• Topics:

Shelter and freedom in Christ

One year ago, a shelter for homeless men was opened by the leader of a Baptist church. Juan Araya was himself a recovered drug addict who had been homeless. He believes God saved him from his addiction, restored his marriage and family and has changed his life completely.

Juan wanted to pass this blessing on to others. A group of Logos Hope volunteers visited his shelter on the outskirts of Antofagasta, to share a message of restoration and peace to a group of men who are experiencing challenging circumstances.

Serena Poobalan (East Asia Pacific) told the men her story: “Everything was in my head but not in my heart. When I began serving on the ship, some of my friends told me their testimonies and told me about the love of Christ in their hearts,” she explained. “I decided that I wanted to know this love too. I prayed about it and God answered. That’s what changed my life,” she said.

“They were shaken by the Holy Spirit,” Serena observed after having told her story. “God was touching them and they were very responsive.”

When the crewmembers asked the homeless men to share their stories, many volunteered to talk about the hurt they had gone through, on the path of drugs, criminality and addiction. Tears were shed as they all concluded that Jesus was their only way to forgiveness and salvation.

Juan shared his own story of being a drug addict for 20 years. After an emotional speech, he told the residents: “God restored my marriage and I decided in faith to serve Him. I believe that the same God who liberated me is in you.” Juan encouraged the men to accept Christ's love, saying that God had put men and women from all across the world together on a ship, and brought them to their city. “How could we silence the love of God?” he challenged them.

“You are in the perfect will of God,” Juan told the ship's volunteers. “You are a blessing for the church in Chile. Thank you for listening to His voice.”

As they were heading back to Logos Hope, Serena reflected, “Some believe no one cares about them or loves them, but God cares and loves them so much. God knew exactly what the men needed to hear. I learnt that it is more beneficial to listen than to talk. Being listened to heals these wounded people. And speak when God is putting something on your heart!”

Share this Resource

Leave a Reply

You might also like:

Previous
Next

Other Resources by

  • Our opportunities for going to Chile, Ships
Doulos Hope: IT Technician Ships    Go & Live    February 2023The ICT team supports the onboard crew with ICT functions aboard the MV Doulos Hope and ensures the systems required to perform those functions are available and functioning correctly.
Full Details
Logos Hope: Multimedia Producer Ships    Go & Live    February 2023Use your special ability to inspire and motivate through storytelling with high quality video production and be a part of OM Ships team sharing knowledge, help and hope.
Our communications team on board Logos Hope help provide finished video and other resources to inform and inspire the public and our partners around the world.
Full Details
LOGOS HOPE STEP Opportunity – STEP II 2023 Ships    Go & Visit    12 May 2023 - 16 August 2023Life on the ships is fast-paced and can be intense. Come with a servant heart, an attitude to learn, and willingness to be flexible and this could be the experience of a lifetime. Many who have been on STEP bear witness to the huge impact it has made on their lives, and to how God has worked in and through them.
Full Details
DOULOS HOPE Short Term Programme 8 August – 7 October 2023 Ships    Go & Visit    8 August 2023 - 7 October 2023This is a great and unique opportunity to join the first crew on Doulos Hope to get the ship ready for Ministry . Come with a servant heart, an attitude to learn, and willingness to be flexible and this could be the experience of a lifetime. Many who have been on OM ships on a short term experience bear witness to the huge impact it has made on their lives, and to how God has worked in and through them.
Full Details
Logos Hope: Dentist (Long-term or short-term opportunity) Ships    Go & Live    As soon as possibleAre you a qualified Dentist looking for an exciting ministry to be part of?  The Dentist  on board Logos Hope run and maintain the Dental Clinic on board and privides dental care and treatment to crew andstaff.
Full Details
Logos Hope: Welder – Long and Short Term Roles Available Ships    Go & Live    As soon as possibleJoin our international team of 400 people from 50 different nationalities. We’re investing in young people and the opportunity to use and grow in your technical skills to keep a life-changing ministry operating. Being part of the on board community you will receive personal input through daily team devotions and other ship events as well as the opportunity to experience the culture of the international crew and staff and the countries the ship.
Full Details
Doulos Hope: Navigational Officer of the Watch Ships    Go & Live    February 2023Join our international team of around 150 people from many different nationalities. Have the opportunity to invest in young people and use your technical skills to keep a life-changing ministry operating. Being part of the on board community you will also receive personal input through daily team devotions and other ship events as well as the opportunity to experience the culture of the international crew and staff and the countries the ship visits.
Full Details
Doulos Hope: Baker Ships    Go & Live    February 2023As a baker, together with others you will produce quality baked items for those in the ship’s community (around 150 people) & the local visitors who come to our I-Café and events on board. Our purpose is two-fold; to feed, bless & encourage those serving in the ship’s community, and to provide items creating a hospitable environment to connect with our visitors.
Full Details
Logos Hope: First Engineer, Operations Ships    Go & Live    As soon as possibleJoin our international team of 400 people from 50 different nationalities. Have the opportunity to invest in young people and use your technical skills to keep a life-changing ministry operating. Being part of the on board community you will also receive personal input through daily team devotions and other ship events as well as the opportunity to experience the culture of the international crew and staff and the countries the ship visits.
Full Details
Logos Hope: Navigational Officer of the Watch Ships    Go & Live    As soon as possibleJoin our international team of 400 people from 50 different nationalities. Have the opportunity to invest in young people and use your technical skills to keep a life-changing ministry operating. Being part of the on board community you will also receive personal input through daily team devotions and other ship events as well as the opportunity to experience the culture of the international crew and staff and the countries the ship visits.
Full Details
DOULOS HOPE Short Term Programme 6 April – 7 June 2023 Ships    Go & Visit    6 April 2023 - 7 June 2023This is a great and unique opportunity to join the first crew on Doulos Hope to get the ship ready for Ministry . Come with a servant heart, an attitude to learn, and willingness to be flexible and this could be the experience of a lifetime. Many who have been on OM ships on a short term experience bear witness to the huge impact it has made on their lives, and to how God has worked in and through them.
Full Details
LOGOS HOPE STEP Opportunity – STEP V 2023 Ships    Go & Visit    9 November 2023 - 10 January 2024Life on the ships is fast-paced and can be intense. Come with a servant heart, an attitude to learn, and willingness to be flexible and this could be the experience of a lifetime. Many who have been on STEP bear witness to the huge impact it has made on their lives, and to how God has worked in and through them.
Full Details
All Service Opportunities
All Visit Opportunities