A NEW VIEW...

It´s time for change... it has been for a while. Most of last year I felt very unsettled. Knowing, feeling that the times were changing, but not knowing in which direction. The wind blew me back to my favourite place: THE SEA!

Yes, it is time to say good bye to my little home in a small German town and start traveling again. Here is where I will be:

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul

- firm & secure"

Hebrew 6:19

FREEDOM...

…after 6 faithful years and a total of 229800 km I had to sell my car 2 weeks ago. The money I had to invest into having it run for another 2 years did not seem worth the investment. So for the last weeks I have been en joying this new freedom.

My daily life in Mosbach does not require a car. I can reach my work, super markets and many friends by foot and less than 5 minutes from my house the train stops that bring me to any bigger city in the region.

I still need to learn to calculate so I am not running late everywhere, but over all I enjoy these extra walks. Especially in the morning I realize I arrive in the office in a better mood. The walks give me time to think, to process and to plan out my day. And it gives me the opportunity to observe my surrounding, to help a person asking for the way, be on the lookout for the newest fashion that people wear, see the changes in nature or try to fend off Jehovah Witnesses, up early to hand out their leaflets.

I had to adjust by buying new shoes (might need a water proof coat as well), look for my  umbrella, learn that there is no excuse for going out in the rain, and be more considerate in what to pack for an overnight stay as I have to carry it all the way. But yes… it still is freedom!

I did enjoy the different type freedom my car gave me. To go where I wanted, when I wanted and to take with me what I wanted. But the relieve that was there when I knew that looking for parking spots, checking on fuel prices and paying for the insurance was all over now was immense. With the car gone I know as well that I am again a little less settled. I want to keep on the move, not because I don´t like where I am, but because I want to remind myself that this is not permanent. It´s not my permanent home in the big scope (that would be heaven), nor is this where I am staying many more years. And it helps me to put into practice what I believe in: living a more conscious life! I am not there (by far not), but it´s one thing less I will spend money on and be more considerate of nature.

 

So, yes it is freedom…

JUST BECAUSE...

...I actually felt like taking pictures yesterday (and that is rare) and enjoyed playing with Instagram!

a beautiful corner in Mosbach

Ludwigsburg castle

Fernweh

7 month of this year have passed without seeing me leave the borders of this country. I am starting to get itchy feet. Something has to change. And will:

Julia and I will fly to Vienna next week for a few days to celebrate her birthday and enjoy that beautiful city. I know this will be fun!

And then on August 23 the day has come for me to pack my little car till the last corner with all that you need to set up an office and head towards the Netherlands. The GO conference for our new people is about to start. More then 60 people are under my care aka. will join Logos Hope.
I am looking forward to get to know “my people” and many others that I work together with and have been writing to over the last 12 month without ever meeting face to face.
Would you please pray for a good time of preparations, good talks and beneficial meetings?

And who knows, maybe there is another place to go to in the course of this year?

Going Home…

I was home over Easter. Home, home. “Where my parents live”-home.

Don’t you think it is funny how many places can be home at the same time?
I feel at home in Mosbach. It is my own home. But my parents place is my other home, where I lived for many years. Sometimes I just need to open the door and step in and I am back again. Back home!
I feel at home in some other places as well. At church or onboard a ship or my grandparent’s place, the house where I used to live as child and the bus that I used to take to school. Even my car is to some degree home. Ghana, and Cork and the Caribbean used to be my home, and feel so at times. Home is my office and my former work colleagues. Home is sometimes a certain song or talking to a friend and not having to explain because they just know.
There are so many different types of home really and even though it was not always easy leaving some it adds value to my life.
I love home!

time diffrence

"Stop worrying about the world ending today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." — Charles M. Schulz

I think worrying is not my biggest problem. But it being already tomorrow in Australi can be a challenge.... :)

EDAM

Ok how bright do you have to be to connect the city Edam with Edamer cheese? Well, I am not bright enough. I spend one week in Volendam the sister city of Edam and drove and walked to Edam and the thought never crossed my mind that there might be a connection. Until I was home for some weeks and look up the area for my parents and saw an add. Really bright!

Any ways here a few pictures from our really relaxing time in the Netherlands (by the way did I mention we saw the Queen and two Princes?).
Oh and one more thing: Thank you Julia!!!






