All Aboard

CEBU, Philippines - The narrow gangway of MV Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair with a selection of more than 5,000 titles, will be cleared and wired up from the public on the 13th. So, you have till tomorrow to check her out – the International Café with sweet treats of pastries and ice cream, refreshments and pop corn; the Visitor Experience deck that serves as a welcome area where a short video about the vessel is shown to visitors and interactive displays; and of course the book shop with an array of paperbacks in different genres, as well as music albums on display. Foremost, meet some of the ship’s multi-racial, international crew from over 45 countries worldwide.

Life on board is “pretty challenging,” quipped 24-year-old Matt Swanton from Melbourne, Australia. “Yet it’s a real blessing to be onboard,” the lad added. Swanton, who is formerly a music student for three years and a seasoned pianist, mans the audio-visual/sound booth and leads the worship service on board.

In 2008, when MV Doulos – now decommissioned, also operated by German-owned GBA Ships e.V. – docked at the port of Melbourne, Swanton recalled hearing a distinct voice in his head telling him to “Go!”. He conceded…and the rest is history. To date, he’s been around 23 countries with Libya as the country that truly made a mark. “It’s because of the situation. There was no such thing as basic necessity. The people are living in slums. And the biggest shock for me was when I was at the market where I started going towards a home full of poor women with a lot of kids. My heart really goes out to them.”

Admittedly, being to different ports of call, the biggest challenge for him is, “I can’t do the same thing over and over again. It’s always a new experience. Each city is unique. And we were able to build good relationships everytime, at each port. That’s how rewarding this mission is.”

Felicia Thong, 26, also echoes this realization. She has been to 25 nations during her two-year volunteer work. The Malaysian banker is part of the Advance Team which is at the helm of the logistics and clerical tasks. They make sure everything is in order even before the ship docks at a certain port. Usually, Felicia’s team visits the next port of call three months before the scheduled arrival. 

When she was 13, she was challenged to participate in the mission work of Doulos during a Christian conference. Her aunt and uncle, who were volunteers of the ship way back, convinced her to heed the call. However, Thong’s major concern was her finances. “You have to pay to be here (in the ship). So I prayed, ‘Lord, if you really want me to go, then you have to show me the money’,” she related. Truly, the provision is in the vision. He provided for her monthly dues.

Amazing how 45 cultures blend well in a floating book fair and how each heart is joined by one string – the dynamic ministry to reach out and bring education to where it is needed.

“Our goal is to bring knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world. We do this by supplying vital literature resources, encouraging cross-cultural understanding, training young people for more effective life and service, providing needed relief, and sharing a message of hope in God wherever there is opportunity,” said Peter Nicoli, CEO of OM Ships International, in an official statement.

Logos Hope is open to the public at the Malacañang Berth from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Be a volunteer. Approach any of the crew for more information or log on to www.omships.org.  (FREEMAN)