Further inland than ever before, Doulos Hope made history by voyaging through the Mekong River during June 2024. This journey fulfils a dream that has been in the making since Doulos Hope’s launch. Her agile build and smaller size enable her to visit communities that would otherwise be out of reach.
But this wasn’t the only historical event that took place. Doulos Hope also became the first of OM’s ships to dock in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, opening a door for God to work in remarkable ways.
An answer to prayer
Since the beginning of OM in Cambodia in 2004, staff and volunteers have been striving to bridge the poverty gap that affects many families. Through education, counselling, and practical and spiritual help, OM in Cambodia works in the heart of lesser-privileged communities to help people break out of the cycle of poverty.
For many years, their leadership prayed that one of OM’s ships would reach their home base in Phnom Penh.
When this finally occurred, Sally Ababa (Philippines), of the OM in East Asia leadership team, shared, “I think it is a breakthrough that opens up more opportunities to reach the wonderful group of people in the Mekong. The Doulos Hope visit has helped ignite the young people across the region to be mobilised, to be equipped and to learn from young people on the ship.”
Coming together as one
Upon the ship’s arrival, locals from the communities OM serves welcomed Doulos Hope in the port with great excitement. “For them, it’s the first time they’ve seen such a big ship,” Philemon Tei (Singapore), a member of OM in Cambodia, noted. “There were people who felt really touched that all of you would come to their land to share God’s love.”
During her five-week stay in Phnom Penh, crewmembers connected with locals through the distribution of glasses to improve vision, children’s programmes, the bookfair, and food donations.
Philemon continued, “The community that the ship brought, that fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ, is the greatest blessing that the ship has given.”
All it takes is a willing heart
Some locals took an excited interest in serving God around the world. One church leader who is partnered with OM in Cambodia is now planning to send volunteers on board Doulos Hope. “After the ship came, we saw that Cambodia can contribute too,” he expressed.
Philemon called this realisation a “shocking change,” and went on to say, “It is so significant to have churches support local Cambodians going out. When Doulos Hope came, people saw that you don’t need much experience – you need a willing heart and a faith, and you can serve and make a difference.”
Just the beginning
Sally concluded, “Our desire is that these few followers of Jesus Christ will be further discipled and further exposed to the bigger body of Christ, so that they will be the ones to reach out to their own people - going deeper and farther to different communities and people groups, and we need more workers to help our growing ministries!"
Celebrate this significant milestone of reaching Phnom Penh with us by giving thanks to God for Doulos Hope’s opportunity to travel up the Mekong River! As she continues to visit new ports along the way, pray for long-lasting impact and that more will want to serve the Lord, just like in Phnom Penh.
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