Hope for 2017

/

It seems like everywhere we turn bad news is being thrown into our faces. But if you want to see some good news get involved with a mission that reaches out to people in need. You will discover that there are hearts of compassion all around. I have met people, from all walks of life, who are willing to share whatever resource they have available to help others.

The year 2016 has passed by at a blinding speed! It seems like we just laid down plans for it and suddenly we are making a new set of plans for 2017!
This past year has seen me (RV) working long hours at my regular job. Despite that continuing schedule, we have managed to get the Hope for Haiti almost completed. I say almost, because we have about 30 square feet of fiberglass work to finish and then we are ready to begin painting and rigging.
There were no big work weekends this year, but many little hit-and-run times. We have also made some new friends in the mission work who have come to partner with us in this endeavor.
As we enter 2017, we are making plans to transition into full-time operations. When we get to that point we will have lots of opportunities for volunteers to work on the boat-in-process.

Here are some ways you can help us:

  • Please pray for us as we work towards full-time operations.
  • If you are interested in volunteering, contact me here.
  • If you know of a church or group that might be interested in supporting Mission Navigation, please introduce us. We would be happy to make a presentation.
  • If you are interested in supporting Mission Navigation financially, there are several ways. You can learn the details here.

 

And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. - Matthew 11:4-5

Today, Because Tomorrow May Be One Day Too Late

/

I wish I had come up with that brilliant phrase. But, I didn't. It was borrowed from a song by John Cooper. It is, however, the perfect expression of why we sneak in a shop day despite our busy schedules.

Today's progress included the last of the upside-down fiberglass work under the foredeck. Yay! We have no pictures of that, but while I was jammed up in the hole, John was sanding and preparing the cargo hold lids for fiberglass. We were able to get both of those finished also.

This Looks Grim

/

Dear friends.

There is no way to whitewash this news: Haiti is scheduled to get hit by Category 4 Hurricane Matthew. This is very bad.
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission at Mole St. Nicolas is preparing for it with all they have available. It is, at best, a meager attempt. This is the campus and mission that will receive the boat we have currently under construction in our shop. 
While we are making preparations for the same storm later in the week, we have many available options of what to do, where to go, and in the event of catastrophe, we have insurance to provide a new start. They have none of the above.
I am including a link to their facebook page. Today's post is very humbling. Soon they will lose power and internet connection to the rest of the world.
I ask you to pause and pray for their safety, provision, and for a miracle for Haiti.

Thank you.
RV

https://www.facebook.com/jody7399?pnref=story

A Threefold Cord

/

It was too hot and we were too old. But we kept on task, even past the appointed time, until the day's work was successfully done.
As we were working in the sweltering shop, I couldn't help but think of Solomon's wise observation about the value of three men united in task and conviction.

"And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:12

Consequently, yesterday's progress on the boat, Hope For Haiti, was great. The deck scuppers were both shaped and fiberglassed. The majority of the tab work under the foredeck was completed. And the last of the gunwale glass work was finished.

Having extra help is not only beneficial to the project, it is amazingly encouraging.
Thank you, Chester and Larry!

National Drill a Hole in the Side of a Boat Day

/

I guess there is not really a day set aside for people to drill a hole in the side of their boat. And that is a good thing. Because, when we do such things, we need to be careful about where we drill them.

The purpose of a scupper drain is to let out any rain and ocean spray that splashes into the boat. Naturally, we want the scupper to be located at the lowest place on the deck when the boat is leveled to its waterline. Our boat is set up level to the waterline, which is determined by a lot of math and a little bit of guess work.

My project today was to layout and begin cutting the scuppers. I got the first one cut and shaped, it will be lined with a custom shaped "pipe" made of fiberglass. (More on that in future updates.)

My ultra high-tech super-duper formula to locate the lowest spot on the deck, is simply to toss a ping-pong ball into the boat. It rolls to the low spot and I lay out the scupper there. (How's that for an expert trick?)

Day 1 Oriental Boat Show

/

Somehow we made it through Day 1 of the Oriental Boat Show without taking any pictures!
We will try to remedy that today.

We did meet a number of people who seemed interested in our mission work. We also reconnected with a number of people that we met here last year. That has been really cool.

If you are at all interested in boats, come on out. We have 2 days left.

Saturday 10 - 6
Sunday 10 - 3

The Fullness of Time

/

Those are not often my favorite words. I want the fullness of time to be now. But we submit to God's timing in all things, even when we feel impatient.

We are praying that I will have a more healthy summer and a less crazy work schedule this year so that I will have more time in the Mission Nav shop.

That said, it is time to prepare for our summer work schedule. If you are interested in working in the shop, please keep an eye on the Mission Nav Facebook Page for work day postings and details.

If you would like to have us share about Mission Navigation at your church, please contact us, and we will work out an arrangement.
missionnavigation@gmail.com

We are also planning to be at the Oriental Boat Show again this year. I am just getting the ball rolling with that, so I do not know where we will be placed. Mark your calendars for April 8-10th! More info about the show: 2016 Oriental Boat Show