Day 28 Mother's Day

It’s hard to explain just how special it is to ride on the trains of Europe with a Euro rail pass in your hands. There is a joyous feeling when the ticket inspector comes to look at your ticket and he simply smiles waves and wishes you a good trip. Today was the first of our European train journeys and it was in First Class, as can only buy a First Class Eurorail pass when you are over 26 years of age. And even more exciting was being on a train travelling along at 250 kms per hour. Our journey from Brussels to Kiel via Koln and Hamburg was long, about 8 hours, but was also, if you look on a map, a very long way.

We arrived in Kiel, and with the help of a local taxi, finally found the ship the Logos Hope that Peter (our son) is staying on for a year. It was a Mother’s Day without presents for Wendy but the greatest present was to see her youngest child Peter. Family is one of God’s greatest gifts and a family reunion amidst an adventurous trip was very special indeed. Peter is well and enjoying his time on the ship. It has already been a delight to meet his many friends and to sense that he is enjoying and making a real contribution to the ministry of this wonderful OM ship.

Peter gave us an extended ship tour, which lasted over 2.5 hours. The ship, with its 9 decks is huge and wonderful. Though they are working still to get things ready it is also clear that much has been achieved. We sat in the newly completed dining room, which was large, spacious, almost flat and filled with light from its large windows that look out onto Kiel. Kiel has a surprisingly beautiful harbour and interestingly was the venue for the sailing at the 1936 Olympic Games. The size of this ship compared to the Doulos (the Hope’s sister ship) is quite extraordinary. The large auditorium, bookshop, café and interactive display areas are yet to be completed but are progressing. It is a very exciting place to be.

Mother’s Day with Pete, in Kiel Germany, on the MV Logos Hope! Wow!