached out his hand and I took it and in familiar Fijian custom he didn't let go - slowly he started to talk. "You know Harmon, when I received word of this shipment I started to worry. When I got diagrams and instructions of what needed to happen to get it unloaded, I worried much, much more! I found only one man who knew of such a operation happening here before. Then Harmon, I read in my devotions last week that really, worry was a kind of sin, and so I started to pray. I prayed and prayed and God brought a peace! Sunday night on the ship, I was praying! While we were working, I was praying! When you and I were preparing everything (I didn't tell you, but) I was praying! When the cables pulled tight and the 'Galilean' lifted up with you on it, I was praying! And Harmon when it settled into the water, I finally closed my eyes and praised our Lord for answering my prayers! I went back to my office shaking my head and praising God!" - So what do you think there in America and as far away as South Africa? Whose business and whose Kingdom around the world is this anyway??  We probably never will know all those God has called to be a part - like Brad and Ann, NIVS passing through Fiji this week, who pitched up hours before I left for the wharf, because God knew I needed the help right then and especially you who have been praying.

EMAILS, ETC.
As we vacate the Johnson's home and offices, looking forward to their return and as we launch a new chapter in this exciting ministry and head out from this island - our ability to be in ongoing contact will obviously now change. Please know as you now read this, our 9th report that it is our commitment to keep you posted and in touch, as without you and your prayers we know we are in trouble! We are looking into 'short wave' radio email data transmission and other possibilities, but regardless, even if it's not on quite as predictable a schedule as the first nine, you will continue to hear reports from us! Know also that your responses to us are a GREAT encouragement - could I ask that no attachments, etc. be sent please, as they can 'lock us down'.

CONDITION OF THE VESSEL
The 'Galilean' was on two different container ships, out of our control for over a month. It has spent time in the ports of San Francisco, LA and New Zealand. The things that could have happened to this boat are too many to list. The bottom line is that not one single thing was broken and not one single thing was stolen - all prayers were answered, OUR GOD REIGNS!!
 
Harmon

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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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