Wie viel Grips braucht man um die Stadt Edam mit Edamer Käse zu verbinden? Ich hab auf jeden Fall nicht genug. Da verbringe ich eine Woche in Volendam, Schwesterstadt von Edam, und bin zu Fuß und mit Auto auch in Edam gewesen und hatte nicht mal eine Ahnung. Erst einige Wochen später als ich für meine Eltern was online suchte sah ich eine Werbung und es fiel wie Schuppen von den Augen. Immer wieder gut zu wissen wie wenig man weiß!

Wie auch immer oben seht ihr einige Bilder von unserem richtig erholsamen Urlaub in Holland (übrigens erwähnte ich bereits das wir die Königen und zwei Prinzen sahen?).
Oh und noch was: Julia, DANKE!!!

on the road

The last two month I approximately drove 3.550 km (mainly in my car) and it feels like I spend most of my time on the road. These where the stops:
• Hengelo (NL)
• Frankfurt airport
• Siegburg
• Erda
• Schwäbisch Gmünd
• Stuttgart
• Frankfurt
• Waldbröl
• Volendam (NL)
• Amsterdam (NL)
• Den Haag (NL)
• Mosbach

I like to be on the road and moving around and it sure was nice to get to see many people again, meet up with some of you, get to know some better and meet new people.
I guess I was just made to be on the road….
Ok maybe not, but I sure enjoyed it. 

Actually when I look back at the time I am really thankful I was able to do this. There where no accidents or breakdowns. No major issues really. Just a really smooth and calming time. Ok, you have to be messed up a bit to consider that much traveling as calm. But a lot could have gone wrong and it didn’t and I just don’t want to take that for granted.
Anyways there where some really restful days at the end of all that traveling (by the way it was partly work related, but mainly my holidays) and I feel ready for the next challanges. Hope they will come soon…

Visiting Logos Hope

From 21st to 24th of May I was visiting the Logos Hope and I brought 11 people along with me. Most of them being part of my family and there where a lot of “Epp” badges distributed. It was funny to confuse people by explaining that all these people are either my cousins or aunt and uncle or my brothers and parents, BUT that the cousins among each other are not related. Basically everyone related to me was named Epp, but was NOT related to each other. If this does not make sense ignore it … (and if you know my family you will get it for sure).
To be accurate not all were related. Lydia, a friend from church, came with us as well and was brave enough to keep up with the Epp clan!

Ok, what did we do? We spend 2 nights onboard, got a tour of the ship, experienced a little voyage (well, actually they where only moving berths), had a vision meeting with Graham Jack and Mike Hey, got the chance to participate at prayer night, see a bit of Kiel, enjoy some time at the beach, meet some people on board, played cards … etc.
On the second day 4 more people joined our party: My aunt, uncle, youngest cousin and a friend of my aunt (she happened to be in Kiel just at that time). They enjoyed as well a tour and, while most of the group left late that afternoon, stayed with four of us for dinner and the Open Ship event in the evening.
The last day we (the 4 of us that stay a night longer) were all so very tired that we actually did not do much, except experiencing a bit more of ships life (not to forget getting a engine room tour) and seeing a tiny little bit more of Kiel! Still I enjoyed that extra time immensely. And the drive home was fun for sure!

I was glad that people showed interest in the ship and the ministry that I love that much. Some of the group have been supporting me through my 2 ½ years with Logos II … all heard me talk A LOT about it. It was great to have them actually see it and feel it and smell it … 
And it seemed that they enjoyed their time! Thank you to every one on board for helping in arranging this visit and taking time to get to know my family a little bit.
For me it was a rather stressful as I had to coordinate on the spot a lot (it was a little bit like line up) and felt responsible for the whole event. I spend most time translating or looking for people or arranging the next event or answering the group’s questions. But I knew that in advance and still had the pleasure of spending some time with my family and friends on board (though short). It was good to see them again before the ship left Germany.

