Prepped for Dorian: September 1st

(Eric making extra dock lines)

Right now the hopeful consensus on this monster hurricane is that it will make an early turn to the North and just graze the coast. This would bring only tropical storm to Cat 1 winds possibly topping 80 or so. Very doable.

• Everything has been either removed from the deck and stashed below or very securely tied down. 
• Extra heavyweight, double dock lines with chafing gear and spring lines tied to pilings and fenders placed to protect against side pilings.
• We have a good stock of water, food, propane and fuel.
• There is good shelter here and we will have electricity (A/C) till the winds top 40, then the marina will be shutting off the power. 
• This is going to be a long storm, possibly 3 days. If all goes well, once any strong winds are past, we will get the boat ready to move and be high tailing it out of here to head for home. There are other possible storms in the Atlantic heading this direction and we are praying for a solid window of opportunity to move out once Dorian passes. 

Please be praying for the following:

• Our safety and that the boat will not be damaged.
• A window of opportunity to safely head back home 
• Peace during this whole ordeal

Thank you so much for your prayers!!

   

Transition Update: August 28th

(Eric working on 1st set of solar panels)

The transition is going well and we have made a lot of progress toward getting the boat ready for delivery to Louisiana.  

• The roller furling Genoa is on the fore stay and rolled up nicely.
• 2 sets of solar panels are installed, hooked up and generating 500 watts.
• The new panels for the bimini were finished in record time and they fit great!
• The new name 'Far Horizons' and 'Green Cove Springs' hailing port is on the stern. 
• Eric replaced the impeller on the engine and has been spending time learning the systems on the boat and purchasing necessary gear and parts.
• The old anchor windlass is in working order and should make the delivery trip. It will be replaced with a brand new, updated windlass once we get back to Louisiana.
• Mary continues to deep clean the lockers, cabins and wood throughout the vessel while learning the storage areas.
• Provisioning and last minute supplies have been stored for the upcoming delivery. 

We are turning the rental car in today but if unexpected needs arise, Uber is available. Tentative departure will be after Labor Day. At this time, Tropical Storm 'Dorian' is still very unpredictable concerning landfall and is expected to reach hurricane force. Our current location is safe for riding it out and we are well versed in hurricane preparation on boats. 

Please be in prayer for the following:

• Securing a vessel for a hurricane is hard work. We will know how extensive preparations need to be at least a day or two before landfall if it comes in very near or over us. Pray for wisdom, peace and physical stamina.

Thank you for praying!

Transition Update: August 19th

(Eric wrestling the Main)

   It has been an exhausting three weeks since our last update. We finished moving off the ship in record time, cramming as much as possible into three 5x10 storage units. The last of the heavy shop tools were taken off the ship and stored in our small utility trailer. We appreciate the heavy lifting help from two wonderful, strong brothers. There is no way we could have done it without you. Thank you Caylon and Yani!!
  The last large items were stored in the back of our pick-up and in the front seats, which was then parked along with the utility trailer in a safe spot near our reserved, future slip. Our new slip will be in the marina next to the one where the ship was docked. When we return to Louisiana the ship will most likely be on the way to its new home. Very difficult emotionally but we are prayerfully moving on with God's guidance.
   We crammed the rental SUV to maximum and as Eric put it, "we looked like a kid moving away to college!" We left Louisiana on the 11th and arrived in Ft. Pierce, Fl. on the 12th. After several disoriented days, lots of paperwork and a few struggles, we are now settling into the new vessel. 

• The vessel needs to be well cleaned inside and Mary has been making good headway. Interior pictures will be posted soon. The galley has very deep fridge and freezer boxes. The cooling system needs a touch-up but will wait till we get her home.
• There are two temporary AC units. A small window unit in the hatch of the aft cabin and a portable unit in the main salon. We are going to slowly acclimate ourselves to the heat as there will be no AC once we leave the country. However! One thing I specifically prayed for, was a vessel with excellent cross ventilation. There are numerous opening ports and overhead hatches throughout the boat for excellent ventilation. Thank you Lord!
• The cockpit enclosure is up and will provide fantastic shelter from the elements. Two of the enclosures' front, clear, strataglass panels needed to be replaced. We hired a local canvas worker and the new panels should be ready in two weeks. 
• We have put window film for privacy on 7 of the 12 opening ports so far.
• The Mizzen and Main sails are now installed on the booms. 
• The vessel will gets its new vinyl name 'Far Horizons' on Thursday.  

Please be in prayer for the following:

• Wisdom for Eric as he learns the systems on the boat.
• Strength, stamina and good health for both Eric and Mary.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers!!

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.