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Galya Batenina (Ukraine) describes her life before joining Logos Hope as, “A comfortable Christian life, where God had a place, but I had not made Him the centre.”
Galya says that serving on the ship has challenged her in many ways. The first thing that made her uncomfortable was the workplace she was assigned: the ship’s kitchen. The young woman who loves to be creative and lead others had to cut meat and clean tables next to people who were still strangers.
God showed her that He wanted to use this time to change her: Galya says, “I didn’t want to enjoy my work because I wanted to work somewhere else. I was open and friendly, but I wasn’t really interested in the people who weren’t part of my friendship group.”
Then she started meditating on love the way it is described in the book of Corinthians in the Bible. Galya says, “I asked God to help me to have the right attitude, no matter where I was, and I prayed for the attributes listed in 1 Cor 13: 4-8, like patience, kindness, trust and perseverance – so that I could show love to people around me.”
Galya came to realise that God was showing her how to be attentive to others through other people showing interest in her life by asking her how she felt and if they could pray for her.
Finding herself in a place she didn’t want to be made Galya think about the way she wanted to live her life. She says, “I want to be a vibrant Jesus-follower who can share God’s glory through my actions. It’s a desire of my heart now that it becomes a place concerned about other people, and I don’t want to be too focussed on myself. I am enjoying my work now, simply because I am enjoying the people I work with and I hope to be a blessing in their life.”
Another challenge for Galya was when Covid-19 paused Logos Hope’s public ministry. Having joined the Ship Ministry because she wanted to reach out to people on shore, she felt purposeless when the bookfair closed and the crew wasn’t allowed to leave the ship. She says, “I restricted ministry to a certain limit when I aimed to have an impact on only non-Christians. Step by step, God expanded my understanding of ministry and I realised that I can be a mentor and friend to people around me. Even Jesus ministered not just to strangers – but also to His friends.”
Galya plans to continue being involved in overseas work when she leaves the ship later this year, preferably in youth-centred work.
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Ships :: The experience of the Benn family (South Africa) in an unpredictable first year of service on board Logos Hope.
Ships :: The Ship Ministry marks the 50th anniversary of Logos' first voyage.
Ships :: An insight into how a family has found God faithful when they left their jobs and home to serve on board Logos Hope.
Ships :: A crewmember shares his life story of finding purpose and his business plans for when he leaves the ship.
OM Ships :: Read one crewmember's journey to serve God, and how He has prepared her for future ministry through the pandemic.
OM Ships :: The onshore literature ministry's sponsorship scheme to help struggling ministries in other parts of the world through the pandemic.
OM Ships :: Jareht hated his father, who’d walked out on five sons when Jareht was just four years old. By the age of 16, Jareht was close to ending his life. But God showed him what a true Father He is. Now, Jareht is serving on board OM’s ship, sharing God’s transforming love with others.
OM Ships :: A look at how one former crewmember is using what he learnt on board in a new initiative in his home country.
Portonovi, Montenegro :: A summary of different programmes undertaken by Logos Hope crewmembers in Montenegro.
Logos Hope :: Lucas (Brazil/Spain) shares his personal story about his journey to join and serve on board.
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines :: Crew hear from speakers helping them consider how they may serve God with their future.
Caracas Bay, Curaçao :: A British couple shares about life's journey and their service on board Logos Hope.
Ships :: A crewmember shares his life story of finding purpose and his business plans for when he leaves the ship.
Willemstad, Curaçao :: Crewmembers clear rubbish from an area close to the ship.
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines :: Logos Hope hands over aid donated by the people of Curaçao to Vincentians affected by volcanic eruptions.
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines :: Logos Hope's crew gives Bibles to children and adults living in temporary shelters after the island's volcano erupted.
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines :: Crewmembers share a message about God and receive one in return while visiting a shelter.
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines :: Logos Hope is receiving visitors again - subject to limited numbers and social distancing.
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines :: Logos Hope’s crewmembers install an outdoor playground, donated and shipped to the island from the USA.
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines :: Logos Hope's crew are inspired by the attitude of islanders they meet while cleaning up after a volcano.
