Medical Ships - Australia

news updateJuly 2011 edition

Last year when the ship was anchored next to Ero village in PNG, the electrician on board, Matt Scott went into Ero to meet the locals. Twenty-three year old Fleming was one of the first people he met.

Fleming was a rascal - which is similar to a gang member in PNG. Essentially, he was making terrible decisions, getting into a lot of trouble and didn’t have much purpose in his life. When Matt and the ship arrived in Ero, Fleming began to see a bigger picture in life.

One night, Matt and others from the ship were doing a youth program and Fleming’s group of guys came to observe from the back. When the program ended, Fleming asked Matt to come meet the guys. Matt got to spend some time getting to know them, but soon the ship had moved on to its next location.

Matt’s impact on Fleming was short but profound. A few footy games and conversations and he was turning his life around, forsaking his rascal lifestyle.

When the ship was making its way back to the Gulf Province this year, Fleming heard of the need of an extra deck hand and decided to come on board. When Matt joined him a few weeks later, the reunion was amazing - made only more exciting when they found that their next port of call was Ero, Fleming’s home town.

G’day from KenRobyn and I have just returned from a few

days on the ship with Peter and Vanessa

Honeycombe of Honeycombes Property

Group. Peter and Vanessa are great friends

of the ministry and have been some of our

biggest advocates for the ship since the

vision began more than two years ago. It

was such a delight to be with them for their

first YWAM ship experience in PNG. We

witnessed heart wrenching poverty mixed

with overwhelming joy and heartfelt local

hospitality, but my favourite part by far was

watching Peter & Vanessa in ankle deep mud

helping to bring health care to people who

really need it. It was great to be on board

the medical ship again, touch base with our

hardworking crew, and meet the new medical

volunteers. Continue to encourage them!

They are doing a great job but don’t get news

from home often!

www.ywamships.org.au

Ken Mulligan - CEO YWAM Medical Ships - Australia

Young PNG Men Make a Change in Their Lives.

Volunteer Matt Scott helps with the Optometry Team on Outreach Three

Continued on back

So far this year, you’ve helped provide:

Primary Health Care Treatments - 2498Dental Procedures - 1712Health Education Attendees - 2558Resources Distributed - 4350

For more information:Address: PO Box 1959 Townsville QLD 4810 AustraliaPhone: +61 7 4771 2123 Fax: +61 7 4772 44144Email: info@ywamships.org Web: www.ywamships.org

Thanking our Sponsors:

When they arrived, Fleming and Matt met up with the guys again, and several of them were following in Fleming’s footsteps - making a change in their own lives.

Matt commented, “Fleming was surprised to see them in church that Sunday, especially because last year the church consisted of mostly older women, and very few men. This year, it was almost half women, half men, and the church was packed!” Fleming was even more surprised when they asked him for Bibles. Matt recalls, “They were so stoked to get a bible. A few were almost in tears. They were so grateful.”

“It’s so good to see the young men in the village are finding purpose,” said Matt.

Story Continued...

YWAM Ships FundraiserWe are happy to report that our Breakfast Fundraiser and Dessert Awareness Night were a success!

Island Breeze from Brisbane wowed the guests with an amazing performance.

Tim Johnston and Kim Cooper, from Australian Idol Season 7, presented beautiful music at the events. We were so thrilled that we were able to have them be a part of the occasions!

The Breakfast Fundraiser guests heard from an inspiring line-up of speakers including Jeff Wall, CBE. The Dessert Night guests also were moved by the speeches of different community leaders including Reverend Bruce Cornish.

In total, 326 people were able to attend both events. We were so thrilled with the turn out and had a wonderful day. Thank you to everyone who attended and gave towards the ship – we couldn’t do what we do without you!

Patron Hon Mike Reynolds AM shares at the YWAM Medical Ships Breakfast Fundraiser

Advocates, Peter and Vanessa Honeycombe, visiting Waitari Village as general volunteers for their first time

S

The Island Breeze Bula Band greets guests as they arrive to the events