Posts from — July 2011

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled: Matthew 5:6 – (NIV)

Books are the first thing which comes to my mind when I think of the ship Logos Hope. In fact the ship has copies of approximately 5000 books on-board of all different types! Naturally I was ecstatic when I was chosen to work at the book fair. There was a book in particular which I could not resist having and after training was finished I rushed down to the book fair to buy it.

When I opened one of the two large sliding doors that lead into the book fair, I was greeted by the cheerful voice of Hanok, my friend from the Indian state of Orissa.

“Hey Aaron! Would you like to give a tour of the ship?”

“Wrong door!” I thought to myself. I lose my way around the ship half the time. How could I possibly give a tour?

With his disarming smile, Hanok reassured me by saying that he will be the one giving the tour. I would be there simply to observe. With initial reluctance in my heart and dashed hopes of buying the book I wanted today, I decided to join him. What God would show me in that next hour and a half was incredible.

We ended up taking not one, but two successive tour groups. There were some children, but the majority were adults. As we showed them around the ship they were enthralled with everything. The bridge, the lifeboats, the facilities, and the history of Logos Hope all captured their fascination. The digital clicks of numerous cellphone cameras followed us wherever we went. What was amazing is that when we explained the three-word motto of Logos Hope, “Knowledge, Help, and Hope” and how that ties into our faith in Christ, their eyes lit up! As they left they continued to express their gratitude and encouraged us in our work.

But what was even more amazing was this.

To see the smiles and wonder on the faces of these  visitors as we shared Christ and the ministry He is doing through Logos Hope was something marvellous. What they risked coming to the ship is only known to God. But what was visible was a seed being planted, or perhaps one which was already planted and being watered as a result of God’s will to save people from every tongue and nation. As I looked at the long line of people waiting outside the port in Hambantota to see what Logos Hope was all about, I could not help thinking that God was showing me how parched this land is. The people here are thirsty, longing to drink of the living water that only Christ can offer. He reminded me of the purpose of why I am here and why we are all here. To serve others so that by His love being poured out through us, others will want to draw closer to Him so that they may never thirst again.

I went back to the book fair the next afternoon only to find that the book I wanted was no longer there. But God showed me something that I would not trade for any book in the world.

I thank you for your continued prayers and support as God reveals to me what He wants me to see and what He wants me to learn from Him.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.