October 2020 Newsletter
Operation GO - HAITI
"Sea Hope Brings Hope to the Hopeless"
Sea Hope’s first mission is completed after delivering 40,000 pounds of rice to two pastors of like faith in Haiti . These men will distribute the rice among our brethren in need, fulfilling Galatians 6:10.
Timeline Of Events
We completed sea trials on Friday morning September 11th and loaded 400 bags of rice that evening. By Sunday afternoon, as we finished wrapping the last of the total of 800 bags of rice, rain showersstarted,HISperfecttiming. We had about half of the rice on the weather decks under tarps and plastic and the other half was stored below decks.
We were scheduled to depart on Tuesday the 15th but Hurricane Sally delayed us. Sally came ashore 35 miles east of Sea Hope on Tuesday and we had some heavy rain and winds. With a crew of 15 onboard, we departed on Thursday the 17th. The crew varied in age from 17 to 70 and included 4 Bible college students from Anchor Baptist. It was an amazing mix of ages and talents, but all worked together to make Sea Hope operate smoothly.
We arrived in Jacmel, Haiti on Friday morning the 25th and delivered the rice to Pastor Dieupie Cherubin of Hosanna Baptist Church in Jacmel and Pastor Welfry Jerome of Emmanuel Baptist Church from Port de Pais in north west Haiti. We expected to be in Jacmel overnight but were able to complete the off-load in 6 hours and departed at 3 pm. The 2 pastors were overjoyed to receive this food, and will distribute to their congregations as they see fit. We had other supplies to deliver but some customs questions/issues prevented us from doing so. We are working with Pastor Cherubin (who used to be a senator
50 lb bags “flying” onto the pier
Me with Pastors Cherubin and Jerome
Standing on the pier in front of the 40,000 lbs of rice with Haitian Pastor Welfry Jerome
Unexpected Blessing !
While waiting on customs, a young Haitian man sat on the pier watching. One of our crew members in charge of security sat on the fantail of SEA HOPE. The two began to talk "across the waters." He spoke perfect English. What we thought was a delay, was a devine appointment as that Haitian accepted Christ as his Saviour! Thanks to BEAMS we were able to give him John & Romans in his native tongue of Creole, which he was sharing with his friends. The trip was worth it all, even if we hadn't had any food to give.
in the Haitian legislature) to resolve those issues and will deliver those items on our next trip.
We left Jacmel tired but elated. We arrived back in Bayou La Batre on Saturday October 3rd after completing a 2700 nautical mile trip in 17 days. The ship ran well. The newly installed autopilot proved to be worth every penny it cost.
This was a historic trip. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a Baptist missions ship has been used in the Caribbean. The team effort of Operation Renewed Hope, Anchor Baptist Missions International, Reaching Our Caribbean, and Sea Hope can have a meaningful and powerful impact for the cause of Christ throughout the Caribbean basin. We praise the LORD for all the lessons learned on this first mission trip that will be a blessing going forward.
THANK YOU !
We do not know how to thank all who have made Sea Hope possible. So many people have prayed, given financially, or worked on the boat that it is impossible to name them all. This is God’s boat and He has worked through His people to make it possible. From the bottom of our hearts, Mary and I thank you all.
After we departed Jacmel, I sent an email to Josue Laguerre, Pastor Cherubin’s assistant, thanking him for all his help in making the preparations to receive us. He closed his reply with the statement “Sea Hope brings hope to the hopeless”. Tears of joy filled my eyes when I read that.
To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done.