ssMaritime.net
MV Doulos
“A
Ship Like no Other”
By Reuben Goossens
An American 1914
built ship that sailed 95 Years into History
SS
Medina (1914-1948)
Chapter Nine
--MV Doulos--
Doulos'
Postcard - Author’s private collection
Over many years many have supported GBA – Gutte Buche fur Alle” - “Good Books for All” and OM Ships International - “Operation Mobilization” for being a wonderful Christian Missionary work. The work is supported because of the wonderful work that is done by the many wonderful Douloid’s (volunteers) who so faithfully give years of service free of charge in the Lord’s service, although they are generally supported financially by their home Churches and/or Christian organisations. Volunteers on board include the captain, all officers, engineer to the all important deck Hand and all on the Doulos are 100% equal and they are not paid for the work they do on board, but receive accommodation and full board, etc! However, as I already indicated the means of support comes to OM Ships from various Churches and other organisations as well from individual’s from their massive worldwide funding campaigns who would faithfully provide for their care, as well as fore fuel and the upkeep of their ships by donating! In addition, everyone who does a tour of the Doulos pays a fee, and then there is the sale of books and both of these are very profitable indeed. Thus, funding is well provided for, but there are high overheads and ships cost a great deal in maintenance, thus more is always required.
A Captain speaks out. “Wherever we go it gives us an opportunity to invite the local people on board and visit our book ship, as well as give books to those who are in need and do whatever we are able can to assist with the people in various lands. But more importantly if there is a good Pastor around we provide Bibles and other suitable material to him and he will distribute it. In addition we will the Word through our actions and we have seen many lives touched in that way. Thus our work on the Doulos is worthwhile and it is a work for Lord and the Lord alone! Praise Him”
The work of those who have worked on the Doulos is faultless and we should applaud them and their wonderful spirit as they go and spread the Word!
A Message from the Doulos’ Project
Coordinator
“MV Doulos promotes international understanding and world-wide education, through cultural exchange programmes, community service initiatives and as a floating book fair.
The Doulos as she sails
the globe carries a stock close to half a million books. There are thousands of
titles that cover a wide range of subjects, including many Bibles covering all
versions, be it the KJV, NIV and others as well as countless Christian books,
but we also carry thousands of educational and general reading books on Doulos,
from science, technology, sports, the arts, philosophy, as well as hobbies, and
cookery. These books are chosen to meet the educational and social needs of the
various local communities and a large selection is devoted especially for
children. Local language materials are also available together with the vast
array of English books where they are needed!
The Doulos experience encourages all who come aboard to expand their horizons and embark on a voyage of discovery and it is our Christian lifestyle that touched those who come on board, thus we do see many lives changed.”
Marlieske Smilde.
OM’s,
past ships Logos and Logos II and now the Logos Hope have been serving the
nations since 1970. Over the past thirty years the vessels have visited ports
in over 135 countries in
A Special Thank You to …
1999: I wish to thank
Captain of the Doulos, Captain Graeme
Bird for his enthusiastic hospitality! The ever delightful Doulos’
Project co-ordinator, Marlieske Smilde
for her efforts and all of Doulos’ wonderful staff for their outstanding
hospitality and co-operation whilst I was onboard. Also, thank you, Richard Beaumont Doulos' National
Director in
2008. I hereby wish to give
a very special thank you to Doulos’ Director Dr. Daniel Chae for his friendship whilst I spent my 23 days on
board. Also my good friend and host Mr.
Sven Benseler,
Manager of Doulos’ “Partner Ministries,” who was kind enough
to assist me in every possible was whilst I had a wonderful time the MV Doulos
most of August 2008. Sven has become a great friend and he and his wonderful
wife Mirjam and
children will remain in my heart always! Also thank you to Captain Ashley
McDonald for sharing time with me and allowing me on the Bridge as we sailed
out of
The voyage in 2008 meant a great deal to this
“Old salt,” thus to all the aforementioned a special thank you so
much for making my time onboard the Doulos and my voyage the experience of a
lifetime!
MV Doulos is
seen here in 1989 before the
Photograph
by & © Stephen Moore
Photograph
by & © Stephen Moore
Doulos in
Photograph by & © 1999 Reuben Goossens
Return to the Author’s – MV Doulos “A Ship Like No Other” Main Index
PLEASE NOTE:
Doulos was
decommissioned by OM Ships in December 2009
Read my … “MV Doulos
Preservation Campaign” page for details
on how my campaign saved her
for the future to become the Doulos Phos.
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