Frequently Asked Questions (and answers)
Q: How’s the cruise?
A: Okay, so no one really asked me this. But I realize some of you aren’t quite clear where I am—in Germany, on a ship, on a ship in Germany?? A number of years ago, an elderly woman donated her old flower mill to our organization, and the mill was renovated into office buildings. And this is one of the reasons that the Ship Ministry is in Mosbach, Germany (nowhere near the ocean!). As you know, I work in the communications department. Some other functions that take place from our office include finances, administration, recruiting, and creating the ships’ schedules. The literature for the onboard book fairs is ordered and managed from our office, as well. Earlier this month, the literature manager arranged an order of 10,000 Arabic New Testaments to replace the rapidly disappearing copies from a free book table near the ship gangway in Beirut, Lebanon!
Q: Where do you live?
A: On December 1st, my friend and colleague, Karin, and I moved into a small, comfortable flat a couple miles from the office. It’s a quick, downhill bike ride to work each morning … and a longer, uphill ride home at night. I’m getting my exercise!
Q: How is your German coming along?
A: Slowly. I took a 12-week course, but I don’t get much practice since I work in an English-speaking office, and most of my social interaction is also with people from the office. One of my prayer requests before I left home was for an opportunity to meet some German friends. I had to smile at God’s way of answering that prayer. My first night in Germany I was put in a room with a German girl—Karin, who is now my flatmate. We’re enjoying learning from each other, and I make her laugh with my attempts at speaking German. I need to make more of those attempts and to be more diligent about practicing German with her.
Q: What’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to you in 2005?
A: Okay, once again I must admit no one has actually asked me this question. But I needed a platform to tell you about Logos Hope. I visited the ship in Copenhagen, Denmark, in January. Logos Hope is the newest vessel of the Ship Ministry and will replace Logos II, which is the ship I visited last July. The opportunities for ministry are bigger than the ship can handle—in some ports, Logos II receives more than 10,000 visitors per day! The vision is to share God’s love with each one, and a bigger ship will help by allowing for more one-on-one interaction between visitors and crewmembers. A ton of work remains to be done before the ship is ready for ministry. If you want to know more about this exciting project, please visit www.LogosHope.org.
Q: Where can I send you a package?
A: Someone really did ask me this. I promise! My address is at the bottom of the page. p.s. I love mail.
Q: How are you doing?
A: If you’re like me, you probably ask this question a dozen times a day—and don’t expect more of an answer than “fine”. Working in an international environment has not only taught me many interesting things about other cultures, but also about my own American culture. A girl on one of the ships told me at first when people asked “How are you?” and didn’t really want an answer, she thought they were rude and superficial. In her culture you would only ask this question if you really want to sit down and talk with the person about how they are doing. So, assuming some of you really do want an answer in this case … I’m doing well. Since I came back to Germany after a trip home for Christmas, I’ve felt very comfortable here. Most of the major adjustments are finished; I’ve made some friends; I’ve learned enough German to at least have a vague idea of what’s going on; I really enjoy my job. To be sure, I feel lonely or overwhelmed or homesick some days. But many more days, I feel joyful, content and amazed at the privilege I have to be on this adventure and part of this exciting ministry!
Q: How can I find out more information about the Ship Ministry?
A: Wow, I’m so glad you asked! The stuff happening around the world with the ships is way too exciting for me not to share it with you! Please check out www.omships.org. And if you want to receive bi-monthly updates with stories from the ships, send me an email and I’ll add you to the list (available by email or post).
Well, I’ve enjoyed answering your questions. Please, if you have more, feel free to send them my way! Until then…
Karen Langley
Alte Neckarelzer Str. 2
74821 Mosbach
Germany
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