Besuch auf der Logos Hope

Vom 21. bis zum 24. Mai habe ich die Logos Hope besucht und 11 Leute mitgenommen. Die meisten waren Familienmitglieder und es gab einen ganzen Haufen „Epp“ Namenschilder zu verteilen. Es war lustig die Leuten durcheinander zu bringen, wenn ich erklärt habe, dass es alles meine Cousins, Cousinen, Tanten, Onkel, Brüder und Eltern waren, dass sie untereinander aber nicht alle verwandt waren. Verwirrend wird es wenn man bedenkt, dass alle von ihnen aber Epp heißen. Wird es zu kompliziert? Nicht so wichtig … (und falls du meine Familie kennst, verstehst du es garantiert).

Ok, was haben wir gemacht? Wir hatten alle Kabinen an Bord für 2 Nächte, erhielten eine Schiffsführung, erlebten eine kleine Überfahrt (um es genau zu nehmen wechselte das Schiff nur seine Anlegestelle), hatten ein „Visionstreffen“ (so nenn ich das jetzt mal) mit Graham Jack und Mike Hey (2 der Direktoren an Bord), nahmen am Gebetsabend teil, sahen ein bisschen was von Kiel, genossen das schöne Wetter am Strand, lernten Leute an Bord kennen, spielten Karten, etc.
Am zweiten Tag wurde die Gruppe durch 4 Leute erweitert: Mein Tante, mein Onkel und Cousin und die Freundin meiner Tante (die zufällig gerade in Kiel war). Auch sie bekamen eine Schiffsführung und blieben, nachdem der größte Teil der Gruppe am späten Nachmittag nach Hause fuhr, mit 4 von uns zum Abendbrot und der „Open Ship“-Veranstaltung am Abend an Bord.
Am letzten Tag (wie gesagt bleiben wir mit 4 Leuten noch einen Tag länger) waren wir so müde, dass wir eigentlich nicht mehr viel unternommen haben. Außer vielleicht das Schiffsleben noch etwas besser kennen zu lernen (nicht zu vergessen wäre da die Führung durch den Maschinenraum) und ein klein bisschen mehr von Kiel sahen. Ich habe diesen extra Tag richtig genossen. Und die Fahrt nach Hause war super lustig!

Ich hab mich gefreut, dass sich Leute für das Schiff und die Arbeit, die ich so liebe interessiert haben. Einige haben mich die ganzen 2 ½ Jahren auf der Logos II unterstützt … und alle haben viel von mir über die Schiffe gehört. Es war echt cool das sie endlich das Schiff sehen und fühlen und riechen … eben erleben konnten!
Und es hatte den Anschein als ob sie Spaß hatten. Danke an alle an Bord, die mitgeholfen haben bei den Vorbereitungen und die sich die Mühe gemacht haben.
Für mich war es etwas stressig, da ich eigentlich ständig irgendetwas organisieren und koordinieren musste (war ein bisschen so wie „line up“) und mich für den Besuch verantwortlich fühlte. Ich habe den größten Teil der Zeit mir Übersetzen oder Leute suchen oder die nächste Aktion planen oder die Fragen der Gruppe beantworten verbracht. Aber das hatte ich ja schon im Voraus gewusst und es war schön Zeit mit meiner Familie und mit meinen Freunden an Bord (wenn auch nur sehr kurz) zu verbringen. Es war gut sie noch ein Mal zusehen bevor das Schiff Deutschland verlassen hat.

Randomly beautiful …. Beautiful randomness

Came across this picture today and wanted to share it with you. My sister took it last year in Holland.

Short hello from the Logos Hope

I am well and enjoying my time in Kiel immensely! Great meeting up with old friends, making new ones and getting challenged! I spend most of my days painting handrails and stairs in a bright blue colour. It is fun and work that is very visible. In the evenings I stay up too late, talking and playing games. But hey! These are my holidays! In between I had the opportunity to be a bit involved in the ministry side by giving tours to visitors.
Yes one week is over and the time just flew by, though it was very intense. It’s a good time! (Almost a bit to good!)
Yeah! That’s it for today! Need to go to bed to get some rest for a week full of work!

I just got the ok! I am “officially accepted to go to Logos Hope” the mail I received today read. Funny way to put it!
Yeah! In a bit more then a week I will be onboard a ship again and for the longest time since I left. I will be there from 09th – 24th of February! So excited!!!

