December 2019 Newsletter
Mary And I Have Had A Front Row Seat To Witness Miracles
As the year comes to a close, all I can say is God has been so good to MY SEA HOPE. We started the year praying for God’s clear direction and provision. The boat was for sale in Seattle, Washington and we were in North Carolina with a burden and a vision, but no money. In the space of 4 months, GOD (as only He can do) miraculously provided the funds to make a full price cash purchase of the boat and pay for the move to the Gulf coast. Beyond that, He provided a tremendously talented crew and insurance for the transit. There are so many other things I could name, but suffice it to say, Mary and I have had a front row seat to witness miracle after miracle. It never ceases to amaze me what God can do. Matthew 19:26 “...with God all things are possible.”
Sea Hope is currently at a boatyard in Bayou La Batre, Alabama for painting and some minor repairs/upgrades. The owner is working with us to deliver the boat in the best possible condition within our budget. He is graciously letting us bring volunteers to prep an paint the superstructure. I expect the boat will be finished sometime around March or April.
However, if an urgent need arose, we could respond now, but the exterior would not be very attractive.
When Mary and I are not working on the boat, we are busy getting our house ready to go on the market for sale (expected to be listed the first week of January), or on the road raising support to pay for operating costs. Mary and I don not need personal support so every dollar that is donated goes directly to the boat ministry. We currently have enough support to cover the ownership overhead, so now we ae focusing on the being able to provide fuel for operations. Our burden and goal is to be able to respond to the next disaster that occurs in the Caribbean.
Since the founding of MYSEAHOPE , our finances have been handled through our local church. As the ministry has grown and the number of donations, deposits, and reports increased, so has the burden on our church. With our Pastor’s blessings and prayers, we started looking for a mission agency that could work with the uniqueness of a ship’s ministry. Our Lord once again showed Himself faithful and opened a door through Anchor Baptist Missions International, a ministry of Anchor Baptist Church (Pastor Randy Barton). They accepted us with open arms. Pastor Barton has worked with Operation Renewed Hope during disaster relief operations for many years, so this is a natural fit. Additionally, the Lord has opened the door for us to work with veteran missionary Johnny Daniels in a church planting outreach to the West Indies, and Pastor Barton is part of that effort as well. The pieces for the ministry of MY SEA HOPE are miraculously coming together, as could only be orchestrated by GOD! Praise HIM!
We are excited and eagerly looking to see what the Lord will do in 2020. Pray that we will have the wisdom to follow His leading. If you are not already supporting MY SEA HOPE, PRAYFULLY CONSIDER HELPIN FUND MY SEA HOPE by send your monthly or one-time donation payable to:
ABMI, 3232 Hendersonville Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768….on the memo line put SEA HOPE