Transition Update: July 31st

After much prayer, the Lord has directed us to our new mission vessel. It ended up being sail instead of power which  will greatly reduce our yearly operating costs.

• At this time a deposit has been put down and closing will be in 2-3 weeks.
• A surveyor has been scheduled for the middle of next week for our liability insurance.
• Over the last several weeks we have been sorting through the ship and packing all manner of items. Two small storage units have been rented and the bulk of the storage has been completed. Most of the sorting left is Eric's tools.
• The boat is currently in dry dock in Ft. Pierce, Florida. We are hoping to be completely moved off the ship very soon and then drive to Ft. Pierce for the closing.
• We may stay in Ft. Pierce for several days to familiarize ourselves with the onboard systems and then bring the boat around the tip of Florida, through the Keys and along the Gulf coast back to Louisiana.
• We will then systematically go through the storage units, deciding what to keep. 

 Please be in prayer for the following: 

• These final weeks of packing and storing. It's very physical, stressful and many things have to happen in a strategic way.  

Thank you for praying!

Our new vessel: 

1980 Morgan 462
Length 46 feet
Beam 13 Feet
Draft 5 feet 6 inches

Engine is a 90 HP  Ford Lehman
Water tanks 195 gallons
Fuel Tanks 150 gallons

Genset is a 5kw Cummins

A big bonus with this vessel is it underwent a major refit 5 years ago. Her standing rigging and chainplates were replaced. Her engine was pulled and completely rebuilt. Battery system upgraded and new charging systems installed. Electronics upgraded. New prop shaft, cutless bearing and dripless packing gland. New genset. New refrigeration system. New stainless ports.

• 46ft

Transition

'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.' Romans 8:28

In the first week of May, 2019, The board of Island Missions Support felt strongly directed by the Lord to sell the ship 'Far Horizons' and use the funds from the sale toward the purchase of a smaller vessel for mission work in the South Pacific. Having stepped forth immediately into obedience, the Lord has provided a buyer. The ship will be transferred to its new owner after the first of July. 

This has been a very difficult time, especially because of the amount of work and heart Eric poured into 'Far Horizons'. However, 'Faithful with a little' opens doors for 'Faithful with a lot'. While this is hard, we are following the leading of the Lord with all our hearts. 

Our mission vision has only changed in scale, not in purpose. 

Please be in prayer for us regarding the following as we begin this new direction:

• The new work vessel needs to be approx. 45-55 ft. It should be power not sail, and capable in safely crossing the Pacific Ocean, have large fuel capacity as well as fuel efficient. Paravanes (for stabilization) would be phenomenal.

• While small repairs, paint and cleaning are expected on the next vessel, a large repair/rebuilding project is just too much for us. Please pray that the vessel will not need anything major. 

• Downsizing to a smaller vessel is a big job. We need a lot of wisdom as to what goes with us to meet needs in the future. 

Thank you for praying!

Progress Update: May 31st

(Eric prepping wood wall behind the stove)

• All trim in the head and galley are installed.
• The area behind the stove has been puttied, sanded, primed and painted.
• Two access panels were cut under the bunk in the aft foreward cabin in order to reach the bilge and pump out the water from the plumbing leak. Pretty amazing how much sludge can build up over 45 years. All clean and dry now!
• Plumbing leaks have been addressed and hopefully that ends any further problems. 

 
 

Progress Update: May 18th

(Eric working in the day head)

• Work in the day head is almost completed. The overhead is installed as well as the flooring. All that remains to finish the job is installation of wood trim for the flooring and an 18 inch  aluminum threshold. 
• Wood trim for the galley flooring and cabinet have also been made and are ready for install.  

 

Progress Update: May 4th

 (Eric drilling aluminum hatch rim)

• The last of the galley overhead has been  completed! Eric is now working in the small day-head adjacent to the galley. He installed an exhaust fan above the sink and is currently working on the overhead panels. Flooring will be next.
• Our tired boarding ladder needed another repair and is now working well again.
• A two-burner alcohol stove was anonymously donated to us. It looks wonderful after a good cleaning with a scrub pad and NeverDull cleaner. Perfect for emergencies and can easily be transported ashore if needed. 

 

 

Progress Update: April 16th

(Eric and Penny building hatch rims)

• The last of the galley flooring and all the aluminum rims for the access hatches are finished!
• Eric is doing the last section of the galley overhead and rewiring each light fixture a bit at a time. 
• We are also battling more plumbing leaks in the lower, forward area. There was a lot of water in the bilges and the leaks are coming from some plumbing fittimgs under the laundry room and in the water heater closet under the stairwell. We are giving thanks however that only one new access hatch will have to be cut. All the other areas had access hatches built two years ago. Also thankful we were able to empty and dry the bilges easily.

Progress Update: March 31st

(Eric repairing one of the galley hatches)

• The new galley flooring installation is completed! Next will be the aluminum hatch rims. There are five wire and hydraulic run access hatches to do.
• two of the hatches needed repair. The damaged section was removed and a 'biscuit cutter tool' was used for slots and wood 'bicuits' inserted with glue to join the new section to the old hatch. 
• The last overhead section in the galley is being worked on slowly in order to give Erics' neck and shoulders a break.
• Eric also did a plumbing job repair to give us water and ice in the refrigerator again. Grateful for this wonderful blessing!