Before that there is still a lot of work to be finished so I try my best not to think too much on it right now. No time to get distracted.
I have a 20 minute presentation on Saturday that still needs some attention. Then I am finishing my report on my placement in the ships office last year. I need to hand in at least 15 pages and have 10 by now. Then the 5 page essay on “Missionsbräute” (see the post below) is waiting to be done. I think that is all the writing. A few more things to read and some meetings and I should be ready to go!

Oh, and on Saturday I am arranging a game night with some people from my church. I decided to work against my negative attitude and thought that an event not being strictly attached to church activities might be good to get to know each other better. Will tell you how it went!

NETHERLANDS

My sisters and I are going to have a short vacation this weekend (is it possible to have a vaccation that lasts less then 48 hours?). I´m really excited! Have not been on vaccations - well real vaccations - for sooooo long.

Ok, I have been in Croatia earlier this year, but I was mainly there to serve on Logos Hope (though I have to admit that I had at least 3 days off that I spent on Logos II). Then I went on a wondeful, but sadly much too short weekend trip to Switzerland with Christine visiting Elisabeth. There have been a number of off days since then here and there and some special days (not to forget the trip to Cuxhaven visiting Logos II once again), but I never found the time (and money) to take some time off, get away from home, relax and not to be concerned with those million things the seem so urgent.

Well, I still don´t really have the money to do so, but my aunt and uncle went on holidays in the Netherlands and invited us to come along for a weekend. We do not have to look for accomodation or anything actually. Such a blessing!!!

on my way ...

.... to Mosbach! Tomorrow morning I will be driving down to Mosbach to start my internship with OM. A lot is still open and I don´t know for sure yet what exactly I will be doing. Right now I am not concerned with that at all, though. God has been providing a place for me and I know he will take care of the rest as well.
Just wanted to let you know that I will be mainly based at the ships office these following 6 weeks! So that´s where you find me, I case you are wondering. :o)

crazy trip & talks about t-shirts

I´m doing it again. Going on a crazy trip. No, this time it´s not that far away, actually only a 45 min drive. I´m going on a weekend retreat with people I do not know. Not one! The german readers might now the CT (or Christus Treff) in Marburg. It´s an evangelistic students church of a kind, with an evangelistic service every Thursday and another one on Sundays. And Sunday evening they are having an "International Worship Service" (IWS). I did attend this service a few times and decided I want to go more regulary. And the best way to get to
know the people is to go on this retreat of the IWS. I´m quite excited!

Oh, and another exciting thing happend this week. It has to do with this picture from the I-Night in Takoradi, Ghana. In Ghana we printed some t-shirts as publicity simply stating the following: Logos II in Takoradi and followed by the dates. You can see Daniel wearing one of these in the picture. Well, I found my shirt a while ago and decided to wear it. And what happend a week later? A guy that has some classes with me came up and asked me about the shirt and if I had been on the ship. This was so weird (in a good way) as there is not even an Logos II logo on it or anything else descriptive. So there is a guy studing with me and taking the same classes that knows the ships ministry! I´m really excited about it. OM is not that well known in Germany, you know! Too bad I had to hurry and could not talk to him much longer, but I soon will. Have to find out how he knows about Logos II. Great that the shirt is still fulfilling it´s purpose.

Logos II vs. Logos Hope

He, he, he, he! I know the title is a bit provoking, but here it finally comes: The report of my visit to Croatia. It was a mixture of many emotions. Joy, concern, excitement, tiredness, memories, feeling at home, bewilderment, feeling special, feeling forgotten, new challenges, etc.

But let me start from the beginning. For a while I have been thinking of using the time Logos II was in Croatia for a combined visit of the two ships (Logos Hope is being rebuilt in a yard there). But caused by exams and some other issues I did not really have time to seriously consider a trip. Until Tuesday (13th Feb.) and there I realized my only option would be to go the following day. So I surprised everyone (and shocked myself a bit) by being in Croatia 12 hours after I first mentioned going. I really believe it was God helping me arranging everything.
So there I was in Trogir as a project worker on Logos Hope. It was great to finally see this HUGE ship that is going to replace Logos II. Wow! They gave me a tour and I was totally lost. Until the end of the visit I figured out how to find my working places (deck 5 & 6), the temporary dinning room, the bath room and the exit! :o)
What did I do? Painting window frames. There where 3 coats of grey and 2 coats of white to be applied. It was cool getting to know a few people while doing so (Steven, Tom, Donna & Stephan – thank you for making the work fun).
On Friday night, Saturday and Sunday I was on board Logos II in Split! Seriously it felt like being at home again. I enjoyed walking around, remembering experiences at various spots, praying and thanking God about this unexpected gift. Very special to meet up with those that I still knew on board and I even met a few new people. It was good to have the time to really talk with some of you. It’s amazing how God works in your lives and though sometimes you find yourself in difficult situations he is right there with you. Thank you for making me feel at home and part of the ministry. I had to be careful not to fall back into the “we” when talking about OM and the ships. :o) There where as well some surprises of people being onboard I had met but had not heard of them joining the ship.
A very special blessing for me was staying the last two nights in Croatia on board Logos II (I even had a cabin in A2!).

