Caracas Bay, Curaçao :: Logos Hope's newest - and oldest - volunteer shares what led him to serve in mission with his marine engineering skills.
Pete Johnson (USA) has spent the last 17 years serving as Chief Engineer with Mercy Ships, the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship. Now he is using his maritime engineering skills on another unique vessel, the world’s largest floating bookstore.
When OM Ships’ crew manager asked Pete to consider joining Logos Hope as First Engineer, he did not have to think about the offer for long: “My motto is, God is in charge of my life!” he says. On hearing there was a need for someone with his qualifications to join the ship in Curaçao, the 80-year-old considered it his calling to assist. He turned out to be the answer many people around the world had been praying for on behalf of the Ship Ministry.
When asked if he is always sure about what God wants him to do, Pete refers to a passage in the Bible, in Isaiah 30:22: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Pete believes Christians should step out in faith more often, trusting that God will guide – and, if necessary, correct – their steps. Using a nautical analogy, he says, “First, you have to move so that God can turn the rudders.”
The engineer reflects: “Whenever I feel like God is moving left and right and shaking my life, I go to the aft [the stern of a ship] where you can look out and see the trail that the ship has made in the ocean. And it is straight. Because God’s will is moving my life. God provides and He has a plan.”
Pete plans to serve with Logos Hope for several months before returning to his family, which includes 13 grandchildren.
Are you interested in serving at sea with your skills? Browse Logos Hope's current vacancies and recommend a position to someone you know: https://www.om.org/ships/professionals