A little over a month ago OM’s new ship called Logos Hope was finally ready to go into ministry, after five years of conversion work and quite a bit of strain on the OM world’s patience. As model OMers we had to go and visit the ship in all its glory so we took the opportunity while it’s as close as it can ever get. Holger and I went to Scheveningen, close to The Hague in the Netherlands, which for us happens to be the shortest way to any ocean.

After a ride of three hours and quite a bit of traffic jam we arrived on board and were welcomed by my friend Svenja. She gave us a tour and to see the changes that happened since my last visit in February 2008 was really amazing: It’s incredible what carpet and a lack of construction noise can do! This everlasting construction place, the inhabitants of which were to be pitied greatly, has been transformed into a beautiful, warm, and welcoming bookship. I was not at all tempted to move onboard a ship yet again , however, there were certainly aspects that we only dreamed about when serving on the “old lady” of almost 95 years, the Doulos. In the late afternoon we had finished shopping books and admiring the ship and said goodbye so we could quickly visit the beach that started just next to the ship.

The weather forecast had not been very promising but as an answer to my half-hearted prayer the night before, we were able to enjoy the beautiful sandy beach with clear sky and sun. Although the low temperature of 6° centigrade and the strong wind were not really encouraging to take a bath in the ocean, we thoroughly enjoyed watching the waves.

As we were walking down this beautiful beach I suddenly realised that a dream had come true. Being a hopeless romantic, ever since I was a little girl I hoped that one day I would be walking along the sea shore with the love of my life. With Holger by my side the moment had arrived and I felt that I just received a hundredfold of what I had to give up when I joined OM five years ago. Without this step into the unknown, Holger and I would not have met and even more so, we would not be such a good match if it hadn’t been for my OM experiences.

Even if it first seems to lead away from hopes and plans, following where God leads really is absolutely worth it.