This time got me start thinking about a few issues and one or the other I want to share with you. Here are my lessons from 8 exciting days back with OM:

1. Logos Hope – there are great opportunities waiting for this vessel! The ministry side is amazing. And crew will have a much nicer life on board. Used to think life was pretty easy on Logos II. Well, Logos Hope brings even more luxury. Somehow my attitude towards this ship has changed (not really because of it’s luxury). It’s not any more the replacement of “my” Logos II, but a own reality. It has to be a totally new thing!

2. Good seeing or hearing of some of the problems on Logos II. Not that the problems are good in itself, but it helped me to remember that the ship is not perfect. Sometimes you forget after a while away. I do not want to put Logos II (or some people) as my ideal, but Jesus Christ himself.

3. I had time to remember where I came from. Some things changed in my life after OM. Some needed to change, but in some areas I got too relaxed. I had to ask myself again what my plans where when I went home. What where my dreams? Where am I now? What is my vision? Am I still growing? (Still working on these thoughts.)

4. Though Logos II felt like home and Logos Hope is filled with promises of a great ministry I can say now for sure: This was my final line! I can’t see God calling me back at this time. If this is the closure of a stage or if I will never return again, I can’t say for now. (Had some moments thinking about being onboard with an own family. But as there is no husband or children in sight, these thoughts where very theoretical.) It was not hard to say good bye. I went on boat deck just before I left and was praying and suddenly God filled me with such a joy, that I almost started crying. Logos II has been an amazing blessing to my life and its ministry is going on. Now there are other lives being transformed.

It’s good that the ships where in Croatia. Croatia, Water, Missions and Logos II stand in a combination for me. In Croatia, while on a day trip on a little boat, I made my first move in the direction of Mission. That was the first time I told God I wanted to be used by him. That was about 7 years ago. Stunning to reflect on the years past and to see how God had (and of course still has) a plan for my life, though I found it so hard to believe at age 16.

So here it comes: the next step! Don’t know where it will lead me, but as long as the direction is “nearer to God” I do not need to know.


P.S. If you want to know more about my trip or some people I met onboard feel free to contact me.

P.P.S. I’ll write about my trip to Switzerland as soon as I have some pictures.

i returned

Here I am! Back in Germany. These have been exciting 8 days in Croatia. Has been challenging as well as fun.
I´m kind of tiered right now, but this much so far: The Logos Hope is BIG (no big surprise, I know) and kind of exciting (never thought I would say that one day).
And being on Logos II seemed like the most normal place to be at. Still felt like home.
Thank you to all those on board that made me still feel part of it afer such a long time. It is good to know you are my friends.

I promise I post mor tomorrow (or so). Have to arrange the next excting thing now: A trip to visit Elisabeth Möbes in Switzerland!

ok, here is the news: tomorrow at this time i will be in croatia, to help on the logos hope and visit logos2.
did i shock you? well, i shocked myself.
let´s see what will happen.

countries i visited

I found this and thought it was funny. It says that I visited 19% of the worlds countries. Hmm, that sound like a big number but actually I still feel like I know nothing about other cultures - well, or let´s say very little. I guess it´s true: the more you´ve seen, the more you know how little you know.
Very embarrissing is the fact that I´ve never been to asia at all. I have to change something about that. For some time already I´ve been dreaming about a trip to central asia. Maybe it will work out next year.
Well, maybe you want to figure out for your self how much of the world you have seen (well or how many ports!!!). You can create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide .