My Calling to Missions
In January 1993 I started my Relief & Development Discipleship Training School (DTS) at Harpenden in the UK, for what was to be the start of more than 15 years of service with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and Mercy Ships. As I look back on the 3 months I spent in Harpenden I now realize how important the teaching was, not just in my own spiritual walk with God, but in how to apply my practical skills into the mission field. My DTS outreach took me to Bogotá, Colombia, where I found my calling to continue working with YWAM full time. It was in my DTS outreach that I realized that you can still be a missionary even if you are not an evangelist, pastor, children's worker etc. My job in Bogotá was to carry out maintenance on the YWAM property. By working behind the scenes enabled others to work on the front line.
Following my DTS outreach I continued to work in Bogotá for 2 more years. Amongst the general maintenance work, I took on the responsibilities of running the construction program where we built several homes for slum families, a school, and a dormitory in a street kids farm. I was also able to help lead a King's Kids team into the Amazons where we constructed several latrines in needy villages.
Following my work in Colombia I moved to work as the Chief Electrician (my own trade) on the M/V Caribbean Mercy, one of Mercy Ships vessels. On board I became responsible for all of the ship's electrical systems, which included the day to day maintenance and coordinating the electrical upgrade program of the 47 year old ship. A highlight of my technical career was in April 1998 when I ran the electrical part of the generator project. In 12 weeks a team of up to 40 workers removed the old DC generators, installed two new AC generators and prepared the ship for another 10 years of service.
In the 5 years that I served onboard the Caribbean Mercy, I was able to serve the ministry in many ways in many countries. Some of the highlights have included painting a hospital in Guatemala, well drilling in Nicaragua and sailing both ways through the Panama Canal. Our longest journey must be the one where we responded to a call for aid to North Korea. Although circumstances prevented us from entering North Korea, we were able to serve many people in Russia, China, South Korea and the Philippines. Working with YWAM and Mercy Ships is my life and unless God specifically calls me to return home, then I know that my place is in missions.
During 2000 to 2002 I worked for the Marine Operation Department of Mercy Ships in East Texas. My role has been that of Project Engineer where I have planned specific upgrade and maintenance projects for all the ships. I have completed refit periods on both the Anastasis in Rotterdam and Spain, and refit periods on the Caribbean Mercy. More recently I was located in Newcastle, UK, where I served as the Electrical Superintendent on the project to convert a former rail ferry into a state of the art hospital ship for Africa.
During 2005 I very much felt that God was calling me back into direct field ministry and accepted the position of the Homes of Hope Manager at the Ensenada operating location with YWAM San Diego/Baja. My role is to coordinate the construction teams that come to build as many as 120 homes a year for Mexican families. If I hadn't stepped out in 1993 to undertake a DTS, I wouldn't have been able to be a part of a ministry in which I have seen some many lives touched.
Mid 2008 I took on the role of Programs Director and have the responsibility of overseeing all the different programs that are run at the Ensenada Campus. This includes the Homes of Hope and Mission Adventures program alongside over local ministries partnering with the local Church.