Captain's Log #32
March, 2003

mv/GALILEAN 2
Things have now changed dramatically in our relationship with the South Pacific. This change has been 1 & 1/2 years in the planning, praying and making and is now finally here with the launching and successful sea trials this last week of the mv/ Galilean 2. This is the very tuff, welded, 32 foot metal boat that from the first design drawings to the last government inspection, has held safety and practicality as its highest goal with a potential range as far as the farthest islands of Fiji from our base. This has been another incredible venture of faith over a fairly long period of time, where God has used many of you, some of whom spontaneously contacted us at crucial times about involvement...   and at launch time it was completely 'in the black' and paid for along with insurance and safety equipment...   Wow!! What an awesome God to bring together these types of things in ways that only He can, for His work. To those of you who directly and to the many who indirectly were a part of this...   Thank You!!! This vessel seriously increases our safety margins and helps move this Nazarene Maritime Ministry forward and outward across these waters to the people out there who need Him.

SNOW AND ICE
In a rushed trip up to where there is a lot of snow and ice and ridiculous temperatures, it was great to see some of you in Tennessee week before last where a total of 29 of us where commissioned as 'Global' or Career Missionaries. What a significant occasion as all of us were humbled by this great body of believers who pledged to stand together with us as God has called us out into all the world.

'.... DAD?'
From a remote village, we brought down the coast and loaded on board the mv/Galilean an elderly couple for the 8 &1/2 hour trip back to the main island of Viti Levu. These two Christians are surely sent from God. They speak absolutely no English, yet that doesn't inhibit the communication of God's love as it shines through them. They have been working hard towards donating some of their land for our next church on the island of Kadavu. The degree of their amazement with the mv/Galilean and wide open Pacific, revealed the significance of this trip in their lives. After we eventually reached land, they were in no hurry to leave the sanctity of the boat and step into this unfamiliar world of big buildings and cars and trucks and blaring horns and scurrying people. But they had come for a purpose and the red tape of land transfer left them no option. While I finished dealing with the boat, Cindy piled them into the 4 wheel drive and headed out. After a short while they stood in front of a humble home and the old man stepped timidly forward as a woman appeared. His voice was shaky as he looked around and then up at her...   "my.. name.. is..  Jone.."  there was silence for a bit then he continued hopefully...  "I..  come.. from..  the island of..  Kadavu.." he said to her. The woman stared down at him, shock gradually changing her face and countenance. No-one moved in the stillness. Then slowly she whispered a single, questioning word... "... dad...?"   and the tears started flowing. It had been 14 years since that day long ago when they had all said 'good by' and headed out across 'Wai Tui' (literally 'Water King') what we know of as this ocean. The place exploded now with a family re-united after almost 1 & 1/2 decades apart. What a great privilege to be able to be part of things like this every now and then in this Kingdom work.

ONWARD
Pray for us as we move toward building programs and see about getting brave W&W teams onto the outer island of Kadavu and pray that doors will keep opening up so that we can also move on to the island of Ono with our JESUS Film evangelism team...  the door has just began opening up there. And by all means keep praying for more God called national workers and leaders in the midst of this harvest field that is so very, very ripe!

Serving Him with you, 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
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